Rep. Cotham files bill in North Carolina House on building code exemptions for emergency radio coverage

A new bill filed by State Rep. Tricia Ann Cotham in the North Carolina House seeks to amend building codes to establish exemptions for specific structures from emergency radio coverage mandates, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 768 on April 3 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Clarify Emerg. Comm. Exemptions/Fire Code.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates the North Carolina Building Code Council to amend the State Building Code and Fire Prevention Code to establish exemptions for certain buildings from in-building emergency responder radio coverage requirements. These include apartment buildings under 75 feet high with fewer than 150 units, structures not exceeding two stories that provide direct exterior egress, one-family and two-family dwellings, townhouses regulated by the Residential Code, and buildings under 12,000 square feet with no subterranean levels. Existing radio systems in exempted buildings installed prior to the bill’s effective date do not need removal and can be deactivated. Until permanent rules are adopted, interim exemptions apply. The bill becomes effective upon enactment, and its provisions sunset with the implementation of the permanent rules.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Cotham proposed the most bills (38) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Cotham graduated from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte with a BA.

Cotham, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 105th House district, replacing previous state representative Wesley Harris.