A new bill filed by State Rep. Brian Biggs in the North Carolina House seeks to strengthen protections against deed fraud through improved oversight and notification systems, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 431 on March 18 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Preventing Deed Fraud.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill seeks to combat deed fraud by granting registers of deeds the authority to refuse recording suspicious instruments and requiring non-trusted submitters to present a government-issued photographic ID. It mandates the creation of a fraud detection alert system that sends notifications when land records are recorded and calls for a study examining the feasibility of automatic enrollment in such systems without fees. Additionally, the bill provides for an expedited legal process to quiet titles affected by fraudulent instruments, allowing real property owners to challenge false, fictitious, or fraudulent recordings in court. It goes into effect Oct. 1, 2025, for new registrations and court actions.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Biggs proposed the most bills (17) 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.
Biggs, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 70th House district, replacing previous state representative Patricia Hurley.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Biggs, Laura Budd, Sarah Stevens, and Ya Liu | HB 431 | 03/18/2025 | Preventing Deed Fraud. |
| Brian Biggs, Neal Jackson, Steve Tyson, and Wyatt Gable | HB 411 | 03/17/2025 | Reduce Early Voting Period for Primaries. |
| Brian Biggs, David Willis, Ray Pickett, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 414 | 03/17/2025 | 1-to-1 Credit for Career and College Promise. |
| Brian Biggs, David Willis, and Heather H. Rhyne | HB 415 | 03/17/2025 | Modify Math & Social Studies Grad. Req. |
| Brian Biggs, Bill Ward, Jennifer Balkcom, and Neal Jackson | HB 261 | 03/03/2025 | Sent. Enhancement/Immigration-Related Crimes. |
| Brian Biggs, Brenden H. Jones, Brian Echevarria, and Neal Jackson | HB 244 | 02/27/2025 | Depoliticize Government Property Act. |
| Brian Biggs, Charles Smith, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 217 | 02/25/2025 | Driver Educ./18 Yrs & Older & Unlicensed. |
| Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, John R. Bell, IV, and Neal Jackson | HB 186 | 02/24/2025 | The Stars and Stripes Commitment Act. |
| Brian Biggs | HB 161 | 02/21/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Randolph Co. |
| Brian Biggs, David Willis, Hugh Blackwell, and John A. Torbett | HB 144 | 02/17/2025 | Elect SBE/Superintendent as SBE Chair. |
| Brian Biggs, Allen Chesser, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 112 | 02/12/2025 | Increase Permissible Interstate Speed Limit. |
| Brian Biggs, Julia C. Howard, Kyle Hall, and Steve Tyson | HB 96 | 02/11/2025 | Expedited Removal of Unauthorized Persons. |
| Brian Biggs, Donnie Loftis, John A. Torbett, and Kelly E. Hastings | HB 86 | 02/10/2025 | Citizens’ Expungement Clarification of 2025. |
| Brian Biggs, Blair Eddins, Mike Schietzelt, and Neal Jackson | HB 87 | 02/10/2025 | Cell Phone-Free Education. |
| Brian Biggs, Donny Lambeth, Larry W. Potts, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 60 | 02/04/2025 | Modernize Medicaid Dental Rates. |
| Brian Biggs, Kyle Hall, Neal Jackson, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 31 | 02/03/2025 | Make Election Day A State Holiday. |
| Brian Biggs, Celeste C. Cairns, Erin ParĂ©, and Keith Kidwell | HB 4 | 01/29/2025 | Sam’s Law. |
