Rep. Jackson files bill in North Carolina House on daily pledge recitation

A new bill filed by State Rep. Neal Jackson in the North Carolina House seeks to mandate daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and display of flags in classrooms and school meetings, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 186 on Feb. 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘The Stars and Stripes Commitment Act.’

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

In essence, the bill mandates that local school boards, charter schools, and regional schools in North Carolina schedule recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance daily within one hour of the start of the instructional day, without compelling participation. Each classroom is required to display the U.S. and North Carolina flags when available and provide age-appropriate instruction on their historical significance. Additionally, this requirement extends to every State Board of Education or public school unit governing body meeting. The act becomes effective immediately and applies starting with the 2025-26 school year.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Jackson proposed the most bills (11) 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.

Jackson, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 78th House district, replacing previous state representative Allen McNeill.