State Rep. Zack Hawkins has submitted legislation designed to introduce a Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority license plate while updating related protocols for distributing plate fees, according to the North Carolina State House.
Designated as HB 1023 and filed on April 21 during the 2025 regular session, the measure carries the short title: ‘Divine Nine Special Registration Plate Act.’
Here is an overview compiled from the bill text, with clarifications as necessary for understanding its contents.
In summary, the bill proposes a Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority special registration plate displaying the sorority’s seal, name and the phrase “Greater Service, Greater Progress,” with a $20 surcharge for the plate. The amendment reallocates funds, placing $10 from each Sigma Gamma Rho plate into the Special Registration Plate Account and $20 into the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account, and stipulates that funds from the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction plates for Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma and Sigma Gamma Rho be sent quarterly to their associated educational or foundation organizations. It also provides for the rearrangement and renumbering of special plate listings. The act takes effect upon becoming law.
Among the three sponsors supporting the measure, Hawkins was the primary sponsor for 50 bills in the 2025 regular session.
Legislation in North Carolina undergoes a multi-stage process before final passage. A member files a bill, which is then assigned to a committee. Each chamber must read the bill three times. If one chamber amends a bill after the other passes it, both must approve the final language. Once both legislative chambers agree, the governor has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is adjourned) to sign, veto, or allow the legislation to become law without taking any action.
Hawkins earned a Bachelor of Science from Elizabeth City State University.
A Democrat, Hawkins has represented North Carolina’s 31st House district since his 2019 election, succeeding former representative Henry Michaux, Jr..
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zack Hawkins, Allison A. Dahle, and James Roberson | HB 1023 | 04/21/2026 | Divine Nine Special Registration Plate Act. |
| Zack Hawkins, Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, and Lindsey Prather | HB 1017 | 04/21/2026 | Sound Basic Education for Every Child. |
| Zack Hawkins, Aisha O. Dew, and Pricey Harrison | HB 1011 | 04/15/2025 | NC Compassionate Care Act. |
| Zack Hawkins, Jarrod Lowery, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 1004 | 04/10/2025 | UNC AI & Technology Hubs. |
| Zack Hawkins, Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Julie von Haefen | HB 910 | 04/10/2025 | DRIVE Recommendations/Teacher Diversity. |
| Zack Hawkins, Julie von Haefen, Maria Cervania, and Pricey Harrison | HB 922 | 04/10/2025 | North Carolina Consumer Protection Act. |
| Zack Hawkins, B. Ray Jeffers, Marcia Morey, and Vernetta Alston | HB 927 | 04/10/2025 | Durham Funding Bill. |
| Zack Hawkins, Allen Buansi, Harry Warren, and Tim Longest | HB 931 | 04/10/2025 | End Predatory Towing Fees and Practices. |
| Zack Hawkins, Donna McDowell White, and Sarah Crawford | HB 933 | 04/10/2025 | IDD Omnibus. |
| Zack Hawkins, Jake Johnson, Jeff Zenger, and Vernetta Alston | HB 934 | 04/10/2025 | AI Regulatory Reform Act. |
| Zack Hawkins, Beth Helfrich, Eric Ager, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 937 | 04/10/2025 | Keeping Our Coaches Act. |
| Zack Hawkins, Beth Helfrich, Mike Colvin, and Ya Liu | HB 951 | 04/10/2025 | SOS (State Owned Structures) Child Care Act. |
| Zack Hawkins | HB 954 | 04/10/2025 | Local Gov’ts Disaster Fund. |
| Zack Hawkins, Amber M. Baker, and Bill Ward | HB 957 | 04/10/2025 | HBCU/HMSI Omnibus. |
| Zack Hawkins | HB 977 | 04/10/2025 | Defend NC. |
| Zack Hawkins, David Willis, and Mike Colvin | HB 978 | 04/10/2025 | Est. Youth Mentoring Comm./Mentoring Funds. |
| Zack Hawkins | HB 988 | 04/10/2025 | Revise Law on Instant Bingo. |
| Zack Hawkins | HB 994 | 04/10/2025 | Western NC Support; Expand Comm. Eco. Dev. |
| Zack Hawkins, Carla D. Cunningham, Terry M. Brown Jr., and Vernetta Alston | HB 857 | 04/09/2025 | Create Alert/Missing Person w/ Disability. |
| Zack Hawkins, Cynthia Ball, Tim Longest, and Vernetta Alston | HB 823 | 04/08/2025 | County Service Districts/Research & URSD. |
| Zack Hawkins, Donna McDowell White, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 810 | 04/07/2025 | State Employee Bereavement Leave/Up To 40-Hrs. |
| Zack Hawkins, Hugh Blackwell, Jake Johnson, and Matthew Winslow | HB 819 | 04/07/2025 | DIT Agency Bill. |
| Zack Hawkins, B. Ray Jeffers, Marcia Morey, and Vernetta Alston | HB 783 | 04/03/2025 | Funds for Sidekicks Academy. |
| Zack Hawkins, Julie von Haefen, Monika Johnson-Hostler, and Vernetta Alston | HB 725 | 04/02/2025 | MOMnibus 3.0. |
| Zack Hawkins, Abe Jones, and Garland E. Pierce | HB 726 | 04/02/2025 | Youth Mentoring & Academic Enhancement Comm. |
| Zack Hawkins, B. Ray Jeffers, Marcia Morey, and Vernetta Alston | HB 731 | 04/02/2025 | Funds for Pauli Murray Center. |
| Zack Hawkins, Jordan Lopez, and Marcia Morey | HB 733 | 04/02/2025 | The Everybody Eats Act. |
| Zack Hawkins, Becky Carney, Deb Butler, and Pricey Harrison | HB 742 | 04/02/2025 | Healthy and High-Performing Schools. |
| Zack Hawkins, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Maria Cervania, and Pricey Harrison | HB 745 | 04/02/2025 | Fair Competition Study Act. |
| Zack Hawkins, Amber M. Baker, B. Ray Jeffers, and James Roberson | HB 639 | 04/01/2025 | Prioritize In-State Applicants/UNC Ed Schools. |
| Zack Hawkins, Jonathan L. Almond, Rodney D. Pierce, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 688 | 04/01/2025 | Funds for Inclusive Playgrounds. |
| Zack Hawkins, Donny Lambeth, Laura Budd, and Ray Pickett | HB 578 | 03/31/2025 | The Jason Flatt Act of North Carolina. |
| Zack Hawkins, Donna McDowell White, Sarah Crawford, and Vernetta Alston | HB 551 | 03/27/2025 | Clubhouse Expansion. |
| Zack Hawkins, Donnie Loftis, Jerry “Alan” Branson, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 472 | 03/20/2025 | Commercial Vehicle & Cargo Protection. |
| Zack Hawkins, Aisha O. Dew, Jordan Lopez, and Pricey Harrison | HB 413 | 03/17/2025 | Marijuana Legalization and Reinvestment Act. |
| Zack Hawkins, Allen Buansi, B. Ray Jeffers, and Renée A. Price | HB 416 | 03/17/2025 | Funds for Boys & Girls Clubs. |
| Zack Hawkins, Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, and Lindsey Prather | HB 420 | 03/17/2025 | Sound Basic Education for Every Child. |
| Zack Hawkins, David Willis, Jake Johnson, and Steve Tyson | HB 424 | 03/17/2025 | Gaming Laws/Allow Certain Social Games. |
| Zack Hawkins, Carolyn G. Logan, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Pricey Harrison | HB 401 | 03/13/2025 | Allow Lottery Winners to be Confidential. |
| Zack Hawkins, Allison A. Dahle, and James Roberson | HB 407 | 03/13/2025 | Divine Nine Special Registration Plate Act. |
| Zack Hawkins, Ray Pickett, Tricia Ann Cotham, and Ya Liu | HB 378 | 03/11/2025 | Leon’s Law (Dual Enrollment Info Parents). |
| Zack Hawkins, Julie von Haefen, Kanika Brown, and Pricey Harrison | HB 344 | 03/10/2025 | Litter Reduction Act of 2025. |
| Zack Hawkins, James Roberson, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 259 | 03/03/2025 | Brown-Morgan Science Olympiad Grant. |
| Zack Hawkins, Jordan Lopez, Terry M. Brown Jr., and Vernetta Alston | HB 256 | 02/27/2025 | Allow Public Employee Collective Bargaining. |
| Zack Hawkins, B. Ray Jeffers, Marcia Morey, and Vernetta Alston | HB 208 | 02/25/2025 | Partnership for Children Information Access. |
| Zack Hawkins, B. Ray Jeffers, Marcia Morey, and Vernetta Alston | HB 209 | 02/25/2025 | Employee Housing/Durham County. |
| Zack Hawkins, James Roberson, Monika Johnson-Hostler, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 65 | 02/05/2025 | Sigma Gamma Rho Special Registration Plate. |
| Zack Hawkins, Lindsey Prather, Marcia Morey, and Pricey Harrison | HB 20 | 01/29/2025 | Fair Maps Act. |
| Zack Hawkins and Howard Penny, Jr. | HB 21 | 01/29/2025 | Drivers License Designation/Autism. |
