Samuel Watford

North Carolina House

Samuel Watford

RepublicanRepresentative · District 80
Running for Reelection · November 2026

Election Day: November 3, 2026 · Register to vote at ncsbe.gov

2
Bills Sponsored
12
Bills Cosponsored
802
Votes Cast
100%
Party Unity Score

Sponsored Bills (2)

H247Passed

Underground Safety Revisions

This bill updates North Carolina's underground utility safety laws by clarifying definitions, extending notification timelines, expanding safe excavation methods, and revising the enforcement process through the Underground Damage Prevention Review Board. It introduces soft dig technologies (air and water pressure excavation), adjusts work notice periods from 3-12 days to a minimum of 3 days with a 28-calendar-day validity period, and modifies liability protections and penalty procedures for violations.

House2025-06-26
H761Introduced

Limit Session Length

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would limit how long the North Carolina General Assembly can meet in regular session: 90 legislative days in odd-numbered years and 45 legislative days in even-numbered years. The amendment would be submitted to voters in November 2026, and if approved, would take effect for future legislative sessions.

House2025-04-07

Cosponsored Bills (12)

H171Vetoed

Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI

This bill prohibits North Carolina state agencies and local governments from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, policies, or staff positions. It defines DEI as initiatives that influence hiring or employment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, nationality, country of origin, or sexual orientation outside of merit-based processes, and establishes penalties for violations including fines up to $10,000 and potential removal from employment.

House2026-06-24
H258Passed

Worker Safety Act of 2026

This bill clarifies the process for filing complaints about workplace retaliation under North Carolina's worker protection laws. It specifies what information complaints must contain, allows employers to submit response statements within seven days, requires extra materials submitted with complaints to be destroyed and kept confidential, and establishes how time periods are calculated in these cases.

House2026-06-22
H1089Passed

Const. Amend. Property Tax Levy Limit

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would require the North Carolina General Assembly to pass laws limiting how much local governments (counties, cities, towns, and special districts) can increase their property tax levies each year. The amendment would be submitted to North Carolina voters in the November 2026 general election, and if approved by a majority of voters, would become part of the state constitution.

House2026-05-21

Voting Record (802)

802
Votes Cast
658
Yea
63
Nay
90%
Participation
  • Yea
    H199HousePassed

    Authorize Municipal Deannexation

    2026-08-04
  • Yea
    H147HousePassed

    Various Local Provisions XI

    2026-08-04
  • Yea
    H268HousePassed

    2026 Budget Technical Corrections - II

    2026-08-04
  • Yea
    H116HousePassed

    Jacksonville Annexation & Conforming Changes

    2026-07-02
  • Yea
    S1088HousePassed

    Appt. Floyd McKissick NC Utilities

    2026-07-02
  • Yea
    H56HousePassed

    2026 Budget Technical Corrections

    2026-07-02
  • Yea
    H332HousePassed

    Nash/Rocky Mount Occupancy Tax Changes

    2026-07-02
  • Not Voting
    H199HousePassed

    Authorize Municipal Deannexation

    2026-07-02
  • Yea
    S1089HousePassed

    Appt. Melanie Bush Division of Health Benefit

    2026-07-02
  • Yea
    S257HousePassed

    2026 Appropriations Act

    2026-07-02
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