The General Assembly has several "sticks" it can use to ensure a board like the NCVMB is following the statutes:
• Performance Audits: The legislature can request the State Auditor to conduct a formal audit of the NCVMB. In the past, audits have forced the Board to change how it verifies continuing education and how it handles disciplinary transparency.
• The "Sunset" Process: All licensing boards must submit annual reports to the Secretary of State and the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee. If a board fails to comply with statutory reporting or is found to be acting outside its authority, the legislature can "sunset" (dissolve) the board or strip it of its authority to spend money. (Not automatic. Suspension of spending authority for failure to report exists; full dissolution would require specific legislative action.)
• Statutory Amendments: If the NCVMB is interpreting a statute too loosely or strictly, the legislature can pass a bill to "clarify" the law. For example, recent legislative actions have specifically defined Telemedicine to force boards to adapt to new technology.
As of 2025, the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee in North Carolina is led by two Co-Chairs—one from the Senate and one from the House of Representatives. You should contact both of them, and notify your NC house and NC senate state reps as well.
Senator Amy S. Galey
• Role: Co-Chair (Senate)
• Phone: (919) 301-1446
• Email: Amy.Galey@ncleg.gov
• Mailing Address: 300 N. Salisbury Street, Rm. 311 Raleigh, NC 27603
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Representative Allen Chesser
• Role: Co-Chair (House)
• Phone: (919) 733-5802
• Email: Allen.Chesser@ncleg.gov
• Mailing Address: 300 N. Salisbury Street, Rm. 418B Raleigh, NC 27603
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Leadership Transition Note
While Representative Dennis Riddell previously held a Co-Chair position, he currently serves as Vice Chair for the 2025-2026 session. Representative Allen Chesser has been appointed as the new House Co-Chair.
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Go here: https://www.ncleg.gov/findyourlegislators and find your NC house and NC senate state reps.
Request that they raise this matter with the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee for immediate review and action.
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Full Membership List (2025-2026)
The committee is composed of members from both the Senate and the House. Members are typically appointed for the duration of the biennium.
Senate Members:
• Senator Amy S. Galey (Co-Chair)
• Senator Danny Earl Britt, Jr.
• Senator Warren Daniel
• Senator Julie Mayfield
• Senator Timothy D. Moffitt
• Senator Mujtaba A. Mohammed
• Senator Natalie S. Murdock
• Senator Norman W. Sanderson
House Members:
• Representative Allen Chesser (Co-Chair)
• Representative Allison Dahle
• Representative Tim Longest
• Representative Dennis Riddell
• Representative Charles Smith
• Representative Sarah Stevens
• Representative Larry Strickland
• Representative Jeff Zenger
Note: Committee rosters are subject to "interim appointments" as vacancies occur. The House leadership for this specific committee often includes Representative Dennis Riddell, who has previously chaired the committee and remains a primary contact for regulatory reform and administrative procedure matters.
Member Contact Pattern
Most members can be reached through the standard North Carolina General Assembly email format: FirstName.LastName@ncleg.gov.
Writing a formal letter to legislative co-chairs requires a specific "style of address" to ensure it reaches their desk and is treated with the appropriate professional weight.
Below is a template formatted for the 2025-2026 session. Since this is a "Joint" committee, it is standard practice to address the letter to both Co-Chairs.
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Formal Letter Template
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Your Email] [Your Phone Number]
[Date]
The Honorable Amy S. Galey North Carolina Senate 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 523 Raleigh, NC 27603
The Honorable Allen Chesser North Carolina House of Representatives 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 532 Raleigh, NC 27603
RE: [Insert Subject, e.g., Proposed Rule Changes for Department of Environmental Quality]
Dear Senator Galey and Representative Chesser,
My name is [Your Name], and I am writing to you today as [a constituent/a small business owner/a concerned citizen] regarding [the specific administrative rule or agency action you are concerned about].
As Co-Chairs of the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee, you play a vital role in ensuring that state agencies do not exceed their statutory authority and that the rulemaking process remains transparent for the people of North Carolina.
I am specifically concerned about [describe the issue in 2-3 sentences]. I believe this matter warrants the Committee’s review because [state your reason, e.g., it creates an undue burden on local businesses / it lacks clear legislative authorization].
I respectfully request that the Committee [state your specific "ask," e.g., include this item on the agenda for your next oversight meeting / request a formal explanation from the agency involved].
Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your dedication to the citizens of North Carolina. I look forward to your response regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
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Tips for Sending
• Email vs. Physical Mail: While the addresses above are for their physical offices in the Legislative Office Building (LOB), sending a PDF copy of this letter to Amy.Galey@ncleg.gov and Allen.Chesser@ncleg.gov is often the fastest way to get a response.
• Identify Your District: If either of these members is your personal representative, be sure to mention that in the first paragraph. Legislators prioritize mail from their own constituents.
• Be Concise: Keep the letter to one page. Attach any supporting documents (like a copy of the specific rule you are referencing) as an appendix.
The Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee (often called the APO Committee) derives its legal authority from Chapter 120, Article 12K of the North Carolina General Statutes.
Specifically, you should cite G.S. 120-70.101, which outlines the committee's "Purpose and Powers."
Key Statutes to Reference:
• G.S. § 120-70.101: This is the primary statute to use if you want to remind them of their duty to review rules that overlap, are unnecessary, or where an agency has exceeded its authority.
• G.S. § 120-70.102: This statute establishes their organizational structure and power to meet and call witnesses.
• G.S. § 150B (The Administrative Procedure Act): While not the committee's "founding" statute, this is the body of law they oversee. Referencing this shows you understand the broader regulatory framework.
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How to use this in your letter:
You can add a "Legal Authority" section or integrate it into your opening. Here is a sample paragraph you can drop into the letter provided earlier:
"I am bringing this to your attention pursuant to the Committee's authority under G.S. § 120-70.101, specifically its mandate to 'review the rule-making process' and 'review any other concerns about administrative law' to determine if statutory changes or legislative interventions are necessary to protect the intent of the General Assembly."
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Important Context for 2026
In recent sessions, the North Carolina General Assembly has shifted some oversight duties toward the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations (Gov Ops). However, for specific complaints regarding agency rulemaking and the Administrative Procedure Act, the APO Committee remains the specialized venue for those grievances.