NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

The governor’s veto message reveals that his opposition to HB 805 has little to do with protecting the First Amendment rights of adult websites, and more to do with tacked-on provisions unrelated to the adult industry. Those provisions include sections targeting transgender rights and enabling parents to block school libraries from lending their children books of which they do not approve.

“The initial version of House Bill 805 protected people from being exploited on pornographic websites against their will,” Stein writes. “I strongly support that policy.”

Instead of "preventing sexual exploitation," Stein continues, the General Assembly chose to engage in divisive "culture wars."

"I stand ready to work with the legislature when it gets serious about protecting people,” Stein concludes.

As XBIZ reported last week after the North Carolina state legislature passed HB 805, titled the “Prevent Sexual Exploitation of Women and Minors Act,” the bill includes a requirement to verify performers’ ages and consent via a process that would significantly exceed federal record-keeping requirements under Section 2257.

It would also mandate explicit written consent for each individual sexual act in which a performer engaged during the creation of the content, as well as separate consent for distribution of the content.

Further, anyone appearing in adult content would be entitled to withdraw their consent at any time, regardless of any legal contract they might have signed. The site or platform would then be required to remove the content.

Industry advocates and stakeholders have warned that if passed into law, this legislation could create havoc in the adult industry by requiring an inaccessible level of documentation for previously published content and by effectively invalidating model contracts.

The Republican-controlled North Carolina legislature has now placed the bill “on call” for July 29, at which time legislators could attempt to override the veto. While the original votes on the bill fell short of the margins required to override a veto, that could change depending on votes from members who did not participate in the original vote.

In addition, Stein's veto message strongly suggests that he would support a future version of the bill if it lacks the added provisions not relating to the adult industry.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Two Texas Bills Restricting Sex Toy Sales Fail to Pass

Two bills aimed at restricting sales of sex toys have failed to pass the Texas state legislature during its 2025 session.

NYC Adult Stores Petition for Rehearing in Zoning Law Case

A group of adult businesses on Tuesday petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit to rehear a case involving a zoning law that could severely limit adult stores’ operations in New York City.

Ofcom Releases Transparency Reporting Guidelines

Ofcom, the U.K. media regulator, has made public its official guidance detailing how online service providers — including adult sites — will be required to publish annual transparency reports on their efforts to protect children from online harms.

New AV Rules Take Effect for Ireland-Based Sites

Ireland’s Online Safety Code came into force Monday, including a provision requiring adult sites headquartered in Ireland to implement age assurance measures beyond self-declaration.

XBIZ Amsterdam Calls on New Startups for 'Spotlight' Program

XBIZ is pleased to announce that its new “Startup Spotlight” programming will make its European premiere at XBIZ Amsterdam 2025, set to take place Sept. 2-5 at the Jakarta Hotel Amsterdam.

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

Show More