Sharia Law ban in House Thursday

The measure is modeled on legislation authored by an outspoken and controversial critic of Islam. 

The proposal would apply only in family law and custody cases.

"The most egregious cases have been those concerning custody and divorce. We don’t want it here," Whitmire said, noting that six other states have passed similar legislation, including Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Tennessee.

"Has this been a problem in North Carolina anywhere?" asked Rep. Paul Luebke, D-Durham.

"Not yet," Whitmire answered, adding, "we have at least 27 cases in multiple states where it has."

"You’re acknowledging we don’t have a problem here," Luebke responded. "I cannot see for the life of me why we need a bill like this."

Rep. John Torbett, R-Gaston , pointed out that Democrats have been concerned in recent years about sea level rise – a problem that hasn't yet happened, either. 

Rep. Mickey Michaux, D-Durham, said the bill was unnecessary because the state and federal constitutions are already the law of the land.

"You've got the protections. They're already there," Michaux said. "Here we are at 11:20 at night, trying to pass a feel-good bill that doesn’t really do anything."

Whitmire downplayed the group's objections to the measure.

"Their spokesperson who – not to make little of the message that they brought – was brought purely by a messenger, and from the standpoint of being able to answer any questions, they were not," he responded.

When Ross asked Whitmire who had prepared a handout he distributed rebutting legal concerns about the bill, he answered, "Mr. Stephen Gele with the Security Policy Council."

The proposal passed its second reading 74-36, largely along party lines. It's scheduled for a final vote Thursday, which will allow it to beat the crossover deadline.