Harold Hardison

Harold Woodrow Hardison
Born	1923 North Carolina, U.S.
Died	2015
Occupation(s)	Businessman, politician
Years active	1970–1988 (politics)
Known for	"Hardison amendments" restricting state environmental rules

Harold Woodrow Hardison (1923–2015) was a North Carolina-based American businessman and politician.

During World War II, Hardison served with the United States Army Air Forces. After the war, he established the Humphrey-Hardison Oil Company and participated actively in community groups in Deep Run, North Carolina. His political career began with his election to the North Carolina House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1970. Subsequently, starting in 1972, he secured eight successive terms in the North Carolina Senate. Throughout his time in the legislature, Hardison became recognized for the "Hardison amendments," which restricted state agencies from enforcing environmental rules that were more stringent than federal regulations. He represented the fifth senatorial district of Lenoir County.

Hardison held leadership roles on several influential committees, including chairing the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committee, as well as serving as co-chair of the Select Committee on Education. In 1981, he co-introduced legislation granting the Office of State Budget and Management authority over public school financial oversight. Two years later, in 1983, he drew attention to the budgetary consequences of a drunk driving law endorsed by Governor Jim Hunt. Hardison ran without opposition in the 1984 election. In 1988, he pursued the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, participating in discussions regarding civil damages recovery.

Hardison passed away on September 9, 2015, at 92 years old.