This week at the Legislature, House members filed dozens of bills and tried to get as much accomplished as possible prior to the legislature's spring recess.
Confirmations
The Senate continued the process of confirming Governor Roy Cooper's cabinet picks this week. The Senate finalized the confirmations of Secretary Michael Regan of the Department of Environmental Quality, Secretary Tony Copeland of the Department of Commerce, and Secretary Susi Hamilton of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Court of Appeals Judges (HB239)
A bill that would reduce the number of judges on the Court of Appeals from 15 to 12 passed both chambers this week. The three seats would be reduced by attrition as three judges on the Court are expected to retire in the next two years.
Ethics and Elections (SB68)
This week, both chambers adopted a conference report on a proposal that would combine the state elections and ethics boards and would evenly divide membership of the newly created eight-person board between Republicans and Democrats. A similar piece of legislation, which was adopted in December of 2016, was recently ruled an unconstitutional encroachment on executive authority by a three judge panel. The new proposal gives the Governor the authority to appoint all eight members from names submitted by the State's two largest political parties. It was approved by a three-fifths majority in both chambers making it likely that a gubernatorial veto could be overridden.
Bills Filed
| House Bills | |
| H664 | Retroactive Sex Offender Registration. |
| H665 | Sheriffs' Supp. Pension Fund Changes. |
| H666 | Revise Volunteer Fire Department Req'ts. |
| H667 | Drinking Water Wholesalers Testing and Eval. |
| H668 | Clarify Political Sign Ordinance Authority. |
| H669 | Fees to Certify as a Company Police Agency. |
| H670 | Protect Educational Property. |
| H671 | Expand Certificate of Relief. |
| H672 | Rear Occupant Seat Belt Use/Enforcement. |
| H673 | DWLR/Death or Injury by Vehicle. |
| H674 | Independent Redistricting Commission. |
| H675 | Clerk of Court Notify AOC Judge Ends Early. |
| H676 | Special Superior Court Judge Assignments. |
| H677 | Amend Who Can Serve on Three-Judge Panel. |
| H678 | Opp. Scholarships/Accredited Schools Only. |
| H679 | Restore Direct Allocation of Funds to ADATCs. |
| H680 | Allow OPAV/Conservation Esmts. on Farmland. |
| H681 | Teacher Licensure/Military Spouses. |
| H682 | Limit General Assembly Session Length. |
| H683 | Indian Child Services Changes. |
| H684 | Sex Offender Registry Fee. |
| H685 | Mft'd Home Purchase Agreement Changes. |
| H686 | Zero-Based Budgeting. |
| H687 | Amend Various Coal Ash Provns. |
| H688 | Certain Appeals Allowed/Premarital Agreements. |
| H689 | Occ. Licensing Turnaround Time/PED Study. |
| H690 | SUDEP Awareness Week. |
| H691 | Driving Moped at Night/Reflective Gear. |
| H692 | Enact Naturopathic Doctors Certification Act. |
| H693 | Study/Public Records & Open Meetings. |
| H694 | Increase Threshold/Certain Contributions. |
| H695 | Same ID Requirements/Curbside Voters. |
| H696 | Enhance Citizen Voter List Maintenance. |
| H697 | Election Observer Bill of Rights. |
| H698 | Increase Penalty for Voter Fraud. |
| H699 | No Race/Ethnicity Req/Voter Registration Form. |
| H700 | Online Voter Registration. |
| H701 | Occupational Licensing Injunctive Relief. |
| H702 | Seniors CC Tuition Waiver. |
| H703 | Felon W/Gun/B&E/Increased Penalties. |
| H704 | Divide School Systems/Study Committee. |
| H705 | EMC Oversight of DEQ Studies. |
| H706 | Landlord/Tenant-Alias & Pluries Summary Eject. |
| H707 | Lien Agent/Notice of Cancellation. |
| H708 | Require Criminal BGC/Pharmacist Licensure. |
| H709 | Solicitation for Copies/Reg. of Deeds Fees. |
| H710 | Private Parking/Immobilization Device. |
| H711 | Increase Hate Crime Punishment. |
| H712 | ECU Brody School of Medicine Funds. |
| H713 | LRC/Sptd Decsn-Making In Lieu of Guardianship. |
| H714 | Fair Redistricting Study Committee. |
| H715 | Renew Commitment to Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prev. |
| H716 | CMVs/Use of Platoons. |
| H717 | Revise Certain Superior Court Districts. |
| H718 | Rates and Transfers by Public Enterprises. |
| H719 | Improve Security/Upper Level/Pking Lot 65. |
| H720 | Funds for Indian Affairs Comm. Staff. |
| H721 | Omnibus Act Regarding Coal-Based Energy. |
| H722 | Hog Lagoon Sunset/Livestock Treatment. |
| H723 | Gun Safety Act. |
| H724 | Citizens United Disclosures. |
| H725 | Mental Health Support Funding/Study. |
| H726 | Repeal Sales Tax on RMI. |
| H727 | Taxpayers' Bill of Rights. |
| H728 | UNC Institutions/Conference Boycotts. |
| H729 | Expressing Support for ABLE Act. |
| H730 | Ninth Grade Academy Pilot/Funds. |
| H731 | Law Enforcement Inventory SAECKs. |
| H732 | Household Goods Carrier Revisions. |
| H733 | Require Permit for Ginseng Harvesting. |
| H734 | In-State Tuition Equity. |
| H735 | Redistricting by Computer. |
| H736 | Provide Minor Alcohol/Felony if Death Results. |
| H737 | Open Primary Act. |
| H738 | Opioid Prescription & Treatment Opt Out Act. |
| H739 | Ambulance Weapon Exception/LEO & Firefighters. |
| H740 | SAR Rename/Disputed County Boundaries/Mapping. |
| H741 | DHHS Study/Maternal and Neonatal Care. |
| H742 | Study Bill for Reentry Housing Program. |
| H743 | Study Efficiency and Cost-Savings/State Govt. |
| H744 | State Emps./Amend Salary Continuation. |
| H745 | NC Energy Ratepayers Protection Act. |
| H746 | NC Constitutional Carry Act. |
| H747 | LRC Study/Reg. Impact in Coastal Areas. |
| H748 | Underground Damage Prevention Act/Changes. |
| H749 | Limited Identification Cards. |
| H750 | Gaming Commission/VLTs. |
| H751 | Career and College Ready/High School Grads. |
| H752 | Utilities/Water and Wastewater Rates. |
| H753 | LRC Study/Parental Drug Abuse Effect on Child. |
| H754 | Optional Meals for Bed & Breakfast Guests. |
| H755 | Bankruptcy and Receivership Amendments. |
| H756 | Beehive Grant Program. |
| H757 | Regulate Retail Display of Tobacco Products. |
| H758 | Voter Integrity. |
| H759 | Cemeteries/Perpetual Care Trust Funds. |
| H760 | Child Protection and Accountability Act. |
| H761 | Athletic Trainer/Choice of Provider. |
| H762 | Campaign Contribution Uses. |
| H763 | Notice to Innocent Purchasers/Haz. Sites. |
| H764 | Expansion of MSD/Bd Appt. |
| H765 | Honor Ruth Samuelson, Former Member. |
| H766 | DWI for Controlled Substances. |
| H767 | NC Toxic-Free Kids Act. |
| H768 | Ban Endangered Species Product Trafficking. |
| H769 | Voter Freedom Act of 2017. |
| H770 | Noncommercial USTs/Rule-Making Report. |
| H771 | Juvenile/Parent Comm. Service. |
| H772 | Amend NC Int'l Arbitration/Conciliation Act. |
| H773 | ABC Sales/Sports & Entertainment Venues. |
| H774 | Require County DSS to Review Placements. |
| H775 | UNC Capital Efficiencies. |
| H776 | Adoption Law Changes. |
| H777 | Amend Law Regarding University Discipline. |
| H778 | LRC/Opioid Misuse Prevention. |
| H779 | Charter School Changes. |
| H780 | Uphold Historical Marriage Act. |
| H781 | JMAC Modifications. |
| H782 | Paid Holiday/Primary and General Elections. |
| H783 | Prohibit Resale of Lottery Tickets. |
| H784 | Suitability in Annuity. |
| H785 | Duty to Call 911/Violation Misdemeanor. |
| H786 | NC Energy and Water Efficient Schools Act. |
| H787 | Strengthen Do Not Call Registry. |
| H788 | Amend Expunction Laws. |
| H789 | End of Life Option Act. |
| H790 | Solitary Confinement in Prisons. |
| H791 | Electoral Districts/Wake Co District Ct. |
| H792 | 2017 Appropriations Act. |
| H793 | IHE Policies Sexual Assault/Sexual Consent. |
| H794 | NC Permitting Efficiency Act of 2017. |
| H795 | Economic Development Incentives Modifications. |
| H796 | Expunctions Related to 50B Orders. |
| H797 | Changes to Current BWC Law. |
| H798 | Income Tax Deduction for Tolls Paid. |
| H799 | Utility Billing by Lessors. |
| H800 | Various Changes to Charter School Laws. |
| H801 | Reentry Collaborative. |
| H802 | Exempt Motorcoach Manufacturer & Distributor. |
| H803 | Landlord Liability Changes. |
| H804 | Add Additional ADA to District 9. |
| H805 | Disclosure of Cosmetics Ingredients. |
| H806 | Student Notice/Charter School Closure/Restr. |
| H807 | Create Divisions - ALE and Cap. Police in DPS. |
| H808 | Advisory Council Review of Rare Disease Bills. |
| H809 | Honor the Life and Memory of Robert Dalrymple. |
| H810 | Pet Boarding Facilities. |
| H811 | Energy Savings Incentives/State Agencies. |
| H812 | Minimum Wage/Agriculture/Domestic Workers. |
| H813 | Veteran Retirement Income Tax Benefit. |
| H814 | Planned Community Act Changes. |
| H815 | Nondiscrim. & Account./Certain Private Schs. |
| H816 | Consumer Protection/Roofing Contractors. |
| H817 | Repeal Pistol Permit Requirements. |
| H818 | Chiropractors Perform Physicals for Athletics. |
| H819 | Protect NC Right to Work Constitutional Amend. |
| H820 | Protect Right to Work/Conforming Changes. |
| H821 | NC Guardianship Bill of Rights. |
| H822 | Regulate Arbitration Agrmts/LTC Facilities. |
| H823 | Adult Adoptee/Access Original Birth Cert. |
| H824 | Contraceptive Education for Women in Recovery. |
| H825 | Protect NC Children From Lead Exposure. |
| H826 | Modify Low-Performing School Definition. |
| H827 | Use of Passing Lane/Increased Penalty. |
| H828 | IT Changes/Libraries & Telemedicine. |
| H829 | Customary and Reasonable Fees for Appraisers. |
| H830 | WC/Independent Truckers. |
| H831 | Brian Garlock Act. |
| H832 | Study Student Loan Alternatives. |
| H833 | Driver Education Oversight. |
| H834 | Fayetteville State University Capital Project. |
| H835 | Create Chain of Survival Task Force. |
| H836 | No Concealed Gun on Private Prop/Posting Reg. |
| H837 | Outdoor Learning Center Pilot/Funds. |
| H838 | Supt. Public Instruction Support Staff. |
| H839 | School Cal. Flex./Low-Performing Districts. |
| H840 | Earned AP, IB, CTE, & 3rd Grade Bonuses. |
| H841 | Testing Transparency. |
| H842 | Solitary Confinement in Prisons. |
| H843 | Adjust Municipal Election Schedule. |
| H844 | DOT/Traffic Signal Oversight. |
| H845 | NC Healthy Schools. |
| H846 | County Eugenics Compensation. |
| H847 | Exempt Manufacturing Equip. From Tax & Study. |
| H848 | School Energy Savings Act of 2017. |
| H849 | Restore Longitudinal Data System Board. |
| H850 | Film Grants for NC Productions and Festivals. |
| H851 | Conform Appraiser Fees/Truth in Lending. |
| H852 | Real Property Technical Corrections. |
| H853 | Protect Striped Bass/Central Southern Area. |
| H854 | Subsidy Market Rate Adjust./Tier 3 Counties. |
| H855 | Teacher Appreciation. |
| H856 | Road Rage/Increase Penalty. |
| H857 | Study Dual Arrest in Domestic Violence Cases. |
For more information, contact the Brooks Pierce Government Affairs Team, linked below.
