Dozens of bills passed through both the House and Senate this week as Legislators worked overtime to beat the "crossover deadline." Crossover is the date by which a bill that does not impact taxes or appropriations must pass one chamber to remain eligible for the remainder of the biennium. Lobbyists, and even a few lawmakers, got through the long week by swapping out their dress shoes for sneakers in a bid to raise money for Donate Life, an organization that encourages people to become organ donors.
Veto Overrides (SB68 & HB239)
The General Assembly overrode two of Governor Cooper's vetoes this week. The first override was of SB68, which consolidates the functions of the State Board of Elections and the State Ethics Commission and creates a new eight-person governing board evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. A similar measure, passed in December 2016, was ruled unconstitutional by a three judge panel. Governor Cooper has asked the Wake County Superior Court to put a hold on the new law. Legislators also overrode Cooper’s veto of HB239, which would reduce Court of Appeals from 15 to 12 judges.
Conference Reports (SB131 & HB13)
Legislators adopted conference reports for two bills this week. The first was SB131, which contains various regulatory changes including some provisions that failed to pass during last year's session. The other bill, HB13, is a response to class size reductions enacted last year that some education leaders say would have forced a reduction in the number of arts and physical education teachers in order to comply with the reductions. The bill delays the reductions for one year. Governor Cooper has signed HB13 and is expected to sign SB 131.
Sanctuary Cities (SB145 & HB113)
Both the House and Senate passed bills this week related to what are often called “sanctuary cities.” SB145, among other things, penalizes local governments for not complying with state immigration laws by halting certain state funding. HB113 would allow a person to bring an action against a city, county, or local law enforcement agency if they believe the local government entity is not in compliance with state immigration laws.
House Bills Filed:
| H872 | ATV & Motorcycles Off-Road Fund. | |
| H873 | NC Consumer Fireworks Safety Act. | |
| H874 | Year-Round School Pilot. | |
| H875 | Establish WSSU Pilot BLET Program/Funds. | |
| H876 | CPR Training/School Bus Drivers. | |
| H877 | Safer Roads and Communities Act. | |
| H878 | Grant Funds for Supported Employment Training. | |
| H879 | Retroactive Personal Care Services Payment. | |
| H880 | PUV for Beekeeping Property. | |
| H881 | Automatic Voter Registration. | |
| H882 | Financial Literacy Elective Course Pilot. | |
| H883 | Increase Inmate Health Care. | |
| H884 | Life Changing Experiences School Pilot. | |
| H885 | Community Opportunity Tax Credit. | |
| H886 | Excise Tax Increases for Substance Abuse. | |
| H887 | Health Insurance State Mandates Study/Funds. | |
| H888 | Prof. Teachers & Admins. Accountability Act. | |
| H889 | Extended-Year Teacher Contracts/Study. | |
| H890 | Amend Psychology Practice Act. | |
| H891 | Free Breakfast and Lunch in K-12 Pub. Schools. | |
| H892 | Free Lunch for Some Students/Stop Lunch Shame. | |
| H893 | Healthy Foods in Our Schools. | |
| H894 | Veterans/Health Care/Pilot Program. | |
| H895 | Pilot Program/Professional Teachers & Admins. | |
| H896 | Broadband Access to Rural Areas. | |
| H897 | Funds for Child Advocacy Centers. | |
| H898 | Digital Learning Plan/Programs/Funds. | |
| H899 | Historic Rehab: Disguised Sales. | |
| H900 | Safe Infrastructure & Low Property Tax Act. | |
| H901 | Amend Certificate of Need Laws. | |
| H902 | Enhance Patient Safety in Radiologic Imaging. | |
| H903 | Water Resources Management Partnership Funds. | |
| H904 | North Carolina Rural Job Creation Fund. | |
| H905 | Reenact Conservation Tax Credit. | |
| H906 | Statewide Nondiscrimination/Funds. | |
| H907 | Enhance Health Care Choices for Seniors. | |
| H908 | Enhance Scholarships for Adopted Children. | |
| H909 | Sound Energy & Renewables Policy Act. | |
| H910 | Human Trafficking: Resistance and Rescue. | |
| H911 | Private Sector Affordable Housing Act. | |
| H912 | State/TANF Funds/Boys and Girls Clubs. | |
| H913 | Reestablish NC High Risk Pool. | |
| H914 | Enhance Suicide Prevention Awareness & Svcs. | |
| H915 | Reenact Employment-Related Tax Credit. | |
| H916 | North Carolina Health Plan. | |
| H917 | Establish Bd of Postsecondary Ed. Credentials. | |
| H918 | Post Crime On Social Media/Enhanced Sentence. | |
| H919 | Pembroke Optometry School Funds. |
For more information, contact the Brooks Pierce Government Affairs Team, linked below.
