This week at the General Assembly, Legislators passed bills redrawing State Legislative district maps and took action on some mini-budget bills. They have left Raleigh and are expected to return for voting sessions the week of September 30.
Legislative Redistricting
Following a recent order by a panel of three State court judges, Legislators this week passed bills to redraw certain Legislative districts. The new Senate maps are in S692 and the House maps are in H1020. These bills cannot be vetoed by Governor Roy Cooper and now go back to the State court panel that ordered the redrawing for review.
“Mini-budget” Bills
While the impasse over the 2019 budget bill (H966) continues, Legislators passed two additional “mini-budget” bills this week and sent them to the Governor. They appropriate funds for rape kits (H29) and school safety (H75). Both bills passed on unanimous votes. Two other bills passed earlier also await the Governor’s signature—(S118), which provides funds for prison safety, and (S429), which provides funds for disaster relief.
Mini-budget bills enacted earlier in the session provide funding for State Highway Patrol raises (H126), State employee raises (H226), prison funds (including employee salaries) (H609), State Bureau of Investigation and Alcohol Law Enforcement raises (H777), and facilitating the drawdown of federal funds for health and human services and Community Development Block Grants (H961). A bill to provide funds for the State’s move to Medicaid managed care (H555) is in the Senate for a possible veto override following a House override of Governor Cooper’s veto. A bill (H426) dealing with salaries for K-12, UNC, and community college employees is pending in the House Appropriations Committee.
Health Care Coverage Expansion (H655)
The House Health Committee on Wednesday passed a bill that would create the “NC Health Care for Working Families” program to provide health insurance coverage to certain individuals currently ineligible for Medicaid and unable to afford health insurance. The bill is now in the House Rules Committee and is supported by key House leaders. If it clears the House, its fate in the Senate is uncertain.
For more information, contact a member of the Brooks Pierce Government Affairs Team.
