The General Assembly’s Short Session began Wednesday, May 14, 2014. The MVA Public Affairs Legislative Report on North Carolina will be distributed weekly to keep you up to date on the latest legislative issues facing the state.
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Governor's Desk
Governor Pat McCrory signed H 1133, a technical corrections bill, Monday, August 11.
On The Floor
In the final week of the 2014 session, the House and Senate both passed S 3, JMAC Modifications, H 1276 Adjournment and adopted the conference report for S 729, Coal Ash Management of 2014. In addition, the Senate concurred in S 42, Confidentiality of UC Information, that the House had passed in early July.
After lengthy debate in the House, the chamber narrowly voted not to concur with the conference report for H 1124, a bill that would have made various changes to economic development laws and capped the local sales tax in certain counties.
Committee Reports
Senate Rules Committee
The Senate Rules Committee met on Thursday, August 14, chaired by Senator Apodaca. The committee passed four bills. Three bills were different adjournment resolutions. H 1276 is an adjournment resolution that would end the session “sine die” and lawmakers would not return in November to consider Medicaid reform or other pending conference reports. H 182 is another adjournment resolution that would adjourn the General Assembly until November 17. During this time period, Medicaid reform, veto overrides and a final adjournment resolution could be considered. H 901 is the final adjournment resolution passed out of the Senate Rules Committee. This resolution would allow the General Assembly to adjourn until November 17 and give them the ability to consider Medicaid reform, bills regarding lawsuits against the state, bills in conference, veto overrides, bills sent to conference with both chambers appointed by Friday, confirmations of special court judges, and a final adjournment resolution.
The final bill passed out of the Senate Rules Committee was H 718, Ensure Adequate Funds for TAs/Rev Allocation. The bill includes a technical fix to remove restrictions on school districts so they can convert money set aside for teachers to teaching assistants. There is also language in H 718 that makes certain changes to H 1224, Local Sales Tax Options/Econ. Devpt. Changes. H 718 changes how much county commissioners can control the money used for education. Also, the bill is written so that both of these changes will only go into effect if H 1224 becomes law.
In The News
Raleigh News & Observer: NC to appeal ruling banning taxpayer money for private schools
WRAL: Lawmakers leave jobs bill, Medicaid reform behind
Raleigh News & Observer: NC lawmakers pass coal ash legislation; adjourn very long short session
WRAL: General Assembly sends compromise coal ash bill to the governor
WRAL: Tillis looks back on speakership
Wilmington Star News: New Hanover GOP picks Michael Lee to serve out Goolsby's term
The Associated Press: Hunter fills Martin's NC associate justice seat
Raleigh News & Observer: Fracking opponents make voices heard at Raleigh hearing
The Associated Press: Record $17B settlement reached for Bank of America’s role in financial crisis
Raleigh News & Observer: McCrory says no rules were broken in ethics filings on Duke Energy stock sale
WECT: Film incentives, coal ash not on agenda as lawmakers prepare to reconvene
The Associated Press: Proposed Pa.-to-NC natural gas pipeline on hold
Charlotte Observer: NC tells Duke Energy to submit ash removal plans
Charlotte Observer: Charlotte considers swapping land with Duke Energy to bury coal ash
Raleigh News & Observer: Federal agency shrinks NC's zone for offshore wind farms
Wilmington Star News: GOP committee set to pick Goolsby replacement
Charlotte Business Journal: Charlotte mayor all but confirms 2015 run
NC Insider: Career lawman named as SBI acting director applauded; SBI’s move decried
Raleigh News & Observer: NC fracking hearings will follow strict 'no talking' rules for hearing officers
The Associated Press: As expected, NC governor signs budget bill
Raleigh News & Observer: Art Pope to step down as North Carolina budget director
Raleigh News & Observer: New NC budget director has banking background, heritage of politics and journalism
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