[co-authors: Matthew Bales, Government Relations Advisor and Katelyn Kingsbury, Government Relations Analyst]
After the Senate’s passing of the budget last week, key negotiators from each chamber have begun working behind closed doors on a final version. Legislators also considered a number of various bills this week.
Wind Ban (S377)
A bill that could have resulted in banning wind farms in much of eastern North Carolina was amended in the Senate Finance Committee this week to reduce the ban to a three-year moratorium on such facilities. Bill supporters argue that this is a necessary measure to preserve airspace around military installations. Senator Jim Perry (R-Lenoir), a leader on this issue, indicated that moratorium provision may be removed as the bill continues to move.
Fantasy Sports Regulation (H929)
A bill that would have created a new regulatory structure for fantasy sports games such as FanDuel and DraftKings failed to advance this week in the House Judiciary Committee. Supporters of the bill argued that it would have put in place regulations for games already being played, while opponents argued that it would encourage gambling. A similar proposal failed during the 2018 session.
Landfill Ban on Electronics (S553)
The Regulatory Reform Act passed the Senate Rules Committee this week. A sponsor of the bill—Senator Andy Wells (R-Catawba)—indicated that a provision that would have lifted the ban on disposing discarded computers and televisions in landfills will be removed by an amendment on the Senate floor next week.
Hemp Regulation (S315)
The 2019 Farm Bill moved through the Senate Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee this week. Among other things, the bill includes provisions on the regulation of hemp. The bill will next be heard in the Senate Finance Committee.
Alcohol at College Sports Events (H389)
A bill that would permit individual boards of trustees at University of North Carolina schools to approve beer and wine sales at athletic facilities passed the Senate Education/Higher Education Committee on Wednesday. It now goes to the Senate Commerce and Insurance Committee. The bill has already passed the House. Bill proponents noted that a number of schools in other states already permit such sales and the bill would allow UNC campuses to control it. The bill does not change State laws prohibiting sales to underage purchasers.
Budget Conferees
As both chambers come together to negotiate the final version of the 2019 state budget, leaders from each chamber appoint members to sit on the conference committee, those appointed are:
House
Rep. Linda P. Johnson (Senior Chair)
Rep. Donny Lambeth (Senior Chair)
Rep. Jason Saine (Senior Chair)
Rep. Dean Arp (Chair)
Rep. William D. Brisson (Chair)
Rep. Josh Dobson (Chair)
Rep. John Faircloth (Chair)
Rep. Chuck McGrady (Chair)
Rep. Jimmy Dixon
Rep. Kyle Hall
Rep. Pat McElraft
Rep. Larry C. Strickland
Rep. Jon Hardister
Rep. Kelly E. Hastings
Rep. Jeffrey Elmore
Rep. John A. Fraley
Rep. D. Craig Horn
Rep. Pat B. Hurley
Rep. John Sauls
Rep. George G. Cleveland
Rep. Dennis Riddell
Rep. Gregory F. Murphy, MD
Rep. Larry W. Potts
Rep. Donna McDowell White
Rep. Destin Hall
Rep. Brenden H. Jones
Rep. James L. Boles, Jr.
Rep. Ted Davis, Jr.
Rep. Allen McNeill
Rep. Rena W. Turner
Rep. Frank Iler
Rep. Michele D. Presnell
Rep. Phil Shepard
Rep. John A. Torbett
Rep. David R. Lewis
Rep. John R. Bell, IV
Rep. Julia C. Howard
Rep. Mitchell S. Setzer
Rep. John Szoka
Rep. Elmer Floyd
Rep. Charles Graham
Senate
Sen. Harry Brown (Chair)
Sen. Kathy Harrington (Chair)
Sen. Brent Jackson (Chair)
Sen. Chuck Edwards
Sen. Rick Gunn
Sen. Andy Wells
Sen. Jim Davis
Sen. Tom McInnis
Sen. Deanna Ballard
Sen. Jerry W. Tillman
Sen. John M. Alexander, Jr.
Sen. Rick Horner
Sen. Dan Bishop
Sen. Joyce Krawiec
Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr.
Sen. Warren Daniel
Sen. Norman W. Sanderson
Sen. Ralph Hise
Sen. Paul Newton
Sen. Bill Rabon
