This week, the General Assembly briefly reconvened for one of the Special Sessions authorized by the July adjournment resolution. Although legislative activity and bill movement were both limited during this narrow window,...more
9/13/2024
/ Affordable Housing ,
Broadband ,
Building Codes ,
Community Colleges ,
Funding ,
General Assembly ,
Immigration Procedures ,
Medicaid ,
North Carolina ,
Private Schools ,
Public Schools ,
State Budgets ,
Vouchers
During the 2023 Long Session, the General Assembly enacted a two-year budget to carry the state through June 30, 2025. While that budget remains in place, it is standard practice for the General Assembly to enact a budget...more
As attorneys and professionals, Ward and Smith's government relations team watches with keen interest those who are elected, or might be elected, to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches in North Carolina state...more
In an exclusive webinar produced by Ward and Smith, two attorneys coached participants through the changing landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). In addition to reviewing new guidance recently published by the NCAA,...more
While much of the media attention was surrounding the override of Governor Cooper's veto of Senate Bill 20 last week, on Thursday, North Carolina Senate members gave final approval to the chamber's version of the 2023...more
Three Ward and Smith attorneys shared insights on the legal implications businesses should consider when entering into a promotional contract with a social media influencer.
During the discussion, the attorneys covered...more
North Carolina's House lawmakers recently unveiled their proposed two-year spending plan for the state, well ahead of the traditional schedule.
The proposed nearly $30 billion budget would set a new record high for state...more
NC Republicans Capture Key Judicial Races, Earn a Supermajority in NC Senate but Ultimately Fall Short on a House Supermajority -
When North Carolinians awoke the morning after Election Day, Republicans had won meaningful...more
After wrapping up one of the longest sessions in the North Carolina General Assembly's history, lawmakers return this week for the first day of the 2022 Short Session.
Historically, the Short Session operates on a...more
For much of the last decade, North Carolina lawmakers have explored the concept of removing barriers to entry in a variety of professions and fields.
In fact, the topic has appeared in one form or another in every Regular...more
The Long Session certainly lived up to its name, spanning 199 legislative days and marking the first time in state history that a Regular Session was adjourned in a different year than it was convened. The General Assembly is...more
So, you are a licensed dental professional and you have just received formal notice from the Board of Dental Examiners informing you that a patient has complained and that you and your practice are under investigation. After...more
After months of wrangling over policy and money, Governor Roy Cooper (D) and the General Assembly’s Republican leadership have agreed to implement North Carolina's first budget since 2018.
On November 15, Republican...more
On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, Governor Cooper announced his intention to sign a new $25.7 billion budget for the state of North Carolina, essentially guaranteeing that the budget's contents will become law.
One aspect of...more
11/18/2021
/ Cyber Attacks ,
Cyber Threats ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Breach ,
Data Privacy ,
Data Protection ,
Data Security ,
Governor Cooper ,
Incident Response Plans ,
Popular ,
Ransomware ,
State Budgets
Since convening in January, the North Carolina General Assembly's Long Session has been marked by lengthy state budget negotiations, starts and stops, and several historic pieces of proposed legislation. American Rescue...more
7/30/2021
/ American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ,
CARES Act ,
Disaster Preparedness ,
Economic Development ,
Federal Funding ,
Flood Management ,
General Assembly ,
Governor Cooper ,
Infrastructure ,
Medical Marijuana ,
Public Projects ,
State Budgets ,
State Funding
You might think that opportunities for both sides of the political aisle to come together to change lives, make communities safer, and save state taxpayer dollars are unheard of, but North Carolina House Bill 463 –...more
As we find ourselves facing a massive global health crisis and sudden economic downturn, many North Carolinians are looking for relief from their government.
Congress has acted. What about the North Carolina General...more
A trio of blockchain experts helped corporate attorneys attending Ward and Smith’s 2018 In-House Counsel Seminar understand the ins and outs of blockchain technology.
Ward and Smith attorney Trip Coyne moderated a...more
During the past four years, numerous bills concerning North Carolina's occupational licensing boards have been proposed, but few have passed in the legislature and become law.
The initial push to amend the laws governing...more
On Monday, October 15, the North Carolina General Assembly voted during a Special Session to approve Senate Bill 3, which appropriated an unprecedented $794 million in state funds for Hurricane Florence relief.
Roughly...more
The 2018 Short Session of the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned in late June and can boast something that many Short Sessions cannot: that it was genuinely short.
What else made it memorable? An unusual...more
North Carolina rightfully regards itself as a leader in innovation and as a hub for technology—it hosts Research Triangle Park and world-renowned universities, and according to the NCTech’s 2018 State of Technology Industry...more
6/27/2018
/ Bitcoin ,
Ether ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Governor Cooper ,
Money Transmitter ,
New Legislation ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
State Legislatures ,
Technology ,
Virtual Currency
Brief History of Special Sessions -
In odd numbered years, after the North Carolina General Assembly adjourns its Long Session, the body typically abstains from lawmaking through the commencement of the Short Session the...more
10/23/2017
/ Adjournment ,
Article II ,
Constitutional Amendment ,
Corporate Taxes ,
Environmental Policies ,
General Assembly ,
Governor Cooper ,
Governor Vetoes ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Notice Requirements ,
Redistricting ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Section 11 ,
Special Sessions ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets
In the early morning hours of June 30th, the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned its 2017 Long Session after a lengthy night of debate, negotiation, and casting votes. This year's adjournment date marks the second...more
After adjourning for two weeks to name committee leadership, complete an extensive office shuffle and make one final fundraising push, state lawmakers will open the 2017-18 Biennium of the North Carolina General Assembly in...more