[co-authors: Katelyn Kingsbury and Drew Moretz, Government Relations Advisors]

This week at the General Assembly, conferees worked on the budget bill, and members considered other bills in addition to holding redistricting hearings across the state.     

Budget Bill

Legislators from both chambers continued work in a Budget Conference Committee on the biennial budget bill (S 105). Among the differences between the bills passed by each house are: the amount of educator salaries, tax reductions and infrastructure spending. Legislative leaders have been quoted in press reports indicating that a budget agreement could be reached by mid-October. They have also indicated that their proposal could be sent to Gov. Roy Cooper for his reaction as early as next week. Although a new budget bill was not enacted before the end of the state’s fiscal year on June 30, state government operations are continuing pursuant to state law with spending at the FY 21 recurring funding levels.   

Redistricting

Public hearings on legislative and congressional redistricting, a process that occurs every 10 years after the Census, continued this week. The hearings will continue through Sept. 30 and then legislators will draw new maps. A link to the public hearing schedule can be found here.

Remote Meetings

Gov. Cooper this week signed a bill (H 320) that authorizes corporations, nonprofits and certain mutual insurance companies to hold remote meetings in specific circumstances. The new law was effective upon signing on Sept. 20.

Remote Notarization

The Senate this week passed and sent to the House a bill (H 776) to permit remote electronic notarization of documents. The House did not concur in the Senate version of the bill and a conference committee has been appointed to resolve the differences between the two versions. If enacted, the bill would be effective Jan. 1, 2022.

Some Notable Pending Bills

In addition to the significant funding and policy issues that will likely be addressed in the budget bill (S 105), a number of other notable bills are awaiting action. Among those are:

• H 951, which would alter electric rate making—House has passed; pending in Senate Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Committee
• H 954, which would authorize and regulate video lottery terminals—House Commerce Committee has passed; pending in House Finance Committee
• S 688, which would authorize sports wagering—Senate has passed; pending in House Commerce Committee
• S 711, which would authorize the use of marijuana for certain medical purposes—Three Senate committees have passed it; pending in Senate Rules Committee