Kilpatrick Townsend’s Government Relations Team represents a variety of clients across many industries and in all levels of government, with a focus on the North Carolina General Assembly. Below is an update on the activity at the NC General Assembly this week.
Legislative Schedule
It was another quiet week at the NC General Assembly, but we expect things to pick up next week. The Senate did not hold any floor votes or conduct any committee work aside from the Redistricting Committee. The House convened on Tuesday with only one bill scheduled to be heard, H259, Elections Integrity Act. The bill was removed from the calendar and referred back to the House Rules Committee for several amendments to be considered. House Speaker Moore (R-Cleveland) told members to plan on votes to be held Tuesday through Friday of next week.
Budget Update
Governor Roy Cooper, Senate President Pro-Tempore Phil Berger, House Speaker Tim Moore, Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue, and House Minority Leader Robert Reives held their first in-person budget meeting last Friday. The legislature is waiting to receive Governor Cooper’s second counter offer. On Wednesday, the Governor said there is already an agreement on “the vast majority of the budget” such as broadband, water and sewer expansion, and higher education construction projects. Outstanding items include healthcare and education. The budget negotiating process is nearly four months past the original fiscal year-end target date of June 30.
Redistricting
The House and Senate Redistricting Committees held public comment hearings on maps that have been submitted by legislative members thus far. Public hearings for Congressional maps were held Monday and hearings for State House and Senate maps were held Tuesday. Current Republican proposals would likely result in a Congressional delegation of nine to eleven Republicans and three to five Democrats. Proposed State House and Senate maps also include a number of districts that would pair two incumbent legislators in the same district, also referred to as “double bunking.” We expect legislators to begin voting on proposed maps next week. House proposals can be found here. Senate proposals can be found here.
New House Member Nominated
Donnie Loftis has been nominated by Gaston County Republicans to serve out the legislative term of the late Rep. Dana Bumgardner. Rep. Bumgardner passed away earlier this month and served House District 109 for eight years. Loftis is a former Gaston County Commissioner and Army veteran. Governor Cooper is expected to review the nomination and officially appoint Loftis to the seat. Loftis has also said he plans to seek a full two-year term in the 2022 election.
