KTS Strategies brings years of experience providing clients in a diverse range of industries with comprehensive policy and advocacy advice before federal, state, and local agencies. In North Carolina, we advise local municipalities, corporate transportation entities, nonprofit organizations, statewide associations, government vendors, and Fortune 500 companies before the North Carolina General Assembly and executive branch.
Below is an update on the activity at the NC General Assembly this week.
Medical Marijuana
S3, NC Compassionate Care Act, passed the Senate Judiciary and Senate Finance Committees this week. The bill would legalize medical marijuana for qualified patients with a debilitating medical condition. Several amendments were offered and approved in the Senate Judiciary Committee. To increase access in rural areas, one amendment would require each supplier to operate at least one medical cannabis center in a Tier 1 County. It also directs the Medical Cannabis Production Commission to consider priority to suppliers committed to ensuring equitable distribution of medical cannabis centers. The bill has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee. We anticipate the bill to be heard on the Senate floor next week.
Gun Legislation
The House passed two pieces of legislation related to firearms - H50, Pistol Purchase Permit Repeal and H72, Firearm Safe Storage Awareness Initiative. H50 would remove the requirement to obtain a pistol purchase permit from the sheriff’s office prior to the purchase or receipt of a pistol. Criminal background checks would still be required prior to purchase of a pistol from a federally licensed dealer. The bill passed along party lines (67-48).
H72 directs the Department of Public Safety, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Wildlife Resources Commission to work collaboratively to create a two-year firearm safety program. The goal of the program would be to educate the public on safe storage of firearms and to facilitate the distribution of gun locks. The bill passed on Wednesday with a vote of 111-4.
Last week, the Senate passed S41, Guarantee 2nd Amendment Freedom and Protections. This bill includes the pistol purchase permit repeal language and firearm safe storage awareness initiative the House passed. Additionally, S41 would authorize concealed carry for certain law enforcement facility employees and authorize carrying a handgun in a place of religious worship that is also educational property under certain conditions. The bill passed along party lines (29-19).
