[co-author: Katelyn Kingsbury, Government Relations Analyst]

Legislative activity increased this week as bill introductions continued and committees began to vote on bills.

Constitutional Amendment (H140)

Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson) was joined by fellow lawmakers Rep. Sarah Stevens (R-Surry), Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford), and Rep. Robert Reives (D-Lee) in filing a bill this week proposing a constitutional amendment aimed at ending politically motivated gerrymandering in North Carolina.

Collaborative Law (H32)

A proposal to expand the use of "collaborative law” to solve legal disputes passed through the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday. The process is similar to a mediation but with the attorneys involved seeking to resolve the matter directly without aid of a mediator. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Ted Davis (R-New Hanover) and was recommended by the N.C. General Statutes Commission.

School Construction

Both Governor Roy Cooper and legislative leaders support increasing funds for school construction.   Senate leaders have proposed a pay-as-you-go plan that would increase the contribution to the school construction fund, established in 2017, to 4.5 percent of tax revenue and letting K-12 schools use some of the money for school construction. House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) and Governor Cooper support a different approach to have voters consider a school construction bond on the 2020 ballot.  

State of the State

Governor Cooper will deliver his State of the State address at the General Assembly on February 25.   He is expected to outline his 2019 session priorities which will likely include increased teacher pay, a school construction bond, and expansion of Medicaid coverage.