Legislative Update from Rep. Frank Iler – March 30, 2015
Legislative Update
Last week in the North Carolina General Assembly:
We had almost two hundred additional bills introduced in the House of Representatives alone; we passed a major property insurance reform bill and saw the House and Senate agree on a major transportation funding bill.
As the weather warmed in Raleigh last week, the pace of activity continued to heat up. Bills were being prepared for introduction at a record pace, and almost 200 were introduced between the House and Senate. I am still working on bills to be filed ahead of the April 1st deadline. Some of them are concerning teacher pay, grandparents’ rights, and delaying the requirement for counties to return to using paper ballots. Other bills are expected to be filed on homeowners’ rights and other subjects that I anticipate co-sponsoring.
On Tuesday I chaired the House Transportation Committee, and we passed two controversial bills. House Bill 148 – Insurance and Safety Inspection/Mopeds was debated in two meetings, but we finally passed it. It was referred to the Insurance Committee. House Bill 183 – Repeal Map Act takes the burden off of property owners whose land or homes can be tied up for years or decades in highway corridor planning. This repeals the act entirely. It passed and was referred to the Finance Committee. Also on Tuesday the House passed House Bill 13 – Amend School Health Assessment Requirement. It requires a student entering school in later grades for the first time to have the same health assessment as one entering kindergarten. It passed 93 – 22 on a bipartisan vote and was sent to the Senate.
On Wednesday the House debated and passed a bill that requires insurance companies to include additional historical loss data when they file for a rate increase through the Rate Bureau. House Bill 151 – Property Insurance Rate-making Reform passed the House 115 – 0 and went to the Senate.
The House Local Government Committee on Thursday heard a local bill for Caswell Beach to help the town build their new fire/EMS/police station by swapping some land with the villas next door. House Bill 204 – Caswell Beach/Quick Take Eminent Domain is what is called a friendly condemnation, and was approved quickly by the committee. It should be on the House floor for approval on Monday or Tuesday. Also on Thursday there was a late-day agreement between the House and Senate on the gas tax bill, Senate Bill 20. It is expected to be on the House calendar for a final vote Monday night.
Once again, the week was filled with visits from industries, lobbying agencies, and citizen groups. The best visits are with groups or individuals from back home, such as the mother/daughter visit Thursday about mental health care in the county. It was right up there with the Girl Scout group the previous week, and groups of local officials that often come by. This reminds us why we are there, and refreshes our attitudes among the give and take atmosphere that is Raleigh.