Legislative Update from Rep. Frank Iler – Jan. 31, 2011
by Rep. Frank Iler
The first week in the General Assembly was only two days, beginning on Wednesday at 12:00 noon and the second session on Thursday, ending by 12:00 noon. However, the abbreviated week was offset by the historical weight of what was included in the two sessions.
The first session of the Legislature since Reconstruction (the 1870’s) to see both the NC House and Senate in Republican control began with the swearing-in shortly after noon on Wednesday, January 26th. With a 31-19 majority in the Senate and 68-52 majority in the House, Republicans can look forward to voting on and passing legislation that has died in committees or been defeated in past years.
Also on the first day was the election of the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tem of the Senate as well as adoption of rules in both bodies. Representative Thom Tillis of Mecklenburg County was elected as Speaker, and Senator Phil Berger of Rockingham County was elected as President Pro Tem. Both are Republicans. The House adopted temporary rules and the Senate debated and adopted permanent rules.
Thursday, the second day of the new session, about 25 bills were introduced, several of which will be controversial and will be hotly debated in committees and when they come back to the floor for passage.
House Bill 2 – Protect Health Care Freedom, will seek to shield North Carolina citizens from having to purchase health care insurance they don’t want under the federal mandates of ObamaCare. This legislation is based on a Virginia law that has been ruled constitutional.
House Bill 8 – Eminent Domain, will provide for a constitutional amendment vote to prevent the government from taking property to sell it to another private party, but only for a public use, such as a school or road.
House Bill 9 – Involuntary Annexation Moratorium, will stop forced annexation until June 30, 2012, giving time for a permanent solution to be found.
House Bill 11 – No postsecondary Education/Illegal Aliens, will deny university or community college admission to illegal aliens in NC public colleges and universities.
On the Senate side Thursday, Senate Bill 8 – No Cap on Number of Charter Schools, will seek to free charter school start-ups to the limit of 100 imposed in previous years. Like the House bills above, this issue was part of a “First 100 Days” pledge by the Republican candidates during the 2010 campaign.
I have signed on to co-sponsor these House bills. They have been sent by the Speaker to various committees and should come back to the floor quickly in the coming weeks. Beginning this Monday, we will be in session four days a week and the committees should begin to meet regularly very soon. The House Judiciary Committee has already met to pass HB 2, Protect Health Care Freedom and we should see it on the House floor this week.
The Speaker made committee assignments on Thursday, and I was appointed to co-chair the House Transportation Committee. My co-chair will be Rep. Grey Mills of Iredell County.
The first week in the General Assembly was only two days, beginning on Wednesday at 12:00 noon and the second session on Thursday, ending by 12:00 noon. However, the abbreviated week was offset by the historical weight of what was included in the two sessions.
The first session of the Legislature since Reconstruction (the 1870’s) to see both the NC House and Senate in Republican control began with the swearing-in shortly after noon on Wednesday, January 26th. With a 31-19 majority in the Senate and 68-52 majority in the House, Republicans can look forward to voting on and passing legislation that has died in committees or been defeated in past years.
Also on the first day was the election of the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tem of the Senate as well as adoption of rules in both bodies. Representative Thom Tillis of Mecklenburg County was elected as Speaker, and Senator Phil Berger of Rockingham County was elected as President Pro Tem. Both are Republicans. The House adopted temporary rules and the Senate debated and adopted permanent rules.
Thursday, the second day of the new session, about 25 bills were introduced, several of which will be controversial and will be hotly debated in committees and when they come back to the floor for passage.
House Bill 2 – Protect Health Care Freedom, will seek to shield North Carolina citizens from having to purchase health care insurance they don’t want under the federal mandates of ObamaCare. This legislation is based on a Virginia law that has been ruled constitutional.
House Bill 8 – Eminent Domain, will provide for a constitutional amendment vote to prevent the government from taking property to sell it to another private party, but only for a public use, such as a school or road.
House Bill 9 – Involuntary Annexation Moratorium, will stop forced annexation until June 30, 2012, giving time for a permanent solution to be found.
House Bill 11 – No postsecondary Education/Illegal Aliens, will deny university or community college admission to illegal aliens in NC public colleges and universities.
On the Senate side Thursday, Senate Bill 8 – No Cap on Number of Charter Schools, will seek to free charter school start-ups to the limit of 100 imposed in previous years. Like the House bills above, this issue was part of a “First 100 Days” pledge by the Republican candidates during the 2010 campaign.
I have signed on to co-sponsor these House bills. They have been sent by the Speaker to various committees and should come back to the floor quickly in the coming weeks. Beginning this Monday, we will be in session four days a week and the committees should begin to meet regularly very soon. The House Judiciary Committee has already met to pass HB 2, Protect Health Care Freedom and we should see it on the House floor this week.
The Speaker made committee assignments on Thursday, and I was appointed to co-chair the House Transportation Committee. My co-chair will be Rep. Grey Mills of Iredell County.