Legislative Update & Session Wrap-Up from Rep. Frank Iler – June 21, 2011
Just when we thought the legislative calendar couldn’t be fuller, our leadership decided that we would finish the long session last week. So the calendar filled up with more than 200 bills and we stayed six days instead of the usual four with some sessions lasting until midnight.
The Tuesday session was the first to go to midnight and beyond. After the Governor vetoed the 2011 – 2013 budget, House Bill 200 – Appropriations Act of 2011, we had to wait until Wednesday to vote to override her veto. We adjourned just before midnight and convened at 12:05 Wednesday morning. At 12:18 the override vote was taken and had the required three-fifths margin at 73 – 46. All Republicans and five Democrats voted to override. This was the first time in state history that the budget had been vetoed, and the first time that it was overridden. The budget is now law and becomes effective July 1st. The one cent temporary sales tax that was implemented in 2009 will expire, saving taxpayers over $1 billion per year. Classroom teachers are fully funded, and various departments in Raleigh will have to tighten their belts just like families and small businesses have been forced to do over the past several years.
Many bills that are important to our area passed last week in including Senate Bill 110 – Permit Terminal Groins. If the Governor signs this bill, beach communities will be able to protect their inlets and prevent beach erosion caused by dredging at the inlets. Only four groins are permitted statewide with strict rules and no state funds will be allowed for these projects.
House Bill 351 – Restore Confidence in Government passed 62 – 51 with several members absent. This is the legislation that requires a photo I.D. to vote. It is anticipated that the Governor may veto it this bill.
House Bill 650 – Amend Various Gun Laws/Castle Doctrine reduces liability of someone defending their home, and changes some of the laws concerning where a gun can be carried with a concealed carry permit. This bill passed 80 – 39 with my voting for it.
Several bills dealt with energy development, but the biggest one that passed was Senate Bill 709 – Energy Jobs Act. This bill will accelerate the exploration for all energy sources in North Carolina, and make sure that the citizens benefit from it through royalties to the state. The legislation includes safeguards for the environment and requires funds for potential accidents.
Annexation has been on everyone’s mind recently. Two bills passed last week give areas being annexed more of a voice in these decisions that impact them so profoundly. House Bill 845 – Annexation Reform Act of 2011 requires a petition be offered to the area being annexed and if 60% of the property owners sign the petition against annexation, it is stopped for at least three years. The bill includes requirements on services being offered and other protective provisions. It passed 104-5. House Bill 56 – Local Annexations Subject to 60% Petition names certain annexations in progress, including Southport, and requires them to comply with the 60% petition provision as in the new reform bill HB845. HB 56 passed 73-38. A similar Senate bill, SB 27, also passed. HB 845 is subject to the Governor’s veto but the local bills are not.
Senate Bill 214 – Transportation Map Corridors/Condemnation requires a shorter time period between the time DOT files a corridor map and the time the agency must acquire the property. This should leave property owners and developers with less of a burden on their property. The bill passed 114 – 2.
Even though the long session adjourned on Saturday, the General Assembly plans to return to Raleigh in mid-July to vote on redistricting and consider veto overrides. The district maps are currently being studied for state House and Senate, as well as U.S. Congress, and are subject to change many times before we vote on them. So, this newsletter may take a break until then.