Legislative Update from Rep. Frank Iler – Aug. 2, 2011

Last week in the North Carolina General Assembly was devoted almost entirely to voting to override the Governor’s veto on some of the key bills that we had passed and voting on the redistricting maps for the U.S. Congress, the N.C. House and N.C. Senate.  There were actually few bills on which to vote, but many votes on attempted amendments to them.

First, on Monday, we took votes on three bills that had been vetoed.  These bills could not be amended at this point, but were debated at length.  Senate Bill 33 – Medical Liability Reforms, which will relieve doctors of some of the high liability insurance costs which they have had to pay, passed 74 – 42, more than the required three-fifths or 72 votes.  As it had already passed the Senate by 35 – 12, it became law.  Senate Bill 781 – Regulatory Reform Act of 2011, passed 76 – 42.  It had passed the Senate by 48 – 0, so it also became law.  Senate Bill 496 – Medicaid and Health Choice Provider Requirements, passed the House 74 – 41 and the Senate 47 – 1, and became law.

Also on Monday, the House took up the new districts for N.C. House members, based on the 2010 census.  House Bill 937, as it is known, along with the new maps for the 120 districts, passed 66 – 53.  It had passed the Senate 28 – 19 and is not subject to a veto from the Governor, but it now has to be cleared under the Federal Voting Rights Act before becoming law.

Three additional veto override votes were taken up Tuesday.  House Bill 854 – Abortion – Woman’s Right to Know Act, provides for a 24 hour waiting period and access to an ultra-sound prior to an abortion.  It passed 72 – 47 in the House and later 29 – 19 in the Senate, so it became law over the Governor’s veto.  Senate Bill 532 – Employment Security Commission/Job Reform passed 72 – 47 in the House and 31 – 17 in the Senate and became law.

The only veto override vote taken that was not successful was House Bill 351 – Restore Confidence in Government, which includes the requirement for a photo I.D. to vote.  The vote was 68 – 51, strictly on party lines, so the override failed to get the required 72 votes.

On Wednesday we voted on the Senate redistricting plan, Senate Bill 455, and passed it 67 – 52.  We also voted on Congressional districts, Senate Bill 453, and they passed 68 – 51. They are not subject to a Governor’s veto, but must be cleared by the Federal government. All three of the redistricting bills had several amendments, which were voted down.  All three passed the Senate by a substantial party line vote.

We adjourned on Thursday.  It seemed in many ways like a short week, since most of us were not required to be in Raleigh the previous weeks while committees and map-drawers were preparing the bills and maps for us.  However, it was historic not only due to the number of veto overrides, but also due to the drawing of districts by the current majority party for the first time in 140 years in the North Carolina legislature.  Another short session this year is planned for mid-September to consider constitutional amendments and other veto overrides.