Legislative Update from Rep. Frank Iler June 7th, 2016

Last week in the North Carolina House of Representatives: we passed two major transportation bills, one I sponsored and one I opposed, we got a glimpse of the Senate’s version of the 2016 – 2017 budget, and we saw two bills involving Sunset Beach pass the Senate.

Last Monday, I was privileged to attend the Memorial Day celebration and observance for our fallen military heroes held at the Battleship North Carolina.  It was very moving, and I was proud of our county commissioners and mayors from Brunswick County that attended, along with those from New Hanover County.

After that day off from the General Assembly, we got to work very quickly on Tuesday.  A transportation bill I sponsored was on the calendar for debate.  House Bill 959 – DOT Proposed Legislative Changes involves many provisions requested by DOT, as well as others requested by House members.  Some of the highlights were items to make DMV more customer-friendly, electronic billing for tolls, DOT right of way clarifications, and bicycle safety measures.  After a good debate it passed second reading 104 – 5.  After some amendments were requested, we postponed third reading until Thursday.  After 3 good amendments, we passed it 104 – 4.  It will now be in the Senate next week.

I opposed House Bill 954 – Terminate Agreement For Tolling of I – 77.  In essence, it will take us from a serious bottleneck on I – 77 being solved in two years at a cost to the taxpayers of $300 million to cancelling a contract for a cost of $300 million with nothing to show for it.  It involves a toll lane each way with two free lanes.  I spoke against this waste of taxpayers’ money for NO ROAD, but it passed by vote of 81 – 27.

The Senate’s version of the state budget adjustments for 2016 – 2017 was presented in their appropriations committee Wednesday.  It was then voted on Thursday and Friday, and passed by votes of 33 – 15 and 26 – 13 in late sessions in the Senate.  Many of the provisions I have read in education and transportation are very good, and others are not so good, in my opinion.  However, we will have a few weeks to work out differences with our House budget, which had passed the House 103 – 12.  The final budget must not only balance, but must be identical in both chambers.

House Bill 469 – Sunset Beach/Parking Meter Proceeds amends the town charter to allow on-street meter proceeds to be used the same as off-street parking proceeds.  I sponsored this bill last year at the request of the town, and it passed in April, 2015, by a vote of 114 – 2.  It sat in a Senate committee until last week, but came out and passed Wednesday on a voice vote.  Being a local bill, it became law immediately without the Governor’s signature.

Senate Bill 875 – Town of Sunset Beach/Deannexation removes three parcels of land from the town government.  It has naturally received much publicity.  It passed the Senate Wednesday by a vote of 43 – 2 and Thursday by 45 – 3.  The bill will now move to the House this week.

This week we will be digging into the budget differences between the House and Senate, and hope to resolve them in a few short weeks.