Legislative Update from Rep. Frank Iler June 14th, 2016
Last week in the North Carolina House of Representatives: we did not concur with the Senate budget, we made adjustments to the ethics laws, we passed local bills on de-annexation and town charter changes, and we greeted town officials from the county and around the state.
On Wednesday, we took up House Bill 1030 – 2016 Appropriations Act This is the 2016 – 2017 budget adjustments bill sent to the Senate earlier and returned to the House with changes. We voted to NOT concur with the changes by a vote of 114 – 0. The Speaker appointed conference committee members to work with the Senate on the differences. The final budget must be negotiated, so that it can pass both chambers with identical language and spending. I was appointed to the conference committee to work out the transportation section of the budget. The first question people ask is “How long will it take?” and the answer is “We don’t know.” We hope it will be quick, but being right is better than fast.
House Bill 1055 – State Ethics Commission Revisions clarifies a few terms, such as the definitions of immediate family and extended family as far as contributions. It passed the House 108 – 1, and moves to the Senate.
We passed two local dealing with de-annexation, annexation, and charter suspension. House Bill 1017 – Norwood De-annexation/Annexation removed a parcel of land from Norwood and added another. It passed 108 – 0. House Bill 1143 – Spencer Mountain Charter suspended the charter of Spencer Mountain for three years and put their finances under the control of the state Treasurer and Gaston county. It passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Another bill of local interest came over from the Senate. Senate Bill 875 – Town of Sunset Beach/De-annexation had passed the Senate the previous week by a large majority vote, and was read onto the House floor on Monday night. It was referred to the Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House, better known as the Rules committee. It remains there at this time.
Wednesday was Town Hall Day at the legislature. Many towns were visiting, and I was happy to see a large delegation from Southport, including Mayor Jerry Dove. Mayor Walt Eccard of Shallotte also came by and showed me the development plan for their riverfront. Although many of our 13 mayors were not there on Town Hall Day, mayors of towns such as Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Caswell Beach, and Boiling Spring Lakes are in touch with me on a regular basis. It is always good to welcome them in Raleigh, as well as see them back in the district.