Legislative Update from Rep. Frank Iler – Mar. 13, 2017
Last week in the North Carolina House of Representatives: we passed tougher penalties for felony death by boating, we made changes to the selection of judges, we met with a coastal advocacy group, and we continued to work on local bills.
The weather last week in Raleigh was again mild, but the pace of bill filings and floor votes was heating up. House Bill 65 – Require Active Time Felony Death Motor Vehicle/Boat requires judges to give active jail sentences for DUI death by motor vehicle or by boat. It passed in Monday night’s session by a vote of 84 – 32.
Three controversial bills on the selection of Court of Appeals Judge and on District and Superior Court Judges came to the House floor Thursday. House Bill 239 – Reduce Court of Appeals to 12 Judges, House Bill 240 – General Assembly Appoint For District Court Vacancies, and House Bill 241 – Special Superior Court Judgeship Appointed By General Assembly all passed on mostly party line votes of 71 – 42, 66 – 47, and 67 – 47, respectively. The N.C. Court of Appeals was increased from 12 to 15 judges about twenty years ago so that the party in power could pack the court at that time. This just puts it back to 12 judges and saves taxpayers’ money. The District Judges are in local judicial districts and will be subject to appointment by the General Assembly instead of the Governor. The bills were sent to the Senate by special messenger on Thursday.
Wednesday and Thursday an organization that advocates for coastal issues met with legislators one-on-one and hosted breakfast for legislators from across the state. The N.C. Beach, Inlet, and Waterways Association (NCBIWA) were presenting facts about beach nourishment and inlet dredging. They pointed out that beach property owners live in 97 of the state’s 100 counties, not just the eight coastal counties. Therefore, beach and waterway issues are statewide issues. The legislators in attendance were receptive to the information, and I believe this group will have an impact on our policies concerning the coast.
Brunswick County and several municipalities in the county have asked us for legislation to enable them to better provide services to our citizens. With the deadline for local bills looming soon, Senator Rabon and/or I will be introducing bills allowing the county to adjust fire fees, allowing each town to pass a half cent prepared meals tax for beach and infrastructure maintenance, and other issues that have been requested. Most of these bills will be “enabling” legislation, not “requiring” them to act. The House deadline for local bills to drafting is March 15th, and must be filed by March 29th. The Senate filing deadline is March 15th.