Legislative Update from Rep. Iler – March 14, 2023

Last week at the North Carolina General Assembly was filled with early morning budget meetings and an increasing number of votes in House and Senate floor sessions.  We had some significant statewide bills coming up for final votes, as well as many local bills.

     Budget deliberations are getting a lot of attention with meetings among House budget chairs, fiscal staff, bill drafters, and representatives of state agencies.  Budget requests are larger than recent years and will have to be very carefully considered.  I am involved in the Transportation budget, and Rep. Miller is involved in the Justice and Public Safety budget.

     House Bill 40 – Prevent Rioting and Civil Disorder passed the Senate and went to the Governor on Friday.  It had passed the House and Senate by votes of 75 – 43 and 27 – 16.  It strengthens the penalties for assault and property damage during riots.   Another bill sent to the Governor was Senate Bill 53 – Hotel Safety Rules.  It had passed the Senate 28 – 16 and the House by 83 – 29.  It clarifies the tenancy statutes for hotel and other hospitality operators.

     House Bill 149 – Remote Charter Academies enables more remote learning by charter schools.  It passed 70 – 43 on a mostly party line vote.  A unanimous vote of 113 – 0 took place on House Bill 125 – Safe Surrender Infants.  It clarifies the liability for those who abandon infants and those who receive them with the intention of saving more babies.  Both bills went to the Senate.

     I filed three bills last week.  House Bill 309 – Inspection of Low-Speed Vehicles allows for mobile inspection of electric street-legal modified golf carts, known as low-speed vehicles.  House Bill 310 – Selection of Performance Guarantee Method allows local governments more choice of bonding methods in contracts.  House Bill 311 – Community Association Oversight Division directs the Attorney General to set up oversight of HOA/POA citizen complaints.

     This week we plan more budget meetings, as well as bills moving through committees and onto the floor for votes.  The plan is to pass the budget out of the House in early April, when it will then go to the Senate for their changes.