Legislative Update from Rep. Iler — October 31, 2023
From the Legislature:
Last week at the North Carolina General Assembly we had floor votes on House, Senate, and Congressional districts, which followed a lot of work on them by committees over the past few weeks. We also passed other bills and then adjourned the 2023 session.
House Bill 898 – House Redistricting Plan 2023 realigns the 120 N.C. House districts according to the 2020 census after a court ruling earlier this year. Our districts in Brunswick and New Hanover counties did not have major changes. Our District 17 is still entirely in Brunswick County from the SC state line to the northern boundary at the Cape Fear River beyond Leland, Navassa, and Belville. District 19, represented by Rep. Charlie Miller, includes the southeast section of Brunswick from Southport to Holden Beach, north up to Boiling Spring Lakes, and the southern portion of New Hanover County up to the state port.
Senate Bill 758 – Realign NC Senate Districts 2023 came over from the Senate on Wednesday and was passed by the House. Our Senate District, represented by Sen. Bill Rabon, includes Brunswick and Columbus counties and several precincts in Wilmington.
Senate Bill 757 – Realign Congressional Districts 2023 also came over to the House Wednesday and was passed. We are still represented in Washington by Congressman David Rouzer.
All three of these bills became law when passed and ratified. They were not subject to approval or veto by the Governor, and will be used in the next election, unless successfully challenged in court.
We had other bills on technical corrections to the budget, criminal law changes, appointments to state boards, and senior home care. The last bill was the adjournment resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 760. The 2023 Regular Session of the 2023-2024 General Assembly adjourned on Wednesday, October 25th at approximately 4:30. We could still have special sessions and will convene the 2024 session after the primary election next year.
I was able to return in time to greet Governor Cooper at noon Thursday for a major new industry announcement held at Brunswick Community College and to attend an event with the Lt. Governor Thursday night at Inlet View Restaurant. Obviously, Brunswick County has been discovered.