Legislative Update from Rep. Iler — May 14, 2024
Last week at the North Carolina General Assembly saw a lot of activity as the short session heats up. We worked on the 2024 – 2025 budget update, voted on an important bill addressing the Israel protest issue, and introduced dozens more local bills as the deadline passed.
We received our instructions on the budget schedule from the senior appropriations chairs of the House and Senate and then immediately went into the joint area committees. My area is Transportation Appropriations (Rep. Miller is in the Justice and Public Safety Appropriations Committee). In a matter of a few days, we will report to the senior chairs, and we will put the budget puzzle pieces together in the full appropriations committee for the 2024 – 2025 fiscal year, which begins July 1st.
On Wednesday, Speaker Tim Moore held a press conference on House Bill 942 – SHALOM Act, and during our afternoon House session passed it almost unanimously. This legislation puts into state law a widely accepted definition of antisemitism which is adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. It assists law enforcement and the justice system determine when peaceful protest cross the line into criminal activity. It passed the House 105-4 and is in the Senate Rules Committee for further action this week.
Tuesday was the deadline for filing local bills, and I introduced House Bill 1062 – Town of Leland/Recall Officials. It was in response to hundreds of emails and conversations with Leland residents but does not recall anyone. It will give all Leland voters the chance to vote on a recall provision in their town charter at the next municipal election. It was referred to the House Committee on Local Government and must also go through the House Rules Committee.
On Friday, I was able once again to serve on a legislative panel at the N.C. Beach, Inlet and Waterway Association (NCBIWA) in Emerald Isle. It was good to see all the coastal local officials, state and federal agency representatives, as well as to listen to their concerns for the coast. Rep. Carson Smith, Sen. Norm Sanderson, and I made up the panel members.
This week we expect much more budget work and more bills in committees and then moving onto the floor of the House or Senate for votes.