North Carolina Legislative Report - February 13, 2015
February 13, 2015
The General Assembly convened for the 2015 legislative session on January 14. Lawmakers returned to Raleigh on January 28 to begin the session in earnest. The MVA Public Affairs Legislative Report on North Carolina will be distributed weekly basis to keep you up to date on the latest legislative issues facing the state.
On The Floor
This week, the Senate passed S 20, IRC Update/Motor Fuel Tax Changes and S 47, Senate 2015 UNC Board of Governors Election.
The House passed H 3, Eminent Domain and H 37, House UNC Board of Governors Election.
Committees
House UNC Board of Governors Nominating Committee
The Committee met on Tuesday, February 10. The committee passed H 37, House UNC Board of Governors Election. H 37 is a resolution that establishes the procedure for nominating and electing members of the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina.
Senate Select Committee on UNC Board of Governors
The Committee met on Wednesday, February 11. The committee passed S 47, Senate 2015 UNC Board of Governors Election. S 47 is a resolution that establishes the procedures for nominating and electing members of the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina.
Senate Finance Committee
The Senate Finance Committee met on Tuesday, February 10, and Wednesday, February 11, taking up one bill each day. On Tuesday, the Committee approved a committee substitute for S 20, IRC Update/Motor Fuel Tax Changes. That bill would update the reference to the Internal Revenue Code used in determining and defining many State tax law provisions. In addition, the bill would reduce the current excise tax on motor fuels from 37.5 cents/gallon to 35 cents/gallon effective March 1, 2015, and would change the formula for calculating the rate so that the motor fuels tax rate could not drop below 35 cents/gallon. S 20 has now passed third reading in the Senate and has been sent to the House. On Wednesday, the Committee approved a committee substitute for S 15, Unemployment Insurance Law Changes. That bill would a) require the Division of Employment Security (DES) to enhance program integrity efforts, b) provide more clarity to the appointment process for the Board of Review, create staggered terms for the members of the Board of Review, and ratify past unemployment appeals decisions, and c) make numerous other changes with respect to the laws governing unemployment insurance. That bill has been placed on the Senate calendar for February 17.
Joint Appropriations Meetings
The House and Senate began the process of putting together the new budget this week by holding joint Appropriations Committee and subcommittee meetings. On Thursday, members received an update on current fiscal year revenues from Fiscal Research Division economist Barry Boardman, who predicted a $271 million shortfall. In addition to the full committee meeting, individual subcommittees met to look at specific budget areas such as Transportation, Health and Human Services, Education, Public Safety, General Government and Information Technology. These committees took this time to review the current budget and identify key priorities for the upcoming year. Members will continue their work when they return next week.
In The News
Associated Press: NC Senate gives final OK to gas-tax changes; House next stop
Charlotte Observer: Charlotte’s airport will be overcrowded without new construction, officials say
Associated Press: North Carolina Democrats pick Asheville's Keever party chair
WRAL: State revenue forecast now $271M short
Winston-Salem Journal: Bill filed by Democrats would bring back Earned Income, historic and film tax credits
Raleigh News & Observer: Study finds NC health care regulations drive up costs
Raleigh News & Observer: McCrory joins GOP governors asking Obama not to veto pipeline
Calendar
Mon, February 16, 2015 | ||
3:00 PM | Session Convenes (House) | |
4:00 PM | Session Convenes (Senate) | |
| ||
8:30 AM | ||
8:30 AM | ||
8:30 AM | Appropriations, Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources (Joint) | 421 LOB |
8:30 AM | 423 LOB | |
8:30 AM | 425 LOB | |
8:30 AM | Finance (House) | |
8:30 AM | ||
10:00 AM | Education - K-12 (House) Planning Year for CIHSs. (H18) | |
11:00 AM | Education - Community Colleges (House) Year-Round Funds for CC UGETC. (H15) | |
1:00 PM | Judiciary II (House) 0.00 Alcohol Restriction-All DWI. (H31) | 421 LOB |
1:30 PM | North Carolina General Statutes Commission, Trust Drafting Committee | Room 5003, UNC School of Law, 160 Ridge Road |
| ||
8:30 AM | ||
8:30 AM | ||
8:30 AM | Appropriations, Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources (Joint) | 421 LOB |
8:30 AM | 423 LOB | |
8:30 AM | Joint Appropriations on General Government and Information Technology | 425 LOB |
8:30 AM | ||
10:00 AM | Health (House) Correction Enterprises/Medicaid Sales. (H10) | |
11:00 AM | Alcoholic Beverage Control (House) | 423 LOB |
12:00 PM | Rep. Szoka | |
2:00 PM | Wildlife Resources (House) Wilkes Fox Trapping. (H65) | 423 LOB |
| ||
8:30 AM | ||
8:30 AM | ||
8:30 AM | Appropriations, Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources (Joint) | 421 LOB |
8:30 AM | 423 LOB | |
8:30 AM | Joint Appropriations on General Government and Information Technology | 425 LOB |
8:30 AM | ||
10:00 AM | Environment (House) | |
10:00 AM | Local Government (House) Clarify Unmanned Aircraft System Law. (H4) | |
12:00 PM | 421 LOB | |
| ||
1:00 PM | Rep. Glazier - Press Conference | |