North Carolina Legislative Report - February 27, 2015
February 27, 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 on a weekly basis to keep you up to date on the latest legislative issues facing the state.
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On The Floor
This week, the Senate passed S 109, Joint Session/State of the Judiciary, and S 2, Magistrates Recusal for Civil Ceremonies.
The House passed H 65, Wilkes Fox Trapping.
Committees
Joint Appropriations Committee Meetings
The House and Senate continued with joint appropriations committee meetings as they work towards putting together a budget for this year. On Tuesday, 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.
Senate Commerce Committee
The Committee met on Tuesday, February 24, to hear from Commerce Secretary John Skvarla on the need for incentive programs in job recruitment and his plans to turn the N.C. Zoo into a major tourist attraction. Skvarla highlighted the incentive programs used by other states that have attracted large manufacturing operations and the ancillary impact on the local economy. He urged members of the Committee to support a bill introduced in the House that would increase the amount of money in the State’s incentive programs.
The plan for revitalizing the Zoo and turning it into a major destination includes a convention center, hotel and cable cars to move people through the park. Skvarla is working with other members of the Administration on the plan. The Commerce Committee will meet again on Tuesday, March 3 at 11:00.
House Finance Committee
The Committee met on Tuesday, February 24. There were no bills on the Committee’s calendar. Instead, the Committee heard presentations from legislative staff with respect to General Fund revenue sources and the State’s economic development incentives.
Senate Finance Committee
The Senate Finance Committee met on Tuesday, February 24 and Wednesday, February 25. On Tuesday, the Committee approved a proposed committee substitute for S 19, Revenue Laws Technical Changes. The bill was a recommendation of the Revenue Laws Study Committee and, as the title suggests, contains technical corrections related to State and local tax laws. The bill passed second reading in the Senate on February 25 and is on the calendar for final approval on Monday, March 2. On Wednesday, there were no bills on the Committee’s calendar. Instead, the Committee heard presentations from legislative staff with respect to the State’s economic development incentives.
In The News
WRAL: FCC OKs Wilson to sell high-speed Internet outside city limits
Raleigh News & Observer: NC Secretary of State seeks fee hikes to help regulate crowdfunding
Raleigh News & Observer: NC senators look to modify McCrory’s jobs incentive plan
Raleigh News & Observer: NC Senate votes to force utilities to give tax cut to customers
Raleigh News & Observer: Governors expect Atlantic coast seismic testing for oil and gas in about 18 months
Charlotte Observer: Criminal charges in spills to cost Duke Energy $100 million
Associated Press: McCrory expansion delay smart to some, poor excuse to others
Associated Press: State gas tax, population growth help NC road funding
Calendar
Mon, March 02, 2015 | ||
7:00 PM | Session Convenes (House) | |
7:00 PM | Session Convenes (Senate) | |
| ||
8:30 AM | 1228/1327 | |
8:30 AM | ||
8:30 AM | ||
8:30 AM | ||
8:30 AM | 423 LOB | |
8:30 AM | 423 LOB | |
8:30 AM | 425 LOB | |
8:30 AM | Joint Appropriations on General Government and Information Technology | 425 LOB |
8:30 AM | ||
8:30 AM | ||
10:00 AM | ||
10:00 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) | |
12:00 PM | Transportation (House) Military Veterans Special Plate. (H5) | |
1:00 PM | Judiciary II (House) 0.00 Alcohol Restriction-All DWI. (H31) | 421 LOB |
1:00 PM | Finance (Senate) | |
| ||
8:30 AM | 1228/1327 | |
8:30 AM | ||
8:30 AM | 421 LOB | |
8:30 AM | Appropriations, Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources (Joint) | 421 LOB |
8:30 AM | 423 LOB | |
8:30 AM | 423 LOB | |
8:30 AM | Joint Appropriations on General Government and Information Technology | 425 LOB |
8:30 AM | Appropriations, Health and Human Services -- CORRECTED (House) | |
8:30 AM | ||
10:00 AM | ||
11:00 AM | 423 LOB | |
11:30 AM | Rep. Szoka-Press Conference (Time Change) | |
12:30 PM | Judiciary I (House) Charter School Financial Accountability. (H96) | |
| ||
8:30 AM | 1228/1327 | |
8:30 AM | 421 LOB | |
8:30 AM | Appropriations, Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources (Joint) | 421 LOB |
8:30 AM | Joint Appropriations on General Government and Information Technology | 425 LOB |
8:30 AM | ||
8:30 AM | ||
10:00 AM | Environment (House) | |
| ||
10:00 AM | ||
| ||
3:00 PM | ||