North Carolina Legislative Report - July 12, 2013
July 6 - 12, 2013
The MVA Public Affairs Legislative Report on North Carolina will be distributed weekly to keep you up to date on the latest legislative issues facing the state while the North Carolina Legislature is in session.
On the Floor
- S 81 Charlotte International Airport
7/11/2013 Passed 2nd Reading - S 112Create Jobs Through Regulatory Reform
7/11/13 Passed out of the House and now goes to the Senate for concurrence - H 94 Amend Environmental Laws 2013
7/9/2013 Referred to the Committee on Environment - H 14 Revenue Laws Technical, Clarifying & Administrative Changes
7/10/2013 Received from House, Passed 1st Reading, Referred to Committee On Finance
Committee Meetings
House Agriculture Committee
The House Agriculture Committee passed two bills out of committee this week. S 386, Board of Agriculture Swine Appointment, seeks to provide representation of swine interests on the Board of Agriculture. S 455, Increased Penalty/Seed Law Violations, seeks to increase penalties for violation of the seed law. This bill has been re-referred to House Judiciary Subcommittee B.
House Regulatory Reform Committee
The House Regulatory Reform Committee met Wednesday to take up S 112, Create Jobs Through Regulatory Reform. S 112 is a wide ranging bill that reforms numerous state regulations and changes the way agencies adopt rules. The committee approved the bill by voice vote. S 112 made a stop in a House Commerce Subcommittee to make minor changes before making its way to the House floor where it was approved by a 84-28 vote. The bill now goes to the Senate for concurrence.
House Finance Committee
House Finance met twice this week on Wednesday, July 10, and Thursday, July 11. On Wednesday, the committee heard and approved six bills. S 407, Electronic Vehicle Lien Titling, would require the Division of Motor Vehicles to implement a statewide electronic system to process vehicle security interests and certificates of title. S 103, Amend Assessments for Infrastructure Needs, would extend the authority of cities and counties to issue special assessments for critical infrastructure needs and would make some clarifications to that authority. S 571, Authorize Various Special Plates, would authorize additional special license plates. S 248, Choice of Hearing Aid Specialist, ensures that a patient has the right to choose his or her hearing aid specialists and increases some fees with respect to the professional licensing board. S 378, Assess Propane Dealers/Distributors, would authorize a referendum of propane dealers with respect to a voluntary assessment to be used for promotional, marketing, and educational purposes. S 81, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, would transfer ownership and operation of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport from the City of Charlotte to an independent authority to be composed of members appointed by the City of Charlotte and the Counties of Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, and Union. That bill would provide for compensation to be paid to the city by the new Authority for the transfer of the airport.
On Thursday, the committee approved six bills. H 569, Foxfire/Satellite Annexations, and H 1015, Bessemer City Annexation, are local bills dealing with annexation and passed easily. S 43, Study Savings for Administration of Claims, would mandate a study of the management of workers’ compensation claims submitted by state and local government employees. S 159, Require Certain General Reappraisals, would require counties to redo a general reappraisal for property tax purposes if certain conditions are met. At this time, it would affect only the 2011 Mecklenburg reappraisal. S 488, Amend Nursing Home Administrator Act/Fees, would increase fees for licensure as a nursing home administrator and would make several changes with respect to the qualifications of applicants for licensure. S 480 UNC Capital Improvement Projects, would allow for numerous UNC capital projects to be financed from sources other than state appropriations (such as fees, parking revenues, etc.).
House Environment Committee
The House Environment Committee met Thursday to discuss S 515, Jordan Lake Water Quality Act. The committee approved the bill by a vote of 12-9, delaying water quality regulations for Jordan Lake until July 2016. During this period lawmakers plan to study new technologies and best practices to come up with a new plan to improve the water quality of the lake. Included in the legislation is a pilot project aimed at improving water circulation. The project carries a price tag of two million dollars and will be funded by the Clean Water Management Trust Fund.
Tax Reform
After a lot of action the first week in July, tax reform moved out of the limelight this week. The House, Senate, and Governor were busy this week trying to hammer out a compromise, but most of that action took place behind closed doors. By the end of the week, what appeared to be taking shape was a package that was more expensive than the version approved in the House in early June, but less drastic than the version approved by the Senate last week. Rumors around the Legislative Building suggested that the compromise package would contain a reduction of corporate income and franchise tax rates (but not an outright appeal of those taxes); a simplified personal income tax with a lower flat rate, but fewer exemptions and deductions; a modest expansion of the sales tax base to include electricity, piped natural gas, and entertainment; and a repeal of the estate tax.
In the News
- AP: Tax, budget issues extend NC legislative session
- News&Observer: NC commerce secretary says business recruitment needs to move faster
- AP: Senate leaders skeptical of public private partnership bill
- AP: Berger says he hasn’t decided on Senate run
- Charlotte Observer: 110 Charlotte MetLife workers start Wednesday
- Charlotte Observer: Carolinas Healthcare System parts with NC Chamber over sales tax refunds
- News&Observer: Add another candidate to the race to replace Mel Watt
- News&Observer: NC team ticket, paper ballots may be examined
- News&Observer: North Carolina losing ground in business competitiveness, survey shows
- Charlotte Observer: House tentatively passes airport bill
- News&Observer: Kay Hagan campaign announces $2 million haul with $4.2 million in bank
- News&Observer: 2014 voters would decide on state eminent domain amendment
Legislative Calendar
Mon, July 15, 2013 | ||
4:00 PM | Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee | 544 LOB |
7:00 PM | Session Convenes (House) | House |
7:00 PM | Session Convenes (Senate) | Senate |
| ||
12:00 PM | State and Local Government (Senate) IT Purchasing/Convenience Contracts. (H701) | 1124/1224 LB |