Legislative Roundup for the week of March 18-21
Senate:
SB315 — North Carolina Farm Act of 2019: N.C. Sen. Jim Perry (R- Lenoir) signed on to co-sponsor this bill filed Wednesday that makes various adjustments to farm-related laws in N.C. The bill would implement a state hemp program in accordance with changes to federal laws and create a state hemp commission to regulate the industry. The bill also deals with disused utility easements, agricultural advertising, the promotion of the sweet potato industry, the definition of agritourism, and various other agricultural and forestry concerns. The act was introduced on NC Agriculture Awareness Day. Read the full text of the bill here: https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2019/Bills/Senate/PDF/S315v1.pdf
SB310 — Electric Co-op Rural Broadband Services: N.C. Sen. Harry Brown (R-Onslow) is a primary sponsor, and Sen. Don Davis (D-Greene) is a co-sponsor of this bill filed Tuesday that loosens state regulations to allow electric membership corporations to seek federal subsidies for providing telecommunications and broadband internet services. The stated purpose of the bill is to allow existing rural electric co-ops to use the same easements and infrastructure already in place to facilitate expansion of broadband internet services to rural areas. State regulations currently limit the ability of these co-ops to seek funding for providing other services. Read the text of the bill here: https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2019/Bills/Senate/PDF/S310v1.pdf
House:
HB399 — Disaster Area Building Rehab Tax Credit Bonus: N.C. Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne) is a primary sponsor and N.C. Rep. Chris Humphrey (R-Lenoir) is a co-sponsor of this bill, introduced in the House on Wednesday. The bill extends historic rehabilitation tax credits that are due to expire in 2020 and increases the cap amounts developers can claim on a project. The bill also adds extra credits for economically distressed counties (which would apply to Lenoir, Jones, and Greene counties) and additional credits for buildings that are in a declared disaster area. Bell pointed to the impact that historic tax credits have already had in revitalizing Kinston’s downtown area as an example of the importance of the bill at a press conference introducing the legislation. Kinston Mayor Don Hardy traveled to Raleigh for the press conference to show his support for the legislation. Read the text of the bill here: https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2019/Bills/House/PDF/H399v1.pdf
HB389 — ABC/University Athletic Facilities: Bell also introduced this bill Wednesday that would allow public universities in N.C. to sell beer and wine at athletic events. In a press release about the bill, Bell stated the bill was the result of consultation with university leadership and law enforcement, and that it would provide a safer environment while also generating revenue for the schools and allowing the game day experience to match that found at private universities. Read the text of the bill here: https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2019/Bills/House/PDF/H389v1.pdf
Votes:
Here is a look at some significant votes by area representatives from this week:
House: Conner’s Law, sponsored by Bell, which would increase the penalty for assaults on law enforcement, passed the House with a unanimous vote Wednesday. All area representatives voted Aye. It goes now to the Senate for consideration.
Senate: Perry and Davis both voted in favor of a bill that would increase the penalties for those who break into a pharmacy and steal pharmaceuticals. It passed the Senate with a vote of 40-4. It goes now to the House for consideration.
