NC Legislative Update: August 2019 #4

Maynard Nexsen
Contact

Nexsen Pruet, PLLC

The budget stalemate between the legislature and Governor Cooper continued this week, with both chambers holding votes on various bills, but no vote taken on overriding Governor Cooper’s budget veto. Given the current budget impasse, the Senate has started moving several “mini budgets” which include pieces of various sections of the budget bill passed by the legislature earlier this year. The Senate amended House Bill 555 to include provisions from the Health and Human Services budget that allocate funds for Medicaid Transformation, which is the State’s movement to capitated Medicaid contracts. The Senate also amended House Bill 609 to now include an appropriation for a 2.5% raise for correctional officers. Moving the budget in pieces has been brought up before as a tactic to get around a budget deal tied to the Governor’s Medicaid expansion demand. Governor Cooper says that the piecemeal budget idea is a “gimmick” and Democrats have called it a political move to force Cooper to veto seemingly popular bills before an election year.

While the budget stalemate continues the State will continue operating under a 2015 law that prevents a government shutdown by keeping in place the recurring funding levels of last year’s budget until a new one is adopted. House Speaker Tim Moore has indicated that he still believes that the House will be able to override the veto, and continues to place the motion to override on the House calendar. This will require at least several House Democrats to be absent, since 51 of the 55 House Democrats have signed on to a letter pledging that they will not vote to override Governor Cooper’s veto.

WRAL: https://www.wral.com/gimmicks-cooper-says-as-republicans-change-tactics-on-budget/18585533/

Taxpayer Refund Act

Earlier this year, lawmakers announced that the State’s over collections had resulted in a $900 million surplus. They touted this as proof that their policies and tax cuts have resulted in increased revenue by growing the economy. This week, Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore announced a plan to send part of the surplus back to the taxpayers. In a plan unveiled on Thursday, Senator Berger explained that taxpayers who filed individually will receive a $125 refund and those who filed jointly will receive a $250 refund. The refunds will go to nearly 5.1 million tax filers, but will cost to $5.5 million to administer. In all, House Bill 74 will cost $660 million. Refund checks will go out on December 15, 2019 and February 1, 2020, depending on when the tax filing was received. During a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Democrats raised concerns that the money could be better used to address pending needs in the State, like school construction, healthcare, and infrastructure. Republicans responded that those items were dealt with in the budget they passed, and are currently being blocked by Governor Cooper’s veto. They urged the Democrats to help override the veto to address those issues.

WRAL: https://www.wral.com/lawmakers-offer-to-refund-900m-budget-surplus-to-nc-taxpayers/18583336/

Rural Health Care Stabilization Act

Both chambers have passed legislation to create a rural hospital loan program for rural hospitals in jeopardy of bankruptcy. The legislation originally passed the Senate and the House amended the loan maturity timeline, but the House also added provisions to allow local governments more flexibility on their sales tax and expand eligibility for the State’s Utility Account. Instead of reaching a compromise to the different versions of the bill in conference, the Senate choose to abandon the original bill and insert their language into an unrelated dental bill that had already passed the House. House Bill 704 now includes the Senate’s original plan, with the House change to the loan maturity timeline, but the sales tax and Utility Fund sections have been removed. The bill targets a struggling hospital in Randolph County, but any hospital can apply, outside of UNC Health Care, which will be in charge of administering the fund.

Governor Cooper Vetoes

Governor Cooper issued his 33rd and 34th veto with week, raising objections to House Bill 370 and House Bill 645. House Bill 370 would require Sheriffs to comply with the controversial federal 287(g) immigration program. The program is operated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) and allows local law enforcement offices to voluntarily cooperate with ICE to enforce various immigration laws. House Bill 370 would make it mandatory for all sheriffs to participate in the program, and the Senate added a provision to allow for a superior court judge to remove a sheriff from office if the sheriff did not comply with the program. Under the 287 (g) program, sheriffs will be required to hold suspected illegal immigrants and report their status to ICE. In his veto message, Governor Cooper claimed that the bill was unconstitutional, and called it “partisan political pandering.”

House Bill 370 dealt with relocating existing billboards when they are condemned, mostly due to highway expansion projects, and established a regulatory framework for where relocated billboards can be placed. The industry has cited that there are 1,000 fewer billboards in the State than there were 10 years ago, mostly due to local regulations prohibiting condemned billboards from being relocated. By vetoing the bill, Governor Cooper is needlessly costing the taxpayers and the Department of Transportation, which is in the middle of large-scale layoffsdue to budget shortfalls, since property owners are due compensation when billboards are taken by eminent domain. In his veto message, Governor Cooper raised concerns over removing local control, ignoring the fact local governments had to grant permission for the billboard to go up in the first place. The Outdoor Advertising Association calls Cooper’s decision “misguided” and claims that he gave a gross misrepresentation of the bill in his veto remarks. The veto came as a surprise to many, since the bill represented a compromise with stakeholders, including the League of Municipalities, County Commissioners’ Association, several large cities, and even the Governor’s own Department of Transportation, all of whom were neutral on the bill.

WRAL: https://www.wral.com/cooper-vetoes-bill-requiring-sheriffs-to-honor-ice-detainers/18583029/

WRAL: https://www.wral.com/cooper-vetoes-changes-to-billboard-regulations/18585680/

US News: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/north-carolina/articles/2019-08-22/cooper-vetoes-north-carolina-billboard-relocation-bill

Senate Rejects Healthy NC Bill

The Senate voted not to concur on an omnibus healthcare bill passed by the House last week. The bill, dubbed “Healthy NC” contained the following nine parts: creates a Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), allows licensed marriage and family therapists to perform first examinations for involuntary commitments, eliminates redundant adult care home inspections, creates the Lupus Advisory Council, requires that insurers develop formularies for Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved step therapy, requires insurers to cover oral chemo drugs the same as injected chemo, requires Medicaid to pay for telemedicine, requires private insurance and the State Health Plan to cover telehealth services, and creates the North Carolina Healthcare Solutions Task Force. The bill passed the House by a large margin of 106-3, but the Senate has historically blocked similar provisions in the bill dealing with what they consider to be insurance mandates. Conferees have not been appointed.

Duke Energy Bill Converted to Study

The House passed a bill that was intended to allow the NC Utilities Commission to approve rate increases for multiple years at a time, however, in mixed political vote on a floor amendment, the controversial section of the bill was turned into a study. Duke Energy has been pushing the bill, claiming that it will allow them to better plan for long-term upgrades to the energy grid, however, numerous large energy users, like Google and Walmart, have opposed the bill, along with environmental groups and associations. The Senate has indicated that they will not concur with the changes.

WRAL: https://www.wral.com/duke-energy-bill-hits-hurdle-key-section-now-a-study/18581393/


2019 Session Laws

The following 200 bills have become law this session:

  1. SB 7: Bipartisan Ethics Appointments
  2. SB 75: Restore Ct. of Appeals Membership
  3. SB 77: Ag Disaster Fund/Certain Counties
  4. SB 214: Ensure Orderly 2019 Elections
  5. SB 12: Fill Certain Vacancies/Alexander & Burke Co.
  6. SB 56: Revenue Laws Technical Changes
  7. SB 4: Extend Terms of 2 Members/Coastal Carolina CC
  8. SB 272: Zoning for University Facilities-Durham
  9. SB 6: Dare County/CC Construction Funds
  10. SB 162: Loan Origination/Late Payment Charge Changes
  11. HB 263: Fill Vacancies/Modify 2018 Appointments
  12. SB 63: City of Kannapolis/Annexation
  13. HB 130: Allow Game Nights
  14. SB 505: Rural Job Retention Act
  15. SB 605: Highway Storm Recovery Act
  16. HB 1014: 2020 Census VTD Verification Program
  17. SB 310: Electric Co-Op Rural Broadband Services
  18. HB 363: Craft Beer Distribution & Modernization Act
  19. HB 233: State Auditor/Local Finance Officer Amends
  20. HB 532: DNCR Add New Trails & Various Changes
  21. HB 388: Immunizing Pharmacists
  22. HB 646: ID Approval/Flex Muni One-Stop
  23. HB 70: Delay NC HealthConnex for Certain Providers
  24. HB 9: Bessemer City Charter Amendment
  25. HB 201: Randolph Co. Register of Deeds Tax Cert
  26. SB 252: Dental Bill of Rights
  27. SB 138: Even-Yr Municipal Elections/Town of Black Mtn.
  28. SB 139: Even-Yr. Municipal Elections/Town of Montreat
  29. HB 336: Extend Suspension of Spencer Mountain
  30. SB 235: Franklin/Nash Municipalities/Unfit Dwellings
  31. SB 30 Stanly CC/Contracting Date Extension
  32. SB 381: Reconstitute/Clarify Boards and Commissions
  33. HB 301: CIP Revisions/Juvenile Code
  34. HB 179: Mini-Truck Classification
  35. HB 131: Repeal Map Act
  36. HB 82: Railroad Crossings/On-Track Equipment
  37. SB 648: Support Shellfish Aquaculture
  38. SB 448: Amend Appt For Compact on Education/Military
  39. SB 255: State Board Construction Contract Claim
  40. SB 151: Break or Enter Pharmacy/Increase Penalty
  41. HB 617: Allow Repeat Referral to Teen Court
  42. HB 578: Modify Legitimations Provisions
  43. HB 548: Modify Physical Therapy Definition
  44. HB 383: Topsail Beach Charter/Board Vacancies
  45. HB 1016: UNC Boards of Trustees Appointments
  46. HB 1017: Special Master Wake House Plan
  47. HB 415: Photos of Juveniles/Show-Ups
  48. SB 148: Public Records/Release of LEO Recordings
  49. SB 11: ABC Regulation and Reform
  50. SB 466: EDPNC Modifications
  51. HB 57: Create Term for Public Schs. & Codify NCVPS
  52. HB 389: ABC/Univ Athletic Facility
  53. HB 531: Tenants at Foreclosure Act Restored
  54. HB 658: Allow Donations of Unexpired Drugs
  55. HB 664: myFutureNC/Postsecondary Attainment Goal
  56. HB 432: Water/Sewer to Contiguous Dwelling Units
  57. HB 219: NAIC Accreditation Amendments.-AB
  58. SB 80: China Grove Satellite Annexation
  59. SB 242: Recreational Land Fee Changes
  60. SB 227: TP3/Principal Fellows Consolidation
  61. SB 84: Walkertown Zoning Authorizations
  62. SB 262: Union/Prohibit Certain Hunting Acts
  63. SB 674: Surry Co./Mt. Airy/Elkin City/Bd. Ed Partisan
  64. HB 15: Lexington/Dissolve Utilities Commission
  65. HB 240: Albemarle/City Labor for Business Ctr
  66. HB 299: Henderson Cty/Build Community College Bldgs
  67. HB 6: Burlington Airport/Lease/Contract Authority
  68. SB 225: Repeal Tuition Surcharge
  69. HB 537: Hwy Use Tax Vehicle Subscriptions
  70. HB 934: Right to Try Adult Stem Cell Treatments
  71. SB 219: Modify Teacher Licensing Requirements
  72. SB 55: Continuing Education for General Contractors
  73. SB 483: Vacation Rental Act Changes
  74. SB 610: Authorize Northern Peaks Trail
  75. SB 95: Veterans Memorial Funds/Do Not Revert
  76. SB 556: GSC People First Language 2019
  77. SB 529: Fees/Returned Checks
  78. SB 88: Electrician Requirements for Certain Orgs
  79. SB 313: Guar. to Streamline Afford. Housing
  80. SB 127: Protect Governmental Accountability
  81. HB 656: Medicaid Changes for Transformation
  82. HB 924: Teacher Contract Changes
  83. HB 474: Death by Distribution
  84. HB 67: Road Barrier Prohibition
  85. HB 310: Clarify Insurance Prod'r Crim. Bckgrd Check
  86. HB 812: Nutrient Offset Amendments
  87. HB 886: Study Participation of Operators in NC Pre-K
  88. HB 529: Utilities/Water and Wastewater Consumption
  89. HB 917: Emergency Declaration/Clarify Rd Closure
  90. HB 747: NC Missing Person Information Sharing
  91. HB 770: Freedom to Work/OLB Reform
  92. HB 871: Fair Contracts
  93. HB 4: Claremont Deannexation
  94. HB 52: Wrightsville Beach Local Act Amendment
  95. HB 204: Town of Beaufort/Annexation
  96. HB 349: Wilkes County Fire Tax-Procedure
  97. HB 489: Lincolnton-Lincoln County Airport Authority
  98. HB 80: Roanoke Rapids Lake/Unattended Equip
  99. HB 237: Brunswick County Zoning Procedure Changes
  100. HB 368: Bermuda Run/Speed Restrictions
  101. HB 98: Macon/Clay/No Right-of-Way Spotlighting
  102. HB 134: Filling Vacancy/Onslow County Board of Comm
  103. HB 170: Various Satellite Annexations
  104. HB 187: Amend Town of Elon Charter/Parking Ordinances
  105. HB 285: City of Sanford/Town of Beaufort/Vol Annex
  106. HB 239: Pitt County Animal Control Records
  107. HB 324: Local Hunting Omnibus
  108. HB 429: Navigable Waters/Manteo/Hyde
  109. SB 191: Out-of-State Law Enforcement/2020 Rep Convtn
  110. SB 399: Rehire High-Need Teachers
  111. SB 355: Land-Use Regulatory Changes
  112. SB 378: Local Economic Development Modifications
  113. SB 394: Changes to Estates & Trusts Statutes
  114. SB 311: Massage Board Membership
  115. HB 257: Motorcycles/Face Masks
  116. HB 224: Assault w/ Firearm on LEO/Increase Punishment
  117. SB 594: Register of Deeds Updates
  118. SB 525: Textile Hist. Site/Operate SE NC Museum
  119. SB 220: Removal of Political Signs by Citizens
  120. SB 500: Modify Advanced Math Course Enrollment
  121. SB 186: Beaufort-Morehead Cty Airport Authority/Amend
  122. SB 686: Appointments Bill 2019
  123. HB 492: Simplify Builder Inventory Exclusion
  124. HB 402: UNC Capital Projects
  125. SB 384: Clarify Motor Vehicle Dealer Laws
  126. HB 761: Clarify Wastewater Permitting Liability
  127. HB 758: MSD Expansion and Governance/DACS Study
  128. HB 755: Travel Insurance Amendments
  129. HB 735: Adopt Rules Incorporating 2017 Food Code
  130. HB 629: Law Enforcement Mutual Aid
  131. HB 495: No Municipal Reg/Off-Site Wastewater Systems
  132. HB 329: Renewable Energy Amends
  133. HB 156: Swain County Settlement Trust Fund
  134. HB 138: Damage Jail & Prison Fire Sprinkler/Penalty
  135. HB 106: Inmate Health Care & 340B Program
  136. HB 18: Allow Absentee Ballots/Fire District Election
  137. HB 757: Pender County/Butner Property Transfers
  138. SB 535: Authorize State Park/Clarify Corps Name
  139. HB 668: Various Higher Education Changes
  140. HB 590: Amend Administrative Procedure Laws
  141. SB 444: Allow Use of Oyster Shells As Serving Dishes
  142. HB 411: Modify School Qual./Student Success Indicator
  143. SB 210: Organ & Tissue Donation/Heart Heroes
  144. SB 316: Affordable Housing
  145. SB 297: Cancer Research Advisory Panel
  146. SB 462: Modifications to NC Appraisal Board
  147. SB 508: Civil Procedure/Deponent Declaration
  148. SB 606: Prioritize Native NC Plants on Highway ROW
  149. HB 107: PED Oversight/EPP Changes
  150. HB 323: Assess Costs of Local LEO Crime Lab Analysis
  151. HB 268: Amend On-Site Wastewater Laws/Misc. TC
  152. HB 243: State Human Resources Act Amendments.-AB
  153. HB 337: Change Salvage Vehicle Transfer Requirements
  154. HB 362: 15-Point Scale For School Performance Grades
  155. HB 546: Prohibit Counterfeit/Nonfunctional Airbags
  156. HB 620: Street Database/Manual/Public Record Except
  157. SB 29: Move Over Law/Increase Penalties/Amber Lights
  158. HB 198: Human Trafficking Commission Recommendations.-AB
  159. HB 325: Opioid Epidemic Response Act
  160. SB 194: West Jefferson/Saluda Satellite Annexations
  161. SB 420: NC Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
  162. SB 218: Clarify State Recognition - Lumbee Indians
  163. SB 145: Allow Sports/Horse Race Wagering Tribal Lands
  164. SB 332: Civil Procedure/Limitations/Land Surveyors
  165. SB 343: Various Education Law Changes
  166. SB 391: Expand Youth Internship Opportunities
  167. SB 478: Modify Appointment Reporting
  168. SB 493: DVPO Abuser Treatment/Time of Expiration
  169. SB 523: Laws Clarifying & Administrative Changes
  170. SB 604: Amend NC Veterinary Practice Act
  171. SB 108: PED/Safekeeper Health Care Cost Recov. Pract
  172. HB 469: Various Family Law Changes
  173. HB 628: 2019 Banking & Mortgage Corrections & Changes
  174. HB 675: 2019 Building Code Regulatory Reform
  175. HB 50: Allow Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for TBI/PTSD
  176. HB 922: Enhance Insurance Coverage/Educ. Buildings
  177. HB 264: GSC Technical Corrections 2019
  178. SB 532: Amends Probate/Trusts/Wills Choice of Law
  179. HB 220: Insurance Technical Changes.-AB
  180. SB 302: Update ACH Svc & Care Plan/Bd of Nursing
  181. SB 385: Clarify/Auto Dealers Regulatory Req
  182. SB 290: ABC Regulatory Reform Bill
  183. SB 9: Female Genital Mutilation/Clarify Prohibition
  184. SB 301: Regional School Modifications
  185. SB 366: 9th/10th Grade/College Transfer Pathways
  186. SB 413: Raise the Age Modifications
  187. SB 498: Facilitate Response to Disasters
  188. HB 724: Truth in Caller ID Act
  189. HB 872: Underground Utility Safety Act/Changes
  190. SB 190: Expand Special Assessments for Dam Repair
  191. HB 228: Modernize Laws Pertaining to NC Medical Board.-AB
  192. HB 961: Ensuring Authorization of Federal Funds
  193. HB 760: Expand Loss Prevention Investigations
  194. HB 391: Passenger Protection Act
  195. HB 590: Modify Continuing Ed for Real Estate Brokers
  196. SB 321: Federal Motor Carrier Safety/PRISM
  197. SB 68: Relocation of Water/Sewer Line Costs
  198. SB 584: Criminal Law Reform
  199. HB 206: Various Transportation Changes
  200. HB 217: DIT Changes.-AB

DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations. Attorney Advertising.

© Maynard Nexsen

Written by:

Maynard Nexsen
Contact
more
less

PUBLISH YOUR CONTENT ON JD SUPRA NOW

  • Increased visibility
  • Actionable analytics
  • Ongoing guidance

Maynard Nexsen on:

Reporters on Deadline

"My best business intelligence, in one easy email…"

Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra:
*By using the service, you signify your acceptance of JD Supra's Privacy Policy.
Custom Email Digest
- hide
- hide