Legislative Roundup for the week of March 11-14:

SB 254 — Funds to Assist Counties with Ditch Cleanup: N.C. Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir) was a primary sponsor of this bill filed in the Senate that would appropriate $12 million from the Hurricane Florence Disaster Recovery Reserve to assist counties affected by Hurricane Florence, which would include Duplin, Jones and Lenoir counties, with drainage ditch cleanup. Read the text of the bill here: https://webservices.ncleg.net/ViewBillDocument/2019/1352/0/DRS15127-LGa-79

SB 225 — Repeal Tuition Surcharge: Perry was also the primary sponsor of this bill filed in the Senate that would repeal a tuition surcharge that is currently imposed on students at state universities who take more than 140 degree credit hours to complete a four year bachelor's degree, or more than 110 percent of the credit hours to complete a five-year program. Perry said in a press release the bill is part of continuing efforts by Republicans in the General Assembly to ensure college affordability. “This bill was driven by constituent concerns of the existing statute’s unintended impact on veterans, community college transfer and non-traditional students,” Perry said. Read the text of the bill here: https://webservices.ncleg.net/ViewBillDocument/2019/1233/0/DRS45097-MKa-114

SB 241 — Concussion Protocol/County Recreation: N.C. Sen. Don Davis (D-Greene) was a primary sponsor of this bill that seeks to address concerns about the effect of traumatic brain injuries on children participating in county recreation activities. If passed, the bill would require county rec departments to provide information on concussions to participants in activities where bodily contact is likely, and to also have a concussion protocol in place in the event of a suspected concussion. Read the text of the bill here: https://webservices.ncleg.net/ViewBillDocument/2019/1312/0/DRS35082-MK-26

HB 307 — Right-of-Way for Left-turning Farm Equipment: N.C. Rep. Chris Humphrey (R-Lenoir) was a primary sponsor for this bill that would make it illegal for drivers in the state to attempt to pass a piece of farm equipment traveling in the same direction as the driver while it is making a left turn or signalling a left turn. Read the text of the bill here: https://webservices.ncleg.net/ViewBillDocument/2019/1111/0/DRH30111-TQ-6

HB 330 — Efficient Government Buildings and Savings Act: Humphrey was also a primary sponsor for this bill filed in the House that would require public buildings in the state to reduce energy and water consumption over the next six years. It would also require any new buildings built by the state to meet stricter energy consumption and water consumption standards. Read the text of the bill here: https://webservices.ncleg.net/ViewBillDocument/2019/1185/0/DRH40128-TQ-2A

Votes:

Several bills that have been covered in the legislative roundups came up for a vote in the House or Senate this week. Here is a look at how local lawmakers voted:

House: The Education Bond of 2019, the state House’s plan to fund school construction, passed its third reading Thursday, 99-6. N.C. Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne), Humphrey and Rep. Pat McElcraft (R-Carteret) each voted Aye.

Senate: The Small Business Healthcare Act, which Perry co-sponsored, passed its third reading in the Senate Thursday, 38-8. Perry and Davis both voted Aye.

Check back with Neuse News next week for more updates on activity in the General Assembly.