Legislative roundup for the week of April 22-26

Here is a look at some of the activity from local legislators in the North Carolina General Assembly this week.

House:

Lawmakers in the House continued working this week to complete the first draft of their proposed state budget. Rep. Chris Humphrey (R- Lenoir) successfully presented an amendment in the Natural and Economic Resources Subcommittee to include $500,000 in funding for a food processing project in Ayden. The first draft of the full budget should be presented next week.

HB1011: Felonious Gaming Machines — Humphrey and Rep. John Bell (R- Wayne) are primary sponsors of this bill filed in the House on Thursday. According to Humphrey, the bill aims to clarify and standardize the somewhat confusing regulations that currently govern sweepstakes and video poker facilities. The bill would limit each location to a total of 25 machines, as well as placing an excise tax of $250 on each machine. Humphrey said estimates of the revenue from that tax range from $30-$40 million, which would go back to the counties where it was collected. The bill would not affect any moratoriums on sweepstakes businesses currently in effect in different localities. Read the text of the bill here.

HB724: Truth in Caller ID Act — This bill, introduced two weeks ago, passed its first hurdle Thursday when it cleared the House Commerce Committee. According to Humphrey, it has one more stop before it will come to the House floor for a vote. He said he has found lots of support for the legislation from fellow legislators and the public.

Votes:

HB425: Increase and Expand Assault on/Resist of LEO — This bill, co-sponsored by Humphrey, to increase the penalties for assault on law enforcement officers and for resisting law enforcement officers passed the House on Thursday, with of a vote of 99-0 in favor. All local representatives who were present voted aye. Read the text of the bill here.

HB434: Suicide Risk Ref./Mental Health/Teen Violence — This bill passed the House Thursday on a 105-1 vote in favor. The bill would require schools to adopt and implement suicide risk referral programs, mental health training programs and policies against teen dating violence and abuse. All local representatives voted in favor. Read the text of the bill here.

Check back with Neuse News next week for more legislative updates.