RALEIGH:  Governor Roy Cooper signed the following bills into law:

• Senate Bill 105: 2021 Appropriations Act.

  AN ACT TO MAKE BASE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT OPERATIONS OF STATE AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS, AND INSTITUTIONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

• House Bill 404: Ltd. Immunity for PSAP/TC for S.L. 2021-171.

  AN ACT PROVIDING THAT PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINTS, REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINTS, AND THEIR EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE NOT LIABLE FOR DAMAGES IN A CIVIL ACTION EXCEPT IN CASES OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE AND WANTON OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR WHEN THERE IS APPLICABLE INSURANCE COVERAGE AND MAKING TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO S.L. 2021-171, THE NO PATIENT LEFT ALONE ACT

• Senate Bill 183: Ignition Interlock/Various Changes.

  AN ACT TO ELIMINATE THE MANDATORY WAITING PERIODS FOR DRIVERS LICENSE RESTORATION OR LIMITED DRIVING PRIVILEGES IF THE PERSON IS OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE THAT HAS A FUNCTIONING IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM INSTALLED ON IT; TO REQUIRE FOR THE RESTORATION OF LICENSES AFTER CERTAIN DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED CONVICTIONS, OR THE ISSUANCE OF LIMITED DRIVING PRIVILEGES, AN IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM BE INSTALLED ON ONLY THE MOTOR VEHICLES THE PERSON WILL DRIVE; TO ELIMINATE THE RESTRICTIONS ON THE PURPOSES FOR DRIVING AND THE HOURS DURING WHICH A PERSON MAY OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE IF THE PERSON IS OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A FUNCTIONING IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM INSTALLED ON IT; TO ALLOW THE WAIVER OR REDUCTION OF COSTS FOR CERTAIN PERSONS REQUIRED TO INSTALL AN IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM; TO REVISE THE MAXIMUM BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION LEVEL FOR THE OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES TO THE IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM PRE-SET FAIL LEVEL; TO REQUIRE THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY TO STUDY WHETHER TO EXPAND THE USE OF IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEMS; TO MAKE TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING CHANGES RELATED TO S.L. 2021-138; AND TO CHANGE "SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT" TO "SHERIFF'S OFFICE" IN VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE GENERAL STATUTES.

Governor Cooper made the following statement on SB 105:

"This budget moves North Carolina forward in important ways. Funding for high speed internet, our universities and community colleges, clean air and drinking water and desperately needed pay increases for teachers and state employees are all critical for our state to emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever. I will continue to fight for progress where this budget falls short but believe that, on balance, it is an important step in the right direction."

Governor Cooper made the following statement on SB 183:

“This legislation will expand the use of ignition interlock systems that are proven to reduce alcohol related accidents and save lives.”