Rep. Chris Humphrey: July Legislative Update
Dear Neighbor,
I hope you and your family are enjoying the start of summer! It’s a beautiful time of year to live in Eastern North Carolina.
We have been hard at work in the General Assembly, taking important actions such as overriding the Governor’s vetoes, planning strategic investments in our state budget, and passing common sense legislation to improve our communities.
Throughout the month, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with several groups from our district to learn more about their priorities and how we can best represent their needs in the legislature.
Check out our newsletter below for more updates, and as always, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office should you need any assistance. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
At your service,
Chris Humphrey
State Representative
Celebrating Independence Day
Happy Independence Day! As we came together for the extended holiday weekend — grilling out and enjoying fireworks — we took time to reflect on the meaning of it all. 247 years ago on July 4, our forefathers risked their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to declare independence, making us a free people forevermore – so long as we continue to protect and preserve our freedom.
ECU’s Brody School of Medicine
I had the pleasure of meeting with students from East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine to discuss the future of healthcare in our state. I am inspired by the dedication of these aspiring medical professionals, and encouraged by their commitment to serve rural communities. I look forward to continuing my support of ECU in its expansion of innovative medical education programs.
House Page Program
We were honored to have the Joshi siblings, Caroline and William, as well as Lilli Daughety as pages in the NC House this month. I had the pleasure of working with these brilliant students during a particularly busy few weeks of legislative session. The future of Eastern NC is looking bright with students like these taking such an interest in state government.
National Insurance Awareness Day
I had the privilege of sharing remarks on the House floor to celebrate National Insurance Awareness Day and the 125th anniversary of the founding of an independent insurance agents association in North Carolina.
In October 1898, Alexander Webb of Asheville and 33 fellow insurance agents from across the state met on the second floor of the Briggs Hardware Building in downtown Raleigh, and voted to form the North Carolina Fire Underwriters Association … that organization is known today as the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC).
The independent insurance agents association has over 900 member agencies that include 10,000 agents doing business in all 100 counties of our state.
In addition to promoting the highest standards of professional conduct, the organization has a history of active engagement in insurance and public safety-related matters. In fact, the first recommendation from the group 125 years ago was to encourage the state legislature to create a Department of Insurance to provide the regulation necessary to assure a fair, competitive insurance marketplace that benefited North Carolina families and businesses.
One of the organization's initial legislative proposals was the adoption of uniform building codes in the state to prevent urban fire catastrophes, such as the Great Chicago Fire, from occurring in North Carolina cities.
As an insurance agent myself, I am honored to commend our association on the celebration of its Quasquicentennial Anniversary!
More VETO Overrides
This month, we voted to OVERRIDE six of Governor Cooper’s vetoes — passing into law legislation to:
Support farmers and promote the agriculture industry (SB 582)
Prohibit state dollars from being used on the ESG liberal agenda (HB 750)
Deliver transparency in local government spending of tax dollars (SB 299)
Modernize consumer finance for everyday transactions (SB 331 & SB 329)
Ensure state employees aren't required to endorse political beliefs (SB 364)
On Wednesday of this week, Governor Cooper vetoed the Parents' Bill of Rights (SB 49), the Fairness in Women's Sports Act (HB 574) and our bill to restrict Child Transgender Surgeries (HB 808). The General Assembly will be overriding these vetoes soon. Stay tuned for more!
Honoring Trace Hill's Life & Legacy: Caswell Landing Eagle Scout Project
It was an honor to spend time with Trace Hill’s parents, Jennifer and Harry, as we gathered to celebrate Trace’s life and the legacy of service that he left behind. We are grateful to WITN-TV for covering the story of Trace’s Eagle Scout project in Greene County.
WATCH FULL STORY >>>
Scroll to the end of this email for more on the life & legacy of Trace Hill.
Legislative Update
We’re continuing to stay busy at the NC General Assembly, meeting with constituents and various groups as we continue to address critical issues that affect our community. Since our last newsletter, the following bills that I've sponsored have either become law or remain on the Governor’s desk:
PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNOR (PENDING):
BECAME LAW
In Memory of Trace Hill
It was a privilege for me to present the family of Trace Hill with a state flag and certificate, honoring his remarkable contributions to our community. Trace passed away in January of this year at the tender age of 15. A Greene County native, Trace was a dedicated Boy Scout and a friend to all.
Trace brought into this world a smile that softened the heart of every person he encountered, and he left behind a legacy of selfless service to others. Witnessing Trace’s Eagle Scout project at Caswell Landing in Hookerton, NC, alongside his parents, was a truly moving experience.
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