Deletes the provisions of GS 105-151.31(b) (concerning refundability of earned income tax credit) and replaces with new Limitations provision. Provides that the earned income tax credit allowed under the statute may not exceed the amount of individual income tax imposed for the taxable year reduced by the sum of all credits allowable, except tax payments made by or on behalf of the taxpayer. Current law directs the Secretary of Revenue to refund any excess to the taxpayer, if the earned income tax credit allowed under the statute exceeds the individual income tax imposed for the taxable year, reduced by the sum of all credits allowable. Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.

Amends GS 1-44 to clarify that no railroad right-of-way or other real property interest can be presumed to have been conveyed by acts constituting estoppel or waiver.
Amends GS 1-51 to provide that no suit, action, or proceeding may be brought against a railroad (RR) for damages or compensation for right-of-way or use and occupancy of lands by a RR, or for damages caused by railroad construction or repairs, unless the suit, action, or proceeding is commenced within three years (was, five years).
Amends GS 40A-51(a) to clarify that a property owner may also seek compensation for a taking by a RR company under GS 40A-3(a)(4) or by the RR under GS 40A-3(a)(1) (the exercise of eminent domain) where the RR has not filed a declaration of taking.
Amends GS 136-192 to clarify that a railroad’s responsibility to avoid constructing its work in a manner that impedes the passage or transportation of persons or property along roads applies to lawfully established public roads (was, roads).
Enacts new GS 136-199 authorizing RRs to file railroad corridor maps with the Department of Transportation Rail Division. Requires the map to indicate the county recorded book and the page or file number of the deed or legal document conveying the right-of-way. Provides for electronic filing and public web access. Requires that any filed RR corridor maps be conspicuously stamped or marked, “For Informational Purposes Only, Pursuant to GS 136-199,” and identify the owning and operating RR company. Also requires a RR company that files corridor maps to file a notice of the filing of the corridor maps with the register of deeds in the county where the RR property is located. Requires the RR to send a copy of the filed railroad corridor maps to the North Carolina Society of Surveyors.
Amends GS 153A-1 and GS 160A-1 to add a definition for railroad corridor.
Enacts new subsection (a1) to GS 153A-331 (contents and requirements of county subdivision control ordinances) to provide that when a RR company has filed corridor maps, a county subdivision control ordinance may not permit the dedication or reservation of recreation areas or open spaces within any rail corridor unless the applicant seeking dedication or reservation of the area first obtains written consent from the RR company. Provides that the RR has 60 days after receiving the request to either (1) approve, (2) deny with an explanation, or (3) respond with any requirements that the RR company has regarding the request. Provides that failure by the RR company to make a written response within 60 days will be deemed to be approval of the request for written consent unless the RR owns the corridor in fee simple. Allows a subdivision control ordinance, in lieu of obtaining consent from the RR company, to provide an open space credit for acreage subject to a RR easement without public dedication or reservation for the purpose of preserving the RR corridor for future RR use. States that nothing in these provisions is to be construed as altering or affecting the property rights of the RR or adjacent or underlying landowners. Exempts regulated public utilities, as defined, from the statute’s application. Enacts new subsection (a2) to GS 153A-331, which also applies when a RR has filed a corridor map, to direct the applicant to provide the written consent obtained from the RR directly to the county authority. Provides that the county is to be held harmless for reliance upon information submitted by the applicant. Makes the same substantive changes to the following provisions of GS Chapter 153A (applying to counties) and to GS Chapter 160A (applying to cities): GS 153A-340 (grant of power to counties to adopt zoning and development regulation ordinances), GS 160A-296 (establishment and control of streets by cities), GS 160A-372 (contents and requirements of city subdivision control ordinances), and GS 160A-381 (grant of power to cities regarding zoning and development regulation ordinances). Effective October 1, 2011, and applies to actions taken by city or county entities on or after that date.
Enacts new GS 153A-337 (counties) and new GS 160A-368 (cities) to set forth the requirements for access to development within a RR corridor. Provides that when a RR company has filed corridor maps, the local government may not approve any development plan where the sole means of ingress to and egress from the property encroaches on the RR corridor, unless the applicant first obtains written consent from the RR company, following the criteria set forth (substantively the same as above). Provides that, except in regard to railroad crossings, failure by the RR company to make a written response within 60 days will be deemed to be approval of the request for written consent unless the RR owns the corridor in fee simple. Further provides that if the sole means of ingress and egress to a property being developed is over an existing public roadway and does not require additional land within the RR corridor, then the applicant may use the existing public roadway without the RR company’s consent. Prohibits the Department of Transportation from conditioning the approval of any development plan on the applicant making road improvements, if those improvements would fall within the RR corridor and require RR company consent. Effective October 1, 2011, and applies to actions taken by city or county entities on or after that date.
Amends GS 153A-357 (counties) and GS 160A-417 (cities) to address permit requirements under the State Building Code and any other applicable state or local law. Requires the relevant inspection department, before issuing a permit, to verify that the RR company has given written consent for the project. Excepts specified permits. Sets further permitting procedures. Makes technical and clarifying changes. Effective October 1, 2011, and applies to actions taken by city or county entities on or after that date.

Subject to approval by the voters at the November 6, 2012, general election, amends Section 19 of Article IV of the North Carolina Constitution (Constitution), effective upon certification and applying to vacancies occurring on or after the 60th day before November 6, 2012, to provide that all vacancies in the offices of chief justice, justices of the supreme court, and judges of the court of appeals are to be filled by appointment of the Governor. Additionally provides that the appointees are to hold their office’s until the second election that is held for members of the General Assembly after the vacancy occurs at which time elections to fill the vacancies are to be held. Increases the window of time for holding a special election to fill all vacancies covered under Article IV of the Constitution from 60 to 90 days, except as otherwise provided under Article IV of the Constitution. Makes a conforming change.
Provides that the following changes are effective with respect to vacancies occurring on or after the 60th day before November 6, 2012, only if the proposed constitutional amendment is approved by the qualified voters of the state.
Makes conforming changes to GS 163-9 (filling vacancies in state and district judicial offices), 163-10 (filling vacancy in office of district attorney), and 163-327.1 (rules when vacancies for superior court judge are to be voted on). Amends GS 163-329(a) and 163-329(b1) to limit their respective provisions governing the filling of vacancies to apply only to vacancies created in the office of judge of superior court (was, applied to office of justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of appeals, or judge of superior court). Makes a conforming change to GS 163-329(b1) (method for vacancy election).
Repeals GS 163-278.64A (special participation provisions for candidates in vacancy elections).

Enacts new GS 153A-274.1 (cable television systems) to provide as the title indicates. Effective July 1, 2011.

Adds new subsection (c) to GS 143-215.85. Defines mineral oil as used in the proposed subsection to mean a light nontoxic liquid petroleum distillate typically used as a coolant and insulator in electrical equipment owned by a public utility. Requires a person who owns or has control over mineral oil discharged from electrical equipment owned by a public utility as defined in GS 62-100 to report the discharge within 24 hours to the appropriate regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) when (1) the discharge exceeds 25 gallons or (2) the discharge is directly to surface water or causes a sheen on surface waters of the state. Provides requirements for the content of the notice of the discharge and permits delivery of the notification by phone, electronic mail, fax, or hand delivery. Makes conforming changes to GS 143-215.85.
Adds new subsection (a2) to GS 143-215.84. Defines mineral oil as used in the proposed subsection to mean a light nontoxic liquid petroleum distillate typically used as a coolant and insulator in electrical equipment owned by a public utility. Directs a person having control over the discharge of mineral oil from electrical equipment owned by a public utility as defined in GS 62-100 to restore the affected area to the extent possible to the condition it was in before the discharge. Requires the person to notify DENR when the restoration has been properly completed if (1) the discharge exceeds 25 gallons or (2) the discharge is directly to surface waters or causes a sheen on surface waters. Provides additional criteria governing the cleanup of mineral oil and the protocol to be followed when cleanup within 24 hours of confirmation of the discharge is not possible. Makes conforming changes to GS 143-215.84(a).

Enacts new GS 103-12, as title indicates.

As title indicates. Directs the training pilot to be located in a local management entity (LME) within each of the three regions of the state, and provides additional details for the pilot training program. Directs the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot training program and to determine whether the existing Geriatric/Adult Mental Health Specialty Teams have the resources to expand the training statewide, the possibility of incorporating new and existing training, and any associated costs. Instructs DHHS to report on these issues to the NC Study Commission on Aging and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, GDevelopmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services on or before September 1, 2012. Enacts GS 131D-4.9, directing adult care homes licensed under GS Chapter 131D to permit Geriatric/Adult Mental Health Specialty Teams to conduct staff training.

Amends SL 2009-407 as title indicates to also include other state agencies as applicable to the directive. Adds three items to the non-inclusive list of activities for the groups. Makes a clarifying change. Extends the directive to require annual updates on the groups’ activities on or before October 1 from 2011 through 2015.