House committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition.
Deletes all provisions of 1st edition and replaces with AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO STUDY ISSUES RELATED TO HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION FORECLOSURE OF PROPERTY WHERE THE DEBT SECURING THE ASSOCIATION ASSESSMENT LIEN CONSISTS OF UNPAID HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION DUES OR OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH UNPAID HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION DUES. Authorizes the General Assembly as title indicates. Permits the study committee to make an interim report to the 2011 General Assembly when it convenes in 2012, and a final report to the 2013 General Assembly.

House committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition. Rewrites GS 58-3-145 to clarify that an insurer, agent or broker may accept payment of an insurance premium by credit card or debit card so long as the insurer complies with the prohibition against unfair discrimination contained in GS 58-63-15(7), and the insurer pays the fees charged by the credit card company or debit card issuer for the payment of premiums by credit card or debit card. Makes a clarifying change, and a technical change.
Makes conforming changes to the bill title.

House committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition. Amends proposed GS 20-118(1) to direct the Secretary of Transportation to adopt rules governing payment arrangements for civil fines for overweight vehicles, and to post the rules on the Department of Transportation's (DOT) website. Requires the citations issued for these violations to advise the driver to consult the DOT website or to contact the DOT to find out if the state will agree to a payment arrangement and, if so, on what terms. Previous edition authorized certain persons to make a payment arrangement of $250 or more for any penalty assessed. Effective January 1, 2012, and applies to violations occurring on or after that date (was, effective when the act becomes law). Makes conforming changes to the bill title.

House committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition.
Amends proposed GS 90-85.50, specifying that a pharmacy has the right to at least 21 days advance notice (was, 30 days) of the initial on-site audit for each audit cycle. Clarifies that the pharmacy has the right to have any audit that involves clinical or professional judgment conducted with a pharmacist employed or working under contract with the auditing entity, and the right to have the auditing entity provide, upon request, all records related to the audit if required under the contract. Clarifies that the audit is limited to claims identified by prescription numbers if the audit is conducted for an identified problem; otherwise the audit is limited to 40 selected prescriptions (rather than 25 randomly selected prescriptions). States that the pharmacy will not be subject to the initiation or scheduling of audits during the first five (was, seven) calendar days of any month due to the high volume of prescriptions filled during that time, without express consent; requires the pharmacy to cooperate with the auditor to establish an alternate date if necessary. Clarifies that a final audit report must be delivered to the pharmacy within 90 days (was, six months) after the end of the specified appeals period. Amends proposed GS 90-85.51, clarifying that each entity conducting an audit must provide a copy of the audit findings after completion of the appeals process, if required by the contract. Makes other clarifying changes.
Adds a section directing a provider to submit to the Division of Medical Assistance a written request for a Reconsideration Review within 30 days of receipt of notice of tentative decision. States that failure to request the Review in the specified time will result in the implementation of the tentative decision as the final decision. Specifies that any provider who received notice of a tentative decision on or after March 1, 2011, is eligible to resubmit a request for a Review within 30 working days of this act becoming law. Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to amend any rule in conflict with this provision. Makes this provision effective when it becomes law. Makes a conforming change to the title.

House committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition. Removes a provision requiring the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to deny an application for a wind energy facility demonstration permit if the proposed facility would be located in an area designated with a slide hazard ranking of “moderate” or “high” on a Stability Index Map prepared by the North Carolina Geological Survey. Amends the act to provide that the maximum penalty for a violation of permit terms and conditions is $1,000 per day (previously $10,000 per day). Removes provision stating that the act does not limit a county’s ability to regulate the siting of a wind energy demonstration project. Makes technical changes.

House committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition. The committee report was reported into the House on 5/27/11.
Amends GS 97-2(19) to include in the definition for medical compensation (1) attendant care services prescribed by a health care provider who is authorized by the employer or subsequently by the Industrial Commission (Commission) and (2) vocational rehabilitation. Amends proposed GS 97-2(22) to define suitable employment as any employment that is offered to the employee, or if prohibited by the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324a, employment that is available to the employee (1) that is within the employee’s work restrictions before the employee has reached maximum medical improvement or (2) that the employee is capable of performing after reaching maximum medical improvement given the employee’s pre-existing physical and mental limitations, vocational skills, education and experience, and provided that the work is within a 50-mile radius of the employee’s residence at the time of injury, or current residence if the employee had a legitimate reason to relocate since the date of the accident. Applies to claims that arise on or after the effective date of the act.
Adds a new subsection (k) to GS 97-18 to provide that when the employer or insurer has admitted the employee’s right to compensation or the employer’s liability has been established, the employee may move for reinstatement of compensation on a form prescribed by the Commission. Provides that any challenge to employee’s reinstatement request must be scheduled on a preemptive basis. Applies to claims pending on or after the effective date of the act.
Amends GS 97-25 to give the employee the right to make a written request to the employer for a second opinion evaluation. Provides that if the employer refuses the request for a second opinion, then the employee may request that the Commission order a second opinion examination. Requires an employee requesting a change in treatment or health care provider to show by a preponderance of the evidence (was, by clear and convincing evidence) that the change is reasonably necessary to effect a cure, provide relief, or lessen the period of disability in order for the Commission to approve the employee’s request. Provides that an employee’s refusal to accept any medical compensation (was, medical, hospital, surgical or other treatment or rehabilitative procedure) ordered by the Commission bars the employee from receiving further compensation unless the Commission finds that the circumstances justified the refusal. Requires that any order issued by the Commission suspending compensation under GS 97-18.1 must specify the action that an employee is to take to reinstate the compensation. Applies to claims pending on or after the effective date of the act.
Amends GS 97-25.6 to provide the procedure for employers, their attorneys, and their insurers to obtain relevant medical information relating to an employee without the employee’s prior authorization. Clarifies what is considered to be relevant medical information. Permits the employer to make a written request for information that is not contained in the records and allows the employer to make an oral request for information that is not contained in the medical records or available through written communication or otherwise. Requires the employer to provide written notice to the employee of the employer’s requests for medical records or written requests for additional information, and to provide the employee with a copy of any records or written responses and a summary of any oral communications in which the employee did not participate. Requires advance written notice to the employee before the employer gives the employee’s authorized health care provider any relevant medical information not contained in the employee’s medical records. Provides that the employee must have 10 business days in which to either consent or object to the employer’s proposed communication with the provider. Provides for a hearing before the Commission if the employee refuses consent. Clarifies that each party is responsible for its own compensation owed to a provider under the fee system set by the Commission to compensate the provider for time spent communicating with the employer or employee. Applies to claims pending on or after the effective date of the act.
Adds new subsection (g1) to GS 97-26 directing the Commission to adopt rules requiring electronic medical billing and payment processes, and requiring applicable administrative standards for processing electronic medical bills to comply with 45 CFR 162.
Amends GS 97-27 to clarify that the independent medical examination is subject to specified provisions. Provides that no fact communicated to or otherwise learned by any physician who attended, examined, or was present at any examination is privileged with respect to a claim before the Commission (was, in any workers’ compensation case with respect to a claim pending for hearing before the Commission). Permits an employer to communicate with an independent medical examiner chosen by the employer regardless of whether the examiner has physically examined the employee. Provides that any refusal by the employee to submit to an independent medical examination suspends the employee’s right to compensation and the employee’s right to prosecute any proceedings under the act, and requires the Commission to inform the employee how to end the suspension and reinstate compensation. Directs the employer to provide the employee with a copy of any written report of an independent medical examination within 10 days of its receipt, together with all supporting documents provided to the examiner. Applies to claims pending on or after the effective date of the act.
Rewrites GS 97-29 to direct an employer to pay an employee qualifying for total disability a weekly compensation equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent of average weekly wages, but not more than the amount established annually to be effective January 1 (was, October 1), nor less than $30 per week. Places a 500 week limit on the duration of compensation, including medical compensation measured from the date of first disability (was, measured from the date of injury). Allows an employee to seek extended compensation beyond 500 weeks if the employee (1) has received at least 425 weeks of compensation at the time of the request, and (2) shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the employee has sustained a total loss of wage earning capacity. Provides additional specifications regarding rates and length of compensation for total disability. Applies to claims arising on or after the effective date of the act.
Amends GS 97-30 to increase the maximum duration of compensation for partial incapacity from 300 weeks to 500 weeks, and provides that any amount received for total incapacity under GS 97-29 will count toward this limit. Applies to claims arising on or after the effective date of the act.
Amends GS 97-32 to require the Commission to specify in its order suspending compensation how the employee can end the suspension and reinstate compensation. Applies to claims arising on or after the effective date of this act.
Enacts new GS 97-32.2 to provide requirements for the provision of, payment for, and termination of vocational rehabilitation services including a one-time evaluation regardless of whether the employee has reached maximum medical improvement. Provides criteria under which an employee may request vocational rehabilitation services. Provides that an employee’s refusal to accept or cooperate with vocational rehabilitation bars the employee from receiving compensation during the period of the refusal, unless the Commission determines the refusal was justified. Applies to claims arising on or after the effective date of the act.
Amends GS 97-40 to increase the maximum compensation payable for burial expenses of an employee who dies without dependents from $3,500 to $10,000. Applies to claims arising on or after the effective date of the act.
Amends GS 97-77(a) to reduce the number of members on the Commission from seven to six (was, five) and make additional adjustments to qualifications for commissioners.
Provides that commissioners and deputy commissioners are subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct (was, standards of judicial conduct). Deletes the prohibition against commissioners or deputy commissioners engaging in any other employment, business, profession, or vocation while in office.
Amends GS 97-80(a) to restore the statutory provision deleted in the first edition, which provides that processes, procedure, and discovery are to be as summary and simple as reasonably possible.
Clarifies that rules readopted on or before December 31, 2012, must remain in effect until the rule becomes effective pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. Applies to rules adopted on or after the effective date of the act.
Makes conforming changes and organizational changes. Provides that this act is effective when it becomes law, and applies to claims pending or arising on or after the effective date as otherwise indicated in this digest.
Makes a conforming change to the bill title.

House committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition. Deletes all amendments and provisions of previous edition except those directing the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to provide statewide outreach and technical assistance related to water efficiency, including best management practices addressing at least eight enumerated practices. Rewrites GS 143-355(l) to require local water supply plans to include a plan for the reduction of long-term per capita demand for potable water. Rewrites GS 143-355.4(b)(7) to require a local government or large community water system to demonstrate that it has implemented a consumer education program that emphasizes the importance of water conservation and that includes information on measures that residential customers may implement to reduce water consumption in order to be eligible for specified water infrastructure funds. Amends GS 159-52(a), permitting the Local Government Commission to consider whether the local government has prepared a local water supply plan if the proposed bond issue is for a water system described in GS 159-48(b)(21). Clarifies that nothing in the act is to be construed to authorize the adoption of rules necessary to implement the act or construed to negatively impact economic development. Effective October 1, 2011.

House committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition. Enacts new Article 4A of GS Chapter 19A establishing the Spay/Neuter Advisory Board (Board) of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Department) (previously established the Animal Welfare Advisory Board). Provides details regarding duties of the Board, appointment of membership of the Board, and terms of membership. Calrifies that the Spay/Neuter Donation and Memorial Fund (Fund) is a nonreverting, interest-bearing special account in the Department. Clarifies that up to 2% of the Fund may be used for administrative costs. Makes a conforming change to the bill title.

House committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition. Amends proposed GS 115C-105.42 to clarify that a personal learning plan is to be created by the student and updated by the student from sixth grade through high school graduation. Directs local education authorities to develop the personal learning plan template and the process for students to create their individual plans. Requires that a personal learning plan include self-assessment by the student in specified areas and provides criteria that may be included in a personal learning plan. Requires that the plan be developed and maintained in an electronic format whenever possible. Makes a clarifying change to the title.