Amends GS 14-208.7, concerning sex offender registration. Adds a new subsection (a3), requiring any person who has ever been convicted of a reportable conviction and has not been required to register for that conviction under any other provision of law to register for that conviction, pursuant to Article 27A of GS Chapter 14, if the person meets any of four criteria listed. Current law GS 14-208.6(4) defines reportable conviction. A person is required to register for the prior reportable conviction on or before October 6, 2017 if: (1) on October 1, 2017, the person is required to register for another offense pursuant to Article 27A or (2) on October 1, 2017, the person is on probation, parole, or post-release supervision for any criminal offense. A person is required to register under this provision as provided in the provisions of existing subsection (a) if: (1) on October 1, 2017, the person is serving an active term of imprisonment for any criminal offense or (2) on or after October 1, 2017, the person is convicted for any criminal offense. 

Provides that a person is not required to register pursuant to new subsection (a3) if: (1) the conviction of a reportable conviction prior to October 1, 2017, was not for an aggravated offense as defined in GS 14‑208.6(1a); (2) the conviction occurred 30 years or more prior to the date the person is required to register pursuant to this subsection; and (3) the person has no other reportable convictions requiring registration under Article 27A.

Effective October 1, 2017.

Requires the Department of Insurance to implement 11 NCAC 05A .0504 (Primary Personnel) as follows. Permits fire departments to apply to the Department of Insurance for waivers from the requirement that the fire department maintain 20 primary personnel, subject to the Office of State Fire Marshall's satisfaction that the waiver is justified by the volume of calls received by the fire department and would not cause a significant deterioration in the department's response capabilities. A waiver may not reduce the primary personnel requirement below 15. Directs the Commission to amend the Primary Personnel Rule consistent with these provisions.

Amends GS 136-32(f) to allow a city to enforce the provisions of GS 136-32(b) through (e) (regulating the placement of political signs) on rights-of-way of streets that are located in the city's corporate limits and that are maintained by the city and on the rights-of-way of those parts of the state highway system that are located within the city. Also allows removal of signs that violate (b) through (e).

Enacts new GS 14-277.6, making it a Class H felony for any person who, by any means of communication to any person or groups of persons, makes a threat that an act of mass violence is going to occur on education property or at a curricular or extracurricular activity sponsored by a school. Defines educational property, mass violence, and school. Requires that the threat be made in a manner and under circumstances that a reasonable person would believe the threat to be credible. Authorizes the court to order a person convicted under this new statute to pay restitution, including costs and consequential damages resulting from the disruption of the normal activity that would have otherwise occurred on the premises but for the false report, pursuant to Article 81C of GS Chapter 15A. Effective December 1, 2017, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date. 

Amends GS 20-135.2A to delete the provision prohibiting the use of a rear seat vehicle occupant's failure to wear a seat belt as a justification to stop a vehicle. Raises the penalty for rear seat vehicle occupants' failure to wear a seat belt from $10 to $20.

Effective December 1, 2017.

Sections 1 & 2

Subject to voter approval, amends Article II, Sections 3 and 5, of the NC Constitution, directing the Independent Redistricting Commission, beginning as soon as practical, to revise the Senate and Representative districts and the apportionment of Senators and Representatives among those district after the return of every decennial census of population take by order of Congress. Requires the revision of districts and apportionment of Senators and Representatives so that the districts, to the extent possible, meet three goals: (1) the goal of compactness, to avoid elongated and irregularly shaped districts; (2) the goal of one person, one vote to ensure each voter's vote; and (3) the goal of minimizing the number of split counties, municipalities, and other communities of interest. Requires all districts to be contiguous, and prohibits precincts from being split. Deletes previous provisions that required the General Assembly to conduct the revisions of districts and the apportionment of Senators and Representatives subject to specified requirements. Effective beginning with the redistricting done upon the return of the 2020 decennial census.

Section 3

Subject to voter approval, adds new Section 25 to Article II of the NC Constitution, establishing the Independent Redistricting Commission (Commission). Sets out membership of the Commission, consisting of seven persons, all of retired judges and justices, appointed by the Chief Justice of the NC Supreme Court, the Governor, the President Pro Tempore, and the Speaker of the House, as specified. Provides other parameters for the appointment of initial and subsequent members of the Commission, including requiring the appointing officers to take into account the advisability of having the Commission reflect the State's geographic, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity. Provides that the term of initial members is until successors are appointed and qualified. Provides that subsequent members are to take office the first day of July each year ending in the number zero, and continue until successors are adopted. Sets parameters for filling vacancies and electing a chair. Requires that NC residency is required to be eligible for appointment to the Commission. Prohibits any person who has served as a member of the Commission from being eligible to hold any elective State office for four years after termination of service on the Commission. Defines public office to mean any partisan or nonpartisan office filled by election by the people on a statewide, county, municipal, or district basis. 

Directs the Commission to adopt plans for revising the Senate districts and Representative districts, in accordance with Sections 3 and 5 of Article II as amended. Establishes that these plans have the same force and effect of acts of the General Assembly. Expressly prohibits the General Assembly from adopting any legislative district plan. Further provides that the Commission is responsible for adopting a district plan for election of members of the House of Representatives of US Congress. Expressly prohibits the General Assembly from adopting any district plan for election of members of the US House of Representatives. Requires the Commission to adopt district plans by October 1 of the year following each decennial census of population taken by order of Congress. Requires a minimum 45-day period for public comment on a plan before it is finally adopted. Prohibits the Commission from considering the following in preparing or adopting its plans: (1) the political affiliation of voters; (2) voting data from previous elections; (3) the location of incumbents' residences; and (4) demographic data from sources other than the US Bureau of the Census, with racial and ethnic data only being used for the purposes of compliance with the US Constitution and laws enacted pursuant thereto. 

Provides that the Commission is to adopt a new district plan in the event that a plan it has adopted is held invalid. Directs the Commission to consider the relevant requirements of the US Constitution and acts of Congress, and comply with the NC Constitution as enunciated by the NC Supreme Court. Permits the General Assembly to by law assign the Commission the duty to adopt districting and redistricting plans for any county, city, town, special district, and other governmental subdivision if the governing board of the unit or a court of competent jurisdiction so requests. 

Effective January 1, 2020.

Sections 4 and 5

Makes conforming changes to Section 22(5) of Article II of the NC Constitution, effective January 1, 2021, and Section 8 of Article VI of the NC Constitution, effective January 1, 2020.

Sections 6 and 7

Sets out the question to be used on ballots for voter approval of the constitutional amendments provided in Sections 1-5 of this act at the statewide election on November 8, 2017.

Section 8

Effective only if the proposed constitutional amendments are approved by voters, enacts new Article 12B to GS Chapter 163, Redistricting. Sets out that the Independent Redistricting Commission is administratively housed in the UNC School of Government. Authorizes the Commission to retain independent staff under contract to prepare the redistricting plans covered by Section 25 of Article II of the NC Constitution. Prohibits the staff from providing any instructions as to the content of plans that are being drafted for consideration by the General Assembly other than to follow the guidelines set out in Section 25 of Article II.

Amends GS 7A-45.1, pertaining to special judges, to add a new subsection (e) that prohibits a special judge from being assigned a district unless there is at least four hours of work as determined by the chief resident superior court judge of that district.

Amends GS 115C-562.5(a), which sets forth the qualifications a nonpublic school must meet to accept eligible students receiving scholarship grants, to add new subdivision (2a), requiring the nonpublic school to provide the State Education Assistance Authority documentation that the nonpublic school is accredited by the State Board of Education or a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the Division of Nonpublic Education, Department of Administration. Applies beginning with the 2017-18 school year.

Enacts GS 41-34, permitting an agricultural conservation easement on qualifying farmland, as defined in GS 106-737, to include a provision that provides the easement holder a right of first refusal or option to purchase the land encumbered by the easement at agricultural value. Establishes that when executed, a right of first refusal or option to purchase land at agricultural value included in an agricultural conservation easement can exist in perpetuity, run with the land, and bind all future owners of the farmland encumbered by an agricultural conservation easement. Defines agricultural conservation easement to mean a negative easement in gross restricting residential, commercial, and industrial development of land for the purpose of maintaining its agricultural production capability. Defines agricultural value to mean the value of land encumbered by an agricultural conservation easement based upon the highest and best use of the land for agricultural purposes, which value may rise and fall commensurate with the market conditions, inflation, or other valuation factors. Applies to agricultural conservation easements executed on or after the date the act becomes law.

Subject to voter approval at the statewide election on November 6, 2018, amends Article II, Section 11, of the NC Constitution to limit the length of legislative sessions as follows. Requires that, beginning with the regular session in 2019, the General Assembly must jointly adjourn the regular session on or before June 30 of each calendar year. In odd-numbered years, allows the General Assembly to initially convene the regular session for no more than two consecutive calendar days, jointly adjourn for no more than 30 consecutive calendar days, and reconvene in regular session. Establishes that when the General Assembly jointly adjourns the regular session on or before June 30, it stands adjourned until at least January 1 of the following calendar year. Provides that no valid action other than a resolution of adjournment can be taken up by the General Assembly after the time limits prescribed have expired. Clarifies that these time limitations do not apply to any reconvened session called under Article III, Section 5, of the Constitution (pertaining to the power of the Governor to call the General Assembly by proclamation to convene in extra session).

Enacts new GS 14-208.7A, requiring persons who are required to register with the Sex Offender and Public Protection Registration Program to pay an initial registration fee of $90 at the time of initial registration, and an annual registration fee of $90, due on the anniversary of the date of registration. Requires sheriffs to register persons, regardless of whether they pay the fee under this statute. Authorizes the Attorney General to recover fees that go unpaid for more than one year in a civil action. Provides for the allocation of the collected fees to be used to cover the cost of collection and registration. Does not apply to juveniles required to register under GS Chapter 14, Article 27A, Part 4.

Makes conforming changes to GS 15A-1343(b2) and GS 15A-1368.4(b1) (concerning special conditions for probation and post-release supervision for persons required to register with the Sex Offender and Public Protection Registration Program).

Effective December 1, 2017. The requirement to pay an initial registration fee applies to all adult persons who initially register on or after that date. The requirement to pay an annual registration fee applies to all adult persons registered on or after that date. The probation and post-release supervision requirements apply to persons placed on probation or post-release supervision on or after that date.

Enacts new GS 143C-3-3.1 to require the Governor, commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019, to begin the implementation of a zero-based budget (as defined in the act). Requires a schedule for a four-year phase in. Requires the Governor to identify which agencies are required to submit a zero-based budget for each of the four fiscal years and sets out requirements for those agencies. 

Amends GS 143C-3-5, Budget recommendations and budget message, to require, beginning with 2019‑20, that the Governor present budget recommendations to the General Assembly that include zero-based budgets for certain state agencies identified by the Governor; requires that beginning with 2021‑22, the entire budget for the 2021‑23 fiscal biennium be a zero‑based budget.

Amends GS 50-19.1 to further authorize an appeal from orders or judgments adjudicating the validity of a premarital agreement, in addition to the currently listed matters, which would be a final order but for other pending claims in the action.

Enacts new GS 103-15 (SUDEP Awareness Week), as title indicates.

Adds new Article 43, North Carolina Naturopathic Doctors Certification Act, to GS Chapter 90. Prohibits a person from practicing naturopathic medicine without a state certification issued pursuant to the bill, with specified exemptions. Defines naturopathic medicine generally as a system of natural health care that employs diagnosis and treatment using natural therapies and diagnostic techniques. Sets out the techniques that may be used by naturopathic physicians, and prohibits practice outside of the authorized techniques unless otherwise licensed or certified. Makes violation of proposed GS 90-734 a Class 1 misdemeanor. Establishes the NC Naturopathic Physicians Certification Board (Board), with seven members (three appointed by the Governor and two each upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tem. of the Senate, with each member having to come from specified groups) to be appointed by January 1, 2018. Prohibits members from serving more than two consecutive terms. Charges Board with administration of the certification program. Sets out qualifications for certification as a naturopathic physician, fees that may be charged by the Board, and the Board's disciplinary authority. Permits criminal record checks for certified naturopathic doctors and persons seeking certification. Creates a six-member Advisory Council to assist the Board in administration of the certification program, with member terms beginning July 1, 2018. Makes conforming changes.

Amends GS 163-278.11 to raise the level at which a campaign treasurer is required to report information on a campaign donor from $50 to $100.

Amends GS 163-278 to authorize cash donations to campaigns of up to $100 (currently, $50).

Requires the State Board of Elections to enhance its public website to allow voter searches by street name and house number, in addition to the criteria currently used to conduct voter searches on the website. 

Amends GS 163-275 to make the felonies in that statute (relating to voter fraud) a Class G felony (currently, a Class I felony).

Amends GS 163-82.4(b)(1) to make falsely stating, on a voter application form, that an applicant meets the listed voter requirements, a Class G felony (currently, Class I felony).

Amends GS 163-82.7A to make falsely claiming a religious objection to being photographed, as an exemption to the photo ID voter requirement, a Class G felony (currently, Class I felony).

Effective December 1, 2017.

Amends GS 163-82.5 by adding the requirement that the State Board of Elections (State Board) make the voter registration application forms available for completion and submission on a secure website.

Enacts new GS 163-82.5A allowing an individual to register to vote or change voter registration online if the individual: (1) is eligible to register to vote and (2) possess a current and valid North Carolina driver's license (including a learner's permit or provisional license) or a special identification card for nonoperators. Requires the State Board to establish a secure website for the completion and submission of voter registration applications. Specifies information that the website must allow an individual to submit, including information to establish eligibility and the individual's email address. Requires the county board of elections, upon receipt of an online application, to verify specified applicant information. Requires the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to transfer the applicant's digital signature in the DMV records to the State Board if the State Board verifies the driver's license or Social Security number. Requires the State Board to notify the applicant if the State Board cannot verify the driver's license or Social Security number.

Amends GS 163-82.10 to add specified identifying information submitted during the online voter registration application process to the information that is confidential.

Effective December 1, 2017.

Amends GS 115D-5(b) to authorize the State Board of Community Colleges to provide for waiver of tuition and registration fees for courses for senior citizens who are 65 years or older, and legal North Carolina residents, for up to six credit hours per academic semester. The waiver does not apply to other costs associated with instruction.

Effective July 1, 2017, and applies beginning with the 2017-18 academic year.

Establishes a 10-member Joint Legislative Study Committee on the Division of Local School Administrative Units (Committee), with half of its membership each being appointed by the President Pro Tem. of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Directs the Committee to study and make recommendations on five listed topics, including the feasibility and advisability of enacting legislation to permit local school administrative units that were merged from separate units to be divided into separate units once again. Provides for the administration, expenses, support staff, meeting time, and member compensation of the committee. Directs the Committee to submit a final report on its results, including proposed legislation, to the Senate and the House of Representatives, by May 1, 2018. The Committee terminates on May 1, 2018, or upon the filing of its final report, whichever occurs first.

Enacts new GS 7A-223(b1) providing that the plaintiff can request that a claim for summary ejectment be severed from the claim for monetary damages in regards to a small claim action demanding summary ejectment and monetary damages, where service of process was achieved solely by first-class mail and affixing the summons and complaint to the premise pursuant to GS 42-29. Requires the magistrate to sever the claim for monetary damages and proceed with the claim for summary ejectment after finding that personal service was not achieved for one or more defendants. Provides that if severed by the magistrate, the plaintiff can extend the action in accordance with GS 1A-1, Rule 4(d). Provides that the judgment of a magistrate in the severed claim for summary ejectment does not prejudice any claims or defenses of any party in the severed claim for monetary damages.

Amends GS 1A-1, Rule 4(h1), eliminating the provision excepting summary ejectment from the provisions of subsection (h1), pertaining to a summons returned unexecuted.

Enacts new GS 42-28(b), providing that in counties with 200,000 or more residents as of the most recent decennial federal census, after the summons is issued, at the election of the plaintiff, the clerk must either (1) return the summons to the plaintiff or (2) forward the summons to the sheriff for service. Provides that if the magistrate serves the claim for monetary damages pursuant to GS 7A-223(b1), the plaintiff can extend the action in accordance with GS 1A-1, Rule 4(d).

Amends GS 42-29, adding new subsection (b) to provide that, only with respect to service for summary ejectment proceedings in counties with 200,000 or more residents as of the most recent decennial federal census, process server means any person over the age of 21 years (1) who is not a party to the action, (2) who is not related by blood or marriage to a party to the action or to a person upon whom service is to be made, and (3) who is hired by the plaintiff or the plaintiff's agent or attorney for the purpose of serving the summons and complaint for summary ejectment. Defines the term officer to mean the sheriff of the county where the subject premises is situated.

Adds new subsection (c) to provide that, only with respect to service for summary ejectment proceedings in counties with 200,000 or more residents as of the most recent decennial federal census, a process server can effectuate proper service upon a defendant solely for purposes of summary ejectment by mailing a copy of the issued summons and signed complaint to the defendant no later than the end of the next business day after receipt of said summons and complaint or as soon as practicable at the defendant's last known address in a stamped addressed envelope provided by the plaintiff to the action. Requires the process server to then deliver a copy of the summons together with a copy of the complaint to the defendant by affixing copies of to some conspicuous part of the premises claimed, and make due return showing compliance with this statute in the form of an affidavit of service setting forth the time, place, and manner by which the requirements were completed. 

The above provisions are effective October 1, 2017, and apply to actions for summary ejectment filed on or after that date.

Amends GS 7A-146, adding new subdivision (13) to require the chief district court judge to ensure small claims court is held at least twice per week as part of the judge's administrative supervision and authority. 

Identical to S 104, filed 2/16/17.

Amends GS 90-85.15, which sets out the parameters for licensure as a pharmacist, to require the applicant to include the applicant's age in the application for licensure. 

Deletes the provisions of subsection (c), relating to criminal record checks of applicants by the Department of Public Safety. Instead, directs the Board of Pharmacy (Board) to require each applicant to provide the Board with a criminal record report. Requires the applicant to obtain criminal record reports from one or more reporting services designated by the Board. Requires the Board to keep all information obtained pursuant to this statute privileged, and establishes that this information is not public record. Requires the applicant to pay the designated reporting service for the costs of these reports. 

Makes technical, organizational, and clarifying changes. Effective January 1, 2018.

Enacts new GS 20-219.5 making it illegal for anyone other than the owner or lessee of a privately owned or leased parking space to park in the space without express permission if the private parking lot is clearly designated as private by a sign that meets the required specifications. Allows a vehicle illegally parked in a privately owned parking space to be immobilized in the space upon the written request of the parking space owner or lessee. Also makes it illegal for any person other than the immobilization company that attached the immobilization device to remove or tamper with the immobilization device. Sets out penalties for violations and makes violations that cause damage to the immobilization device to the extent that the device is unusable for its primary purpose, or otherwise prevents the immobilization company from further using the device, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Prohibits local governments from passing ordinances regulating the immobilization of vehicles unlawfully parked in privately owned or leased parking spaces or lots. Effective July 1, 2017.

Contains whereas clauses.

Appropriates $2,263,440 for 2017-18 from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina to be allocated to East Carolina University to develop plans for the construction of a new medical education building at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. Effective July 1, 2017.

Includes whereas clauses.

Creates the Joint Legislative Study Committee on Fair Redistricting (Committee). Provides for the appointment of 14 members who have experience in the redistricting process or with voting rights laws and issues. Provides for the designation of cochairs, nonvoting members, and the filling of vacancies. Establishes that a majority of the voting members constitutes a quorum. Provides for the Committee's powers, staffing, and expenses.

Establishes that the purpose of the Committee is to provide principles and guidance on issues studied by the Committee, as required below, to ensure that the 2020 House, Senate, and Congressional district plans for North Carolina are drawn fairly. Sets out that the work of the Committee is to ensure that districts are drawn free from unlawful racial or partisan gerrymandering in compliance with the Voting Rights Act and the US and NC Constitutions, federal and State statutes and regulations, and applicable court precedents. Charges the Committee with establishing redistricting principles, recommendations, and guidance for the General Assembly, considering North Carolina's history of racism and racial gerrymandering. Requires the Committee to ensure that it considers public input in the development of and in response to its final recommendations and those districts drawn by the General Assembly abide by the Voting Rights Act and the US and NC Constitutions, laws, and applicable court precedents.

Directs the Committee to study the four issues outlined in the act and provide the General Assembly with principles and guidance formulated from the study's findings for the 2020 redistricting process. Further directs the Committee to examine existing State and federal law and precedents regarding redistricting, the history of the redistricting process in North Carolina, and the legislation enacted in other states that encourages a fair, legal, and open redistricting process. 

Directs the Committee to submit a final report including findings and legislative recommendations and guidance no later than June 15, 2018. Provides that if for any reason a majority of the Committee cannot agree on findings and recommendations, the Committee must provide a majority and minority party report. Terminates the Committee upon filing its final report or on June 15, 2018, whichever occurs earlier.

Amends GS 20-152 (Following too closely) to exempt the drivers of nonleading commercial motor vehicles traveling in a group of individual commercial motor vehicles traveling in a unified manner through the use of an electronically interconnected braking system (also known as a platoon). Effective July 1, 2017. Does not affect prosecutions for offenses committed before the effective date of this act.

Amends GS 160A-312 (city authority to operate public enterprises) and GS 153A-275 (county authority to operate public enterprises) to add a new subsection (d) to each statute, requiring cities and counties to account for a public enterprise in a separate fund and prohibit the transfer of any money from that separate fund to any other fund except as provided in new subsection (d) or Article 3 of GS Chapter 159. Permits obligations of the public enterprise to be paid out of the separate fund. Lists permitted transfers out of the separate fund, if applicable, as follows: (1) for a capitol project fund established for the construction or replacement of assets for that public enterprise; (2) to repay the city or county for any monies loaned to the public enterprise; (3) to a fund within the city or county to cover the public enterprise's portion of any costs shared across city or county funds, including salaries and benefits of shared personnel; or (4) for debt service related to the public enterprise. Adds new subsection (e) to each statute, defining outside the corporate limits to include any area outside the principal municipal corporate limits without regard to the county. 

Amends GS 160A-314(a) (city authority to fix and enforce rates) and GS 153A-277(a) (county authority to fix and enforce rates), providing that different schedules for rents, rates, fees, charges, and penalties can be adopted for services provided outside of the city or county only if approved by the Local Government Commission after a public hearing. Adds that cities and counties must use revenues derived from rates, fees, charging, and penalties for the purpose of paying the expenses of maintaining, operating, and expanding the public enterprise including debt payments and capital reserves. 

Amends GS 159-13(b)(14), deleting the provision prohibiting an appropriation to be made from a utility or public service enterprise fund to any other fund than the appropriate debt service fund unless the total of all other appropriations in the fund equal or exceed the amount that will be required during the fiscal year, as shown by the budget ordinance, to meet operating expenses, capital outlay, and debt service on outstanding utility or enterprise bonds or notes. Now provides that, except as provided in GS 153A-277, GS 160A-312, or subdivision (14) of GS 159-13(b), no appropriation can be made from a utility or public service enterprise fund to any other fund than the appropriate debt service fund.

States that the General Assembly finds that the ability of a city or county to efficiently and effectively provide public enterprise services, particularly water and sewer services, is challenged by that local government opting to use revenues of the public enterprise for purposes other than (1) paying the costs of operating the public enterprise, (2) making debt service payments, (3) investing in improvements to the infrastructure of that public enterprise, and (4) reimbursing the unit of local government for actual direct services provided to the public enterprise. States that the General Assembly further finds that any excess net revenues should be used to lower rates, advance fund debt service, and fund infrastructure improvements of that public enterprise. 

Directs the Legislative Research Commission to study and make recommendations on four specified issues, including fee and charge setting by units of local government in the operation of a water or sewer system including collection rates of those fees and charges. Requires the Legislative Research Commission to consult with the Local Government Commission, the UNC School of Government, the Department of Environmental Quality, the NC League of Municipalities, the NC County Commissioners Association, and others in making the study. Directs the Legislative Research Commission to make an interim report to the 2017 Regular Session of the General Assembly prior to its reconvening in 2018, and to make a final report to the 2019 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

Effective July 1, 2017.

Appropriates $250,000 each in recurring funds for 2017-18 and 2018-19 from the General Fund to the Department of Administration, Commission of Indian Affairs, to be used to create five full-time equivalent positions as described to conduct historical research and analysis; perform genealogical analysis; prepare findings and conclusions; and assemble, prepare, and submit findings and conclusions to the State recognition committee of the Commission of Indians Affairs.

Effective July 1, 2017.

Amends Section 1(b) of SL 2007-523 to phase out permits for swine waste management systems currently operated under the moratorium for swine farms enacted in 2007. Requires closure of swine operations with lagoon and sprayfield waste systems by September 1, 2022. Requires the owner or operator of an animal waste management system that uses a lagoon and sprayfield system phased out under this act to close all of the components of the waste management system in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and rules. Excludes animal waste management systems that are a part of a waste-to-energy facility producing energy from the waste from the phaseout.

Creates a new Article 49I, Minimum Humane Standards for Certain Farm Animals, in GS Chapter 106 that requires the Board of Agriculture, in consultation with the state veterinarian, to set minimum humane standards for cows, poultry, and swine, including restrictions on tethering and confinement, kill methods, and transfer of sick cows. Makes violations by any farm owner or operator of the minimum humane standards a Class 2 misdemeanor. Provisions on minimum humane standards for livestock become effective January 1, 2018.

Directs the Division of Public Health of the Department of Health and Human Services (Division), with the cooperation of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Department), to study the use of antibiotic drugs in livestock production in North Carolina. Specifies the content and focus of the study and requires the Division and the Department to jointly report their findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services on or before January 1, 2019.

Except as otherwise indicated, this act is effective when it becomes law.

Enacts new GS 163-278.12D, applicable to any corporation incorporated in this state that spends in the aggregate $10,000 or more of corporate treasury funds on independent expenditures or electioneering communications.

Requires a separate resolution subject to a shareholder vote to approve any spending of $10,000 or more in the aggregate by the corporation for any independent expenditures or electioneering communications, for any proxy or consent or authorization for an annual meeting of the shareholders of a corporation incorporated in this state where proxies are solicited in respect of any security occurring on or after six months following the date on which final regulations are published under subsection (d) of this section.

Allows a corporation to request authorization for spending on independent expenditures or electioneering communications on a more frequent basis.

Provides in (d) that if a corporation spends less than an aggregate $10,000 in a 12-month period for independent expenditures or electioneering communications, then it does not have to seek shareholder authorization for the spending.

Specifies that (1) the authorization vote must garner support from a majority of shareholders and (2) a vote by the shareholders to approve or disapprove any spending of $10,000 or more by a corporation for any independent expenditures or electioneering communications shall be binding on the corporation.

Provides that if a corporation makes an unauthorized independent expenditure, electioneering communication, or donation to a third party for such, then the directors at the time that the unauthorized contribution or donation was incurred are jointly and severally liable to repay to the corporation the amount of the unauthorized expenditure, with interest at the rate of 8% per year.

Applies to elections held on or after January 1, 2018.

Amends GS 105-164.3 (Definitions applicable to Article 5, Sales and Use Tax). Amends subdivision (33e) to define real property contract as a contract between a real property contractor and another person to: (1) perform construction, reconstruction, installation, repair, or any other service with respect to real property; (2) furnish tangible personal property to be installed or applied to real property and the labor to install or apply the tangible personal property that becomes part of real property; or (3) provide the labor to install or apply the tangible personal property that becomes part of real property (previously, the term is defined as a contract between a real property contractor and another person to perform construction, reconstruction, or remodeling with respect to a capital improvement to real property). Deletes subdivision (33i), defining repair, maintenance, and installation services. Amends subdivision (35) to provide that the term retailer includes a person (previously, a person other than a real property contractor) engaged in the business of delivering, erecting, installing, or applying tangible personal property or digital property for use in North Carolina that does not become part of real property. Amends subdivision (38b) to remove the provision that a service contract did not include a single repair, maintenance, or installation service, but did include a service contract for a pool, fish tank, or similar aquatic feature and a home warranty. 

Amends GS 105-164.4(a)(13), establishing that the general tax rate applies to the sales price of tangible personal property sold (previously, the sales price of an item or service subject to tax under Article 5) to a real property contractor for use by the real property contractor or to fulfill a real property contract. Eliminates subdivision (16), establishing that the general tax rate applies to the sales price of or the gross receipts derived from repair, maintenance, and installation services.

Repeals GS 105-164.4H(d) (provisions for mixed transaction contract) and (e) (definitions applicable to Article 5).

Repeals the following subdivisions of GS 105-164.13 concerning exemptions from retail sales and use tax: (61a) (repair, maintenance, and installation services provided for an item for which a service contract on the item is exempt from tax under GS 105-164.4I); (61c) (installation charges that are a part of the sales price of tangible personal property purchased by a real property contractor to fulfill a real property contract for an item installed or applied to real property); and (61d) (installation charges that are a part of the sales price of or gross receipts derived from repair, maintenance, and installation services or installation charges only purchased by a real property contractor to fulfill a real property contract).

Makes conforming change to GS 105-164.4I(b), eliminating the tax exemption for the sales price of or the gross receipts derived from a service contract applicable to repair, maintenance, and installation services exempt under GS 105-164.13(61a).

Further amends GS 105-164.4I(b) to eliminate the clarification that the tax exemption for the sales price of or the gross receipts derived from a service contract applicable to an item exempt from tax under Article 5 did not apply to water maintained under a service contract for a pool, fish tank, or similar aquatic feature.

Reinstates GS 105-164.13(49), exempting from sales and use tax installation charges when the charges are separately stated on an invoice or similar billing document given to the purchaser at the time of sale (previously repealed effective March 1, 2016).

Effective July 1, 2017, and applies to sales made on or after that date.

Enacts new GS 116-40.13 (Participation in conferences of intercollegiate athletic associations). Provides that if an intercollegiate athletic association boycotts the State, then any constituent institution of the University of North Carolina that participates in the conference is subject to the following requirements: (1) constituent institutions are prohibited from extending any grant of media rights to the conference beyond the period that is in force as of the date of enactment until at least five years after the termination of the boycott; (2) constituent institutions must segregate any revenue received as a result of membership, and place the funds in escrow until the amount in escrow is at least the amount of any penalty imposed upon the constituent institution for withdrawal from the conference, not to be expended without an appropriation by the General Assembly; and (3) constituent institutions must notify the conference in writing of the institution's intent to withdraw from the conference no later than when the assignment of its media rights expire, unless the conference immediately ends the boycott.

Provides that the General Assembly has final authority regarding the membership status of any constituent institution in any intercollegiate athletic association or conference.