Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 4th edition:

Amends proposed GS 15A-300.3, which prohibits use of an unmanned aircraft system near a confinement or correctional facility. Exempts commercial entities operating in compliance with GS 15A-300.1 from the 24-hour notice requirement for operating an unmanned aircraft system within the prohibited zone.

Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 2nd edition.

Amends GS 14-50.19. Amends the caption to read "Intimidation to deter from gang withdrawal." Creates a new Class F felony under this statute for persons who injure a person with the intent to deter a person from assisting another to withdraw from membership in a criminal gang. Makes the existing felony (to communicate a threat of injury or to damage another's property with intent to deter a person from assisting another to withdraw from membership in a criminal gang) a Class G felony (currently, Class H felony; 2d edition, Class F felony).

amends GS 14-50.20. Amends the caption to read "Punishment or retaliation for gang withdrawal." Creates a new Class F felony under this statute for persons who injure a person as punishment or retaliation against a person for having withdrawn from a criminal gang. Makes the existing felony (to communicate a threat of injury or to damage another's property as punishment or retaliation against a person for having withdrawn from a criminal gang) a Class G felony (currently, Class H felony; 2d edition, Class F felony).

Amends GS 14-50.42 (Real property used by criminal gangs declared a public nuisance: abatement). Declares that proof that criminal gang activity by a criminal gang member committed at least five times in a period of not more than 12 months at any real property, or proof that the real property is used for engaging in criminal gang activity by a criminal gang member at the same rate of frequency, is prima facie evidence that the owner or person in legal possession of the real property knowingly permitted the act. Provides that evidence that the defendant knew, or by the exercise of due diligence should have known, of the criminal gang activity constitutes proof of actual knowledge.

Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 2nd edition.

Changes the long title.

Deletes the provisions of Section 1, which authorized the cochairs of the Joint Legislative Committee on Health and Human Services to consider appointing a Subcommittee on Aging to examine the state's delivery of services for older adults in order to determine their service needs and to make recommendations to the Oversight Committee on how to address those needs.

Repeals SL 2012-171, which directed the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that Critical Access Behavioral Agencies (CABHAs) are the only providers of community support team, intensive in-home, and child and adolescent day treatment Medicaid services, and sets out requirements of CABHAs. Repeals GS 108C-3(e)(3), which designates CABHAs as a "moderate" level risk provider for purposes of Medicaid and Health Choice enrollment screening. Makes conforming changes to GS 108C-3(g)(2), removing reference to CABHAs.

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance, to submit a State Plan Amendment request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to remove references to CABHAs and to make any other necessary changes to implement the above provisions. 

Establishes that providers enrolled as a CABHA as of the date this act becomes law remain in the provider screening, enrollment, and revalidation categorical risk level "moderate" for purposes of GS 108C-3 for 12 months from the date this act becomes law.

Makes technical change to the introductory language of Section 2(a).

Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 2nd edition.

Deletes the proposed changes to GS 20-4.01(25), GS 20-8, GS 20-49(4), GS 20-57, GS 20-135.2A(c), GS 20-135.2B(a), GS 20-137.1, GS 20-163, GS 20-166, and GS 20-166.1.

Changes the Article number of the proposed new Article 17, Regulation of Fully Autonomous Vehicles, to Article 18 of GS Chapter 20. Changes the numbering of the statutes in the proposed Article. 

Modifies and adds to the definitions set forth that apply to the Article in new GS 20-400 (was, GS 20-399). Now defines automated driving system as the hardware and software that are collectively capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis, regardless of whether they are operating within a limited or unlimited operational design domain (was, regardless of whether they are limited to a specific operational design domain). Now defines dynamic driving task to mean all of the real-time operational and tactical control functions required to operate a motor vehicle in motion or which has the engine running (was, and tactical control functions required to operate a vehicle in on-road traffic, excluding strategic functions such as trip scheduling and the selection of destinations and waypoints), such as the previously specified examples. Now defines fully autonomous vehicle to mean a motor vehicle equipped with an automated driving system that will not at any time require an occupant to perform any portion of the dynamic driving task when the automated driving system is engaged. Adds that if equipment that allows an occupant to perform any portion of the dynamic driving task is installed, it must be stowed or made unusable in a manner that an occupant cannot assume control of the vehicle when the automated driving system is engaged (substantively similar to the previous definition). Now defines minimal risk condition to mean an operating mode in which a fully autonomous vehicle with the automated driving system engaged achieves a reasonably safe state, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop, upon experiencing a failure of the automatic driving system that renders the vehicle unable to perform any portion of the dynamic driving task (was, a low-risk operating mode in which a fully autonomous vehicle operating without a human driver achieves a reasonably safe state, such as bringing the vehicle to a complete stop, upon experiencing a failure of the vehicle's automated driving system that renders the vehicle unable to perform the entire dynamic driving task). Deletes the term semi-autonomous vehicle. Adds three new defined terms: operator, operational design domain, and strategic driving functions. 

Modifies and adds to new GS 20-401 (was, GS 20-400), Regulation of fully autonomous vehicles. Makes organizational changes. Adds seven new subsections. Establishes that the operator of a fully autonomous vehicle with the automated driving system engaged in not required to be licensed to operate a motor vehicle. Provides that for a fully autonomous vehicle, the provisions of GS 20-49(4) and GS 20-57(c) are satisfied if the vehicle registration card is in the vehicle, physically or electronically, and readily available to be inspected by an officer or inspector. Establishes that the parent or legal guardian of a minor is responsible for a violation of GS 20-135.2B, the prohibition on children in an open bed of a pickup, or GS 20-137.1, the child restraint law, if the violation occurs in a fully autonomous vehicle. Sets the minimum age for unsupervised minors in fully autonomous vehicles at 12 years old. Provides that a person in whose name the fully autonomous vehicle is registered is responsible for a moving violation if the violation involves a fully autonomous vehicle. Clarifies that a vehicle cannot be considered unattended pursuant to GS 20-163 or any other provision of GS Chapter 20 merely because it is a fully autonomous vehicle with the automated driving system engaged. Sets forth four conditions that if met when a fully autonomous vehicle is involved in a crash, then the provisions of subsections (a) through (c2) and subsection (e) of GS 20-166, and subsections (a) and (c) of GS 20-166.1 must be considered satisfied and no violation of those provisions can be charged. The conditions include the vehicle or operator promptly contacting the appropriate law enforcement agency and promptly calling for medical assistance if appropriate, and specific criteria for the vehicle remaining at the scene until vehicle registration and insurance information is provided to the parties affected depending on whether the crash is reportable or non-reportable. 

Modifies previous subsection (a), now subsection (g), to provide that a person can operate a fully autonomous vehicle if the vehicle meets the specified requirements. Modifies those five requirements as follows. Makes organizational changes to the first requirement, and adds that the vehicle must comply with applicable federal law. Also adds compliance with Article 11 of GS Chapter 20 to the requirement. Further, specifies entities by whom the vehicle can be certified as being in compliance with applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. Changes the second requirement to require the vehicle to have the capability to meet the requirements of subsection (f) of the statute (concerning the duty to stop in the event of a crash; previously, required to meet the requirements of GS 20-166(c3) and GS 20-166.1(c1)). Changes the fifth requirement to require that if the vehicle is registered in this State, the vehicle must be identified on the registration and registration card (previously, did not include registration card) as a fully autonomous vehicle.  Modifies previous subsection (b), now subsection (h), to expressly preempt local governments from enacting any law or ordinance related to the regulation or operation of fully autonomous vehicles or vehicles equipped with an automated driving system (previously, did not include fully autonomous vehicles), other than regulation specifically authorized in GS Chapter 153A and GS Chapter 160A that is not specifically related to those types of motor vehicles (was, except for vehicle-related regulation specifically authorized in those statutes).

Deletes the language of new GS 20-402 (was, GS 20-401) concerning vehicles other than fully autonomous vehicles, and instead expressly provides that operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an automated driving system capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task with the expectation that a human operator will respond appropriately to a request to intervene is lawful under the Chapter, and subject to the provisions of the Chapter. Defines a request to intervene to mean notification by a vehicle to the human operator that the operator should promptly begin or resume performance of part or all of the dynamic driving task. 

House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

Changes the long title.

Makes conforming changes to the title of GS 74C-12 to make technical changes to subdivisions (a)(1) and (a)(9).

Makes clarifying changes to subdivision (a)(2) in proposed GS 74C-13.1 (Firearms training exemptions). Modifies subdivision (a)(4) to exempt from the firearms training requirements of GS 74C-13(b) proprietary employees providing security duties at a nuclear power plant who have been trained and qualified pursuant to federal regulation (previously, exempted employees of a nuclear power plant that are required to comply with a specifically cited federal regulation). Modifies subsection (b) to specifically reference the Retired Law Enforcement Officer Qualification Certification (previously, referenced as the card) issued by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training & Standards Division authorizing concealed carry under the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act (PL 108-277) as amended, as a type of documentation that must be provided to the Board by an applicant claiming an exemption under subsection (a) if applicable.

Makes technical and clarifying changes to the proposed changes in GS 74C-23(4), concerning information that must be provided to the Director of the Board in the event of an acquisition or change of ownership or control of a licensed firm, association, or corporation. 

House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 2nd edition.

Amends the long title.

Amends GS 136-128 (Definitions) to delete proposed definition ofcross read face.

Amends GS 136-130.1 (Unzoned commercial or industrial area criteria for outdoor advertising signs). Makes a clarifying change. Deletes the requirement that a commercial or industrial activity have telephone service to qualify as an unzoned commercial or industrial area. Requires the activity's building to be located within 660 feet from the nearest edge of the highway right-of-way (was, nearest edge of the right-of-way) to qualify as an unzoned commercial or industrial area. Amends the requirement that an activity be in active operation for six months prior to the date of submitting an application to provide an alternative requirement that the activity be in active operation a minimum of six months prior to the date that construction commences on the site for the relocation of an off-premises outdoor advertising sign.

Deletes amendments to GS 136-131 (Removal of existing nonconforming advertising) and GS 136-131.1 (Just compensation required for the removal of billboards on federal aid primary highways by local authorities).

Amends GS 136-131.2 (Modernization of outdoor advertising devices). The 2nd edition prohibits listed political subdivisions from regulating or prohibiting certain listed alterations to off-premises outdoor advertising with a valid permit at the time of the alteration, without just compensation, so long as, for multi-faced signs conforming to customary use, the cumulative square footage meets certain requirements regarding square footage and other matters. The amendment retains this prohibition, but deletes the provision applying it solely to multi-faced signs conforming to customary use. Recodifies the following provisions in GS 136-133: (1) prohibiting the Department of Transportation from requiring additional permits or revoking existing permits for actions taken under this statute or GS 136-131.3 and authorizing of the Department to require an addendum to an existing permit, (2) regarding the attachment of rights under the statute to a permit issued by the Department, and (3) authorizing assignment of the permit and associated rights.

Amends proposed GS 136-131.3 (Relocation of permitted off-premises outdoor advertising sign). Deletes the provisions authorizing the assignment or conveyance of the right under this statute to relocate and reconstruct permitted signs. Amends the requirements for relocation and reconstruction of a sign, requiring the construction work related to the relocation to commence within one year after the date of removal (was, one year after the date of the removal or the effective date of the Article, whichever was later). Provides that any off-premises outdoor advertising sign removed on or after January 1, 2014, but prior to the effective date of GS 136-131.3, must have construction work on relocation in accordance with this statute begin within one year of the date this statute becomes effective.

Amends GS 136-133.1 (Outdoor advertising vegetation cutting or removal). Deletes proposed provisions that directed the Department of Transportation to approve plans for the cutting, thinning, pruning, or removal of vegetation along or within medians of highways under specified conditions.

Amends GS 153A-143 (Regulation of outdoor advertising). Amends the prohibition on a county requiring the removal of any nonconforming, lawfully erected off-premises outdoor advertising sign without payment of monetary compensation, to prohibit counties from enacting, amending, or enforcing an ordinance or regulation that causes or requires such a removal. Amends the prohibition on a county enacting, amending, or enforcing an ordinance to prohibit the relocation and reconstruction of any off-premises outdoor advertising sign that meets the specified requirements, to apply that prohibition to circumstances where the relocation and reconstruction (was, relocation) was caused by a lawful project conducted by an entity with eminent domain. Deletes the provision applying the standards of GS 136-131 to any county that causes the removal of off-premises outdoor advertising through exercise of its power of eminent domain.

Amends GS 160A-199, regarding cities, in a manner identical to GS 153A-143, with one additional change: the prohibition on city ordinances prohibiting relocation of any off-premises outdoor advertising signs now prohibits ordinances prohibiting relocation and reconstruction (as amended, this is identical to the provision in GS 153A-143, but this change did not need to be made to to that statute).

House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

Amends proposed GS 153A-145.7 and GS 160A-205.3, regarding general requirements for issuing permits for counties and cities. Applies the statutes to construction permits related to site construction and land use permits (was, applies to permits, including building permits and land use permits). GS 160A-205.3 does not apply to permits or approvals related to subdivision of land or zoning of land. Amends each of the ten listed requirements for such permits in both statutes, in many cases replacing references to requiredordinances with references to requiredwritten policies, standards, procedures, or ordinances. Authorizes a county or city to deny a complete construction permit application only if the permittee fails to meet the standards or requirements established by the county or city, subject to notice requirements, and makes additional changes to the requirements. Allows the data in the compliance report to be presented in any chosen format that complies with the statute. Exempts projects proposed to be constructed in phases from the concurrent review requirements. Sets out additional technology requirements if an outside agency will access or use the review and approval program. Amends provisions governing the fee that may be charged to cover the cost of the program. Amends the conditions under which a permittee may not be required to contract off-site infrastructure improvements. Amends the cap on a fee in lieu of payments related to off-site improvements.

Amends Proposed GS Chapter 136, Article 3C (Delegation of Permitting Authority) as follows:

Amends GS 136-166.51 to amend the purpose of the Article. Provides that the purpose is to delegate the authority to issue approvals associated with State-maintained roads (was, approve established standards for State-maintained roads), amongst the other currently listed purposes. Amends the authority delegated to include the authority to approve plats, and to inspect construction activities and encroachment within the Department's rights-of-way. Authorizes municipalities to decline delegated authority for certain roads or infrastructure, without declining delegated authority for all State-maintained roads. Provides that the authority of a municipality to review and approve construction permit applications (was, to review and approve permits or establish standards) for State maintained roads in its municipal boundary and the municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction exists only to the extent explicitly provided in this Article or otherwise granted by the Board. Clarifies that the Article does not modify bonding requirements, and does not modify the process for review of erosion and sediment control plans or stormwater plans. Authorizes a municipality to request the Department of Transportation (Department) to review permit applications, construction activities and encroachments, or inspections, for certain specific State-maintained roads, types of State-maintained roads, and bridges, or provide technical services which may be outside the municipality's expertise, consistent with current practices or in a manner mutually agreeable to the municipality and the Department Division Engineer. Authorizes a municipality to request modification of a Department standard or policy, and provides requirements for the contents of the request. Authorizes municipalities to approve a minor site-specific deviation from a Department standard or policy if the modification will not adversely impact safety, road maintenance, or traffic flow to the State-maintained road network, and is necessitated by a minor site-specific condition. Provides notice requirements for when a municipality so approves a minor deviation, but provides that the municipality is not required to obtain the Department's approval of the minor deviation, although it may seek the Department's approval or advice. Exempts four classes of roads, including interstate highways, from the delegation of authority under this statute.

Amends proposed GS 136-166.53 (Department's authority). Requires review guidelines for local governments to be consistent with the permitting standards followed by the Department. Amends the notice requirement under this statute to apply when the Department determines a municipality is failing to adequately administer or enforce a local program (was, failing to administer or enforce a local program).

Amends proposed GS 136-166.54 (Local authority). Deletes the exception to the requirement that a municipality's ordinances adopted under this statute meet, but not exceed, minimum requirements established by the Department for State-maintained roads, for when the requirements are consistent with those for locally maintained roads of similar capacity and nature. Replaces the authority to establish standards and ordinances for roads with the authority to collect from the Department the amounts necessary to administer and enforce the program under this Article, as specified. Deletes the provision regarding when a municipality with delegated authority under this Article establishes a technical standard for a State-maintained road that is different than the State standard. Makes conforming changes.

Amends proposed GS 136-166.55 (Fees). Subjects the authority of a municipality to establish a fee for the review of a transportation-related or right-of-way impacting construction plan to the limitations of GS 160A-296.

Amends proposed GS Chapter 143, Article 82, as follows.

Amends proposed GS 143-765 (Transparency). Amends the direction that certain agencies maintain published records to delete the provision applying that direction to local government agencies, and restricting its application to State agencies with the authority to review and approve construction permits (1st edition did not specify which kind of permits). Makes a conforming change.

Amends GS 143-766 (Efficiency). Applies the requirements of that statute to state and local governments with the authority to review and approve construction permits (1st edition did not specify which kind of permits). Amends the examples of municipalities that have separate local governments with separate areas of responsibility to refer to county review of stormwater permits (was, building permits). Requires such municipalities to coordinate their review processes so that submittals and reviews are done through the same system and process (eliminating the requirement that the system be online). If the system is online, the agencies and departments shall review using the same online system or portal. Provides security requirements for an online system or portal.

Amends proposed GS 143-767 (Fees). Applies the authority to establish a fee under this statute to State agencies (was, State and local governments). Amends the authorized fee to include costs of maintenance, upgrades, security features, and software licensing fees. Authorizes the fee to be in effect for the first 24 months (was, 12 months) after initiation of the online permitting process. Makes conforming changes.

Makes the entire act effective October 1, 2017.