The Daily Bulletin: 2019-04-03

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The Daily Bulletin: 2019-04-03

PUBLIC/HOUSE BILLS
H 184 (2019-2020) STUDY STATE HEALTH PLAN DESIGN. Filed Feb 26 2019, AN ACT TO EXAMINE THE NEEDS AND CONCERNS OF STATE EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATING IN THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE HEALTH PLAN FOR TEACHERS AND STATE EMPLOYEES AND TO FURTHER STUDY REDESIGNING THE STATE HEALTH PLAN IN A WAY THAT ADOPTS NEW PRACTICES AND PAYMENT METHODOLOGIES THAT PROMOTE HEALTH WHILE INCENTIVIZING PARTICIPATION FROM BOTH ENROLLEES AND PROVIDERS.

House amendment #1 to the 2nd edition makes the following changes. Adds the State Treasurer as a member of the Joint Legislative Study Committee on the Sustainability of the North Carolina State Health Plan (Committee; previously, the State Treasurer was an ex officio, nonvoting member). Eliminates the provisions allowing the Committee to increase its membership by majority vote. 

Intro. by Dobson, Howard, Brisson, Adcock.STUDY
H 195 (2019-2020) BOARD OF NURSING TECHNICAL CHANGES.-AB Filed Feb 26 2019, AN ACT IMPLEMENTING NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF NURSING TECHNICAL CHANGES, PROCEDURAL EFFICIENCIES, AND FEE CEILING INCREASES.

House committee substitute to the 3rd edition makes the following changes.

Makes additional changes to the fees payable to the NC Board of Nursing under GS 90-171.27. Sets the fee for reinstatement of a lapsed license to practice as a registered nurse and renewal at $280 (was $180); for application for examination leading to a license as a licensed practical nurse by examination at $100 (was $75); for renewal of license to practice as a licensed practical nurse for a two-year period at $200 (was $100); and for reinstatement of a lapsed license to practice as a licensed practical nurse and renewal at $280 (was $180).

Intro. by White, Riddell, Szoka, Cunningham.GS 90
H 211 (2019-2020) VARIOUS DMV CHANGES.-AB Filed Feb 27 2019, AN ACT TO MAKE VARIOUS CHANGES TO MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS OF THE STATE.

House amendments make the following additions to the 3rd edition.

Amendment #1 amends GS 20-140.4(a)(2), which requires the operator and all passengers to wear safety helmets in order to operate a motorcycle or moped on a highway or public vehicular area. Now specifies that the requirement does not apply to an operator of or any passengers within an autocycle (previously, exemption more specifically applied to an autocycle that has completely enclosed seating). Effective July 1, 2019. Provides a savings clause for prosecutions for offenses committed before the effective date.

Amendment #2 enacts GS 20-24.1(f) to provide for a person whose license is revoked for failure to pay court-ordered fines, penalties, or court costs regarding a motor vehicle offense, and for no other reason, to apply to the court for a limited driving privilege. Specifies that the privilege is valid for up to one year or until any fine, penalty, or court costs ordered by the court are paid. Limits eligibility to persons who have not had a limited driving privilege granted under the provision within the three years prior to application. Provides for the court to grant the privilege in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions prescribed in GS 20-16.1 (which provides for limited driving permits for first offenders under the mandatory suspension of driver's licenses upon conviction of excessive speeding provisions). Applies to revocation orders entered on or after October 1, 2019.

Intro. by Shepard.GS 20
H 228 (2019-2020) MODERNIZE LAWS PERTAINING TO NC MEDICAL BOARD.-AB Filed Feb 27 2019, AN ACT TO MODERNIZE LAWS PERTAINING TO THE NORTH CAROLINA MEDICAL BOARD AND THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.

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

Part I.

Makes technical changes to the Part.

Makes technical changes to the proposed changes to GS 90-9.1.

Modifies the proposed changes to GS 90-14 to maintain existing language which prohibits the NC Medical Board from revoking or denying a license, or disciplining a licensee, solely because of the person's practice of a therapy that is experimental, nontraditional, or that departs from acceptable and prevailing medical practices unless the Board can establish by competent evidence that the treatment has a safety risk greater than the prevailing treatment or that the treatment is generally not effective (previously eliminated entirely).

Adds to the proposed changes to GS 90-16 to permit the Board to report investigative information which indicates that a crime may have been committed to the NC Department of Justice, the US Department of Justice, or the US District Attorney (previously permitted to report the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency or the respective district attorney). Additionally requires the Board to cooperate with the NC Department of Justice, the US Department of Justice, or the US District Attorney conducting a criminal investigation or prosecution of a licensee. Clarifies that the information reported or provided to an investigative agency or attorney remains confidential and cannot be disclosed except as necessary to further investigation or prosecution. Deletes the previously proposed changes to subsection (k) regarding the release of confidential or nonpublic information to any health care licensure board or authorized Department of Health and Human Service personnel, and instead maintains the existing language.

Intro. by Murphy.GS 8, GS 14, GS 55B, GS 90, GS 130A, GS 143
H 363 (2019-2020) CRAFT BEER DISTRIBUTION & MODERNIZATION ACT. Filed Mar 14 2019, AN ACT TO CONFIRM THE STATE'S SUPPORT OF THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTION OF MALT BEVERAGES AND THE FRANCHISE LAWS, TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO MODERNIZE THE EXEMPTIONS TO THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM, AND TO PROMOTE THE GROWTH OF SMALL AND MID-SIZED INDEPENDENT CRAFT BREWERIES.

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

Modifies the whereas clauses. 

Modifies the proposed changes to GS 18B-1104(a)(8) regarding the authority of a brewery permit holder to obtain a malt beverage wholesaler permit. Further specifies that the ABC Commission has no authority to grant an exemption to or otherwise allow a brewery permittee (previously not specified) more than three additional retail locations authorized. Clarifies that malt beverages manufactured by a supplier permitee (previously permittee was not specified) that owns 5% or more of a brewery permittee acting under the authorization is included in the determination of whether the brewery permittee complies with the barrelage limitations, as proposed. 

Amends GS 18B-1116 to require that any exemption entered by the ABC Commission in which any brewery or any officer, director, or affiliate of the brewery has a direct or indirect financial interest in the business of any retailer beyond the number of additional retail locations authorized by GS 18B-1104, as amended, must prohibit the brewery's malt beverages from being sold to or purchased by that retailer.

Adds that the act does not apply to any exemption order or amendment entered by the ABC Commission prior to the act's effective date that is renewed or issued after the effective date of the act.

Intro. by Lewis, Bell, Jackson, Reives.GS 18B
H 370 (2019-2020) REQUIRE COOPERATION WITH ICE DETAINERS. (NEW) Filed Mar 14 2019, AN ACT TO REQUIRE COMPLIANCE WITH IMMIGRATION DETAINERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANTS.

House amendments make the following changes to the 1st edition.

Amendment #1 amends GS 162-62 by requiring that the report on the number of queries performed as to whether a prisoner is a legal resident or citizen of the US or its territories  and the results of those queries be submitted to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety instead of the Governor's Crime Commission. Makes conforming changes.

Amendment #2 amends GS 153A-145.5 and Gs 160A-205.2 by prohibiting counties and cites from prohibiting federal law enforcement officers from conducting enforcement activities (was, from entering and conducting enforcement activities) at any county jail, local confinement facility, district confinement facility, satellite jail, or work release unit. Adds that such activities include direct communication with the individual and access to any pertinent information on records pertaining to the incarcerated individual.

Intro. by D. Hall, Jones, Saine, C. Smith.GS 64, GS 153A, GS 160A, GS 162
H 380 (2019-2020) AERIAL ADVENTURE COURSES/SANDERS' LAW. Filed Mar 19 2019, AN ACT TO REGULATE AERIAL ADVENTURE COURSES AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE ACT SHALL BE ENTITLED "SANDERS' LAW."

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

Makes technical changes to the liability insurance provisions, set out in proposed GS 95-112.12.

Modifies the exceptions, set forth in proposed GS 95-112.13, to specify that GS 95-112.12, concerning liability insurance requirements, rather than the entire Article, does not apply to a regulated device installed at a private residence that is not open to the public and for which no fee is charged.

Makes technical corrections to statutory references in the civil penalties provisions set forth in proposed GS 95-112.14.

Specifies that proposed GS 95-112.14(g) and (h), which establish criminal offenses, apply to offenses (rather than violations) occurring on or after July 1, 2020.

Intro. by Davis, Howard, Setzer, Lucas.GS 95
H 399 (2019-2020) EXTEND TAX CREDITS/OTHER FINANCE CHANGES. (NEW) Filed Mar 20 2019, AN ACT TO MAKE CERTAIN TAX CHANGES, TO EXTEND CERTAIN TAX BENEFITS, AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FROM THE COLLECTIONS ASSISTANCE FEE SPECIAL FUND TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.

House committee substitute to the 1st edition cites the act as the Historic Preservation Act of 2019, and changes the act's long and short titles.

Intro. by Ross, Bell, Warren, Adams.GS 105
H 410 (2019-2020) REQUIRE GENERATORS/NURSING & ADULT CARE HOMES. Filed Mar 20 2019, AN ACT TO STUDY REQUIRING NURSING HOMES, COMBINATION HOMES, AND ADULT CARE HOMES TO HAVE EMERGENCY ELECTRICAL SERVICE AVAILABLE FOR USE DURING POWER OUTAGES.

House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. Amends proposed GS 131D-4.3A so that it is applicable to all adult care homes, as defined in GS 131D-2.1, licensed under Article 1 of GS Chapter 131D, and operating in the State (was, requiring all nursing homes, combination homes, and adult care homes that are licensed and operating in the State).  Requires that the emergency service be sufficient to also provide air conditioning in addition to already listed heat, lighting, and other essential electrical services required by rules of the Medical Care Commission. Makes conforming changes to GS 131E-114.3A by requiring emergency electrical services sufficient to also provide air conditioning. Makes additional clarifying changes.

Intro. by Howard, Setzer, Carney, Lucas.GS 131D, GS 131E, GS 143B
H 411 (2019-2020) MODIFY SCHOOL QUAL./STUDENT SUCCESS INDICATOR. Filed Mar 20 2019, AN ACT TO COMBINE THE CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS INDICATORS USED FOR SCHOOL PERFORMANCE GRADES AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW FOR GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE, TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS INFORMATION ON ANNUAL REPORT CARDS, AND TO ALLOW CERTAIN LOTTERY WINNERS TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS FOR NINETY DAYS.

House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. Amends GS 115C-83.15(b)(2), concerning the calculation of the overall school achievement score, by requiring that for schools serving students in grades 9-12, one point is to be assigned for each percent of students who either (1) achieve the minimum score required for admission into a UNC constituent institution on a nationally normed test of college readiness or (2) are enrolled in Career and Technical Education courses and score at Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels on a nationally normed test (was, one point was scored for each of those categories). Makes conforming changes to the act's long title. 

Intro. by Horn, Corbin, Elmore, Johnson.GS 115C
H 415 (2019-2020) PHOTOS OF JUVENILES/SHOW-UPS. Filed Mar 20 2019, AN ACT TO CLARIFY THE REQUIREMENT TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH OF A SUSPECT AT THE TIME OF A SHOW-UP WHERE THE SUSPECT IS A JUVENILE.

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

Adds to the proposed changes to GS 15A-284.52(c1). Additionally requires investigators to photograph a juvenile suspect who is 10 years of age or older at the time and place of the show-up, as required by the subsection's existing provisions, if the juvenile is reported to have committed common law robbery (previously only if reported to have committed a nondivertible offense). 

Intro. by Stevens, Barnes, Hanig, C. Smith.GS 7B, GS 15A
H 425 (2019-2020) IMPLEMENT CONNER'S LAW. (NEW) Filed Mar 21 2019, AN ACT TO IMPLEMENT CONNER'S LAW.

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

Further amends GS 14-34.7 concerning assaults on a law enforcement officer, probation officer, parole officer, National Guard member, or detention facility employee. Excepts from prosecution conduct resulting from a verifiable diagnosis made by a qualified behavioral health professional of a medical condition or a mental health or behavioral health disability. Provides limited civil immunity to an officer who charges a person in good faith who is thereafter determined to be subject to the new exception. Makes conforming changes to the statute's title. Further amends GS 14-223, concerning resisting officers, to enact identical provisions regarding exceptions from prosecution for conduct arising from such verifiable diagnoses as described in GS 14-34.7, as amended. Makes conforming changes to the statute's title.

Specifies that the act applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2019.

Intro. by Faircloth, McNeill, Ross, Boles.GS 14
H 433 (2019-2020) ECONOMICS &AMP FINANCIAL LITERACY ACT. Filed Mar 21 2019, AN ACT TO REQUIRE COMPLETION OF AN ECONOMICS AND PERSONAL FINANCE COURSE AS A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TO CLARIFY REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL CIVIC LITERACY, AND TO REQUIRE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR ECONOMICS AND PERSONAL FINANCE TEACHERS.

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

Amends GS 115C-81.65 by reinstating the provisions in (a) that required instruction in personal financial literacy for all students and that required the State Board of Education to determine components in addition to those in the statute that will be covered in the curriculum. Moves proposed new language into (b). Clarifies that content of the course focused on Economics and Personal Finance (EPF), must, at a minimum, include the standards established by the second edition of the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics and the 2013 National Standards for Financial Literacy, as developed by the Council for Economic Education. Requires that the State Board of Education, instead of the Department of Public Instruction, require EPF teachers to receive the necessary professional development. Makes other clarifying and conforming changes. 

Removes the provision allowing any remaining funds from the funds appropriated in the act to the North Carolina Council on Economic Education (NCCEE) at the end of 2022-23 to be used to provide professional development for public school EPF teachers. Requires that NCCEE's report on the use of funds be done in consultation with the Department of Public Instruction rather than the State Board of Education. 

Deletes the previous changes to GS 115C-81.45 and instead amends the statute as follows. Deletes the current provisions concerning the inclusion of instruction in civic and citizenship education in the standard course of study for high school social studies. Requires that the State Board of Education require instruction in civic and citizenship education in the standard course of study for high school social studies through the teaching of a full credit course that is to be called Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy. Requires that the course include the already stated subjects that were to be included in the previously required semester-long course. Adds that the State Board of Education is strongly encouraged to include four specified components in the course; these components are the same as those that were in the deleted provision on inclusion of instruction in civic and citizenship education in the standard course of study for high school social studies. Makes additional conforming and clarifying changes.

Amends proposed language in GS 115C-218.85, GS 115C-238.66, and GS 116-239.8 to require charter, regional, and laboratory schools to ensure that required professional development for teachers of the EPF course is provided. 

Requires that the State Board of Education begin the review and revision of the standard course of study for social studies in grades K-12 in the 2019-20 school year and revise the high school standard course of study in accordance with the act. Requires review of the high school standard course of study to determine the grade level during which the EPF course and the Civic Literacy course may be completed. Prohibits requiring more than four full course credits in social studies for high school graduation. 

Make conforming changes to the act's long title. 

Intro. by Horn, Szoka, Montgomery, Hardister.APPROP, GS 115C
H 434 (2019-2020) SUICIDE RISK REF./MENTAL HEALTH/TEEN VIOLENCE. Filed Mar 21 2019, AN ACT TO REQUIRE LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION, CHARTER SCHOOLS, REGIONAL SCHOOLS, INNOVATIVE SCHOOLS, LABORATORY SCHOOLS, AND THE RENEWAL SCHOOL SYSTEM TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT A SUICIDE RISK REFERRAL PROTOCOL, A MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING PROGRAM, AND A POLICY AGAINST TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AND ABUSE.

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

Enacts GS 115C-47(64) (regarding local boards of education), GS 115C-218.75(g) (regarding charter schools), GS 115C-238.66(14) (regarding regional schools), GS 116-239.8(b)(17) (regarding laboratory schools), and Section 6(d)(2)p. of SL 2018-32 (regarding renewal school systems) to require that each respective authority adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol and a mental health training program for school personnel who work directly with students in grades K-12, as required by GS 115C-375.11, as enacted. 

Modifies new GS 115C-375.11. Retitles the statute. Removes from the statute the deadline of July 1, 2020, for local boards of education to adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol for school personnel working with students in grades K-12. Clarifies that the specific requirements of the protocol are minimum requirements, and clarifies that the protocol must inform school personnel on how to identify and intervene in appropriate situations. Now requires rather than encourages local boards of education to implement a mental health training program for school personnel working with students in grades K-12. Removes from the statute the requirement for the training program to meet the minimum requirements for a mental health training program developed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction's Working Group on Health and Well-Being. Expands the immunity from civil liability provided to cover any entity required to adopt a policy by the statutes and session laws amended by Section 1 of the act. 

Adds that each entity required to adopt and implement a suicide risk referral protocol and mental health training program must do so by July 1, 2020, and requires satisfaction of the requirements developed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction's Working Group on Health and Well-Being under Section 5 of SL 2018-32. Requires the Superintendent to ensure that a copy of the requirements be made available to each entity by October 1, 2019.

Deletes proposed Article 29D, Student Dating Violence and Abuse Prevention in GS Chapter 115C. Instead, enacts GS 115C-47(65) (concerning local boards of education), GS 115C-218.75(h) (concerning charter schools), GS 115C-238.66(15) (regarding regional schools), GS 116-239.8(b)(18) (regarding laboratory schools), and Section 6(d)(2)q. of SL 2018-32 (regarding renewal school systems) to require each entity to adopt and implement a dating violence and abuse policy that defines dating violence and abuse, prohibits dating violence and abuse by any student on school property, provides procedures for responding to incidents of dating violence or abuse, and is implemented in a manner that is integrated with the discipline policies of the school. Amends specified statutes to require each public school, charter school, regional school, and laboratory school to teach about dating violence and abuse, and specifically requires regional schools, laboratory schools and renewal school systems to incorporate dating violence and abuse instruction into the school's reproductive health and safety program if it has one.

Requires each entity required to adopt and implement a policy against dating violence and abuse by July 1, 2020, and requires each entity required to provide instruction on dating violence and abuse to do so beginning with the 2020-21 school year. 

Intro. by Horn, Cunningham, Murphy, White.GS 115C, GS 116
H 449 (2019-2020) HANDICAPPED & SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES (NEW). Filed Mar 25 2019, AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF HANDICAPPED LICENSE PLATES TO A REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNER THAT IS THE GUARDIAN OR PARENT OF A HANDICAPPED PERSON AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO PRODUCE VARIOUS SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES.

House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following change. Makes act effective March 1, 2020 (was, effective when the act becomes law). 

Intro. by Iler, Torbett.GS 20
H 536 (2019-2020) TEMP OUTDOOR RESTAURANTS FOR OUTDOOR SEATING (NEW). Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN EXISTING ESTABLISHMENTS TO OFFER AND OPERATE OUTDOOR DINING AND BEVERAGE SERVICE OPTIONS WHILE ALSO SAFEGUARDING THE PUBLIC HEALTH TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19).

Part I

Amends GS 18B-1303, concerning malt beverage distribution, to allow retail permit holder private label brands to be sold exclusively to the retailer that owns the brand name or to all retail permit holders within each territory without discrimination, at the retail permit holder's discretion. Defines retail permit holder to mean a malt beverage product that is labeled with a brand name owned by a retailer. 

Part II

Amends GS 18B-1104 regarding the authorizations of a brewery permit. Concerning the authorization to receive and sell malt beverages produced inside or outside the State under contract with a contract brewery, clarifies that the brewery that contracted with the contract brewery, which manufactures the malt beverage, must obtain label approval and remit the appropriate taxes. Applies to taxes collected on or after July 1, 2019.

Part III

Amends GS 18B-1114.5, regarding the authorizations of a malt beverage special event permit, to authorize the permit holder to give free tastings, sell branded merchandise, and sell its malt beverages by the glass or in closed containers at farmers' markets.

Part IV

Amends GS 18B-1001(1), concerning on-premises malt beverage permit holders. Expands the authorization of on-premises malt beverage permit holders to allow permittees to transfer malt beverages to another on-premises malt beverage permittee that is under common ownership or control of the transferor. Limits the permittee to no more than four such transfers per calendar year. Clarifies that other transfers by on-premises malt beverage permittees , the purchase of malt beverages by a retail permittee from another retail permittee for the purpose of resale, and the sale of malt beverages by a retail permittee to another retail permittee for the purpose of resale is unlawful. Restricts authorized transfers of a particular brand of malt beverages to transferors and transferees located within the territory designated between the brewery and the wholesaler on file with the ABC Commission (Commission). Requires the transferor to notify each wholesaler who distributes the product of the transfer prior to or contemporaneous with the transfer, in writing or verifiable electronic format, and identifying the transferor, the transferee, the transfer date, quantity, and items transferred. Makes identical additions to expand the authorizations for off-premises malt beverage permit holders set out in GS 18B-1001(2) to allow for the transfer of malt beverages from the permittee to another off-premises malt beverage permittee, subject to the same restrictions and requirements.

Part V

Amends GS 18B-1006, which prohibits the issuance of permits for the sale of alcoholic beverages to a business on the campus or property of a public school, college, or university. Adds new subdivision (a)(9) to the prohibition's exemptions, now exempting a stadium, athletic facility, or arena on the campus or property of a public college or university, so long as the Board of Trustees of the public college or university has voted to allow the issuance of permits for use at said facility. Requires that if a Board of Trustees votes to allow the issuance of permits for the sale of alcoholic beverages at stadiums, athletic facilities, and arenas, then the Board must provide written notice to the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission that it has voted to allow the issuance of permits. Specifies that the term "public college or university" does not include a community college. Specifically authorizes permits described in GS 18B-1001 (identifying 20 types of permits, including malt beverage permits, unfortified wine permits, and tasting permits), GS 18B-1002(a)(2) (one-time permits for nonprofits for fund-raising events), or GS 18B-1002(a)(5) (one-time permits for local government, nonprofit, or political organizations for fund raising events). Adds that (a)(9) does not apply to any sales authorized under (a)(1)-(8) (which list other exceptions to the prohibition on issuing a permit for the sale of alcoholic beverages to a business on the campus or property of a public school, college, or university). Limits the premises of a stadium, athletic facility, or arena to include any area that meets three criteria, including designation on a map or written description clearly defining the boundary area, and includes the map or written description in the permit application. Specifies that the subdivsion does not authorize the sale of mixed beverages when the stadium, athletic facility, or arena is being used for a sports event sponsored by the public college or university. Makes conforming changes.

Part VI

Amends GS 18B-108 regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages on trains. Limits the sale and delivery of alcoholic beverages to rail line officers and agents to licensed wholesalers (was licensed wholesalers and retailers). Expands the statute to authorize alcoholic beverages to be sold on ferries established pursuant to Article 6, GS Chapter 136, upon compliance with Article 2C of GS Chapter 105 (Alcoholic Beverage License and Excise Taxes). Limits the authorization to the passenger-only ferry traveling from Hatteras to Ocracoke and does not include the return trip from Ocracoke to Hatteras. Authorizes specified alcoholic beverages to be sold and delivered to an officer or agent of the Department of Transportation (DOT) for sale on the ferry, but limits the sale and delivery to wholesalers whose designated territory includes the Hatteras Ferry Terminal. Deems railroad trains and the ferry authorized to sell under the statute a licensed premises for which an ABC permit has been issued for purposes of GS 18B-502, concerning inspections. Authorizes the ABC Commission to consult with DOT and adopt rules regulating sales on trains and the ferry. Applies to sales made on or after July 1, 2019.

Part VII

Amends GS 18B-1001 to allow bars to obtain an on-premises malt beverage permit, on-premises unfortified wine permit, on-premises fortified wine permit, brown-bagging permit, special occasion permit, and mixed beverages permit. Defines bar under GS 18B-1000 as an establishment substantially engaged in the business of serving alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. Requires that in order to qualify as a bar that the establishment's gross receipts from alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises be no less than 75% of the establishment's total gross receipts.

Part VIII

Amends GS 18B-1105 regarding the authorization of distillery permit holders to allow them to sell, deliver, and ship spirituous liquor in closed containers at wholesale or retail to consumers in other states or nations, subject to the laws of other jurisdictions. Applies to sales made on or after July 1, 2019.

Part IX

Amends GS 18B-1105 to allow distillery permit holders to sell spirituous liquor distilled at the distillery in closed containers to visitors for consumption off the premises, no longer requiring that the visitors tour the distillery. Removes the limit of no more than five bottles per 12-month period. Makes conforming changes. Makes the provision concerning the price of spirituous liquor sold at a distillery applicable to all sales of spirituous liquor distilled at the permit holder's distillery.  

Amends GS 18B-1116, which makes it unlawful for any manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler of alcoholic beverages or specified affiliates to directly or indirectly take specified actions, including (1) having any direct or indirect financial interest in the business of any alcoholic beverage retailer in this state or in the premises where the business of any alcoholic beverage retailer in this state is conducted or (2) lending or giving any alcoholic beverage retailer in this state, their employee, or the owner of the premises where the business of any alcoholic beverage retailer in this state is conducted any money, service, equipment, furniture, fixtures, or any other thing of value. Adds that a distillery is not subject to these provisions concerning financial interests in, and lending or giving things of value to, a retailer with respect to the distillery's transactions with the retail business allowed on its premises.

Applies to sales made on or after July 1, 2019.

Part X

Requires the ABC Commission to implement the Discount Rule (14B NCAC 15B .1004) by limiting a combination of the use of a coupon, rebate, or a permittee's loyalty card, discount card, or membership card to no more than 35% of the advertised retail price for the purchase of a malt beverage or wine, and prohibiting a coupon or rebate, or a loyalty card, discount card, or membership card from providing a discount exceeding 35% of the advertised retail price for the purchase of a malt beverage or wine. Requires the ABC Commission to adopt temporary rules to comply with the provision, and adopt permanent rules consistent with the provisions no later than September 1, 2019.

Part XI

Amends GS 18B-101 to now define premises to mean a fixed permanent establishment, including all areas inside or outside the licensed establishment, where the permittee has control through a lease, deed, or other legal process. 

Amends GS 18B-1005.1 to specify that it is unlawful for a permittee or permittee's agent or employer to knowingly allow or engage in any conduct or entertainment on a licensed premises where human genitals are exposed or a person is wearing transparent clothing that reveals his or her genitals (previously did not specify the prohibited conduct be on the licensed premises; previously also prohibited conduct or entertainment that included or simulated sexually explicit conduct, as specified). 

Applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2019.

Part XII

Enacts GS 18B-1010, authorizing the sale and delivery by the holder of an on-premises malt beverage permit, on-premises wine permit, on-premises fortified wine permit, or mixed beverages permit of one alcoholic beverage drink at a time to a single patron for consumption on the premises. Limits the authorization to no more than four alcoholic beverage drinks. Excludes from the authorization sales at a stadium, athletic facility, or arena on the campus or property of a public college or university; during a sports event sponsored by a public college or university; and a stadium, athletic facility, arena, or other establishment with a seating capacity of 3,000 or more.

Applies to sales made on or after July 1, 2019.

Part XIII

Repeals GS 18B-308, which made it unlawful to sell or consume alcoholic beverages at bingo games. Makes conforming repeals of GS 14-309.14(3). Makes conforming changes to GS 18B-112(b)(3).

Applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2019.

Part XIV

Amends GS 130A-250 to exempt licensed breweries not engaged in the preparation of food on the premises from food and lodging facility public health regulations under Part 6, Article 8, of GS Chapter 130A. Specifies that food does not include beverages. Provides a saving clause for penalties imposed and fees charged before the effective date of the Section.

Part XV

Amends GS 18B-802, to now provide that the prohibited operating hours of an ABC store are between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Monday through Saturday, and 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday (previously, specified 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., and required local boards to otherwise determine opening and closing hours of its stores).

Enacts GS 153A-145.9 (concerning counties) and GS 160A-205.5 (concerning cities) to authorize a county or city to adopt an ordinance authorizing its ABC stores to be open, and authorizing ABC store employees to sell alcoholic beverages, on any or all days otherwise prohibited under GS 18B-802(b) (which prohibits opening and sales on Sunday, New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day). Makes conforming changes to GS 18B-802.

Part XVI

Amends GS 18B-1114.7 to allow the holders of a supplier representative permit, brokerage representative permit, or distillery permit to obtain a spirituous liquor special event permit allowing the permittee to give free tastings at ABC stores where the local ABC board has approved the tastings (in addition to the already allowed trade shows, conventions, shopping malls, street festivals, holiday festivals, agricultural festivals, balloon races, local fund-raisers, and similar events). Also requires the Commission, for tastings in an ABC store, to establish and implement a policy whereby distillery permit holders are given the right of first refusal for a certain number of the dates and times made available in a month by the local board for holding tastings, as determined by the ABC Commission. Requires the policy to set forth the date for each month by which a distillery permit holder can exercise the right before the reserved dates and times are made available to all eligible spirituous special event permit holders. Makes conforming changes to GS 18B-301. 

Part XVII

Amends GS 18B-404 to require local boards to accept electronic payments for spirituous liquor purchased by a mixed beverage permittee. Prohibits the board from charging an electronic payment fee. Defines electronic payment. Applies to sales made on or after July 1, 2019.

Part XVIII

Enacts GS 18B-907 to require the ABC Commission to make all permitting forms available on its website, and to allow for electronic submission of permit forms to the extent practicable. Provides for submissions with electronic signatures. Requires the Commission to accept electronic payment for any permit fees under the Chapter. Defines electronic payment. Authorizes the Commission to charge a fee not exceeding $5 to cover costs incurred in accepting and processing electronic payments. Applies to permits applied for on or after July 1, 2019.

Part XIX

Amends GS 18B-1001 by creating a common area entertainment permit to be issued to the owner of a multi-tenant establishment that has at least two tenants that holds an on-premises malt beverage permit, on-premises unfortified wine permit, on-premises fortified wine permit, or mixed beverages permit. The permit allows the customer of a multi-tenant establishment tenant holding one of those specified permit types to exit the licensed premises with an open container of alcohol sold by the tenant and consume the beverage within the confines of any common area on the premises of the multi-tenant establishment designated for such consumption. Defines a multi-tenant establishment as a building or structure, or multiple buildings and structures, on the same property and under common ownership or control, that contain or contains multiple businesses that sell food, goods, services, or a combination of food, goods, and services, and that are connected by common areas. Sets out eight additional conditions that apply to a common area entertainment permit, including that alcoholic beverages sold for consumption in a designated common area must be dispensed only in a paper or plastic cup bearing the name, logo, or name and logo of the licensed premises from which the beverage was purchased and limits the amount to 16 fluid ounces; prohibits a customer from possessing or consuming more than one alcoholic beverage at a time while within the designated common area; and requires a customer in the designated common area to dispose of any alcoholic beverage prior to exiting the designated common area.

Amends GS 18B-902 by setting the permit fee at $750.

Part XX

Enacts GS 18B-1001.4, authorizing the holder of a delivery service permit, the holder's employee, or an independent contractor to deliver malt beverages, unfortified wine, or fortified wine to a location designated by the purchaser on behalf of the retailer holding an on-premises malt beverage permit, off-premises malt beverage permits, on-premises unfortified wine permit, off-premises unfortified wine permit, on-premises fortified wine permit, off-premises fortified wine permit, and a wine shop permit. Further authorizes a delivery service permittee to facilitate delivery through technology service, as specified. Requires the permittee to successfully complete a course approved by the ABC Commission prior to making any deliveries. Prohibits a permittee from handling or possessing any funds used to purchase an alcoholic beverage, but allows the permittee to facilitate the sales transaction. Prohibits delivery to a person under 21 years of age and requires packages to contain a statement, as specified, if the manufacturer's original packaging is obscured. Subjects deliveries to local laws of the jurisdiction where the delivery is located. Prohibits deliveries from being made more than 50 miles from the retailer's licensed premises or the premises of another retailer. Limits delivery to alcoholic beverages purchased for personal consumption and from a licensed retailer's existing inventory located on the retailer's premises. Does not require a delivery service permit for a common carrier to lawfully transport or ship alcoholic beverages. Subjects deliveries pursuant to a delivery service permit to the requirements of Article 4 (Transportation).

Amends GS 18B-902, as amended, setting the delivery service permit fee at $400.

Part XXI

Amends GS 18B-104, increasing the cap for the penalty the ABC Commission can accept in compromise from $5,000 to $10,000 in cases in which the ABC Commission is entitled to suspend or revoke a permit.

Applies to violations committed on or after July 1, 2019.

Part XXII

Directs the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee to include in its biennial 2019-20 work plan a study by the Program Evaluation Division (PED) of the action the ABC Commission is authorized to take under GS 18B-104 for violations of GS Chapter 18B. Details required examinations of the study, inducing the proportionality of the punishment that can be imposed in relation to the violation. Requires the ABC Commission to provide any necessary information, data, or documents from its records or available to them upon request of PED. Requires PED to report to the Oversight Committee by March 15, 2020. Effective when the act becomes law.

Part XXIII includes a severability clause.

Part XXIV

Allows the ABC Commission to adopt temporary rules to implement the act's requirements, and requires the Commission to amend its rules consistent with the act's provisions.

Part XXV provides that the act is effective July 1, 2019, unless otherwise provided.

Intro. by McGrady, Boles, Fisher, Hardister.STUDY, GS 14, GS 18B, GS 130A, GS 153A, GS 160A
H 552 (2019-2020) AFTER-SCHOOL ROBOTICS GRANTS/ATHLETICS. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO ESTABLISH AN EDUCATIONAL AND COMPETITIVE AFTER-SCHOOL ROBOTICS GRANT PROGRAM, TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT RULES FOR COMPETITIVE ROBOTICS, AND TO PERMIT EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR COMPETITIVE ROBOTICS.

Enacts new GS 115C-102.9 establishing the Educational and Competitive After-School Robotics Grant Program (Program).  Allows public schools to apply for grants to develop an educational and competitive after-school robotics program with a robotics partner. Describes definitions, purpose, application criteria, and use of funds for implementation of the Program.  Requires the Department of Public Instruction to report no later than July 15, 2020, and annually thereafter to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division information about the number and location of grants awarded, and the positive impact of the Program on student academic performance, if any.  Appropriates $1,670,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction in recurring funds for the 2019-20 fiscal year to implement the Program, beginning in the 2019-20 school year.  These changes are effective July 1, 2019.

Amends GS 115C-12(23) (powers and duties of the State Board of Education) to add to the rules to be adopted by the Board of Education regarding interscholastic athletic activities rules about competitive robotics.  Amends GS 115C-379 (method of enforcing school attendance) by organizing existing text into new subsections and adding an additional requirement that school principals must authorize an excused absence when a student misses class due to a school-sponsored robotics competition.  Expands excused absence due to a religious observance required by the faith not only of a student or parent but also of a guardian or legal custodian.  Extends right of persons able to give principal written notice of request for excused absence to guardian or custodian.  Requires a student be given the opportunity to make up missed school work or tests due to an excused absence only if properly approved.  These changes are effective upon becoming law and apply beginning with the 2019-20 school year.  

Except as otherwise provided, effective upon becoming law.

Intro. by Hardister, Saine, Horn, Beasley.APPROP, GS 115C
H 554 (2019-2020) FUNERAL PRACTICE LICENSURE TECH. CORRECTIONS. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO MODIFY FUNERAL SERVICE AND CREMATORY LICENSES AND PRACTICES.

Amends GS 90-210.25, regarding funeral service licensing. Amends the requirements to be licensed for the practice of funeral directing to require possession of a degree in mortuary science or graduation from a Funeral Director Program, or the equivalent, from a program approved by the NC Funeral Service Board (Board) or (was, and) accredited by the American Board of Funeral Services Education, and to require a passing score on the entry-level examination in funeral directing within the last three years (previously specified administration of the exam by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards). Makes a similar change to the requirements to be licensed for the practice of funeral service to require a passing score on the subject of entry-level examination in funeral directing within the last three years (previously specified administration of the exam by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards). Adds that a funeral service exam taken or passed on or before October 1, 2018, for the purposes of attaining licensure under the statute, is valid for a five-year period following the date on which the applicant passed the examination. Amends the specifications concerning resident trainees to provide that a 12-month resident traineeship that is completed on or before October 1, 2018, is recognized as a qualifying traineeship for licensure under the statute for a five-year period following the completion date of the traineeship.

Amends GS 90-210.63, regarding substitution of a preneed licensee in a preneed funeral contract. Adds a new requirement for any licensee holding a permit under Article 13A (Practice of Funeral Service) or Article 13F (Cremations) that accepts the transfer of a preneed funeral contract after the death of the preneed contract beneficiary, to require the licensee to file the certificate of performance with the Board and mail a copy to the contracting preneed licensee. If performed in another state, requires the original contracting preneed licensee to make reasonable efforts to obtain the information needed to accurately complete the certificate of performance and file the certificate pursuant to the time allowed under GS 90-210.64 (within 30 days).

Amends GS 90-210.23 to require crematory licensees that offer at-need cremation goods and services to the public to comply with the standards of the federal Funeral Industry Practices Act, as identified and amended. Amends GS 90-210.123 to authorize the Board to enforce compliance with the standards of the Funeral Industry Practices Act. 

Amends GS 90-210.129, regarding cremation procedures. Modifies subsection (c1) to now prohibits a crematory licensee from cremating a dead human body of which the death occurred outside the State without first obtaining a copy of the burial-transit or disposal permit issued under the law of the state, province, or foreign government in which death or disinterment occurred (previously required the burial-transit permit to be issued by the jurisdiction where the death occurred and  also required another document meeting specified requirements; also did not include the option to cremate upon obtaining a disposal permit issued under the law of the government in which disinterment occurred). Specifies that subsection (c1) does not waive the requirements of subsection (b), which requires receipt of a cremation authorization form signed by the medical examiner prior to cremation if so required under GS 130A-388 or rules adopted thereunder.

Amends GS 210-129(d), to specify that the funeral director, funeral service licensee, or the crematory licensee (previously funeral service licensee not included) informed by an authorizing agent on the cremation authorization form of the presence of a pacemaker, defibrillator, or other potentially hazardous implant or condition in the human remains is responsible for ensuring that all necessary steps have been taken to remove the implant or correct the hazardous condition before delivering the human remains to the crematory. Clarifies that the responsibility lies with the licensee applicable or responsible for obtaining the information required to complete the decedent's death certificate. Requires anyone removing a hazardous implanted device or material to comply with the laws and rules governing the handling of such material and with any other regulations enforced by the proper regulating authority.

Amends GS 90-210.136(g), concerning hydrolyzing human remains, to require potentially hazardous implanted devices or materials in human remains other than a pacemaker or defibrillator to be handled in accordance with GS 90-210.129(d), as amended.

Makes conforming and clarifying additions to GS 130A-113 (Permits for burial-transit, authorization for cremation and disinterment-reinterment).

Amends GS 130A-385 to require the medical examiner to sign the death certificate within five days of receiving paperwork from a funeral home if a physician has not signed the death certificate. Permits the medical examiner to list the cause of death as undetermined if the decedent had not seen a physician within three month preceding death. Permits such a certificate listing the cause of death as undetermined to be used for the purpose of cremation.

Applies to cremations and licenses granted on or after October 1, 2019.

Intro. by Boles, Alexander, Hunter, Jones.GS 90, GS 130A
H 555 (2019-2020) MEDICAID TRANSFORMATION IMPLEMENTATION. (NEW) Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MEDICAID TRANSFORMATION AND TO MAKE OTHER MEDICAID TRANSFORMATION-RELATED CHANGES.

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to make 6 specified changes to the Medicaid and NC Health Choice Clinical Coverage Policy No. 1H, Telemedicine and Telepsychiatry, regarding reimbursement, referrals, delivery of services by phone or video cell phone, same-date billing, best practices, and inclusion in the coverage policy of certain behavioral health providers. Directs DHHS to expand the billing code set available for telemedicine and telepsychiatry to include most outpatient billing codes, but not to include group-type therapies other than family therapy.  Changes become effective after the completion of the process for amending policy that is required under GS 108A-54.2 (procedures for changing medical policy in public assistance programs).

Requires DHHS to submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services any waivers or amendments to the NC Medicaid State Plan necessary to implement this act.  

Intro. by Dobson, White, Saine, Lambeth.UNCODIFIED
H 558 (2019-2020) AMEND STALKING OFFENSE. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO AMEND THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF STALKING.

Amends GS 14-277.3A(b)(1) (definition of course of conduct in stalking statute) to apply only to direct communications to a person by removing phrase "or about" a person from the definition.  Effective December 1, 2019, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Intro. by Zachary, Davis.GS 14
H 560 (2019-2020) BAN PFAS IN FIRE RETARDANT FOAM. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO BAN THE MANUFACTURE, SALE, OR USE OF CERTAIN FIRE RETARDANT FOAM CONTAINING PFAS.

Includes whereas clauses.

Purpose.  Amends GS Chapter 143, Article 21A (Oil Pollution and Hazardous Substances Control) to add new Part 8 to reduce use of certain toxic chemicals in firefighting activities.  The new Part provides definitions, restrictions, and civil penalties aimed at controlling the use of Class B firefighting foam that contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals.  This act also mandates transition provisions regarding notice, recall, and reimbursement by the manufacturer of that type of foam within certain time limits, with violators being subject to civil penalties.  The new sections of Part 8 are as follows.

New provisions.  Enacts new GS 143-215.104LL defining, among other terms, Class B firefighting foam as any foam designed for flammable liquid fire, and PFAS chemicals as a class of certain compounds that are used in firefighting.

Enacts new GS 143-215.104MM to prohibit the use of Class B firefighting foam that contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals for training purposes. 

Enacts new GS 143-215.104NN, effective July 1, 2022, prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, or sale of the same kind of foam, except as required by federal law.  Provides that if federal regulations change to allow alternative firefighting agents that do not use PFAS chemicals, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) may adopt rules restricting PFAS chemicals.  Exempts from the restrictions foam for use at a terminal (motor fuel storage and distribution facility) or a chemical plant.

Enacts new GS 143-215.104OO requiring notice by a manufacturer or seller of firefighting personal protective equipment to purchasers that the equipment contains PFAS chemicals; the notice must state the reason why the chemicals are added to the equipment.  Mandates that notices be kept by the manufacturer or seller for three years, and copies must be furnished upon request to DEQ within 60 days.

Enacts new GS 143-215.104PP authorizing DEQ to request a certificate of compliance from a manufacturer of Class B firefighting foam or firefighting protective equipment which attests to compliance with Part 8.  Requires DEQ to assist other agencies and local governments in avoiding purchasing or using the restricted foam.

Enacts new GS 143-215.104QQ creating civil penalties and procedures for notice, contested cases, and requests for remission of penalties.  Penalties span up to $25,000 depending on the type of violation, and if multiple occurrences are involved, may not exceed $200,000 in any month.  The amount of the penalty will be set using factors contained in GS 143B-282.1(b).  Authorizes DEQ to request the Attorney General to pursue a civil action against violators who fail to pay the civil penalty within 30 days after notice of assessment.  Limits civil actions to within three years of the date the final agency decision or court order was served on the violator.

Transition provisions. Mandates that a manufacturer of the restricted foam provide written notice to sellers of its foam about the new provisions no later than July 1, 2021, and recall the product and reimburse the retailer or any other purchaser for the product.  Violators will be subject to civil penalties.  

Effective dates. Aside from GS 143-215.104NN, the other newly enacted provisions of Part 8 become effective July 1, 2020.  The remainder of the act becomes effective when it becomes law.

Intro. by Harrison, Faircloth, Hardister, McGrady.GS 143
H 561 (2019-2020) STRENGTHEN DANGEROUS DOG LAWS. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS FOR VICTIMS OF DANGEROUS DOGS.

Amends GS 67-4.1 to require any person or animal control board making a determination that a dog is a potentially dangerous dog under the statute to impound the dog in addition to notifying the owner as previously specified. Now provides that if a potentially dangerous dog determination is upheld or the owner of the dog does not appeal the determination, the dog can be returned to the owner only upon the owner paying the costs of impoundment and the person or board that made the determination finding that the owner's confinement of the animal meets the requirements of GS 67-4.2(a)(1) (which allows the owner to leave a dangerous dog unattended on the owner's real property if the dog is confined indoors, in a securely enclosed and locked pen, or in another structure designed to restrain the dog).

Amends GS 67-4.3, making the owner of a dangerous dog that attacks and kills a dog under immediate control of a person guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Defines under the immediate control of a person to mean on a leash or held in the arms of the person. 

Applies to acts occurring on or after October 1, 2019.

Intro. by Torbett.GS 67
H 562 (2019-2020) HEALTH CARE REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS/AOBS. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO REQUIRE PAYMENTS BE MADE DIRECTLY TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS UNDER REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS AND TO MAKE OTHER STATUTORY CHANGES RELATED TO THOSE CONTRACTS AND TO ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS AGREEMENTS.

Enacts GS 58-3-226 to mandate that a reimbursement contract between a health care provider and an insurer or a third-party payor require that reimbursement be made directly to the health care provider for any covered service required by the health care provider under the contract.

Requires an insurer or third-party payor to accept and honor a completed and validly executed assignment of benefits agreement that assigned the insured's reimbursement benefits to a health care provider. Applies only if there is no reimbursement contract between a health care provider and an insurer or a third-party payor.

Establishes that the prompt claims payment provisions of GS 58-3-225 apply to payments made under reimbursement contracts or through an assignment of benefits agreement.

Defines health benefit plan, health care provider, and insured. Specifies that health benefit plan applies to limited-scope dental and vision insurance.

Applies to reimbursement contracts and assignment of benefit agreements entered into or amended on or after July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Torbett.
H 563 (2019-2020) 30 MIN. DUTY-FREE LUNCH FOR TEACHERS. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM OF THIRTY MINUTES OF DUTY-FREE LUNCH TIME FOR TEACHERS TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE.

Amends GS 115C-301.1 to require that all full-time assigned classroom teachers employed by public schools or schools receiving State funds be provided with at least 30 minutes of duty-free lunch time on a daily basis during regular student contact hours. 

Amends GS 115C-105.27 to require the school improvement plan developed by the school improvement team to include a plan to provide a minimum of 30 minutes for a duty-free lunch period on a daily basis for every teacher under GS 115C-301.1, as amended (previously required the plan to include a duty-free lunch period for every teacher on a daily basis or otherwise approved by the school improvement team). Makes technical changes.

Applies beginning with the 2019-20 school year.

Intro. by Torbett.GS 115C
H 564 (2019-2020) CREATE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON HOMELESSNESS. Filed Apr 2 2019, A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CREATE A NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SELECT COMMITTEE ON HOMELESSNESS.

Includes whereas clauses.

Creates the House Select Committee on Homelessness (committee) to examine homelessness and make recommendations to reduce homelessness in the State. Provides for the Speaker to appoint 21 members to the committee, and the chair. Provides for vacancies, quorum, and meetings. Directs the committee to specifically study different methods to address rural and urban homelessness, the impact of homelessness in rural and urban areas, direct causes of homelessness, and any other matters the committee deems relevant. Authorizes the committee to consult with public schools, local governments, community colleges, and constituent institutions on useful processes, procedures, data, and resources. Further authorizes the committee to gather information from experts in specified fields, or others deemed appropriate by the chair. Provides for committee powers as set out in GS 120-19 (which requires all officers, agents, agencies, and departments to furnish data and information to legislative committees or commissions) and Article 5A (Committee Activity) of GS Chapter 120. Provides for member expenses and committee staff. Requires the committee to make a preliminary report to the NCGA by May 1, 2020, and a final report, including any proposed legislation, by December 1, 2020.

Intro. by Torbett.HOUSE RES, STUDY
H 565 (2019-2020) WASHINGTON CENTER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM/FUNDS. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NORTH CAROLINA STUDENTS ENROLLED IN CONSTITUENT INSTITUTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AT THE WASHINGTON CENTER FOR INTERNSHIPS AND ACADEMIC SEMINARS.

Directs the State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) to administer a scholarship program for the award of grants to resident students enrolled in their second year or higher in a constituent institution of the UNC System in order to attend a semester or summer term internship program at the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (Washington Center). Requires the grants to be administered pursuant to guidelines and procedures established by the SEAA consistent with those for administering State-funded financial aid, and details procedures which must be included. Allows any student who meets the eligibility criteria of the Washington Center to apply for a grant to cover the costs related to the internship program, up to $7,000. Requires grants to be awarded in the order in which applications are received. 

Requires reduction of grants, as provided, if the student receives a scholarship or other grant covering the cost of attendance of the program, as determined by the SEAA.

Details requirements of the internship at the Washington Center, including interning four days a week with a nonprofit corporation, private company, federal agency, or member of Congress; taking a class taught by the Washington Center's faculty; and being responsible for a final portfolio project outlining work completed. Allows students from all majors to participate.

Appropriates $500,000 for each of the 2019-20 and 2020-21 fiscal years from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of the UNC System to be allocated to the SEAA for the award of scholarships under the act. Authorizes the SEAA to use up to 1% of the appropriated funds each fiscal year for administrative costs.

Directs the SEAA, in consultation with the Washington Center, to report to the specified NCGA committee and committee chairs on the implementation of the scholarship program by March 1, 2021.

Effective July 1, 2019, and applies beginning with the award of scholarship grants for the 2020 spring academic semester. 

Intro. by K. Hall, Saine, Hardister, D. Hall.APPROP
H 567 (2019-2020) COAL ASH/PROHIBIT COST RCVR./PROPER DISPOSAL. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO (I) PROHIBIT AN ELECTRIC PUBLIC UTILITY FROM RECOVERING FROM RATEPAYERS ANY COSTS RELATED TO THE MANAGEMENT OF COAL COMBUSTION RESIDUALS AND UNLAWFUL DISCHARGES FROM COAL COMBUSTION RESIDUALS SURFACE IMPOUNDMENTS AND (II) REQUIRE EXCAVATION OF ALL COAL ASH PONDS AND DISPOSAL OF THE COAL ASH IN LINED LANDFILLS.

Renames GS 62-133.13 as Recovery of costs related to the management of coal combustion residuals and unlawful discharges from coal combustion residuals surface impoundments to the surface waters of the State. Deletes existing provisions and now provides that the NC Utilities Commission cannot allow an electric public utility to recover from the retail electric customers of the State: (1) costs incurred on or after January 1, 2014, related to the management of coal combustion residuals disposed of in coal combustion residuals surface impoundments, including costs associated with complying with the provisions of Part 2I of Article 9 of GS Chapter 130A (Coal Ash Management) or (2) costs incurred on or after January 1, 2014, related to an unlawful discharge to the surface waters of the State from a coal combustion residuals surface impoundment, unless the Commission determines the discharge was due to an event of force majeure. Defines coal combustion residuals surface impoundment as defined in GS 130A-309.201. Defines costs related to unlawful discharges to the surface waters of the State to include any corrective actions required of the electric public utility under State or federal law. 

Repeals GS 130A-309.214, which sets out requirements for the closure of coal combustion residuals surface impoundments. 

Enacts GS 130A-309.214A, providing for the method and schedule of closure of coal combustion residuals surface impoundments.

Requires all coal combustion residuals impoundments to be dewatered, and requires the owner of the impoundment to (1) remove all coal combustion residuals from the impoundment, (2) return the former impoundment to a nonerosive and stable condition, and (3) dispose the coal combustion residuals in a municipal solid waste landfill located on the same property as the impoundment. Requires municipal solid waste landfills that receive coal combustion residuals to comply with the siting and design requirements for disposal sites established by 15A NCAC 13B .0503, except that in lieu of the liner requirement, the landfill must include a bottom liner system consisting of three components as described. Requires the landfill to otherwise comply with the construction, closure, and post-closure requirements established in 15A NCAC 13B .1600, and be subject to all applicable requirements of GS Chapter 130A and all other applicable rules adopted thereunder.

Sets out the schedule of closure for impoundments classified pursuant to GS 130A-309.204 (the Department of Environmental Quality's quarterly reports to the Environmental Review Commission), providing: (1) high-risk impoundments must be closed as soon as practicable but no later than August 1, 2019; (2) intermediate-risk impoundments must be closed as soon as practicable but no later than August 1, 2024; and (3) low-risk impoundments must be closed as soon as practicable but no later than August 1, 2029.

Intro. by Harrison, Clark, Reives, Queen.GS 62, GS 130A
H 568 (2019-2020) ADD'L MEASURES FOR EMERGING CONTAMINANTS. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO ESTABLISH ENHANCED REQUIREMENTS FOR DISCHARGERS OF POLLUTANTS TO THE STATE'S AIR AND WATER, TO PROVIDE INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, AND TO MAKE OTHER STATUTORY CHANGES NECESSARY TO ADDRESS CONTAMINATION OF DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES IN THE STATE IN ORDER TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH.

Section 1

Amends GS 143-213(9) to restore the term "emission" to the definitions of discharge or discharge of waste as defined in this section for use in Articles 21, 21A, and 21B of GS Chapter 143. Previously the law explicitly stated that terms would not be interpreted to include the term "emission."

Section 2

Repeals GS 150B-19.3, which prohibits any agency authorized to implement State and federal environmental laws from adopting rules for protection of the environment that impose a more restrictive standard, limitation, or requirement than those imposed by a federal law or rule, unless adoption of the rule is required under any of five exceptions.   

Makes conforming changes to GS 130A-309.207 (rule making for Environmental Management Commission).

Makes conforming changes to GS 130A-309.226 (amendment to rule regarding use of coal combustion products for structural fill).

Section 3

Amends GS 143-215.1, adding new subsection (a8), forbidding the discharge of toxic waste into the waters of North Carolina in any manner, when the United States Environmental Protection Agency or State has not established a health advisory standard, health goal, or effluent standard or limitation for that toxic waste. Requires that if a toxic waste does have a health advisory standard, health goal, or effluent standard or limitation, or is the subject of a consent order entered into by the Environmental Protection Agency, a permittee must comply with whichever health goal, health standard, or effluent standard or limitation is more stringent. This provision does not apply to municipal wastewater treatment facilities. Adds new (b)(6), allowing the Commission to suspend a permit immediately upon discovery that a permittee has caused or allowed any pollutant to be discharged into the waters of the State, when that pollutant is not authorized by the permit, or disclosed in the application for such permit. This provision does not apply to wastewater treatment facilities. Adds new subsection (l) requiring that every person applying for an individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit fully disclose in the application each pollutant in the person’s discharge that is at or above the practical quantitation limit for the pollutant, including emerging chemicals without applicable discharge standards established under State or federal law. The pollutant’s concentration to be discharged and chemical abstracts service number or details sufficient to adequately inform the Department of Environmental Quality (Department) of the pollutant’s characteristics must be disclosed.

Section 4

Amends GS 143-215.3(a) to add new subsection (12a), directing that if the Secretary finds that a permittee has caused or allowed any pollutant not authorized by permit to be discharged or intermixed with the waters of the State, or discharged a pollutant in exceedance of the limits in the permit, the Secretary must order the permittee to provide and maintain water filtration or treatment processes adequate to remove the pollutant for each local government located downstream from the point of discharge whose drinking water supplies would be impacted by the pollutant for as long as the pollutant persists in the environment. Permittees who have polluted in this manner will be financially responsible for the removal of the pollutant from drinking water supplies impacted by the pollutant.

Section 5

Appropriates $6,055,552 in recurring funds to the Department from the General Fund to be used for 37 full-time equivalent positions, including the specified number of environmental scientists, engineers, hydro-geologists, business analysts, administrative staff, chemists, economists, and statisticians.

Appropriates $336,441 in nonrecurring funds for the 2019-20 fiscal year to the Department from the General Fund to be used to acquire a mobile lab to help respond to hurricanes and algal blooms to expedite restoration of drinking water systems.

Section 6

The provisions of GS 143C-5-2 (order of appropriations bills) do not apply to this act.

Section 7

Includes a severability clause. 

Intro. by Butler, Harrison, Autry, Richardson.APPROP, GS 130A, GS 143, GS 150B
H 571 (2019-2020) CHANGES TO ADVANCED TEACHING ROLES PROGRAM. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO MAKE PERMANENT AND MODIFY TEACHER COMPENSATION MODELS AND ADVANCED TEACHING ROLES.

Effective June 30, 2020, repeals the following laws related to the pilot program established to develop advanced teaching roles and organizational models that link teacher performance and professional growth to salary increases in selected local school administrative units for classroom teachers: Section 8.7 of SL 2016-94; Section 7.11(a) of SL 2017-57; Section 7.15(b) of SL 2017-57; and Section 7.9 of SL 2018-5.

Instead enacts GS 115C-311 with substantively similar provisions to the laws repealed. Directs the State Board of Education (State Board) to develop advanced teaching roles and organizational models that link teacher performance and professional growth to salary increases for classroom teachers in selected local school administrative units. Defines classroom teacher as a teacher who works in the classroom providing instruction at least 70% of the instructional day and who is not instructional support personnel. Details four purposes of the program, borrowing the identical language of Section 8.7 of SL 2016-94, as repealed. Requires the State Board, by September 15, 2019, and annually thereafter, to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for the program, and requires local boards to submit their proposals by October 15. Details information the RFP must require of proposals, borrowing much of the substantive requirements from Section 8.7 of SL 2016-94, as repealed, including descriptions of the program structure, descriptions of the advanced teaching roles and minimum qualifications, specified job responsibilities, notification requirements for local administrative units to inform employees and the public, the process for voluntary relinquishment of an advanced teaching role, salary supplement information, the implementation plan, plans for long-term financial sustainability, and a description of possible partnerships with local programs and institutions.

Requires the State Board to review the proposals and select local school units to participate in the program by December 15, 2019, and annually thereafter. Details criteria for the State Board's review and selection, to include the prioritization of available funds to a specified number of units with an average daily membership (ADM) from the previous year of 4,000 or fewer students; 4,001 and 20,000 students; and more than 20,001 students. Requires approval of a proposal of any unit which is participating in an approved advanced teaching roles program pursuant to Section 8.7 of SL 2016-84 in the 2019-20 school year and whose application is not inconsistent with the statute. Requires all selected units to meet minimum criteria established by the State Board consistent with the statute. Designates selected units as Advanced Teaching Roles units, and grants class size flexibility pursuant to subsection (i) of the statute to such units. Allows selected units to exceed the maximum class size requirements for grades K-3 subject to approval of the State Board.

Authorizes material revisions to a plan submitted by an Advanced Teaching Roles unit to the State Board only upon approval of the State Board.

Requires initially selected units to implement their approved plans beginning with the 2020-21 school year. Requires the State Board to review the unit for compliance every five years after the unit begins implementation. Grants the State Board authority to renew or terminate the plan and the unit's designation after its review and in its discretion. Requires the unit to provide any information or access requested by the State Board or a State Board-selected independent research organization throughout the program.

Provides funds awarded to units are subject to availability and awarded for a term of up to three years at the discretion of the State Board. Limits eligibility to receipt of funding to one term. Details the restricted use of the funds, including use for the development of advanced teaching role plans, the development of specified professional development courses for teachers, transition costs associated with designing and implementing advanced teaching role models, and the development of the design and implementation of specified compensation plans.

Provides for the State Board to evaluate the program against six specified goals, at a minimum, through a contracted independent research organization during the first two years of the program and report on October 15, 2020, and October 15, 2021. Thereafter, requires the State Board to complete the program evaluation and provide the report annually, beginning October 15, 2022. Specifies NCGA offices and committees to which the State Board must provide the reports. 

Allows the State Board to authorize local boards participating in the program to use any available State funds to provide salary supplements to classroom teachers in an advanced teaching role so long as the unit complies with specified policies.

Appropriates $1.5 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2019-20 fiscal year to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to be allocated to local units to (1) support teacher compensation models and advanced teaching roles pursuant to Section 8.7 of SL 2016-94, as amended and repealed and (2) develop implementation plans for teacher compensation models and advanced teaching roles pursuant to GS 115C-311, as enacted. Specifies that the funds do not revert at the end of the fiscal year and remain available until expended.

Appropriates $3 million in recurring funds from the General Fund for the 2020-21 fiscal year to DPI to be allocated to local units to support teacher compensation models and advanced teaching roles, and to develop implementation plans for teacher compensation models and advanced teaching roles, pursuant to GS 115C-311, as enacted. Provides that, beginning in the 2020-21 fiscal year, funds appropriated to DPI for the program and for the evaluation of the program do not revert at the end of the fiscal year and remain available until expended.

Beginning in the 2019-2020 fiscal year, of the funds appropriated to DPI by the act, authorizes DPI to use up to 4% each fiscal year to evaluate the program, contract with an independent research organization to evaluate the program, or continue any preexisting contract with an independent research organization formed pursuant to Section 8.7 of SL 2016-94, as repealed. Provides that any remaining funds may be awarded to selected local units in accordance with the act to support teacher compensation models and advanced teaching roles and to develop associated implementation plans.

Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Horn, Clemmons.APPROP, GS 115C
H 572 (2019-2020) REQ PROP. DISPOSAL/CERTAIN COAL ASH IMPDMTS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO REQUIRE CERTAIN LARGE COAL ASH IMPOUNDMENTS TO BE MANAGED AS HIGH-RISK IMPOUNDMENTS AND EXCAVATED.

Amends GS 130A-309.213 regarding the prioritization of coal combustion residuals surface impoundments. Requires the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to classify any coal combustion residuals surface impoundments located at a single site which contain more than 20 million tons of residual combustion residuals as high-risk. Mandates that DEQ require closure of so classified impoundments pursuant to GS 130A-309.214(a)(1) as soon as practicable, but no later than December 31, 2029 (GS 130A-309.214(a)(1) provides for the closure of high-risk impoundments no later than December 31, 2019).

Intro. by Setzer.GS 130A
H 573 (2019-2020) GIVE WC FOR PTSD IN FIRST RESPONDERS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT PROVIDING THAT FIRST RESPONDERS ARE ENTITLED TO BENEFITS UNDER THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT FOR MENTAL OR NERVOUS INJURIES WHETHER OR NOT THE INJURIES ARE ACCOMPANIED BY PHYSICAL INJURIES UNDER SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES.

Adds to the enumerated occupational diseases covered under the Workers' Compensation Act set forth in GS 97-53 and provides specific rules applicable to first responders. Defines first responder to mean a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or an emergency medical technician or paramedic employed by State or local government, or a volunteer firefighter meeting the requirement of GS 58-84-5(3) (concerning local firefighters' relief funds). Establishes that posttraumatic stress disorder (disorder), as specified, suffered by a first reponder without other injury is a compensable occupational disease that arises out of employment as a first responder and is due to causes and conditions characteristic to a particular trade, occupation, process, or employment. Requires (1) the disorder have resulted from the first responder acting within the course of his or her employment and (2) the first responder to be examined and subsequently diagnosed with the disorder by a licensed psychiatrist who is an authorized treating physician and finds the disorder is due to one or more of enumerated traumatic events, such as seeing a deceased minor or directly witnessing the death of a minor. Requires the disorder to be demonstrated by clear and convincing medical evidence. Establishes that the time for notice of injury or death in cases of the disorder is measured from the later of one of the qualifying traumatic events listed or the manifestation of the disorder. Requires claims under this new provision to be properly noticed within 52 weeks after the qualifying event. Requires that an employing agency of a first responder to provide educational training related to mental health awareness, prevention, mitigation, and treatment. Defines directly witnessing, as the term is used in the enumerated qualifying events. Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Shepard, Torbett, Saine.GS 97
H 574 (2019-2020) FIX OUR DEMOCRACY. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT AMENDING THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION TO ESTABLISH THE CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION; REENACTING LEGISLATION THAT ESTABLISHED A NONPARTISAN METHOD OF ELECTING SUPREME COURT JUSTICES AND COURT OF APPEALS JUDGES BEGINNING 2020; EXTENDING THE WAITING PERIOD FOR FORMER LEGISLATORS WHO BECOME LOBBYISTS; MODERNIZING THE VOTER REGISTRATION PROCESS BY ESTABLISHING THE FAIR ELECTIONS PROGRAM; INCREASING TRANSPARENCY IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS BY REQUIRING FORTY-EIGHT HOURS NOTICE OF MEETINGS OF ALL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES; AND DIRECTING THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICES OFFICER TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO PROVIDE LIVE VIDEO AND AUDIO STREAMING OF ALL MEETINGS OF LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS MEETING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COMPLEX.

To be summarized.

Intro. by Clemmons, Autry, Dahle, Graham.
H 575 (2019-2020) ESTABLISH BIRTH CENTER LICENSURE ACT. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT ESTABLISHING A LICENSURE PROCESS AND ANNUAL LICENSE FEES FOR BIRTH CENTERS.

Enacts new Part 4A to Article 6 of GS Chapter 131E, titled the Birth Center Licensure Act (Act).

Sets out the purpose of the Act and defines terms. Prohibits the establishment or operation of a birth center in the state without first obtaining a license from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) pursuant to new Part 4A. Defines birth center as a facility licensed for the primary purpose of performing normal, uncomplicated deliveries that is not a hospital, and where births are planned to occur away from the mother's usual residence following a low-risk pregnancy, as that term is defined. Requires DHHS to provide applications for licensure and details the information required to be included in applications. Directs DHHS to issue a license upon the recommendation of the NC Birth Center Commission (Commission) if it finds the applicant is in compliance with the provisions of Part 4A and any rules adopted by the Commission. Provides that the license is valid for one year and is required to designate the number of beds and the number of rooms on the licensed premises. Establishes a $100 nonrefundable annual license fee to be credited to DHHS as a departmental receipt and applied to offset costs for licensing and inspecting birth centers. Provides for license renewal by DHHS pursuant to rules adopted by the Commission. Establishes that a license is not transferable or assignable except with written approval of DHHS. Requires operators to post the license on the licensed premises in an area accessible to the public. 

Authorizes the denial, suspension, or revocation of a license for substantial failure to comply with the provisions of Part 4A or rules adopted by the Commission. Provides five factors the DHHS Secretary must consider in determining whether to suspend admissions or services when the birth center's conditions are dangerous to the health or safety of the patients, including whether all other reasonable means of correcting the problem have been exhausted and no less restrictive alternative to suspension of admissions or services exists. Provides for a birth center to contest any adverse action on its license in accordance with GS Chapter 150B (APA).

Prohibits a licensed birth center from representing or providing services outside of the scope the license. Sets the following limitations on services at a licensed birth center: (1) surgical procedures must be limited to those normally accomplished during an uncomplicated birth, (2) no abortions can be performed, (3) no general or conduction anesthesia can be performed, and (4) no vaginal birth after cesarean or trial of labor after cesarean can be performed.

Requires DHHS to review and, as necessary, revise the Freestanding Birth Center Fee Schedule every three years to ensure that the fees are sufficient to cover the costs of services and that the cost for any State-mandated newborn screening is reimbursed at least at cost. 

Directs DHHS to inspect birth centers as it deems necessary to investigate unexpected occurrences involving death or serious physical injury and reportable adverse outcomes identified in the rules adopted by the Commission. Requires all licensed birth centers be subject to DHHS inspections at all times. Provides for access to licensed premises by authorized DHHS representatives. Makes it unlawful for any person to resist proper entry by authorized DHHS representatives upon premises other than a private dwelling. Prohibits those representatives from endangering the health or well-being of any patient being treated in the birth center by his or her entry onto the premises. Grants DHHS the authority to investigate birth centers in the same manner as it investigates hospitals under GS 131E-80(d). Permits public disclosure of information received by the Commission or DHHS through filed reports, license applications, or inspection required or authorized by new Part 4 except where disclosure would violate applicable laws concerning patient records and confidentiality. Prohibits disclosure from identifying the patient involved without permission of the patient or court order.

Creates the seven-member NC Birth Center Commission of DHHS. Specifies the powers and duties of the Commission, including adopting rules establishing standards for licensure, operation, and regulation of birth centers in the State. Details the Commission membership. Provides parameters for vacancies, removal, and member expenses, as well as Commission quorum and the provision of clerical services.

Requires the Commission to adopt rules establishing seven licensure requirements, including: (1) a requirement that the birth center obtain and maintain accreditation with the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC), and including several documentation and reporting requirements; (2) a requirement that the birth center establish procedures specifying the criteria by which each person's risk status will be evaluated at admission and during labor, pursuant to CABC standards; and (3) a requirement that the birth center develop and submit a plan for complying with the standards of CABC with respect to transfer of care procedures. Requires DHHS to enforce the provisions of new Part 4 and any rules adopted by the Commission.

Directs DHHS to, by October 1, 2019, review, and as necessary, revise, its current Freestanding Birth Center Fee Schedule to ensure that the fees are sufficient to cover the costs of services and that the cost for any State-mandated newborn screening is reimbursed at least at cost. 

Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Murphy, Lambeth, Dobson, White.GS 131E
H 576 (2019-2020) COUNTY EUGENICS COMPENSATION. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT ALLOWING COUNTIES TO COMPENSATE PERSONS ASEXUALIZED OR STERILIZED UNDER COUNTY AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSES OF EUGENICS.

Enacts new GS 153A-248.1 allowing a county to adopt an ordinance to provide for the compensation of qualified recipients asexualized or sterilized under the county's authority. Requires that such an ordinance include provisions to give a qualified recipient due process of law and prescribe how claims will be handled; allows such an ordinance to include provisions allowing the estate of a deceased qualified recipient to be compensated if the claim was made while the qualified recipient was living, but the claim was verified and compensation was awarded after death. Allows a county to appropriate funds for compensation if the funds are not otherwise limited as to use. Makes records of inquiries of eligibility, claims, and payments confidential and not public records. Payments are not considered income or assets for purposes of determining eligibility for, or the amount of, public assistance benefits.

Limits the county's liability to compensation authorized by the act and specifies that nothing in the act revives or extends any statute of limitations. Specifies that an agreement for the acceptance of attorneys' fees from a compensation award from the county is null and void unless counsel has received an opinion from the State Bar that the fee arrangement is reasonable.

Applies only to counties with a population greater than 500,000. 

Intro. by Quick, Hardister, Harrison, Lambeth.GS 153A
H 577 (2019-2020) LIMIT OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN ANIMALS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION, IMPORT, PURCHASE, OR SALE OF BIG CATS, BEARS, HYENAS, AND GREAT APES IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS AND TO STUDY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITIES EXEMPT FROM THE PROHIBITION

Enacts Article 7, Big Cats, Bears, Hyenas and Great Apes, to GS Chapter 19A. Sets out definitions for animal control authority; circus; big cat, bear, hyena, or great ape; law enforcement officer; person; and wildlife sanctuary. Prohibits any person from importing into, possessing, keeping, purchasing, having custody or control of, breeding, or selling within the State, by any means, a big cat, bear, hyena, or great ape. Specifies that the prohibition includes Internet transactions. Provides for ten exemptions, including circuses and wildlife sanctuaries. Excludes persons who lawfully possessed a big cat, bear, hyena, or great ape prior to June 1, 2019, so long as the person complies with ten detailed requirements and restrictions, including maintaining specified records and annually registering with local animal control authority with the initial registration by September 1, 2019. Makes ineligible for the prior possession exclusion any person convicted of an offense involving the abuse or neglect of any animal. Requires any person transporting a big cat, bear, hyena, or great ape to keep the animal at all times in a species-appropriate cage or travel container and comply with federal transport requirements. Prohibits any person from knowingly releasing a big cat, bear, or great ape into the wild.

Provides for enforcement of the Article by any State law enforcement officer or any other law enforcement officer with jurisdiction, or any animal control authority with jurisdiction. Specifies that the Article does not prohibit a city or county from adopting or enforcing any ordinance or other law that placed more restrictive restrictions or additional requirements on the possession, sale, transfer, or breeding of big cats, bears, hyena, or great apes. Authorizes and provides for the seizure or impounding of animals that are possessed, sold, transferred, bred, or exhibited in violation of the Article upon obtaining a warrant from any judge or magistrate upon probable cause. Provides for temporary holding for animals that pose a direct threat to public safety or are suffering from apparent neglect or cruelty in the custody and control of certain institutions (a wildlife sanctuary, duly incorporated nonprofit animal protection organization, veterinary hospital/clinic/practice, or institutions credited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International; all exempted from the Article), or otherwise holding the animal in place. Sets procedures for a hearing within 14 days from the date of the seizure or impoundment, with five-days' written notice of the hearing. Deems the seized or impounded animal forfeited upon judicial determination of a violation of the Article, with the court ordering the violator to pay all reasonable expenses incurred in caring and providing for the animal from the time it was seized until forfeiture, to a wildlife sanctuary, duly incorporated nonprofit animal protection organization, veterinary hospital/clinic/practice, or institutions credited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International. Provides for the transfer of a forfeited animal to an institution (a wildlife sanctuary, duly incorporated nonprofit animal protection organization, veterinary hospital/clinic/practice, or institutions credited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International) willing and able to take custody.

Specifies that the Article does not prevent law enforcement from humanely euthanizing an animal if no institution is willing and able to provide long-term care for the animal. Specifies that the Article does not prevent voluntary, permanent relinquishment of an animal by its owner to a person legally able to possess the animal and willing and able to take possession. Clarifies that voluntary relinquishment does not affect criminal charges for violations of the Article. Authorizes law enforcement officers to humanely destroy any big cat, bear, hyena, or great ape found to not properly be confined, whether on the property of the owner or running at large, in order to protect public safety. Makes owners liable for costs incurred by law enforcement in humanely destroying or otherwise securing an animal found not properly confined.

Makes each violation of the Article a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $5,000. Provides that each animal possessed, sold, transferred, or bred in violation of the Article is a separate offense. Makes any big cat, bear, hyena, or great ape owner or custodian whose act or omission in care, control, or containment of that animal results in the animal running loose or causing property damage a Class A1 misdemeanor, with a resulting serious bodily injury to any member of the public, making the owner of the animal strictly liable for a Class I felony. Specifies that member of the public does not include employees, supervised interns or volunteers, or students at public or private colleges or universities engaged in academic coursework or research. Authorizes any person who lives in a county where a big cat, bear, hyena or great ape is kept to bring a civil action against the animal's owner or custodian to enjoin any violation of the Article.

Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2019.

Intro. by R. Turner, Fraley, Faircloth.GS 19A
H 578 (2019-2020) MODIFY LEGITIMATIONS PROVISIONS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO REMOVE THE STATUTORY LANGUAGE IN REGARDS TO LEGITIMATION THAT IS IN CONFLICT WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS DECISION IN JONES V. MCDOWELL (1981).

Amends multiple statutes regarding legitimation of children to conform to holding in North Carolina Court of Appeals decision Jones v. McDowell (1981).  

Amends GS 49-12.1 (legitimation when mother married) to require a clerk of superior court to determine that changing a child's surname is in the child's best interests before allowing the change.

Amends GS 49-13 (new birth certificate on legitimation) to remove language that after legitimation, the child's surname will be changed to the father's surname.  Requires the child's surname to remain the same unless the parents agree to request that the surname be changed pursuant to GS 130A-118, or if the court orders a change in surname as being in the best interests of the child, depending on which statute controlled the legitimation.

Amends GS 130A-118 (amendment of birth and death certificates) to add GS 49-12.1 to the types of legitimation under which a new birth certification may be issued to reflect a change in surname.

Effective upon becoming law and applies to birth certificates issued on or after that date.

 

Intro. by R. Turner.GS 49, GS 130A
H 579 (2019-2020) LOCAL COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PROGRAMS/FUNDS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH, TO EXPAND LOCAL COMMUNICABLE DISEASE SURVEILLANCE, DETECTION, CONTROL, AND PREVENTION INFRASTRUCTURE AND ACTIVITIES.

Includes whereas clauses.

Appropriates $8 million in recurring funds for 2019-20 and $8 million in recurring funds for 2020-21 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, to be allocated to local health departments to expand local infrastructure for the surveillance, detection, control, and prevention of communicable diseases. Requires the Division to divide $4 million equally among the local health departments for each year of the 2019-21 biennium, with the remaining $4 million allocated to local health departments based on the percentage of the State population served by the departments. Effective July 1, 2019. 

Intro. by White, Lambeth, Dobson, Potts.APPROP
H 580 (2019-2020) INCREASE FOSTER CARE RATES/FUNDS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO INCREASE RATES FOR FOSTER CARE AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Effective July 1, 2020, amends GS 108A-49.1 by increasing the monthly maximum specified rates for (1) State participation in the foster care assistance program and (2) the State adoption assistance program, which are based on the age of the child. The statute is amended again to further increase the rates, effective July 1, 2021.

Appropriates $6,868,758 for 2020-21 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, to implement the foster care and adoption rate increases. Effective July 1, 2019.  

 

Intro. by Grange, White, Potts, Dobson.APPROP, GS 108A
H 581 (2019-2020) FUNDS FOR SCOTLAND CO. LITERACY COUNCIL. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE SCOTLAND COUNTY LITERACY COUNCIL.

Appropriates $50,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to the Scotland County Literacy Council, Inc., to be used for operating expenses. Effective July 1, 2019.

 

Intro. by Pierce.APPROP, Scotland
H 582 (2019-2020) FUNDS FOR HOKE CO. LITERACY COUNCIL. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE HOKE READING/LITERACY COUNCIL.

Appropriates $50,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to Hoke Reading/Literacy Council, Inc., to be used for operating expenses. Effective July 1, 2019.

 

Intro. by Pierce.APPROP, Hoke
H 583 (2019-2020) FUNDS FOR WAGRAM RECREATION CTR. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS THE WAGRAM RECREATION CENTER.

Appropriates $250,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to Scotland County, to be used for an air conditioning and heating system for the Wagram Recreation Center gymnasium. Effective July 1, 2019.

 

Intro. by Pierce.APPROP, Scotland
H 584 (2019-2020) FUNDS FOR PARTNERS IN MINISTRY. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE PARTNERS IN MINISTRY AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM.

Appropriates $250,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to Partners in Ministry, to be used for operating expenses for afterschool programs. Effective July 1, 2019.

 

Intro. by Pierce.Scotland
H 585 (2019-2020) HOKE COURTHOUSE REHABILITATION FUNDS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO REHABILITATE THE HOKE COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

Appropriates $1,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to Hoke County, to be used to rehabilitate the courthouse in Raeford. Effective July 1, 2019.

 

Intro. by Pierce.APPROP, Hoke
H 586 (2019-2020) FUNDS FOR SENIOR TAR HEEL LEGISLATURE. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DIVISION OF AGING AND ADULT SERVICES, FOR THE SENIOR TAR HEEL LEGISLATURE.

Appropriates $12,000 for 2019-20 and $12,000 for 2020-21 in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, to be allocated to the Senior Tar Heel Legislature to conduct its responsibilities under GS 143B-181.55. Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by White, Hurley, Farmer-Butterfield, R. Turner.APPROP
H 587 (2019-2020) REPEAL DEATH PENALTY. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO REPEAL THE DEATH PENALTY AND TO PROVIDE THAT ALL CURRENT PRISONERS SENTENCED TO DEATH SHALL BE RESENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE.

Includes whereas clauses.

Enacts new GS 15A-1340.13A, which provides that no crime shall be punishable by death. Makes conforming changes to criminal laws and procedures in GS Chapters 7A, 14, 15, and 15A by removing all reference to punishment by death. Repeals GS Chapter 15, Subchapter XV, related to capital punishment.

Amends GS Chapter 90 to remove language in the practice acts referencing the role of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists participating in an execution.

Directs the Attorney General to petition courts to vacate every death sentence and resentence the person to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.   

Effective when the act becomes law and applies to any person sentenced to death before, on, or after that date.

Intro. by Meyer, Black, Hawkins.GS 14, GS 15, GS 15A, GS 90
H 588 (2019-2020) 2019 GOVERNOR'S BUDGET. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO MAKE BASE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT OPERATIONS OF STATE DEPARTMENTS, INSTITUTIONS, AND AGENCIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Identical to S 452, filed 4/1/19.

Due to the fact that Governor Cooper's proposed budget was released on March 6, 2019, and has been available to the public in advance of the filing of S 452, we will not be including a summary of the bill version of his budget. For the content of the bill, please follow the link to the bill on the General Assembly's site above. Further information on the Governor's proposed budget can also be found on the Office of State Budget and Management's website at https://www.osbm.nc.gov/budgetbook_2019-21

Intro. by Johnson, Lambeth, Saine, McGrady.APPROP
H 589 (2019-2020) LET NC VOTE ACT. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION AT DRIVERS LICENSE OFFICES, PUBLIC AGENCIES, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYSTEM; REQUIRING THE BIPARTISAN STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND ETHICS ENFORCEMENT TO IMPLEMENT AN OUTREACH CAMPAIGN INFORMING CITIZENS ABOUT AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION; ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS WHO MEET THE CRITERIA TO REGISTER TO VOTE OR CHANGE VOTER REGISTRATION ONLINE; REESTABLISHING SAME DAY REGISTRATION, INCLUDING ON ELECTION DAY; REESTABLISHING THE PROGRAM TO PREREGISTER SIXTEEN AND SEVENTEEN YEAR OLDS; TO MAKE CHANGES TO PHOTOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION TO VOTE IN PERSON; AND TO RESTORE THE LAST SATURDAY OF EARLY ONE-STOP VOTING.

To be summarized.

Intro. by Meyer, Morey, Farmer-Butterfield, John.
H 590 (2019-2020) AMEND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE LAWS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO AMEND VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE LAWS.

Section 1.1 and 1.2

Changes the title of GS 150B-21.5 of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to Circumstances when notice and rule-making hearing not required; circumstances when submission to the Commission not required.

Amends subsection (a) to provide that an agency is not required to publish a notice of text in the North Carolina Register, hold a public hearing, or submit the amended rule to the Rules Review Commission (Commission) for review (previously, did not except submission of the amended rule to the Commission for review) when the agency proposes to amend a rule to do one of the specified purposes in subsection (a). Provides changes to a few of the specified purposes for which notice, a public hearing, and submission to the Commission for review are not required, which include (1) when the rule is amended to change information that is readily available to the public, such as an address, telephone number, or a web site (previously, did not include a web site) and (2) when the rule is amended to correct a typographical error (previously, correct a typographical error in the North Carolina Administrative Code). Further, moves the sixth purpose excepted in subsection (a) to new subsection (a1) to provide that an agency is not required to publish a notice of text in the Register or hold a public hearing when it proposes to change the rule in response to a request or an objection by the Commission, unless the Commission determines that the change is substantial (note, not excepted from rule submission to the Commission in this circumstance).

Creates new subsection (e) to require any agency that adopts or amends a rule under subsection (a) or (c) of GS 150B-21.5 to notify the Codifier of Rules of its actions. Directs the Codifier of Rules to make the appropriate changes to the North Carolina Administrative Code when notified of such agency action.

Changes the title of GS 150B-21.20 of the APA to Codifier’s authority to revise rules.

Amends the Codifier of Rules authority to allow the Codifier, after consulting with the agency that adopted the rule, to revise a rule (previously, revise the form of a rule submitted for inclusion in the North Carolina Administrative Code) to do one or more of the specified objectives. Adds four objectives for which the Codifier may revise a rule: (1) to substitute one name for another when an organization or position is renamed; (2) to correct a citation in the rule to another rule or law when the citation has become inaccurate since the rule was adopted because of the repeal or renumbering of the cited rule or law; (3) to change information readily available to the public, such as an address, a telephone number, or a web site; or (4) to correct a typographical error.

Section 2.1 and 2.2

Divides existing GS 150B-22 (Settlement; contested case) into two subsections. Additionally, clarifies that a party or person aggrieved cannot be required to petition an agency for rule making or to seek or obtain a declaratory ruling before commencing a contested case under GS 150B-23 (provisions for commencement of a contested case). Makes conforming change to GS 150B-43 (Right to judicial review).

Section 3

Makes the following changes to the Administrative Procedure Act concerning the periodic review and expiration of existing rules. Eliminates the distinction between rules that are necessary with substantive public interest or necessary without substantive public interest under the provisions of GS 150B-21.3A. Eliminates those defined terms in subsection (a), and instead defines necessary rule to mean any rule other than an unnecessary rule. Makes conforming changes throughout GS 150B-21.3A to remove any language distinguishing necessary rules with or without substantive public interest. 

Additionally, amends the definition for public comment to include written comments objecting to an agency's determination of the rule as necessary or unnecessary received by an agency from any member of the public. Amends subsection (c) of GS 150B-21.3A, which sets out the review process an agency must conduct of its existing rules at least once every 10 years. Step 1 now requires the agency to evaluate all of its existing rules and submit a report to the Rules Review Commission that includes the agency’s initial determination of whether an existing rule is necessary or unnecessary, all public comments the agency received during the comment period to the agency’s initial determination, and the agency’s response to the public comment. Step 2 of the rule review process requires the Rule Review Commission (Commission) to review the agency reports required in Step 1. In its review, the Commission must determine whether a public comment to a rule that the agency determined to be unnecessary in Step 1 has merit, and if the Commission determines that the public comment has merit, then the Commission must designate the rule as necessary. Currently, a public comment only has merit if it addresses the specific substance of a rule and relates to any of the standards for review of a rule by the Commission under GS 150B-21.9(a) (the four standards for review are whether the rule is within the agency’s authority, whether the rule is clear and unambiguous, whether the rule is reasonably necessary, and whether the rule was adopted in accordance with Part 2 of Article 2A of GS Chapter 150B, Adoption of Rules). This act removes the requirement that the public comment has to relate to any of the standards for review by the Commission under GS 150B-21.9(a) to have merit for purposes of Step 2 of the rule review process under GS 150B-21.3A(c)(2). Makes conforming changes.

Makes organizational and technical changes to GS 150B-21.3A to combine subsections (e) and (e1), concerning exclusions from the statute's provisions. Makes conforming changes. 

Section 3 applies to agency rule reports submitted to the Officer of Administrative Hearings pursuant to GS 150B-21.3A(c)(1) (Step 1 of the rule review process) on or after October 1, 2019.

Intro. by Riddell, Stevens, Hardister, Floyd.GS 150B
H 591 (2019-2020) MODIFY ADVANCED MATH COURSE ENROLLMENT. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO MAKE CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ADVANCED MATH COURSES OFFERED WHEN PRACTICABLE FOR GRADES THREE AND HIGHER.

Identical to S 500, filed 4/2/19.

Amends GS 115C-81.36, concerning advanced courses in mathematics, as follows. Requires charter schools, in addition to the already listed local boards of education, to offer advanced courses in math in grades three and higher when practicable. Requires, when advanced math courses are offered, any student scoring at the highest level (was, scoring a level five) on the end-of-grade or end-of grade test for math to be enrolled in the advanced course for the next math course in which the student is enrolled; makes the same changes for seventh grade students whose next level course will be at a high school level. Allows local boards of education to administer diagnostic assessments upon enrollment in the high school level math course to provide identified students with supplemental content enrichment. 

Requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to report annually, beginning October 15, 2019, to the specified NCGA committee on data collected on students who were eligible for advanced math courses and information as to how many were and were not placed in advanced math courses. Specifies information to be included in the report.

Requires DPI to provide guidance to local boards of education and charter schools on how to best develop programming and courses to ensure that all impacted students receive rigorous, academically appropriate instruction in mathematics.

Makes conforming changes to GS 115C-218.85.

Applies beginning with the 2019-20 school year. 

Intro. by Grange, Hardister, Corbin, Fraley.GS 115C
H 592 (2019-2020) CHECK-OFF CLEAN WATER MGMNT TR. FUND. (NEW) Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO PROVIDE SPACE ON THE INCOME TAX RETURN FOR INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE DONATIONS TO THE CLEAN WATER MANAGEMENT TRUST FUND.

Enacts new GS 105-269.9 (Contribution of income tax refund to Conservation Grant Fund). Provides an option for taxpayers to contribute all or part of their income tax refund to the Conservation Grant Fund (Fund) established under GS 113A-232. Directs the Secretary of Revenue to provide appropriate language and space on the income tax form to make the selection, and to transmit contributions made under this statute to the State Treasurer for credit to the Fund.

Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2019.

Intro. by Richardson, McGrady, Autry, Ager.GS 105
H 593 (2019-2020) JCPC/DETENTION/CAA AND OTHER FEES. (NEW) Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO MAKE VARIOUS MODIFICATIONS TO THE GENERAL STATUTES RELATED TO JUVENILE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCILS, INDIVIDUALS UNDER EIGHTEEN IN CUSTODY, THE STATEWIDE MISDEMEANANT CONFINEMENT PROGRAM, CRIMINAL COURT FEES, AND RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY PLANNING FEES; TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS; TO CREATE A REGISTRY REQUIREMENT REVIEW FOR CERTAIN SEX OFFENDERS; AND TO CLARIFY DECLARATION PUBLICATION.

Amends GS 50B-7 to provide that subsequent orders entered pursuant to GS Chapter 50 related to custody, child and spousal support, and possession of property and subsequent child support orders entered pursuant to GS Chapter 110 supercede like provisions in an order issued pursuant to GS Chapter 50B. Effective October 1, 2019, and applies to orders in effect on or after that date.

Intro. by Richardson, Morey, John, Rogers.GS 50B
H 594 (2019-2020) TEMP OPEN GYMS/HEALTH CLUBS/FITNESS CTRS. (NEW) Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE INDOOR OR OUTDOOR EXERCISE AND FITNESS FACILITIES, GYMS, HEALTH CLUBS, AND FITNESS CENTERS TO RESUME OPERATIONS WHILE ALSO SAFEGUARDING THE PUBLIC HEALTH TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) AND TO ALLOW CERTAIN EXISTING ESTABLISHMENTS TO OFFER AND OPERATE OUTDOOR DINING AND BEVERAGE SERVICE OPTIONS.

Amends GS Chapter 47F, Article 3 (management of planned community) to add new section GS 47F-3-123 to allow lot owners to continue leasing a lot if subsequent amendments are made to any declaration of covenants or bylaws restricting or limiting leasing of property. 

Effective upon becoming law and applies to planned community declarations and bylaws amended on or after that date.

Intro. by K. Hall, Howard, D. Hall, Richardson.GS 47F
H 595 (2019-2020) TAX RETURNS UNIFORMLY MADE PUBLIC ACT/FUNDS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT REQUIRING A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT OR VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO FILE THE CANDIDATE'S FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN BEFORE THE CANDIDATE'S NAME APPEARS ON THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Amends GS 163A-1226, pertaining to the names of presidential electors printed on ballots, by enacting new subsection (a1) establishing that the name of a candidate for President or Vice President can appear on the general election ballot only if the candidate has filed with the State Board of Elections (Board), no later than 50 days before the date of the general election, (1) a copy of the candidate's federal income tax returns for the ten years preceding the year of the general election and (2) written consent, in a form prescribed by the Board, for the public disclosure of the candidate's federal income tax returns required by new subsection (a1). Directs the Board to make the federal income tax returns submitted under new subsection (a1) publicly available on the State Board of Elections website within seven days after filing. Requires the Board, in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Revenue or the Secretary's designee, to redact any personal information or other information the Secretary or the designee determines must be kept confidential by law. Expressly prohibits a candidate's name from being printed on the official general election ballot if the candidate for President or Vice President fails to timely file the federal income tax returns and written consent with the Board as required under new subsection (a1). Makes conforming changes to GS 163A-1226(a) and GS 163A-1112(a)(3). Applies to elections held on or after the date the act becomes law.

Appropriates $100,000 for 2019-20 and $100,000 for 2020-21 from the General Fund to the State Board of Elections to develop and maintain the information required by this act. Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Dahle, Harrison, Fisher, Morey.APPROP, GS 163A
H 596 (2019-2020) CHILD SEX ABUSE/STRENGTHEN LAWS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEX ABUSE BY IMPROVING PROSECUTORIAL OPTIONS FOR DELAYED REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE, TO EXPAND THE MANDATORY DUTY OF REPORTING CHILD ABUSE, AND TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM ONLINE PREDATORS.

Identical to S 199, filed 3/6/19.

Part I.

Titles the act as The Sexual Assault Fast Reporting and Enforcement (Safe Child) Act of 2019.

Part II.

Requires a person or institution suspecting that a juvenile has been the victim of a crime to immediately report the case to the appropriate local law enforcement agency in the county where the child resides or is found. Specifies information that must be included in the report and requires the person making the report to provide their contact information. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to knowingly or wantonly fail to report the case or to prevent another person from making the report. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2019.

Part III.

Amends GS 15-1, which sets out the statute of limitations for misdemeanors as follows. Requires that crimes of abuse be charged within 10 years of the commission of the crime. Crimes of abuse is defined to mean any of the specified 16 misdemeanors when the victim is under the age of 18. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2019.

Part IV.

Amends GS 14-202.5 to make it unlawful for a high-risk sex offender to intentionally or knowingly access a website with terms of use prohibiting sex offenders from the site, or to intentionally or knowingly use a commercial social networking website to: access a personal webpage or profile for a person the offender knows or should have known is under 16, to contact a person the offender knows or should have known is under 16, falsely pose as being under 16, or join or view online groups that the offender knows or should have known include at least one person under 16 (previously prohibited sex offender from accessing a commercial social networking website where the offender knows that the site allows minors to become members or to create or maintain personal webpages on the social networking website).

For the purposes of this statute, high-risk sex offender is defined as: any person registered in accordance with Article 27A (Sex Offender and Public Protection Registration Programs) of GS Chapter 14 who meets any of the following: (1) was convicted of an aggravated offense against a person under 18 years of age; (2) is a recidivist based on a prior conviction for an offense against a person under 18 years of age; (3) was convicted of an offense against a minor; (4) was convicted of a sexually violent offense against a person under 18 years of age; (5) is a sexually violent predator based on a conviction of a sexually violent offense committed against a minor;  (6) was convicted of a violation of GS 14-27.23 (Statutory rape of a child by an adult), GS 14-27.25(a) (vaginal intercourse with another person who is 15 years of age or younger and the defendant is at least 12 years old and at least six years older than the person); GS 14-27.28 (Statutory sexual offense with a child by an adult); GS 14-27.30(a) (engages in a sexual act with another person who is 15 years of age or younger and the defendant is at least 12 years old and at least six years older than the person); GS 14-27.31 (Sexual activity by a substitute parent or custodian), if the victim was under 18 years of age; GS 14-27.32 (Sexual activity with a student), if the victim was under 18 years of age; GS 14-43.11 (Human trafficking), if the victim was under 18 years of age; GS 14-202.3 (Solicitation of child by computer or certain other electronic devices to commit an unlawful sex act), if the victim was under 18 years of age; or GS 14-190.16 (First degree sexual exploitation of a minor), if the victim was under 18 years of age.

Amends the definition of commercial social networking website to include applications, portals, or other means of accessing the internet (in addition to websites) that meet the specified requirements. Amends those requirements to (1) no longer include facilitating the social introduction between two or more persons for the purposes of friendship, meeting other people, or exchanging information; (2) remove reference to linking to other personal websites on the commercial social networking website of the user’s friends or associates that may be accessed by other users or visitors to the site; (3) include providing users or visitors (was, visitors to the commercial social networking site)  a mechanism to communication with others and remove specific references to communicating through e-mail. Amends the exclusions from the definition of commercial social networking website to now only exclude a commercial social networking website that does not include a website that (1) has as its primary purpose the facilitation of commercial transactions, the dissemination of news, the discussion of political or social issues, or professional networking or (2) is owned or operated by a local, State, or federal governmental entity.

Increases punishment for violation of the statute from a Class I to Class G felony. Adds a severability clause.

Makes conforming changes to GS 14-202.5A concerning the liability of commercial social networking sites.

Amends GS 14-208.7 to require the registration form used by sheriffs to include specified information from high-risk sex offenders. Amends GS 14-208.11(a) to make it a Class F felony to fail to provide the registering sheriff with that information.

Effective December 1, 2019.

Part V.

Amends GS 15A-622 to allow an investigative grand jury to be convened for a crime of abuse. Makes a clarifying change. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2019.

Part VI.

Amends GS 15A-623 by adding that a district attorney may issue a subpoena duces tecum to compel a witness or other entity to produce any books, papers, documents, data, or other objects the subpoena designates that relate to the investigation, and requires service by the investigative grand jury officer appointed by the court. Allows the court to direct the witness to produce the designated items in court before trial or before the items are to be offered in evidence. Treats the information as confidential and prohibits disclosure except in connection with a criminal case related to the subpoenaed materials. Sets out the procedure under which the court may quash or modify the subpoena. Allows the judge to proceed in accordance with GS Chapter 5A (Contempt) when a person disobeys a subpoena without adequate excuse. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2019.

Part VII.

Amends GS 1-17, to allow a plaintiff to file a civil action against a defendant for sexual abuse suffered while the plaintiff was under 18 until the plaintiff attains the age of 50. Makes conforming changes to GS 1-52 and GS 1-56. Effective from January 1, 2020, until December 31, 2020, this revives any civil action for child sexual abuse otherwise time-barred under GS 1-52 as it existed immediately before the enactment of this section.

Part VIII.

Includes a severability clause. Provides that prosecutions for offenses committed before the effective date of the act are not abated or affected by this act, and the statutes that would be applicable but for this act remain applicable to those prosecutions.

 

Intro. by Riddell, Faircloth, Torbett, B. Turner.GS 14, GS 15, GS 15A
H 597 (2019-2020) WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION AMENDS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO MAKE VARIOUS CHANGES TO THE STATUTES GOVERNING THE WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION.

To be summarized. 

Intro. by Adams, Henson, Wray, Yarborough.

The Daily Bulletin: 2019-04-03

PUBLIC/SENATE BILLS
S 55 (2019-2020) CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR GENERAL CONTRACTORS. Filed Feb 13 2019, AN ACT TO REVISE THE LAW GOVERNING THE LICENSURE OF CERTAIN GENERAL CONTRACTORS TO REQUIRE CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENHANCING THE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE LICENSEES.

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

Amends proposed GS 87-10.2 as follows. Amends the definition of live instruction to include credit hours presented by video or internet transmission of a previously recorded and approved presentation by an approved instructor provided that the presentation is either proctored by the approved sponsors or contains safeguards that allow the approved sponsor to certify that the qualifier or qualifying party has viewed the presentation (was, limited to a maximum of two elective credits and did not include reference to safeguards) Makes organizational and clarifying changes. Requires the State Licensing Board for General Contractors to implement procedures to ensure that qualifiers and qualifying parties satisfy all of the continuing education requirements of the statute through approved courses offered by approved providers by internet transmission. 

Makes clarifying changes to Section 3.

Amends the act's effective date to make the act effective when it becomes law, except as follows. Makes the continuing education requirements effective January 1, 2020. Makes the requirement that the Board ensure that qualifiers and qualifying parties may satisfy the continuing education requirements by approved courses offered by internet transmission effective January 1, 2021.

Intro. by Gunn, Newton, D. Davis.GS 87
S 134 (2019-2020) ECONOMICS & FINANCIAL LITERACY ACT. Filed Feb 26 2019, AN ACT TO REQUIRE COMPLETION OF AN ECONOMICS AND PERSONAL FINANCE COURSE AS A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TO CLARIFY REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL CIVIC LITERACY, AND TO REQUIRE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR ECONOMICS AND PERSONAL FINANCE TEACHERS.

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

Makes organizational changes to the proposed changes to GS 115C-81.65, and makes the following additional changes. Maintains the current requirement to provide instruction in personal finance literacy for all students and for the State Board of Education (State Board) to determine other components of financial literacy not included in the statute that will be covered in the curriculum (previously deleted). Removes the proposed requirement for the State Board to review the high school standard course of study to determine the appropriate grade levels for completion of the EPF course and reorganize other courses; instead deletes the existing requirement altogether for the State Board to review the high school standard course of study to determine which courses and grade levels personal financial literacy will be integrated. Now directs the State Board to require a full credit course (was, a semester-long course) in high school focused on economics and personal finance (EPF). Requires that the content of the course now include (was, align) with the specified standards. Requires that the EPF course provide instruction on economic principles (was, basic economic principles) and that it provide, at minimum, the already required personal financial literacy instruction components with the addition of planning and paying for postsecondary education (previously, did not specify that the components were a minimum standard). 

Now requires the State Board (previously required the Department of Public Instruction (DPI)) to require that EPF teachers get the professional development necessary to ensure that the intent and provisions of the statute are carried out. Provides that to the extent funds are made available for this purpose, the State Board must require the employing entity (was, local school administrative units) to make available the EPF professional development course provided by the specified entity. Adds that when practicable, teacher must complete the EPF professional development course prior to teaching the EPF course in public schools, and if necessary, teachers only begin teaching the EPF course in public schools while awaiting the next possible opportunity to complete a session of the EPF professional development course.

Makes organizational changes and modifies the appropriations provisions, eliminating the required use of the funds by The North Carolina Council on Economic Education to provide for travel reimbursement of teachers required to complete the EPF professional development course. Modifies the provision requiring the funds to be used for a $500 stipend to every teacher upon completion of the Test of Economic Literacy and the Working in Support of Education personal finance test, to instead provide for a $500 stipend upon completion of the Test of Economic Literacy and the Working in Support of Education personal finance test to either the public school teacher if the teacher attends the course on weekends or during a time outside the teacher's school year or to the teacher's public school employer if the teacher attends the course on school days during the teacher's school year. 

Amends GS 115C-81.45. Makes organizational changes to the current requirement for instruction in civic citizenship education in the standard course of study for high school social studies, integrating the requirement and its encouraged components into the civic literacy requirement for high school students. Now requires instruction in civic citizenship education in the standard course of study for high school social studies through teaching a full credit course called the Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy (was, a semester course during the high school years on the founding principles of the United States and North Carolina). Maintains the requirements of a passing score for graduation and for 13 specified subjects to be included in the course. Specifies that the course must be solely focused on civics and citizenship education. Makes technical changes. Applies to students entering the ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year. Makes organizational and clarifying changes regarding the requirement for instruction in civic and citizenship education in the standard course of study for middle school social studies. 

Amends GS 115C-218.85 (concerning charter schools), GS 115C-238.66 (concerning regional schools), and GS 116-239.8 (concerning laboratory schools) to require the provision of financial literacy instruction as required by the State Board pursuant to GS 115C-81.65, as amended.

Amends Section 6(d) of SL 2018-42, adding the provisions of GS 115C-81.65 to which renewal school systems are subject.

Directs the State Board to (1) begin the process for review and revision of the standard course of study for social studies in grade K-12 in the 2019-20 school year and (2) revise the high school standard course of study for the EPF course and the Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy course and review the standard course of study to determine the grade level during which the course can be completed. Prohibits the State Board from requiring more than four full course credits in social studies for high school graduation.

Intro. by Tillman, Ballard, Chaudhuri.APPROP, GS 115C, GS 116
S 154 (2019-2020) AUTHORIZE SPORTS/HORSE RACE WAGERING TRIBAL LANDS. (NEW) Filed Feb 27 2019, AN ACT TO ENABLE WAGERING ON SPORTING EVENTS AND HORSE RACING ON TRIBAL LANDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL INDIAN GAMING REGULATORY ACT.

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

Amends GS 14-292.2 to allow horse race wagering, in addition to sports wagering, to be conducted on Indian lands held in trust by the US government for and on behalf of federally recognized Indian tribes. Defines horse race wagering as fixed odds or parimutuel wagering on thoroughbred, harness, or other racing of horses. Specifies that the wager for horse racing and for sports wagering is deemed to occur where it is initiated and received, all of which must occur on Indian lands within the state lawfully permitted to conduct Class III gaming activities. 

Makes conforming changes to the act's titles.  

Intro. by J. Davis.GS 14
S 168 (2019-2020) DHHS & OTHER REVISIONS. (NEW) Filed Feb 27 2019, AN ACT MAKING TECHNICAL, CONFORMING, AND OTHER MODIFICATIONS TO LAWS PERTAINING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND ADDING A PSYCHIATRIC PHYSICIAN PRIVILEGE EXCEPTION TO CRIMES AGAINST JUVENILES REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

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

Amends the act's long title.

Repeals Section 8.5 of SL 2015-154, which repeals Article 5G, Epilepsy Alternative Treatment Act, of GS Chapter 90, effective July 1, 2021. Effective December 1, 2019.

Intro. by McKissick, Hise.GS 90
S 227 (2019-2020) TP3/PRINCIPAL FELLOWS CONSOLIDATION. (NEW) Filed Mar 12 2019, AN ACT TO MAINTAIN ADMINISTRATION FOR CURRENT GRANT RECIPIENTS OF THE EXISTING TRANSFORMING PRINCIPAL PREP PROGRAM AND PHASE IN ADMINISTRATION BY THE NEW PRINCIPAL FELLOWS AND TP3 COMMISSION.

Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition. Amends proposed new GS 115C-218.45(f)(1a) which allows charter schools to give enrollment priority to siblings who apply for admission beginning in the same school, by adding that this includes when a sibling was not initially admitted due to grade level capacity. 

Intro. by Tillman.GS 115C
S 250 (2019-2020) REMOVE FOREIGN CITIZENS FROM VOTING ROLLS. (NEW) Filed Mar 13 2019, AN ACT TO CODIFY THE COMMON LAW REQUIREMENT FOR UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP TO QUALIFY AS A JUROR, TO ALLOW A CLERK OF COURT TO HEAR JURY EXCUSES IF SO DESIGNATED BY THE CHIEF DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF PERSONS REQUESTING TO BE EXCUSED FROM JURY DUTY BASED ON DISQUALIFICATION SHALL BE SHARED WITH THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS IF THE DISQUALIFICATION IS DUE TO UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP.

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

Amends GS 9-6 and GS 9-6.1 to allow chief district court judges to delegate the authority to receive, hear, and pass applications for excuses from jury duty to the clerk of superior court, after consultation with and consent of the clerk. Makes technical and clarifying changes to the statutes, and makes language gender-neutral.

Amends proposed GS 9-6.2 to require the clerk of superior court to maintain records of excusals from jury duty, as previously specified, for the remainder of the biennium (was, for no less than two years from the date of excusal). Now requires the clerk to record the person's name, address provided, reason for disqualification, and the date of the disqualification if the person is disqualified from jury duty due to age, citizenship, residency, or criminal history (previously instead referenced reasons relating to qualifications under GS 163A-841). Requires the clerk to report the information electronically to the local board of elections and the State Board of Elections (was only the State Board of Elections and did not specify electronic records). Adds a new requirement for the State Board of Elections to retain the electronic record for two years. Adds a new provision to authorize the clerk to destroy the records at the end of each biennium. Adds a provision to clarify that the statute does not restrict the authority of a local board of elections or the State Board to determine a person's eligibility to vote.

Changes the act's long title.

Intro. by Krawiec, Sanderson, Burgin.GS 9
S 343 (2019-2020) VARIOUS EDUCATION LAW CHANGES. (NEW) Filed Mar 21 2019, AN ACT TO MAKE VARIOUS CHANGES TO LAWS RELATED TO EDUCATION.

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

Amends GS 115C-84.2 to add to the reporting requirements under the Uniform Education Reporting System under GS 115C-12(18). Requires each local board of education to annually report by April 1 to the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education (State Board) the start and end dates of the instructional calendar for students for the next academic year for each school under its control, and identify the statutory exception authorizing an earlier start date for schools that start earlier than the Monday closest to August 26. Requires the State Board to annually report by June 15 the information submitted by the local boards to the specified NCGA committee, and identify all schools that start earlier than the Monday closest to August 26 and the statutory exception for the earlier start date. Requires the report for 2019-20 to be submitted by June 1, 2019, with the State Board's report due by July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Ballard.GS 115C, GS 115D, GS 116C, GS 116E, GS 126
S 474 (2019-2020) OBSOLETE BDS/JUDICIAL AND ADMIN. CHANGES. (NEW) Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO ABOLISH OBSOLETE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT ARE NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL, MODIFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EMERGENCY JUDGES, TRANSFER THE BOXING COMMISSION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, AND TO EXTEND SUNSET ON WAIVER OF REQUIRING WITNESSES FOR HEALTH CARE POWERS OF ATTORNEY AND FOR ADVANCED DIRECTIVES FOR A NATURAL DEATH.

Includes whereas clauses.

Abolishes the Board of Directors of the Certification Entry for Phase II Settlement Funds.

Repeals GS Chapter 143B, Article 9, Part 2, concerning the State Goals and Policy Board.

Repeals SL 2013-358 (except Section 2) and SL 2014-414 (possibly intends SL 2014-10), concerning the Charlotte Douglas International Airport Commission.

Repeals GS 115C-102.5, which created the Commission on School Technology. Makes conforming deletions in GS 115C-102.6.

Repeals SL 2011-145, Section 6A.20(b), which created a Data Integration Steering Committee.

Abolishes the Eastern Carolina Regional Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

Repeals SL 2012-142 (possibly intends SL 2011-145), Section 6A.7(b1), and SL 2013-360, Section 7.14(B), concerning the Grants Management Oversight Committees, both of which established a Grants Management Oversight Committee to coordinate the development of an enterprise grants management system.

Repeals GS Chapter 120, Article 25A, which established the Legislative Commission on Methamphetamine Abuse; makes conforming deletions in GS 90-113.64 and GS 143B-925.

Repeals GS 20-305.4, which created the Motor Vehicle Dealers' Advisory Board; makes conforming changes to GS 20-305.5.

Repeals GS Chapter 143B, Article 10, Part 2A, which created the Community Development Council.

Repeals GS Chapter 143B, Article 9, Part 26, which established the North Carolina Farmworker Council.

Repeals GS Chapter 143, Article 55, which enacted the Southern Growth Policies Agreement and created the Southern Growth Policies Board. 

Abolishes the Southern Technology Council.

Amends GS 96-4 by removing provisions related to the State Advisory Council on Employment Security. 

Repeals GS 143-345.24, which established the State Suggestion Review Committee. Amends GS 143-345.21, GS 143-345.23, and GS 143-345.25 by reassigning the specified Committee duties to the Department of Administration.

Repeals SL 2012-142, Section 6A-12(h), which established the Statewide Portal Committee.

Abolishes the Oversight Board for Teach for America Inc.

Repeals GS 106-145.11, which created the Wholesale Distributor Advisory Committee.

Intro. by Wells.GS 90, GS 96, GS 106, GS 115C, GS 120, GS 143, GS 143B
S 488 (2019-2020) DMV/MV DEALER CHANGES. (NEW) Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO MAKE CHANGES TO VARIOUS DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES PROCESSES.

Part I. 

Amends GS 135-6 to require at least once in each five-year period that the actuary completes an actuarial experience review of (was, make an actuarial investigation into) the mortality, service, and compensation experience of the members and beneficiaries of the Retirement System for Teachers and State Employees. Adds that before undertaking each quinquennial actuarial experience review, the Board of Trustees must report to the NCGA and the Governor on 12 items concerning the Retirement System, including projections of assets, liabilities, pension debt, service costs, employee contributions, employer contributions, net amortization, benefit payments, payroll, and funded ratio for the Retirement System for each of the next 30 years based upon the then-current actuarial assumptions, including the assumed rate of return; the market value of the assets controlled by the Board of Trustees and an explanation of how the actuarial value assigned to those assets differs from the market value of those assets; and an assessment of how the changes of assumptions adopted by the Board of Trustees in the experience review affect any of the other results in the report. Allows the Retirement System Division to increase receipts from the retirement assets of the corresponding retirement system or allows the payment of costs directly from the retirement assets for payment for the administration of the required actuarial experience review, required report, and annual valuation of the assets and liabilities of the System funds.

Part II.

Amends GS 143C-4-10 to expand upon the funds received by the Unfunded Liability Solvency Reserve to also include any funds, in an amount directed by the State Treasurer to be transferred, that meet the following: (1) the funds are the result of rebates received by the Department of State Treasurer from a company administering supplemental voluntary insurance benefits authorized under specified provisions; (2) the funds are not owed to a company administering, or individuals participating in, supplemental voluntary insurance benefits; and (3) as determined by the Board of Trustees of the Retirement System, the funds are not to be needed to pay future administrative costs of the supplemental voluntary insurance benefits.

Amends GS 135-48.5 which requires that any unencumbered balance in excess of prepaid premiums or charges in the Public Employee Health Benefit Fund at the end of each fiscal year be used in three specified ways in the specified order. Adds, as the second use, that an amount determined by the State Treasurer, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees, not to exceed 50% of any unencumbered balance remaining after providing for incurred but unpresented claims may be transferred to the Retiree Health Benefit Fund.  Amends the final allowed use, which is to improve the plan, to make it as provided by the State Treasurer, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees, instead of as provided by the General Assembly. Makes additional clarifying changes.

Amends GS 143C-4-10 by prohibiting transferring any portion of the Retiree Health Benefit Fund to the General Fund and providing that any appropriation made to the Fund does not revert.

Effective July 1, 2019. 

Part III.

Amends GS 135-48.8 to specify that it is in the public interest for individual firefighters, rescue squad workers, National Guard members, and certain dependents to be able to participate in the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees. Removes references to being ineligible for group health benefits to instead refer to being ineligible for health benefit coverage. Amends GS 135-48.40(d)(13) concerning specified classes of persons who are eligible, along with spouses and dependents, for coverage who have not been eligible for another health benefit plan and have been without coverage for at least six consecutive months by adding that it does not allow a person to enroll or require the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees to enroll a person when that enrollment may jeopardize the Plan's preferential tax exempt status as a governmental plan under the Internal Revenue Code. Removes references to comprehensive group health benefit plan and instead refers to comprehensive health benefit plan. 

Amends GS 135-66 concerning the Consolidated Judicial Retirement System by adding that the assets of the System include employees' contributions held with the Pension Accumulation Fund and employees' contributions held in the Annuity Savings Fund. Requires the Board of Trustees to have performed an annual actuarial valuation of the System and have the responsibility for maintaining the System on a generally accepted actuarial basis. Adds requirements for calculating an actuarially determined employer contribution. Provides that the Board of Trustees may adopt a contribution policy that would recommend a contribution no less than the actuarially determined employer contribution. Requires that the recommended employer contribution rate by the Board of Trustees each year be no less than the actuarially determined employer contribution.

Enacts new GS 127A-14, providing as follows. Specifies that the NC National Guard Pension Fund includes general fund appropriations made to the Department of State Treasurer and held with the Pension Accumulation Fund of the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System. Requires an actuarially determined employer contribution to be calculated annually by the actuary using assumptions and a cost method approved by the specified entity and selected by the Board of Trustees of the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System. Allows the Board of Trustees to adopt a contribution policy that would recommend a contribution of no less than the actuarially determined employer contribution. Requires that the recommended employer contribution rate by the Board of Trustees each year be no less than the actuarially determined employer contribution. Adds in provisions previously located in GS 127A-40 concerning an annual actuarial valuation and financial responsibility for maintaining the Fund as well as provision of assistance from the Department of Public Safety. Makes conforming deletions in GS 127A-40.

Amends GS 135-8, concerning the Retirement System for Teachers and State Employees, and GS 128-30, concerning the Retirement System for Counties, Cities and Towns, by adding that if an employer made contributions on account of a retiree subject to the contribution-based benefit cap and that retiree later forfeits retirement benefits under the specified statutes concerning forfeiture due to committing a felony then the Retirement Systems Division may provide a credit to the employer, to be calculated as specified.

Enacts new GS 135-5.5, applicable to the Retirement System for Teachers and State Employees, and GS 128-23.1, applicable to the Retirement System for Counties, Cities and Towns, by providing that an employer is considered inactive if all of the four specified criteria is met, including that the employer has no employees that qualify for membership.  Requires an annual report by the Retirement Systems Division  to the Board on all employers who were determined to be inactive in the preceding calendar year. 

Amends GS 159-33.1 to require that the financial statement from units or public authorities include total revenues received from building inspections, by source (was, by type), and the total expenditures paid from all revenues received by object (was, by type). Makes other technical changes. Effective June 30, 2019.  

Amends GS 135-18.1 by removing outdated language and specifying that the term local system refers to the North Carolina Governmental Employees' Retirement System. 

Repeals the following statutes: GS 135-5.2 (concerning retirement of  persons employed by Chapel Hill Telephone Company or University Service Plants); GS 135-13 (specifying certain laws not repealed; suspension of payments and compulsory retirement); GS 135-14 (concerning pensions of certain former teachers and State employees); GS 135-14.1 (concerning retirement of certain school superintendents and assistant superintendents); GS 135-16 (employees transferred to North Carolina State Employment Service by act of Congress); GS 135-18.3 (conditions under which amendments void); and GS 135-18.5 (provision for emergency expenses of integration of System).

Amends GS 135-16.1 by deleting outdated provisions.

Amends GS 128-23 to provide that each county is authorized to make appropriations for retirement system purposes and to fund them by levy of property taxes as authorized by GS Chapter 153A, Article 7 (was, pursuant to GS 153-65).

Amends GS 115D-25.4 by adding that the administrative costs of the NC Public School Teachers' and Professional Educators' Investment Plan may be charged to members or deducted from members' accounts in accordance with nondiscriminatory procedures established by the Department of State Treasurer and Board of Trustees. 

Amends GS 135-6.1 and GS 128-33.1 by adding that the Retirement Systems Division may disclose to employers and former employers that made a contribution for an employee or former employee to the Retirement System any nonpublic information regarding that employee necessary to conduct the business of the System. Recipients of the information are required to treat it as confidential. 

Amends GS 135-8 and GS 128-30 by adding that the monthly report on members for whom the employer made a contribution to the Retirement System in the preceding month that are most likely to require an additional employer contribution should they retire in the following 12 months, is not public record and those receiving the report are to treat it as confidential. Further amends the statutes by adding the same concerning the pension spiking report.

Amends GS 135-48.47 by adding that except as permitted under (d) of the statute, a local government unit's election to participate in the State Health Plan is irrevocable. 

Amends GS 147-69.7 by updating a statutory cross-reference.

 

Intro. by B. Jackson, Wells, Chaudhuri.GS 115D, GS 127A, GS 128, GS 135, GS 143C, GS 159
S 511 (2019-2020) EV CHARGING STATION/PARKING. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO REGULATE PARKING IN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION.

Adds to GS 20-4.01 to define electric vehicle charging station to mean a public or private parking space that is served by charging equipment that has as its primary purpose the transfer of electric energy to a battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle.

Enacts GS 20-162.4 to prohibit parking a vehicle in an electric vehicle charging station located on public or private property if the vehicle is not connected to the charging equipment. Provides for a $100 fine for a violation. Details signage required of a space designated as an electric vehicle charging station. Permits municipalities to, by ordinance, prohibit additional conduct and provide higher penalties regarding parking in a space designated as an electric vehicle charging station. Requires enforcement by the State, county, city, and other municipal authorities in their respective jurisdictions in the same manner as other parking laws and ordinances are enforced.

Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2019.

Intro. by Nickel, Rabon, Sawyer.GS 20
S 513 (2019-2020) STATE CLEAN ENERGY GOAL FOR 2050. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A STATE GOAL OF ONE HUNDRED PERCENT CLEAN ENERGY BY 2050 AND TO PROMOTE THE CREATION OF GREEN JOBS.

Includes whereas clauses.

Amends GS Chapter 62, Article 7 (rates of public utilities) to add new section GS 62-133.10A establishing a state goal that 100% of North Carolina's electricity be generated by renewable energy resources by December 31, 2050.  Requires the State Energy Office, in consultation with the North Carolina Utilities Commission and the Public Staff, to develop a plan to achieve that goal, and to submit its plan to the 2020 Regular Session of the 2019 General Assembly upon its convening. 

Intro. by Nickel, Garrett, Van Duyn.GS 62
S 515 (2019-2020) ADJUST DRUG EDUCATION SCHOOL ENROLLMENT FEE. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT ADJUSTING THE ENROLLMENT FEE FOR ACCREDITED DRUG EDUCATION SCHOOLS TO ACCOUNT FOR INFLATION; CLARIFYING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WITH RESPECT TO DRUG EDUCATION SCHOOLS; AND MAKING TECHNICAL AND OTHER MODIFICATIONS TO THE STATUTE.

Amends GS 90-96.01 (drug education schools) by adding descriptive headings to each subdivision of subsection (a).  Divides text in subdivision (a)(1) into (1) regarding enrollment fees and newly created subdivision (1a) regarding fee collection.  Increases the drug education school enrollment fee from $150 to $275.  Requires the Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, beginning July 1, 2024, and every five years after that, to increase the amount of the enrollment fee in relation to a specified federal consumer price index.  Requires that in a county where the clerk of court has agreed to collect the enrollment fee, the clerk must pay the fees to the appropriate drug education schools, which in turn must comply with fee usage provisions. Clarifies that the defendant must pay the enrollment fee.  Mandates that budgets and contracts subcontracted out remain subject to the approval of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), instead of initial approval only.

Clarifies how fees may be used by dividing text in subdivision (a)(3) into (3) regarding permissible use of fees retained by drug education schools and newly created subdivision (3a) regarding permissible use of fees remitted to DHHS.  Increases percent of fees remitted by drug education schools to the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services from 5% to 10%.  Requires DHHS to supply a manual and other required curriculum to the drug education school for each fee collected and remitted to it by the drug education school.  Mandates that DHHS may not use remitted fees for anything other than supplying manuals and other required curriculum and supporting drug education schools.    

Reorders content in subdivision (a)(4) by adding new subsubdivisions a. and b. regarding prohibited use of fees.  

Makes other modifications throughout including making the statute gender-inclusive or gender-neutral.

Effective July 1, 2019.

 

Intro. by T. Alexander, Burgin, Johnson.GS 90
S 516 (2019-2020) DIRECT ERC TO STUDY DRY LITTER POULTRY WASTE. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO DIRECT THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMISSION TO STUDY AND DETERMINE THE NUMBER AND LOCATION OF POULTRY FARMS (CAFOS) IN NORTH CAROLINA, THE DRY LITTER WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND PRACTICES THAT ARE EMPLOYED BY THESE FARMS, THE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPACTS AND DAMAGES THESE SYSTEMS AND PRACTICES MAY HAVE, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW BEST TO REGULATE THESE WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE PUBLIC'S HEALTH AND SAFETY.

Includes whereas clauses.

Directs the Environmental Review Commission (ERC) to conduct a study of environmental and public health impacts of dry litter poultry waste and potential regulatory and technological solutions for addressing these impacts.  Applies the definitions set out in GS 143-215.10B (regarding animal waste management systems) to this act.  Lists required areas of study to include: (1) growth of the poultry industry including current location, size, and number of dry litter poultry facilities; (2) location, size, and number of those facilities in the 500-year floodplain and options for removing them or making them more resilient; (3) amount of waste produced by those facilities and methods of disposal; (4) impacts on environment including to surface water, groundwater, and soil; (5) impacts on public health including drinking water contamination and pathogens or disease vectors and pests; (6) health impacts on waste workers; (7) cumulative environmental and public health impacts of these facilities and animal operations for swine; (8) current regulations, deficiencies in current regulations, and potential regulations of these facilities that would better protect the environment and public health, taking into account regulations in other states as well as regulations for swine operations in this state; (9) disposal of dead poultry after severe storms or flooding events; (10) current and potential animal waste management technologies that could reduce or eliminate environmental and public health impacts; and (11) need for additional resources, including appropriations, professional expertise, and scientific studies needed to comprehensively examine the issues identified in this act.    

Directs all state agencies to assist ERC upon its request.  Authorizes ERC to request recommendations from any of the named state agencies related to any of the topics enumerated for study. 

Directs ERC to report its findings and any recommendations to the 2020 Regular Session of the 2019 General Assembly upon its convening.

Intro. by Peterson.STUDY
S 517 (2019-2020) PROTECT THE MILITARY/FISHERIES/TOURISM. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCTION OF OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS IN NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL WATERS IN ORDER TO PROTECT MILITARY OPERATIONS, COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHING, AND TOURISM, AND THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THEY CONTRIBUTE ANNUALLY TO THE COASTAL ECONOMY, AND THE STATE AS A WHOLE, FROM THE PROFOUND RISKS OF OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCTION.

Identical to H 545, filed 4/2/19.

Includes whereas clauses.

Amends GS 113A-119.2 concerning the review of offshore fossil fuel facilities. Adds the defined terms development, exploration, and production. Modifies the term offshore fossil fuel facilityto mean facilities for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas that have the potential to affect any land or water use or natural resource of the coastal area (previously specified that the potential affect was because of the size, magnitude or scope of impacts of the facilities). Now includes in the term any equipment associated with a structure located in coastal fishing waters, including gathering systems and processing and storage facilities, and pipelines that are used to carry, transport, or transfer oil, natural gas, liquid gas, liquid propane gas, or synthetic gas (previously did not include gathering systems and processing and storage facilities, and instead included vessels).

Now limits the additional information required for the review of an offshore fossil fuel facility to those located more than three geographical miles offshore (was, for those located in coastal fishing waters). Makes conforming changes. Adds a new provision explicitly prohibiting the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas within the estuarine and ocean waters of the State. Specifies that the estuarine and ocean waters of the State includes those ocean waters extending offshore to the limits of State jurisdiction. Additionally explicitly prohibits the construction or operation of offshore fossil fuel facilities in the estuarine and ocean waters of the State.

Amends GS 146-8 concerning the disposition of mineral deposits in State lands under water. Adds a new provision to explicitly prohibit the sale, lease, or other disposition of any submerged lands in the estuarine and ocean waters of the State for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas, and the construction or operation of offshore fossil fuel facilities. Specifies that the definitions provided in GS 113A-119.2, as amended, apply to the new provision.

Amends GS 143-215.94CC, making any responsible person strictly liable for all cleanup and removal costs and all damages incurred within the territorial jurisdiction of the State by any injured party that arise out of, or caused by, any exploration, development, or production occurring in waters beyond the jurisdiction of the State (was, any exploration in or upon coastal fishing waters). Specifies that the definitions provided in GS 113A-119.2, as amended, apply to the new provision. Removes the exception for damages which arise out of, or are caused by, a discharge that is authorized by and in compliance with a federal permit. 

Amends GS 143-215.94GG, to require a person responsible for an offshore discharge to also immediately notify the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ; previously only required notification of the Division of Emergency Management) pursuant to rules established by the DEQ Secretary and the Secretary of Public Safety. Makes conforming changes. Eliminates the provision which established that no penalty can be imposed for failure to notify the specified entities if the owner or operator has promptly reported the discharge to the federal authorities designated pursuant to specified federal law.

Amends GS 143-215.94HH, to include consultation with the Secretary of DEQ in the development of the State Emergency Response Commission's oil spill contingency plan. Allows the Commission to consult with the DEQ Secretary and the Secretary of Administration's designees (previously, specifically permitted consultation with the Secretary of Administration's designee in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Office). Makes technical changes. 

Provides a severability clause. 

Intro. by Peterson.GS 113A, GS 143, GS 146
S 518 (2019-2020) ESTABLISH PFAS TASK FORCE/ADD'L MEASURES. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE "PFAS TASK FORCE" TO IDENTIFY AND ANALYZE ALL PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) IN THE LOWER CAPE FEAR RIVER BASIN; TO IDENTIFY THEIR SOURCE OF DISCHARGE AND THEIR HEALTH IMPACT ON THE HUMAN POPULATION THEREIN; TO ESTABLISH ALLOWABLE MAXIMUM HEALTH STANDARDS FOR EXPOSURE TO PFAS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT AND/OR UPGRADE OF DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS, INCLUDING PRIVATE WELLS, WITHIN THE AFFECTED AREA.

Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to establish the PFAS Task Force, which must take seven specified actions, including undertaking a comprehensive, non-targeted, scientific identification and analysis of all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including GenX compounds, and other chemical contaminants of emerging interest, including 1,4-Dioxane, found in ground and surface waters, private wells, air, soil, dust, food, and locally produced garden and farm products within the Lower Cape Fear River Basin, and the streams and tributaries contained therein; identifying all public and private parties responsible for the discharge or emissions of such contaminants; and reviewing and updating the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements and the appropriateness of the amount of sanctions and remedies that may be assessed under State law for noncompliance with State environmental requirements. Requires that the work be completed by December 31, 2020, and requires quarterly reports until then, beginning July 1, 2019, to the Environmental Review Commission. Specifies that the Task Force will serve as a pilot program for establishment of future statewide initiatives to aggressively examine and resolve public health concerns as a result of the discharge of illegal toxic contaminants into the public realm. 

Repeals GS 150B-19.3, which prohibits any agency authorized to implement State and federal environmental laws from adopting rules for protection of the environment that impose a more restrictive standard, limitation, or requirement than those imposed by a federal law or rule, unless adoption of the rule is required under any of five exceptions. Makes conforming changes to GS 130A-309.207 (rule making for Environmental Management Commission). Makes conforming changes to GS 130A-309.226 (amendment to rule regarding use of coal combustion products for structural fill).

Amends GS 143-215.2A to require a person responsible for the discharge or release of industrial waste that includes PFAS resulting in the contamination of a public or private water supply to establish permanent replacement water supplies (was, applicable only when the contamination was of a private drinking water well), when directed by the Secretary upon the Governor's direction. Makes conforming changes to the definition of affected party. Amends the definition of contamination to mean an exceedance of 10 ppt for a single PFAS compound, and a cumulative threshold of 25 ppt where three or more PFAS compounds are detected for any chemical classified as a PFAS. If a permanent replacement water supply is required, it must be through installation of a filtration system or connection to a public water system. Makes conforming changes.

Requires the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), with the assistance of regional utility providers, to identify all affected parties. 

Requires the State Controller to transfer $270 million from the Savings Reserve account to the General Fund for 2019-20 to execute agreements with appropriate contractors for the installation of filtration systems for all identified affected parties. Requires DEQ to seek cost recovery from the responsible parties. 

Intro. by Peterson, deViere, McKissick.STUDY, GS 130A, GS 143, GS 150B
S 524 (2019-2020) TUITION GRANTS FOR NCSSM GRADUATES. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT TUITION GRANTS BE PROVIDED TO STATE RESIDENTS WHO GRADUATE FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS AND ENROLL FULL-TIME AT AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR UP TO FOUR ACADEMIC YEARS.

Enacts Part 5, Tuition Grants for Graduates of the NC School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM), to Article 23 of GS Chapter 116.

Establishes that any resident graduate from the NCSSM in each school year beginning with the 2019-20 school year who enrolls as a full-time student in an eligible institution of higher education in the academic year following graduation is eligible for a tuition grant under Part 5, within the funds available. Extends eligibility to students who receive initial tuition grants as a cohort of a graduating class for subsequent tuition grants for up to four total academic years. Requires continuous enrollment in an eligible institution of higher education, unless the State Education Assistance Authority (Authority) waives the requirement upon the student demonstrating a substantial disruption or interruption in the pursuit of a degree due to military service obligation, serious medical debilitation, short-term or long-term disability, or other extraordinary hardship. Defines eligible institution of higher education to mean a constituent institution of the UNC System or a private institution of higher education located in the State, as specified. Provides for grant administration by the Authority pursuant to guidelines and procedures consistent with its practices for administering State-funded financial aid. Details the required guidelines and procedures. Requires the Authority to receive proper certification from the appropriate eligible institution of higher education prior to approving grants. Provides for remittance to the appropriate eligible institution of higher education, and refund by the institution as specified. Details parameters for the amount of grants awarded, requiring the grant to cover attendance costs, as determined by the Authority, with certain restrictions for tuition costs at private institutions. Also provides for the reduction of grants if an eligible student receives a scholarship or grant covering the cost of attendance at the eligible institution of higher education for which the grant was awarded, as specified. Provides for disbursement by pro rata share when there are not sufficient funds to provide each eligible student with a full grant. 

Establishes the NC Tuition Grant Reserve Fund (Reserve) to hold all monies appropriated to the Authority to provide the tuition grants, all returned tuition grant monies, and all interest earned, to be used for tuition grants for the academic year that begins in the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the appropriation is made to to the Reserve, and up to 5% of the funds appropriated each fiscal year to cover the Authority's administrative costs.

Includes resident students who graduated from NCSSM at the end of the 2018-19 school year and were awarded a tuition grant for the 2019-20 academic year under Section 10A.5 of SL 2018-5, in the award of tuition grants under GS 116-211, as enacted, beginning with the 2020-21 academic year.

Appropriates a total of $4.8 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Reserve for the 2020-21 fiscal year: $2.95 million in recurring funds for the 2019-20 fiscal year to support the award of tuition grants to students who qualify based on qualification under Section 2 of the act (those receiving grants under Section 10A.5 of SL 2018-5) and a new cohort of eligible NCSSM graduates from the 2019-20 school year and $1.85 million in additional recurring funds for the 2020-21 fiscal year to support the award of tuition grants to a new cohort of eligible students who graduate from NCSSM at the end of the 2020-21 school year. Provides for availability of the funds to students beginning with the 2019-20 fiscal year, allowing the Authority to use up to $750,000 for grants to students attending private institutions and up to $1.1 million for students attending constituent institutions of UNC. Provides for legislative intent to appropriate specified amounts to the Reserve for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 fiscal years, to be used as specified.

Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Tillman.GS 116
S 525 (2019-2020) TEXTILE HIST. SITE/OPERATE SE NC MUSEUM (NEW). Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A STATE HISTORIC SITE TO INTERPRET THE STATE'S TEXTILE PRODUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL HISTORY AND THE FEASIBILITY OF OPERATING A MUSEUM IN SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

Directs the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Office of Archives and History (Office), to evaluate the real property and textile collection held by the Randolph Heritage Conservancy Inc. to determine the feasibility of its use in establishing a State historic site or museum to interpret the State's textile production and industrial history. Requires the Office to report to the specified entities and NCGA committee by May 1, 2020.

Intro. by Tillman.STUDY
S 540 (2019-2020) TUITION GRANTS FOR NCSSM GRADUATES. Filed Apr 2 2019, AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT TUITION GRANTS BE PROVIDED TO STATE RESIDENTS WHO GRADUATE FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS AND ENROLL FULL-TIME AT CONSTITUENT INSTITUTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA ON A RECURRING BASIS.

Enacts Part 5, Tuition Grants for Graduates of the NC School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM), to Article 23 of GS Chapter 116.

Establishes a mandatory tuition grant for resident graduates from the NCSSM who enroll as full-time students in a constituent institution of the UNC System, within the funds available.

Provides for grant administration by the Authority pursuant to guidelines and procedures consistent with its practices for administering State-funded financial aid. Details the required guidelines and procedures. Requires the Authority to receive proper certification from the appropriate eligible institution of higher education prior to approving grants. Provides for remittance to the appropriate eligible institution of higher education, and refund by the institution as specified. Provides for grant amounts to cover the tuition costs at the constituent institution in which the student is enrolled. Also provides for the reduction of grants if an eligible student receives a scholarship or grant covering the cost of attendance at the eligible institution of higher education for which the grant was awarded, as specified. Establishes first priority for students who received a tuition grant in the prior academic year for which they are applying and requires awarding grants in the order in which applications are received. 

Establishes the NC Tuition Grant Reserve Fund (Reserve) to hold all monies appropriated to the Authority to provide the tuition grants, all returned tuition grant monies, and all interest earned, to be used for tuition grants for the academic year that begins in the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the appropriation is made to to the Reserve, and up to 5% of the funds appropriated each fiscal year to cover the Authority's administrative costs.

Requires resident students who graduated from NCSSM at the end of the 2018-29 school year and were awarded a tuition grant for the 2019-20 academic year under Section 10A.5 of SL 2018-5 to have first priority in the award of tuition grants under GS 116-211, as enacted.

Appropriates from the General Fund to the Reserve for the 2020-21 fiscal year $2.5 million in recurring funds and $2.5 million in nonrecurring funds.

Effective July 1, 2019, and applies beginning with the award of tuition grants for the 2020-21 academic year. 

Intro. by Hise.GS 116
S 574 (2019-2020) GAMING COMMISSION. (NEW) Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO STUDY THE STATUS OF SPORTS BETTING AND WHETHER OR NOT TO ESTABLISH A GAMING COMMISSION.

Identical to H 548, filed 4/2/19.

Amends GS 90-270.90(4) as title indicates.  Effective October 1, 2019.  

Intro. by J. Davis, Krawiec, Woodard.GS 90
S 577 (2019-2020) FUNDS FOR STATESVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE STATESVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT.

Appropriates $500,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2019-20 from the Highway Fund to the Department of Transportation, to be used as title indicates. Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Sawyer.APPROP
S 585 (2019-2020) JUSTICE/JUDGE MAY CONTINUE TERM PAST AGE 72. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO ALLOW JUSTICES AND JUDGES ELECTED TO OFFICE PRIOR TO THE JUSTICE OR JUDGE'S SEVENTY-SECOND BIRTHDAY TO CONTINUE IN THE OFFICE PAST THE MANDATORY JUDICIAL RETIREMENT AGE OF SEVENTY-TWO UNTIL JANUARY 1 OF THE YEAR FOLLOWING THE NEXT ELECTION FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Identical to H 501, filed 3/27/19.

Amends GS 7A-4.20 as the title indicates.

Intro. by Lowe, Fitch.GS 7A
S 589 (2019-2020) PROHIBIT COUNTERFEIT/NONFUNCTIONAL AIR BAGS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE IMPORT, MANUFACTURE, SALE, OFFER OF SALE, INSTALLATION, OR REINSTALLATION OF COUNTERFEIT AND NONFUNCTIONAL AIR BAGS.

Identical to H 546, filed 4/2/19.

Amends GS 20-4.01 which sets out the definitions that apply to GS Chapter 20 by adding and defining the terms airbag, counterfeit supplemental restraint system component, nonfunctional airbag, and supplemental restraint system.

Amends GS 20-71.4 to make it illegal to transfer a motor vehicle when the transferor has knowledge that a counterfeit supplemental restrain system, or a nonfunctional airbag, or no airbag has been installed in the vehicle.

Amends GS 20-136.2 to make it illegal to knowingly import, manufacture, sell, offer for sale, distribute, install or reinstall any device intended to replace a supplemental restraint system component in any motor vehicle if the device is a counterfeit component, nonfunctional airbag, or causes a vehicle to fail to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards. Violations are a Class H felony and constitute an unfair and deceptive trade practice. Previously the statute only addressed airbags and violations were a Class 1 misdemeanor. Adds that nothing in the statute prohibits auto dealers, repair professionals, recyclers, original equipment manufactures, or contractors from disposing of counterfeit supplemental restraint system components or nonfunctional airbags in accordance with federal and state law.

Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2019. 

Intro. by Gunn.GS 20
S 592 (2019-2020) ABC OMNIBUS REGULATORY REFORM. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO MAKE VARIOUS REVISIONS TO THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LAWS OF THIS STATE.

Identical to H 536, filed 4/2/19.

Part I

Amends GS 18B-1303, concerning malt beverage distribution, to allow retail permit holder private label brands to be sold exclusively to the retailer that owns the brand name or to all retail permit holders within each territory without discrimination, at the retail permit holder's discretion. Defines retail permit holder to mean a malt beverage product that is labeled with a brand name owned by a retailer. 

Part II

Amends GS 18B-1104 regarding the authorizations of a brewery permit. Concerning the authorization to receive and sell malt beverages produced inside or outside the State under contract with a contract brewery, clarifies that the brewery that contracted with the contract brewery, which manufactures the malt beverage, must obtain label approval and remit the appropriate taxes. Applies to taxes collected on or after July 1, 2019.

Part III

Amends GS 18B-1114.5, regarding the authorizations of a malt beverage special event permit, to authorize the permit holder to give free tastings, sell branded merchandise, and sell its malt beverages by the glass or in closed containers at farmers markets.

Part IV

Amends GS 18B-1001(1), concerning on-premises malt beverage permit holders. Expands the authorization of on-premises malt beverage permit holders to allow permittees to transfer malt beverages to another on-premises malt beverage permittee that is under common ownership or control of the transferor. Limits the permittee to no more than four such transfers per calendar year. Clarifies that other transfers by on-premises malt beverage permittees , the purchase of malt beverages by a retail permittee from another retail permittee for the purpose of resale, and the sale of malt beverages by a retail permittee to another retail permittee for the purpose of resale is unlawful. Restricts authorized transfers of a particular brand of malt beverages to transferors and transferees located within the territory designated between the brewery and the wholesaler on file with the ABC Commission (Commission). Requires the transferor to notify each wholesaler who distributes the product of the transfer prior to or contemporaneous with the transfer, in writing or verifiable electronic format, and identifying the transferor, the transferee, the transfer date, quantity, and items transferred. Makes identical additions to expand the authorizations for off-premises malt beverage permit holders set out in GS 18B-1001(2) to allow for the transfer of malt beverages from the permittee to another off-premises malt beverage permittee, subject to the same restrictions and requirements.

Part V

Amends GS 18B-1006, which prohibits the issuance of permits for the sale of alcoholic beverages to a business on the campus or property of a public school, college, or university. Adds new subdivision (a)(9) to the prohibition's exemptions, now exempting a stadium, athletic facility, or arena on the campus or property of a public college or university, so long as the Board of Trustees of the public college or university has voted to allow the issuance of permits for use at said facility. Requires that if a Board of Trustees votes to allow the issuance of permits for the sale of alcoholic beverages at stadiums, athletic facilities, and arenas, then the Board must provide written notice to the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission that it has voted to allow the issuance of permits. Specifies that the term public college or university does not include a community college. Specifically authorizes permits described in GS 18B-1001 (identifying 20 types of permits, including malt beverage permits, unfortified wine permits, and tasting permits), GS 18B-1002(a)(2) (one-time permits for nonprofits for fund raising events), or GS 18B-1002(a)(5) (one-time permits for local government, nonprofit, or political organization for fund raising events). Adds that (a)(9) does not apply to any sales authorized under (a)(1)-(8) (which list other exceptions to the prohibition on issuing a permit for the sale of alcoholic beverages to a business on the campus or property of a public school, college, or university). Limits the premises of a stadium, athletic facility, or arena to include any area that meets three criteria, including designation on a map or written description clearly defining the boundary area, and includes the map or written description in the permit application. Specifies that the subdivsion does not authorize the sale of mixed beverages when the stadium, athletic facility, or arena is being used for a sports event sponsored by the public college or university. Makes conforming changes.

Part VI

Amends GS 18B-108 regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages on trains. Limits the sale and delivery of alcoholic beverages to rail line officers and agents to licensed wholesalers (was licensed wholesalers and retailers). Expands the statute to authorize alcoholic beverages to be sold on ferries established pursuant to Article 6, GS Chapter 136 upon compliance with Article 2C of GS Chapter 105 (Alcoholic Beverage License and Excise Taxes). Limits the authorization to the passenger-only ferry traveling from Hatteras to Ocracoke and doe not include the return trip from Ocracoke to Hatteras. Authorizes specified alcoholic beverages to be sold and delivered to an officer or agent of the Department of Transportation (DOT) for sale on the ferry, but limits the sale and delivery to wholesalers whose designated territory includes the Hatteras Ferry Terminal. Deems railroad trains and the ferry authorized to sell under the statute a licensed premises for which an ABC permit has been issued for purposes of GS 18B-502, concerning inspections. Authorizes the ABC Commission to consult with DOT and adopt rules regulating sales on trains and the ferry. Applies to sales made on or after July 1, 2019.

Part VII

Amends GS 18B-1001 to allow bars to obtain an on-premises malt beverage permit, on-premises unfortified wine permit, on-premises fortified wine permit, brown-bagging permit, special occasion permit, and mixed beverages permit. Defines bar under GS 18B-1000 as an establishment substantially engaged in the business of serving alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. Requires that in order to qualify as a bar that the establishment's gross receipts from alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises be no less than 75% of the establishment's total gross receipts.

Part VIII

Amends GS 18B-1105 regarding the authorization of distillery permit holders to allow them to sell, deliver and ship spirituous liquor in closed containers at wholesale or retail to consumers in other states or nations, subject to the laws of other jurisdictions. Applies to sales made on or after July 1, 2019.

Part IX

Amends GS 18B-1105 to allow distillery permit holders to sell spirituous liquor distilled at the distillery in closed containers to visitors for consumption off the premises, no longer requiring that the visitors tour the distillery. Removes the limit of no more than five bottles per 12-month period. Makes conforming changes. Makes the provision concerning the price of spirituous liquor sold at a distillery applicable to all sales of spirituous liquor distilled at the permit holder's distillery.  

Amends GS 18B-1116 which makes it unlawful for any manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler of alcoholic beverages or specified affiliates to directly or indirectly take specified actions, including (1) having any direct or indirect financial interest in the business of any alcoholic beverage retailer in this state or in the premises where the business of any alcoholic beverage retailer in this State is conducted or (2) lending or giving any alcoholic beverage retailer in this State, their employee, or the owner of the premises where the business of any alcoholic beverage retailer in this State is conducted any money, service, equipment, furniture, fixtures, or any other thing of value. Adds that a distillery is not subject the these provisions concerning financial interests in, and lending or giving things of value to, a retailer with respect to the distillery's transactions with the retail business allowed on its premises.

Applies to sales made on or after July 1, 2019.

Part X

Requires the ABC Commission to implement the Discount Rule (14B NCAC 15B .1004) by limiting a combinations of the use of a coupon, rebate, or a permittee's loyalty card, discount card, or membership card to no more than 35% of the advertised retail price for the purchase of a malt beverage or wine, and prohibiting a coupon or rebate, or a loyalty card, discount card, or membership card from providing a discount exceeding 35% of the advertised retail price for the purchase of a malt beverage or wine. Requires the ABC Commission to adopt temporary rules to comply with the provision, and adopt permanent rules consistent with the provisions no later than September 1, 2019.

Part XI

Amends GS 18B-101 to now define premises to mean a fixed permanent establishment, including all areas inside or outside the licensed establishment, where the permittee has control through a lease, deed, or other legal process. 

Amends GS 18B-1005.1 to specify that it is unlawful for a permittee or permittee's agent or employer to knowingly allow or engage in any conduct or entertainment on a licensed premises where human genitals are exposed or a person is wearing transparent clothing that reveals his or her genitals (previously did not specify the prohibited conduct be on the licensed premises; previously also prohibited conduct or entertainment that included or simulated sexually explicit conduct, as specified). 

Applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2019.

Part XII

Enacts GS 18B-1010, authorizing the sale and delivery by the holder of an on-premises malt beverage permit, on-premises wine permit, on-premises fortified wine permit, or mixed beverages permit of one alcoholic beverage drink at a time to a single patron for consumption on the premises. Limits the authorization to no more than four alcoholic beverage drinks. Excludes from the authorization sales at a stadium, athletic facility, or arena on the campus or property of a public college or university; during a sports event sponsored by a public college or university; and a stadium, athletic facility, arena, or other establishment with a seating capacity of 3,000 or more.

Applies to sales made on or after July 1, 2019.

Part XIII

Repeals GS 18B-308, which made it unlawful to sell or consume alcoholic beverages at bingo games. Makes conforming repeals of GS 14-309.14(3). Makes conforming changes to GS 18B-112(b)(3).

Applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2019.

Part XIV

Amends GS 130A-250 to exempt licensed breweries not engaged in the preparation of food on the premises from food and lodging facility public health regulations under Part 6, Article 8 of GS Chapter 130A. Specifies that food does not include beverages. Provides a saving clause for penalties imposes and fees charged before the effective date of the Section.

Part XV

Amends GS 18B-802, to now provide that the prohibited operating hours of an ABC store are between 9:00 PM and 9:00 AM on Monday through Saturday, and 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM on Sunday (previously, specified 9:00 PM to 9:00 AM, and required local boards to otherwise determine opening and closing hours of its stores).

Enacts GS 153A-145.9 (concerning counties) and GS 160A-205.5 (concerning cities) to authorize a county or city to adopt and ordinance authorizing its ABC stores to be open, and authorizing ABC store employees to sell alcoholic beverages, on any or all days otherwise prohibited under GS 18B-802(b) (which prohibits opening and sales on Sunday, New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day). Makes conforming changes to GS 18B-802.

Part XVI

Amends GS 18B-1114.7 to allow the holders of a supplier representative permit, brokerage representative permit, or distillery permit to obtain a spirituous liquor special event permit allowing the permittee to give free tastings at ABC stores where the local ABC board has approved the tastings (in addition to the already allowed trade shows, conventions, shopping malls, street festivals, holiday festivals, agricultural festivals, balloon races, local fund-raisers, and similar events). Also requires the Commission, for tastings in an ABC store, to establish and implement a policy whereby distillery permit holders are given the right of first refusal for a certain number of the dates and times made available in a month by the local board for holding tastings, as determined by the ABC Commission. Requires the policy to set forth the date for each month by which a distillery permit holder can exercise the right before the reserved dates and times are made available to all eligible spirituous special event permit holders. Makes conforming changes to GS 18B-301. 

Part XVII

Amends GS 18B-404 to require local boards to accept electronic payments for spirituous liquor purchased by a mixed beverage permittee. Prohibits the board from charging an electronic payment fee. Defines electronic payment. Applies to sales made or after July 1, 2019.

Part XVIII

Enacts GS 18B-907 to require the ABC Commission to make all permitting forms available on its website, and to allow for electronic submission of permit forms to the extent practicable. Provides for submissions with electronic signatures. Requires the Commission to accept electronic payment for any permit fees under the Chapter. Defines electronic payment. Authorizes the Commission to charge a fee not exceeding $5 to cover costs incurred in accepting and processing electronic payments. Applies to permits applied for on or after July 1, 2019.

Part XIX

Amends GS 18B-1001 by creating a common area entertainment permit to be issued to the owner of a multi-tenant establishment that has at least two tenants that holds an on-premises malt beverage permit, on-premises unfortified wine permit, on-premises fortified wine permit, or mixed beverages permit. The permit allows the customer of a multi-tenant establishment tenant holding one of those specified permit types to exit the licensed premises with an open container of alcohol sold by the tenant and consume the beverage within the confines of any common area on the premises of the multi-tenant establishment that is designated for such consumption. Defines a multi-tenant establishment as a building or structure, or multiple buildings and structures on the same property and under common ownership or control, that contain or contains multiple businesses that sell food, goods, services, or a combination of food, goods, and services, and that are connected by common areas. Sets out eight additional conditions that apply to a common area entertainment permit, including that alcoholic beverages sold for consumption in a designated common area must be dispensed only in a paper or plastic cup bearing the name, logo, or name and logo of the licensed premises from which the beverage was purchased and limits the amount to 16 fluid ounces, prohibits a customer from possessing or consuming more than one alcoholic beverage at a time while within the designated common area, and requires a customer in the designated common area to dispose of any alcoholic beverage prior to exiting the designated common area.

Amends GS 18B-902 by setting the permit fee at $750.

Part XX

Enacts GS 18B-1001.4, authorizing the holder of a delivery service permit or the holder's employee or independent contractor to deliver malt beverages, unfortified wine, or fortified wine to a location designed by the purchaser on behalf of the retailer holding an on-premises malt beverage permit, off-premises malt beverage permits, on-premises unfortified wine permit, off-premises unfortified wine permit, on-premises fortified wine permit, off-premises fortified wine permit, and a wine shop permit. Further authorizes a delivery service permittee to facilitate delivery through technology service, as specified. Requires the permittee to successfully complete a course approved by the ABC Commission prior to making any deliveries. Prohibits a permittee from handling or possessing any funds used to purchase an alcoholic beverage, but allows the permittee to facilitate the sales transaction. Prohibits delivery to a person under 21 years of age and requires packages to contain a statement, as specified, if the manufacturer's original packaging is obscured. Subject deliveries to local laws of the jurisdiction where the delivery is located. Prohibits deliveries from being made more than 50 miles from the retailer's licensed premises or the premises of another retailer. Limits delivery to alcoholic beverages purchased for personal consumption and from a licensed retailer's existing inventory located on the retailer's premises. Does not require a delivery service permit for a common carrier to lawfully transport or ship alcoholic beverages. Subjects deliveries pursuant to a delivery service permit to the requirements of Article 4 (Transportation).

Amends GS 18B-902, as amended, setting the delivery service permit fee at $400.

Part XXI

Amends GS 18B-104, increasing the cap for the penalty the ABC Commission can accept in compromise from $5,000 to $10,000 in cases in which the ABC Commission is entitled to suspend or revoke a permit.

Applies to violations committed on or after July 1, 2019.

Part XXII

Directs the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee to include in its biennial 2019-20 work plan a study by the Program Evaluation Division (PED) of the action the ABC Commission is authorized to take under GS 18B-104 for violations of GS Chapter 18B. Details required examinations of the study, inducing the proportionality of the punishment that can be imposed in relation to the violation. Requires the ABC Commission to provide any necessary information, data, or documents from their records or available to them upon request of PED. Requires PED to report to the Oversight Committee by March 15, 2020. Effective when the act becomes law.

Part XXIII includes a severability clause.

Part XXIV

Allows the ABC Commission to adopt temporary rules to implement the act's requirements, and requires the Commission to amend its rules consistent with the act's provisions.

Part XXV provides that the act is effective July 1, 2019, unless otherwise provided.

Intro. by Gunn.STUDY, GS 14, GS 18B, GS 130, GS 153, GS 160A
S 616 (2019-2020) REQUIRE PAID WORK BREAKS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT AMENDING THE WAGE AND HOUR ACT TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE A TWENTY-MINUTE PAID BREAK TO ANY EMPLOYEE WORKING A SHIFT OF SIX HOURS OR MORE.

Identical to H 551, filed 4/2/19.

Enacts GS 95-25.4A to require all employers to offer employees at least one voluntary paid break of at least 20 minutes duration near the middle of a workday which is six or more hours. Specifies that the break cannot be used to delay the beginning or shorten the work period without the approval of the employer.

Amends GS 95-25.23 to establish a penalty for violations of GS 95-25.4A and any regulation issued pursuant to the statute in an amount not to exceed $100 for the first violation, or not to exceed $500 for each subsequent violation. Requires consideration of the business size and gravity of the violation in assessing the penalty amount. Deems the determination of the Commissioner of Labor final unless the person charges with the violation takes exception to the determination and within 15 days after receipt of notice, as specified, in which case the final determination will be made in administrative and judicial proceedings pursuant to GS Chapter 150B, as specified.

Amends GS 95-241(a)(1), adding to the persons protected from discrimination or retaliation in employment those filing a claim, initiating any inquiry, investigation, inspection, proceeding or other action, or testifying or providing information to any person with respect to GS 95-25.4A.

Intro. by Chaudhuri, Nickel.GS 95
S 624 (2019-2020) GUILFORD COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY/FUNDS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, FOR A GRANT-IN-AID TO GUILFORD COUNTY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FACILITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CENTER FOR ADULTS.

Identical to H 360, filed 3/13/19.

Appropriates the following amounts to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services to be used to provide a grant-in-aid to Guilford County to construct a facility-based mental health crisis center to serve adults: (1) $3.85 million in nonrecurring funds for the 2019-20 fiscal year and the 2020-21 fiscal year from the General Fund and (2) $2.3 million in nonrecurring funds for the 2019-20 fiscal year from the Dorothea Dix Hospital Property Fund. Restricts Guilford County from using the funds for any other purpose. Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Tillman.APPROP
S 632 (2019-2020) NC PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICENSURE ACT. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS AND CRITERIA FOR THE REGULATION AND LICENSURE OF PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGERS PROVIDING CLAIMS PROCESSING SERVICES OR OTHER PRESCRIPTION DRUG OR DEVICE SERVICES FOR HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS.

Identical to H 534, filed 4/2/19.

Makes the following changes to Article 56A, Pharmacy Management Benefits, of GS Chapter 58.

Adds claim, claims processing service, maximum allowable cost list, other prescription drug or device services, pharmacist services, and pharmacy benefits manager affiliate to the defined terms set out in GS 58-56A-1. Amends the definition of health benefit plan to now refer to the definition set out for the term in GS 58-3-167, and makes conforming changes to the definition. Amends the definition of pharmacy benefits manager to include any entity who contracts with a pharmacist or a pharmacy (was only a pharmacy) on behalf of an insurer or third-party administrator to administer or manage prescription drug benefits to perform three specified functions: (1) processing claims for prescription drugs or medical supplies or providing retail network management for pharmacies or pharmacists; (2) paying pharmacies or pharmacists for prescription drugs or medical supplies; or (3) negotiating rebates with manufacturers for drugs paid for or procured as described in the Article (previously, the definition did not specify functions performed by the manager). Makes conforming organizational changes.

Enacts GS 58-56A-2 to now require licensure by the Commissioner of Insurance (Commissioner) for a person or organization to establish or operate as a pharmacy benefits manager in the State for health benefit plans. Directs the Commissioner to prescribe the application for a license. Authorizes the Commissioner to charge an initial application fee of $2,000 and an annual renewal fee of $1,500. Sets forth six components the application must contain, including contact information of the pharmacy benefits manager, the manager's agent for service of process, each person with management control over the pharmacy benefits manager, and each person with a beneficial ownership interest in the pharmacy benefits manager. Further requires the application to include a signed statement indicating that no officer with management or control of the pharmacy benefits manager has been convicted of a felony or has violated any requirements of applicable state or federal law, or a signed statement describing relevant conviction or violation. Details further requirements for applicants which are a partnership or other unincorporated association, limited liability company, or corporation, and has five or more partners, members, or stockholders. Mandates that any applicant or licensed pharmacy benefits manager must file notice a notice describing any material modification to the information required of applications. Directs the Commissioner to adopt rules establishing the licensing and reporting requirements of pharmacy benefits managers consistent with the Article.

Adds to GS 58-56A-3 concerning consumer protections. Now establishes that pharmacies and pharmacists cannot be prohibited, restricted, or penalized by a pharmacy benefits manager for discussing any information regarding the amount of the insured's cost share for a prescription drug. Modifies and adds to the contractual prohibitions of a pharmacy benefits manager to now prohibit restricting or penalizing a pharmacy or pharmacist from: (1) offering and providing direct and limited delivery services to an insured as an ancillary service of the pharmacy; (2) disclosing to any insured any health care information that the pharmacy or pharmacist deems appropriate within the pharmacist's scope of practice; (3) discussing information regarding the total cost for pharmacist services for a prescription drug, or from selling a more affordable alternative to the insured if available; and (4) disclosing information to the Commissioner investigating or examining a complaint or conducting a compliance review, which is considered proprietary, confidential, and not considered a public record. Specifies that a pharmacy benefits manager cannot prohibit a pharmacy or pharmacist from sharing proprietary or confidential information. Now prohibits a pharmacy benefits manager from charging or attempting to collect from an insured a copayment that exceeds the lesser of the total submitted charged by the network pharmacy, the contracted copayment amount, or the amount an individual would pay for a prescription drug if that individual was not insured and was paying cash for the prescription drug (was limited to a copayment that exceeds the total submitted charged by the network pharmacy). Now requires the insurer to include any amounts paid by the insured or paid on behalf of the insured by another person in calculating an insured's overall contribution to any out-of-pocket maximum or any cost-sharing required under a health benefit plan, as allowable under federal and state law.  Eliminates provisions requiring any contract for the provision of a network to deliver health care services between a pharmacy benefits manager and insurer to be available for review by the Department of Insurance (Department). Eliminates the requirement for the Department to report any violations of the statute or GS 58-56A-4 to the Attorney General. 

Prohibits a pharmacy benefits manager from causing or knowingly permitting the use of any advertisement, promotion, solicitation, representation, proposal or offer that is untrue, deceptive, or misleading. Prohibits a pharmacy benefits manager from knowingly making any misrepresentation. Prohibits a pharmacy benefits manager from requiring an insured to use a pharmacy benefits manager or affiliate for filling a prescription or the provision of other pharmacy care services. Permits an insured to use any in-network pharmacy or pharmacist for a prescription drug covered by the health benefit plan, including any specialty drugs and maintenance drugs, so long as the prescription drug is not a limited distribution drug, is not commonly carried in retail pharmacies, and requires special handling. 

Amends GS 58-56A-4, regarding pharmacy and pharmacist protections, to now provide the following. Permits a pharmacy benefits manager to charge a reasonable fee or adjustment for the receipt and processing of a claim or otherwise hold a pharmacy responsible for a fee relating to the adjudication of a claim, only if the fee is reported on the remittance advice of the adjudicated claim or is set out in the contract between the pharmacy benefits manager and the pharmacy.  Requires there to be a justification for each adjustment or fee. Maintains the provision which excludes from the statute's provisions claims under an employee benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or Medicare Part D. Explicitly prohibits pharmacy benefit managers from directly or indirectly charging a fee or adjustment if the fee or adjustment is not apparent at the time of claim processing, is not reported on the remittance advice of an adjudicated claim, or is charged after the initial claim is adjudicated in the point of sale. Prohibits the prohibition or restriction of a pharmacy or pharmacist from dispensing any prescription drug allowed to be dispensed under a license to practice pharmacy. Prohibits consistent under reimbursement with the express intent or purpose to drive out competition of financial injuring competitors, as specified. Prohibits requiring the use of mail order for filling prescriptions, unless required by the health benefit plan. Prohibits prohibiting a pharmacist or pharmacy from charging a shipping and handling fee to an insured requesting a prescription to be mailed or delivered. Does not allow a pharmacy benefits manager to prohibit participation in a class action lawsuit or penalize or retaliate against a pharmacist or pharmacy for exercising rights provided under the Article. Clarifies that the statute does not affect the right of a pharmacist or pharmacy to refuse to fill or refill a prescription, as specified. Allows a pharmacy or pharmacist to decline to provide pharmacist services on behalf of a pharmacy benefits manager or third-party administrator.

Adds to GS 58-56A-5, concerning the maximum allowable cost price of prescription drugs. Similarly, prohibits a pharmacy benefits manager from engaging in a pattern or practice of reimbursing independent pharmacies or pharmacists less than the amount of the National Drug Average Acquisition Cost. Requires pharmacy benefits managers to ensure that dispensing fees are not included in the calculation of maximum allowable cost price. Requires pharmacy benefits managers to establish an administrative appeals procedure for reimbursement if the less than the net amount that the network paid to the suppliers of the drug. Sets forth parameters for the appeal procedure. 

Enacts GS 58-56A-15. Sets forth limitations for retroactive denial or reduction of claims for pharmacist services after adjudication regarding fraudulent claims, claims already paid, services not rendered, and adjustments agreed upon. Clarifies that the statute does not limit overpayment recovery efforts by a pharmacy benefits manager. 

Enacts GS 58-56A-20 to authorize pharmacy benefits manager networks to require different pharmacy accreditation standards or certification requirements for participating in the network, provided they are applied without regard to independent status or pharmacy benefits manager affiliation. Provides pharmacy locations with access to more than one network, as specified. Prohibits denying the right to any properly licensed pharmacist or pharmacy from participating in the network on the same terms and conditions of other participants in the network. Strictly prohibits benefit differentials. Prohibits conditioning participation on more stringent or additional requirements beyond federal and state licensure requirements. Requires pharmacy performance measure or pay-for-performance networks to use the electronic quality improvement platform for plans and pharmacies (EQuIPP) or another such unbiased, nationally-recognized entity. Details restrictions and limitations concerning pharmacy performance measures. Requires a pharmacist or pharmacy that belongs to a pharmacy service administration organization to receive a copy of the contract between the administration and the pharmacy benefits manager, upon request. Establishes that termination of a pharmacy or pharmacist from a network does not release the pharmacy benefits manager from the obligation to make any payment due to the pharmacy or pharmacist for pharmacist services properly rendered according to the contract. 

Enacts GS 58-65A-25 to require disclosure to a health benefit plan or contracted providers under the plan of any difference between the amount paid to a pharmacy and the amount charged to the health benefit plan if the pharmacy benefits manager has a pharmacy benefits manager affiliate, as defined. Prohibits the transfer of personally identifiable data, as specified, from pharmacy benefits managers and affiliates for commercial purposes; however, permits the exchange of prescription information for the limited purposes of reimbursement, formulary compliance, pharmacy care, or utilization review.  

Enacts GS 58-65A-30 to condition initial licensure or maintenance of licensure under the Article upon making available to the Department any network contract. Establishes an annual reporting requirement for all pharmacy benefit managers to report to the Commissioner specified information regarding rebates. 

Enacts GS 58-65A-35 to provide for the enforcement of the Article by the Commissioner by means of examination or audit, as described. Authorizes the Commissioner to contract with consultants and other professional as necessary and appropriate to conduct examinations or audits. Requires pharmacy benefit managers to pay the costs incurred in an examination or audit, and requires the Commissioner to institute a civil action to recover the expenses of examination in instances of refusal or failure to pay. Deems information or data acquired during examination or audit proprietary, confidential and not public record. Directs the Commissioner to adopt rules regarding the regulation of pharmacy benefits managers consistent with the Article. Subjects violations of the Article to penalties prescribed under GS 58-56A-10, as recodified and amended. Further, subjects a pharmacy benefits manager to lincense revocation or denial as a result of violations. Requires the Commissioner to report to the Attorney General any violations of the Article in accordance with GS 58-2-40(5) (as deleted from GS 58-56A-3; expanded to include violations of the Article rather than specified provisions).

Recodifies GS 58-56A-10 as GS 58-56A-40. Adds to the existing provisions. Provides for a monetary penalty for a violation of any provision of the Article other than GS 58-56A-5 (Maximum allowable cost price), to be determined by the Commissioner upon consideration of the degree and extend of harm caused, the amount of money that inured to the benefit of the violator as a result of the violation, whether the violation was committed willfully, and the prior record of the violator in complying or failing to comply with laws, rules, or orders applicable to the violator. Require remittance of the clear proceeds of this newly prescribed penalty to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund pursuant to GS 115C-457.2. Clarifies that payment of this penalty is in addition to payment of any other penalty for a violation of the state's criminal laws. Makes clarifying, conforming and technical changes. 

Amends 58-2-40(5) to require the Commissioner to report in detail to the Attorney General any violations of laws relative to pharmacy benefits managers. 

Applies to any contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2020.

Intro. by Britt, Hise, Tillman.GS 58
S 633 (2019-2020) ESTABLISH BIRTH CENTER LICENSURE ACT. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT ESTABLISHING A LICENSURE PROCESS AND ANNUAL LICENSE FEES FOR BIRTH CENTERS.

Identical to H 575, filed 4/3/19.

Enacts new Part 4A to Article 6 of GS Chapter 131E, titled the Birth Center Licensure Act (Act).

Sets out the purpose of the Act and defined terms. Prohibits the establishment or operation of a birth center in the state without first obtaining a license from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) pursuant to new Part 4A. Defines birth center as a facility licensed for the primary purpose of performing normal, uncomplicated deliveries that is not a hospital, and where births are planned to occur away from the mother's usual residence following a low-risk pregnancy, as that term is defined. Requires DHHS to provide applications for licensure and details the information required to be included in applications. Directs DHHS to issue a license upon the recommendation of the NC Birth Center Commission (Commission) if it finds the applicant is in compliance with the provisions of Part 4A and any rules adopted by the Commission. Provides that the license is valid for one year and is required to designate the number of beds and the number of rooms on the licensed premises. Establishes a $100 nonrefundable annual license fee to be credited to the DHHS as a departmental receipt and applied to offset costs for licensing and inspecting birth center. Provides for license renewal by DHHS pursuant to rules adopted by the Commission. Establishes that a license is not transferable or assignable except with written approval of DHHS. Requires operators to post the license on the licensed premises in an area accessible to the public. 

Authorizes the denial, suspension, or revocation of a license for substantial failure to comply with the provisions of Part 4A or rules adopted by the Commission. Provides five factors the DHHS Secretary must consider in determining whether to suspend admissions or services when the birth center's conditions are dangerous to the health or safety of the patients, including whether all other reasonable means of correcting the problem have been exhausted and no less restrictive alternative to suspension of admissions or services exists. Provides for a birth center to contest any adverse action on its license in accordance with GS Chapter 150B (APA).

Prohibits a licensed birth center from representing or providing services outside of the scope the license. Sets the following limitations on services at a licensed birth center: (1) surgical procedures must be limited to those normally accomplished during an uncomplicated birth, (2) no abortions can be performed, (3) no general or conduction anesthesia can be performed, and (4) no vaginal birth after cesarean or trial of labor after cesarean can be performed.

Requires DHHS to review and, as necessary, revise the Freestanding Birth Center Fee Schedule every three years to ensure that the fees are sufficient to cover the costs of services and that the cost for any State-mandated newborn screening is reimbursed at least at cost. 

Directs DHHS to inspect birth centers as it deems necessary to investigate unexpected occurrences involving death or serious physical injury and reportable adverse outcomes identified in the rules adopted by the Commission. Requires all licensed birth centers be subject to DHHS inspections at all times. Provides for access to licensed premises by authorized DHHS representatives. Makes it unlawful for any person to resist proper entry by authorized DHHS representatives upon premises other than a private dwelling. Prohibits those representatives from endangering the health or well-being of any patient being treated in the birth center by his or her entry onto the premises. Grants DHHS the authority to investigate birth centers in the same manner as it investigates hospitals under GS 131E-80(d). Permits public disclosure of information received by the Commission or DHHS through filed reports, license applications, or inspection required or authorized by new Part 4 except where disclosure would violate applicable laws concerning patient records and confidentiality. Prohibits disclosure from identifying the patient involved without permission of the patient or court order.

Creates the seven-member NC Birth Center Commission of DHHS. Specifies the powers and duties of the Commission, including adopting rules establishing standards for licensure, operation, and regulation of birth centers in the State. Details the Commission membership. Provides parameters for vacancies, removal, and member expenses, as well as Commission quorum and the provision of clerical services.

Requires the Commission to adopt rules establishing seven licensure requirements, including: (1) a requirement that the birth center obtain and maintain accreditation with the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC), and including several documentation and reporting requirements, (2) a requirement that the birth center establish procedures specifying the criteria by which each person's risk status will be evaluated at admission and during labor, pursuant to CABC standards, and (3) a requirement that the birth center develop and submit a plan for complying with the standards of CABC with respect to transfer of care procedures. Requires DHHS to enforce the provisions of new Part 4 and any rules adopted by the Commission.

Directs DHHS to, by October 1, 2019, review, and as necessary, revise, its current Freestanding Birth Center Fee Schedule to ensure that the fees are sufficient to cover the costs of services and that the cost for any State-mandated newborn screening is reimbursed at least at cost. 

Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Hise, Krawiec, Woodard.GS 131E
S 636 (2019-2020) INCREASE FOSTER CARE RATES/FUNDS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO INCREASE RATES FOR FOSTER CARE AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Identical to H 580, filed 4/3/19.

Effective July 1, 2020, amends GS 108A-49.1 by increasing the monthly maximum specified rates for (1) State participation in the foster care assistance program; and (2) the State adoption assistance program, which are based on the age of the child. The statute is amended again to further increase the rates, effective July 1, 2021.

Appropriates $6,868,758 for 2020-21 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, to implement the foster care and adoption rate increases. Effective July 1, 2019.  

Intro. by Hise, Krawiec, Harrington.APPROP, GS 108A
S 640 (2019-2020) NC A&T STATE UNIVERSITY/AG. FUNDS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL AND TECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM MATCH FOR FEDERAL FUNDS TO SUPPORT AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.

Identical to H 472, filed 3/26/19.

Appropriates $2 million in additional recurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors to be allocated to NC A&T State University to support its agricultural research and cooperative extension activities by matching federal funds awarded to the University. Provides that the minimum match is $1 in nonfederal funds for every $1 in federal funds for agricultural research and extension activities approved in the plan of work submitted to the US Secretary of Agriculture. States the NCGA's intent to appropriate additional state funds as necessary to meet the minimum match for available federal funds for this program in subsequent fiscal years. Effective July 1, 2019. 

Intro. by Robinson, Garrett.APPROP
S 644 (2019-2020) RICHMOND CC/MULTICAMPUS FUNDS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO PROVIDE MULTICAMPUS FUNDING FOR THE SCOTLAND COUNTY CAMPUS OF RICHMOND COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

Identical to H 197, filed 2/26/19.

Appropriates $566,587 in recurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office, to be used for the operation of the Scotland County Campus of Richmond Community College as a multicampus center. Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Burgin, Krawiec.APPROP
S 651 (2019-2020) POLLUTER PAYS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO MAKE PERSONS CAUSING OR CONTRIBUTING TO CONTAMINATION RESPONSIBLE FOR COSTS OF CLEANUP AND PROVISION OF ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLIES TO PERSONS WITH WATER SUPPLIES AFFECTED BY SUCH CONTAMINATION AND TO PROHIBIT AN ELECTRIC PUBLIC UTILITY FROM RECOVERING COSTS RELATED TO THE MANAGEMENT OF COAL COMBUSTION ASH AND UNLAWFUL DISCHARGES FROM COAL ASH PONDS.

Identical to H 566, filed 4/2/19.

Amends GS 143-215.3, which establishes the general and auxiliary powers of the Environmental Management Commission (Commission) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Authorizes the Secretary of DEQ (Secretary) to order persons causing or contributing to water or air pollution that is causing danger to the health or safety of the public, revealed by an investigation pursuant to Article 21 (Water and Air Resources) or Article 21B (Air Pollution Control) of GS Chapter 143, to immediately reduce or discontinue the emission or discharge, or take other necessary measures or omissions, within a period of time specified at the discretion of the Secretary. Permits the Secretary to order the person to provide alternate water supplies or to establish a permanent replacement water supply to persons with water supplies damaged by the water or air pollution in question at the discretion of the Secretary. Specifies that the establishment of a permanent replacement water supply must be by connection to a public water supply, unless an affected household opts for a whole house filtration system that the responsible person will be required to install and maintain. Additionally, the Secretary is authorized to assess the person causing or contributing to the pollution in question for any actual and necessary costs incurred by the State in removing, correcting, or abating any adverse effects upon the water or air resulting from the pollution for which the person is responsible. Authorizes the Secretary to file a civil action in superior court in the county where the pollution in question occurred or where the person resides or has its principal place of business to recover sums assessed if a person refuses or fails to pay within a reasonable time. 

Amends GS 143-215.2, which authorizes the Commission to issue a special order or other instrument to any person responsible for causing or contributing to any pollution of state waters within an area for which standards have been adopted pursuant to GS 143-214.1 or GS 143-215. Adds to the Commission's authority to issue special orders by specifying that a special order can include a requirement that the responsible person provide temporary alternate or permanent replacement water supplies to persons with supplies damaged by the water pollution in question. 

Amends GS 62-133.13, adding a new provision prohibiting electric public utilities from recovering from the retail electric customers of the state costs incurred on or after January 1, 2014, that are related to the management of coal combustion residuals disposed of in coal combustion residuals surface impoundments, including costs associated with complying with the coal ash management provisions of Part 2I of Article 9 of GS Chapter 130A. Modifies existing language to now prohibit electric public utilities from recovering from the retail electric customers of the state costs incurred on or after January 1, 2014, that are related to an unlawful discharge to the surface waters of the state from a coal combustion residuals surface impoundment, unless the Commission determines the discharge was due to an event of force majure (currently, this provision is not limited to costs incurred on or after a certain date). Specifies that "costs related to unlawful discharges to the surface waters of the state" includes any corrective actions required of the electric public utility under state or federal law. Removes the provision providing that "unlawful discharge" is the discharge that results in a violation of state or federal surface water quality standards. Makes organizational changes. 

Appropriates $75,000 from the General Fund to DEQ to implement the act.

Exempts the act from the provisions of GS 143C-5-2, concerning the order of appropriations bills. 

Intro. by Garrett, Marcus, deViere.APPROP, GS 62
S 653 (2019-2020) ADD'L MEASURES FOR EMERGING CONTAMINANTS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO ESTABLISH ENHANCED REQUIREMENTS FOR DISCHARGERS OF POLLUTANTS TO THE STATE'S AIR AND WATER, TO PROVIDE INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, AND TO MAKE OTHER STATUTORY CHANGES NECESSARY TO ADDRESS CONTAMINATION OF DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES IN THE STATE IN ORDER TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH.

Identical to H 568, filed 4/2/19.

Section 1

Amends GS 143-213(9) to restore the term "emission" to the definitions of discharge or discharge of waste as defined in this section for use in Articles 21, 21A, and 21B of GS Chapter 143. Previously the law explicitly stated that terms would not be interpreted to include the term "emission."

Section 2

Repeals GS 150B-19.3, which prohibits any agency authorized to implement State and federal environmental laws from adopting rules for protection of the environment that impose a more restrictive standard, limitation, or requirement than those imposed by a federal law or rule, unless adoption of the rule is required under any of five exceptions.   

Makes conforming changes to GS 130A-309.207 (rule making for Environmental Management Commission).

Makes conforming changes to GS 130A-309.226 (amendment to rule regarding use of coal combustion products for structural fill).

Section 3

Amends GS 143-215.1, adding new subsection (a8), forbidding the discharge of toxic waste into the waters of North Carolina in any manner, when the United States Environmental Protection Agency or State has not established a health advisory standard, health goal, or effluent standard or limitation for that toxic waste. Requires that if a toxic waste does have a health advisory standard, health goal, or effluent standard or limitation, or is the subject of a consent order entered into by the Environmental Protection Agency, a permittee must comply with whichever health goal, health standard, or effluent standard or limitation is more stringent. This provision does not apply to municipal wastewater treatment facilities. Adds new (b)(6), allowing the Commission to suspend a permit immediately upon discovery that a permittee has caused or allowed any pollutant to be discharged into the waters of the State, when that pollutant is not authorized by the permit, or disclosed in the application for such permit. This provision does not apply to wastewater treatment facilities. Adds new subsection (l) requiring that every person applying for an individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit fully disclose in the application each pollutant in the person’s discharge that is at or above the practical quantitation limit for the pollutant, including emerging chemicals without applicable discharge standards established under State or federal law. The pollutant’s concentration to be discharged and chemical abstracts service number or details sufficient to adequately inform the Department of Environmental Quality (Department) of the pollutant’s characteristics must be disclosed.

Section 4

Amends GS 143-215.3(a) to add new subsection (12a), directing that if the Secretary finds that a permittee has caused or allowed any pollutant not authorized by permit to be discharged or intermixed with the waters of the State, or discharged a pollutant in exceedance of the limits in the permit, the Secretary must order the permittee to provide and maintain water filtration or treatment processes adequate to remove the pollutant for each local government located downstream from the point of discharge whose drinking water supplies would be impacted by the pollutant for as long as the pollutant persists in the environment. Permittees who have polluted in this manner will be financially responsible for the removal of the pollutant from drinking water supplies impacted by the pollutant.

Section 5

Appropriates $6,055,552 in recurring funds to the Department from the General Fund to be used for 37 full-time equivalent positions, including the specified number of environmental scientists, engineers, hydro-geologists, business analysts, administrative staff, chemists, economist, and statistician.

Appropriates $336,441 in nonrecurring funds for the 2019-20 fiscal year to the Department from the General Fund to be used to acquire a mobile lab to help respond to hurricanes and algal blooms to expedite restoration of drinking water systems.

Section 6

The provisions of GS 143C-5-2 (order of appropriations bills) do not apply to this act.

Section 7

Includes a severability clause. 

Intro. by Garrett.APPROP, GS 130A, GS 143, GS 150B
S 655 (2019-2020) BAN PFAS IN FIRE RETARDANT FOAM. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO BAN THE MANUFACTURE, SALE, OR USE OF CERTAIN FIRE RETARDANT FOAM CONTAINING PFAS.

Identical to H 560, filed 4/2/19.

Includes whereas clauses.

Purpose.  Amends GS Chapter 143, Article 21A (Oil Pollution and Hazardous Substances Control) to add new Part 8 to reduce use of certain toxic chemicals in firefighting activities.  The new Part provides definitions, restrictions, and civil penalties aimed at controlling the use of Class B firefighting foam that contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals.  This act also mandates transition provisions regarding notice, recall, and reimbursement by the manufacturer of that type of foam within certain time limits, with violators being subject to civil penalties.  The new sections of Part 8 are as follows.

New provisions.  Enacts new GS 143-215.104LL defining, among other terms, Class B firefighting foam as any foam designed for flammable liquid fire, and PFAS chemicals as a class of certain compounds that are used in firefighting.

Enacts new GS 143-215.104MM to prohibit the use of Class B firefighting foam that contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals for training purposes. 

Enacts new GS 143-215.104NN, effective July 1, 2022, prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, or sale of the same kind of foam, except as required by federal law.  Provides that if federal regulations change to allow alternative firefighting agents that do not use PFAS chemicals, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) may adopt rules restricting PFAS chemicals.  Exempts from the restrictions foam for use at a terminal (motor fuel storage and distribution facility) or a chemical plant.

Enacts new GS 143-215.104OO requiring notice by a manufacturer or seller of firefighting personal protective equipment to purchasers that the equipment contains PFAS chemicals; the notice must state the reason why the chemicals are added to the equipment.  Mandates that notices be kept by the manufacturer or seller for three years, and copies must be furnished upon request to DEQ within 60 days.

Enacts new GS 143-215.104PP authorizing DEQ to request a certificate of compliance from a manufacturer of Class B firefighting foam or firefighting protective equipment which attests to compliance with Part 8.  Requires DEQ to assist other agencies and local governments avoid purchasing or using the restricted foam.

Enacts new GS 143-215.104QQ creating civil penalties and procedures for notice, contested cases, and requests for remission of penalties.  Penalties span up to $25,000 depending on the type of violation, and if multiple occurrences are involved, may not exceed $200,000 in any month.  The amount of the penalty will be set using factors contained in GS 143B-282.1(b).  Authorizes DEQ to request the Attorney General to pursue a civil action against violators who fail to pay the civil penalty within 30 days after notice of assessment.  Limits civil actions to within three years of the date the final agency decision or court order was served on the violator.

Transition provisions. Mandates that a manufacturer of the restricted foam provide written notice to sellers of its foam about the new provisions no later than July 1, 2021, and recall the product and reimburse the retailer or any other purchaser for the product.  Violators will be subject to civil penalties.  

Effective dates. Aside from GS 143-215.104NN, the other newly enacted provisions of Part 8 become effective July 1, 2020.  The remainder of the act becomes effective when it becomes law.

Intro. by Garrett, Robinson, deViere.GS 143
S 656 (2019-2020) CONST. AMENDMENT/REPEAL LITERACY TEST. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF NORTH CAROLINA TO REPEAL THE LITERACY TEST REQUIREMENT.

Identical to H 314, filed 3/7/19.

Subject to voter approval at the statewide election on November 3, 2020, repeals Section 4 of Article VI of the North Carolina Constitution, which requires every person registering to vote to be able to read and write any section of the Constitution in the English language. If approved, effective upon certification.

Intro. by Lowe, Blue, deViere.CONST
S 660 (2019-2020) GEN. ASSEMBLY/PREVENT WORKPLACE HARASSMENT. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT MANDATORY ETHICS TRAINING TO PREVENT WORKPLACE HARASSMENT AND OTHER FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE, TO ADOPT CLEAR SANCTIONS POLICIES FOR WORKPLACE HARASSMENT AND OTHER FORMS OF WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT A COMPLAINT FILING PROCESS THAT IS CONFIDENTIAL, AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS.

Enacts GS 120-32.05, directing the Legislative Services Commission and the Legislative Ethics Committee to jointly develop, adopt, and implement "zero tolerance" policies regarding sexual harassment, abuse, misconduct, gender bias, and all other forms of discrimination in the workplace. Requires the policies to be incorporated by reference into each chamber's permanent rules and include protections for pages and unpaid volunteers providing services to the General Assembly. Details required components of the policies, including: (1) mandatory ethics training for all legislators, officers, and legislative employees of the General Assembly; (2) effective and clear sanctions for incidents of harassment, abuse, misconduct, gender bias, and all other forms of discrimination in the workplace; (3) a complaint filing process for reporting conduct and violations to human resource services in the General Assembly; and (4) independent third party services, contracted by the Legislative Service Commission, to provide confidential information and advice to individuals who file complaints as well as investigative support and advice to the designated employee receiving and investigating reports of misconduct. 

Appropriates $250,000 for the 2019-2020 and 2020-21 fiscal years from the General Fund to the Legislative Services Commission to implement the act, with $50,000 for literature, documents, and training materials necessary for a mandatory annual ethics training program and $200,000 for contractual services provided by an independent third party.

Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Smith, Blue, Foushee.APPROP, GS 120
S 661 (2019-2020) UNC HBCU FUNDING PARITY/NC A&AMPT DOC. PROGRAMS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO CONSTITUENT INSTITUTIONS DESIGNATED AS HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO ADDRESS UNDERFUNDING AT THOSE INSTITUTIONS AND TO ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL AND TECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY TO SUPPORT ITS DOCTORAL PROGRAMS.

Appropriates $50,000,000 in additional recurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to the Board of Governors to be allocated to constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina that are designated as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to address funding disparities.

Appropriates $7,500,000 in additional recurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to the Board of Governors to be allocated to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to support established doctoral programs.

Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Smith.APPROP
S 664 (2019-2020) FUNDS FOR PLYMOUTH HEALTH CARE FACILITY. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR A NEW HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.

Appropriates $1,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to Metropolitan Community Health Services, Inc., to be used for a new health care facility located in Plymouth. Effective July 1, 2019.

 

Intro. by Smith.APPROP
S 666 (2019-2020) CYBERSECURITY AND ROBOTICS FUNDS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR IMPROVED CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION AND ROBOTICS EDUCATION IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

Appropriates $50,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction, to be used to implement Girls Go CyberStart. 

Appropriates $1,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction, to be allocated to FIRST North Carolina.

Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Smith.APPROP
S 667 (2019-2020) UNC HBCU FUNDING PARITY/NC A&AMPT DOC. PROGRAMS. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO CONSTITUENT INSTITUTIONS DESIGNATED AS HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO ADDRESS UNDERFUNDING AT THOSE INSTITUTIONS AND TO ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL AND TECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY TO SUPPORT ITS DOCTORAL PROGRAMS.

Identical to S 661, filed 4/3/19.

Appropriates $50,000,000 in additional recurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to the Board of Governors to be allocated to constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina that are designated as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to address funding disparities.

Appropriates $7,500,000 in additional recurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to the Board of Governors to be allocated to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to support established doctoral programs.

Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Smith, Lowe, Waddell.APPROP
S 668 (2019-2020) CAPITAL PROCEDURE/SEVERE DISABILITY. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO AMEND THE CAPITAL TRIAL, SENTENCING, AND POSTCONVICTION PROCEDURES FOR A PERSON WITH A SEVERE MENTAL DISABILITY AND TO PROVIDE THAT INSANITY IS NOT AVAILABLE AS A DEFENSE TO A CRIMINAL ACTION IF PRIOR ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE OR BOTH ARE THE SOLE CAUSE OF THE PSYCHOSIS OR IF VOLUNTARY INTOXICATION, A VOLUNTARY DRUGGED CONDITION, OR BOTH COMBINED ARE THE SOLE SUPPORT FOR THE DEFENSE.

Contains whereas clauses.

Enacts new GS 15A-2007 (Defendant with severe mental disability; death sentence prohibited). Defines severe mental disability, and places the burden on the defendant of proving, by clear and convincing evidence, that a severe mental disability predates the alleged offense. Prohibits the death penalty for defendants with severe mental disability at the time of the commission of a criminal offense. Specifies procedure for a court's pre-trial determination of a severe mental disability. Provides that a person found to have a severe mental disability at the time of the commission of the criminal offense waives the defense of not guilty by reason of insanity. Specifies procedure for the introduction of evidence to a sentencing jury regarding a severe mental disability, when a court's pre-trial hearing does not find the existence of a severe mental disability. Places the burden on the defendant of proving the severe mental disability to the jury by a preponderance of the evidence. Authorizes a jury to consider evidence of disability when determining mitigating factors, even if the jury determines that the defendant did not have a severe mental disability. Provides that defendants with severe mental disability may be given any other authorized sentence.

Makes conforming changes to GS 15A-2000(b).

Effective October 1, 2019, and applies to trials docketed to begin on or after that date.

Intro. by Britt, Daniel, J. Davis.GS 15A
S 670 (2019-2020) CHANGES TO ADVANCED TEACHING ROLES PROGRAM. Filed Apr 3 2019, AN ACT TO MAKE PERMANENT AND MODIFY TEACHER COMPENSATION MODELS AND ADVANCED TEACHING ROLES.

Identical to H 571, filed 4/3/19.

Effective June 30, 2020, repeals the following laws related to the pilot program established to develop advanced teaching roles and organizational models that link teacher performance and professional growth to salary increases in selected local school administrative units for classroom teachers: Section 8.7 of SL 2016-94; Section 7.11(a) of SL 2017-57; Section 7.15(b) of SL 2017-57; and Section 7.9 of SL 2018-5.

Instead enacts GS 115C-311 with substantively similar provisions to the laws repealed. Directs the State Board of Education (State Board) to develop advanced teaching roles and organizational models that link teacher performance and professional growth to salary increases for classroom teachers in selected local school administrative units. Defines classroom teacher as a teacher who works in the classroom providing instruction at least 70% of the instructional day and who is not instructional support personnel. Details four purposes of the program, borrowing the identical language of Section 8.7 of SL 2016-94, as repealed. Requires the State Board, by September 15, 2019, and annually thereafter, to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the program, and requires local boards to submit their proposals by October 15. Details information the RFP must require of proposals, borrowing much of the substantive requirements from Section 8.7 of SL 2016-94, as repealed, including descriptions of the program structure, descriptions of the advanced teaching roles and minimum qualifications, specified job responsibilities, notification requirements for local administrative units to inform employees and the public, the process for voluntary relinquishment of an advanced teaching role, salary supplement information, the implementation plan, plans for long-term financial sustainability, and a description of possible partnerships with local programs and institutions.

Requires the State Board to review the proposals and select local school units to participate in the program by December 15, 2019, and annually thereafter. Details criteria for the State Board's review and selection, to include the prioritization of available funds to a specified number of units with an average daily membership (ADM) from the previous year of 4,000 or fewer students, 4,001 and 20,000 students, and more than 20,001 students. Requires approval of a proposal of any unit which is participating in an approved advanced teaching roles program pursuant to Section 8.7 of SL 2016-84 in the 2019-20 school year and whose application is not inconsistent with the statute. Requires all selected units to meet minimum criteria established by the State Board consistent with the statute. Designates selected units as Advanced Teaching Roles units, and grants class size flexibility pursuant to subsection (i) of the statute to such units. Allows selected units to exceed the maximum class size requirements for grades K-3 subject to approval of the State Board.

Authorizes material revisions to a plan submitted by an Advanced Teaching Roles unit to the State Board only upon approval of the State Board.

Requires initially selected units to implement their approved plans beginning with the 2020-21 school year. Requires the State Board to review the unit for compliance every five years after the unit begins implementation. Grants the State Board authority to renew or terminate the plan and the unit's designation after its review and in its discretion. Requires the unit to provide any information or access requested by the State Board or a State Board selected independent research organization throughout the program.

Provides funds awarded to units are subject to availability and awarded for a term of up to three years at the discretion of the State Board. Limits eligibility to receipt of funding to one term. Details the restricted use of the funds, including use for the development of advanced teaching role plans, the development of specified professional development courses for teachers, transition costs associated with designing and implementing advanced teaching role models, and the development of the design and implementation of specified compensation plans.

Provides for the State Board to evaluate the program against six specified goals, at a minimum, through a contracted independent research organization during the first two years of the program and report on October 15, 2020, and October 15, 2021. Thereafter, requires the State Board to complete the program evaluation and provide the report annually, beginning October 15, 2022. Specifies NCGA offices and committees which the State Board must provide the reports. 

Allows the State Board to authorize local boards participating in the program to use any available State funds to provide salary supplements to classroom teachers in an advanced teaching role so long as the unit complies with specified policies.

Appropriates $1.5 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2019-20 fiscal year to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to be allocated to local units to (1) support teacher compensation models and advanced teaching roles pursuant to Section 8.7 of SL 2016-94, as amended and repealed, and (2) develop implementation plans for teacher compensation models and advanced teaching roles pursuant to GS 115C-311, as enacted. Specifies that the funds do not revert at the end of the fiscal year and remain available until expended.

Appropriates $3 million in recurring funds from the General Fund for the 2020-21 fiscal year to DPI to be allocated to local units to support teacher compensation models and advanced teaching roles, and to develop implementation plans for teacher compensation models and advanced teaching roles, pursuant to GS 115C-311, as enacted. Provides that, beginning in the 2020-21 fiscal year, funds appropriated to DPI for the program and for the evaluation of the program do not revert at the end of the fiscal year and remain available until expended.

Beginning in the 2019-2020 fiscal year, of the funds appropriated to DPI by the act, authorizes DPI to use up to 4% each fiscal year to evaluate the program, contract with an independent research organization to evaluate the program, or continue any preexisting contract with an independent research organization formed pursuant to Section 8.7 of S.L. 2016-94, as repealed. Provides that any remaining funds may be awarded to selected local units in accordance with the act to support teacher compensation models and advanced teaching roles and to develop associated implementation plans.

Effective July 1, 2019.

Intro. by Ballard, Johnson.APPROP, GS 115C

The Daily Bulletin: 2019-04-03

LOCAL/HOUSE BILLS
H 237 (2019-2020) BRUNSWICK COUNTY ZONING PROCEDURE CHANGES. Filed Feb 27 2019, AN ACT TO ALLOW FOR PLANNING BOARDS TO HOLD HEARINGS AND MAKE FINAL DECISIONS FOR ZONING AMENDMENT REQUESTS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY.

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

Amends the proposed changes to GS 153A-343 concerning appeal of the planning board's final decision on zoning map amendment proposals, to provide that the board's decision is final if no notice of appeal is provided within 15 days (previously, specified notice was to be provided to the county clerk within 15 days).

Intro. by Butler, Iler.Brunswick
H 239 (2019-2020) PITT COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL RECORDS. Filed Feb 28 2019, AN ACT RELATING TO THE RELEASE OF ANIMAL SERVICES RECORDS IN PITT AND BURKE COUNTIES.

House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition. Deletes all of the previously proposed provisions. Instead expands the scope of Section 1(a) of SL 2018-105, which enacts identical provisions to those provisions previously proposed in the 1st edition, applicable to Guilford County only, to include Pitt County.

Intro. by K. Smith, Humphrey.Pitt
H 316 (2019-2020) MEALS TAX FOR ROCKINGHAM SPEEDWAY. Filed Mar 7 2019, AN ACT TO CREATE A SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT CONSISTING OF THE PROPERTY OCCUPIED BY THE ROCKINGHAM SPEEDWAY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DISTRICT TO LEVY A PREPARED FOOD AND BEVERAGES TAX OF UP TO TEN PERCENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING AND PROMOTING THE SPEEDWAY AND FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT.

House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition. Corrects a statutory reference to now provide that a return filed under the act is not a public record and may not be disclosed except in accordance with GS 153A-148.1. Also corrects a statutory reference to refer to the meals tax penalty provision in GS 153A-154.1

Intro. by Goodman.Richmond

The Daily Bulletin: 2019-04-03

ACTIONS ON BILLS

Actions on Bills: 2019-04-03

PUBLIC BILLS

H 43: ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY.

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 50: ALLOW HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY FOR TBI/PTSD.

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 62: IN-STATE TUITION/MEMBERS SERVED ON USS NC.

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 77: DOT 2020-2021 FY BUDGET/GOVERNANCE. (NEW)

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading
    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 107: PED OVERSIGHT/EPP CHANGES.

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 119: FEES TO CERTIFY AS A COMPANY POLICE AGENCY.

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 130: ALLOW GAME NIGHTS.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Commerce and Insurance. If fav, re-ref to Finance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

H 131: REPEAL MAP ACT.

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 147: CONFIRM RAYMOND GRACE/BANKING COMMISSIONER.

    Senate: Passed 2nd Reading
    Senate: Passed 3rd Reading
    Senate: Ordered Enrolled

H 184: STUDY STATE HEALTH PLAN DESIGN.

    House: Amend Adopted A1
    House: Amend Failed A2
    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading
    House: Ordered Engrossed

H 195: BOARD OF NURSING TECHNICAL CHANGES.-AB

    House: Reptd Fav Com Sub 3
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 211: VARIOUS DMV CHANGES.-AB

    House: Amend Adopted A1
    House: Amend Adopted A2
    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading
    House: Ordered Engrossed
    House: Amend Adopted A1
    House: Amend Adopted A2
    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading
    House: Ordered Engrossed

H 228: MODERNIZE LAWS PERTAINING TO NC MEDICAL BOARD.-AB

    House: Reptd Fav Com Sub 2
    House: Re-ref Com On Finance

H 233: STATE AUDITOR/LOCAL FINANCE OFFICER AMENDS. (NEW)

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 250: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SVCS. REVISIONS.-AB

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 256: ADOPT OFFICIAL FRIED CHICKEN FESTIVAL.

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 262: DESIGNATE TRANSYLVANIA CTY LAND OF WATERFALLS. (NEW)

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 263: FILL VACANCIES/MODIFY 2018 APPOINTMENTS.

    House: Concurred In S Amend SA1
    House: Ordered Enrolled

H 280: MOD RIGHTS/PRIVILEGES/IMMUNITIES LUMBEE TRIBE.

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 308: REGULATORY REFORM ACT OF 2020. (NEW)

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading
    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading
    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 315: INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL SELECTION.

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 329: RENEWABLE ENERGY AMENDS. (NEW)

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading
    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 330: EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS & SAVINGS ACT.

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 331: SMALL HYDRO AMENDS.

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 332: TO INCREASE JURY DUTY RATE OF PAY.

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Finance

H 352: FUNDING FOR SMALL BUSINESS LOANS.

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Appropriations, Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources

H 363: CRAFT BEER DISTRIBUTION & MODERNIZATION ACT.

    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 370: REQUIRE COOPERATION WITH ICE DETAINERS. (NEW)

    House: Amend Adopted A1
    House: Amend Adopted A2
    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading
    House: Ordered Engrossed
    House: Amend Adopted A1
    House: Amend Adopted A2
    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading
    House: Ordered Engrossed

H 376: CJIN CHANGES.

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 377: TEACHER STEP ACT. (NEW)

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading
    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 380: AERIAL ADVENTURE COURSES/SANDERS' LAW.

    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Insurance

H 385: PROHIBIT HERD SHARES.

    House: Serial Referral To Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Stricken
    House: Serial Referral To Health Added
    House: Serial Referral To Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Added

H 394: OFFICIAL STATE COOKIE. (NEW)

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 399: EXTEND TAX CREDITS/OTHER FINANCE CHANGES. (NEW)

    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Finance
    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Finance

H 410: REQUIRE GENERATORS/NURSING & ADULT CARE HOMES.

    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 411: MODIFY SCHOOL QUAL./STUDENT SUCCESS INDICATOR.

    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 412: ADOPT STATE POULTRY FESTIVAL.

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 3rd Reading

H 415: PHOTOS OF JUVENILES/SHOW-UPS.

    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 418: CREATE NC GOLF COUNCIL.

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Appropriations, Capital

H 425: IMPLEMENT CONNER'S LAW. (NEW)

    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 426: EDUCATORS' PAY INCREASES/RETIREE SUPPLEMENTS. (NEW)

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Appropriations, Justice and Public Safety
    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Appropriations, Justice and Public Safety

H 433: ECONOMICS &AMP FINANCIAL LITERACY ACT.

    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Appropriations, Education

H 434: SUICIDE RISK REF./MENTAL HEALTH/TEEN VIOLENCE.

    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Health

H 449: HANDICAPPED & SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES (NEW).

    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Finance
    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Finance

H 467: ESTABLISH STATE BOARD OF PROP.

    House: Withdrawn From Com
    House: Re-ref to the Com on Education - Community Colleges, if favorable, Pensions and Retirement, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 469: VARIOUS FAMILY LAW CHANGES. (NEW)

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 470: ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE CHANGES. (NEW)

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 533: RETAIL WORKERS' BILL OF RIGHTS.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 534: NC PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICENSURE ACT.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Insurance, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 535: FUNDS/REACH OUT AND READ CAROLINAS.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Appropriations, Health and Human Services, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 536: TEMP OUTDOOR RESTAURANTS FOR OUTDOOR SEATING (NEW).

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Alcoholic Beverage Control, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Alcoholic Beverage Control, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 537: ALT. HWY USE TAX VEHICLE SUBSCRIPTIONS.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Transportation, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 538: FACILITATE RESPONSE TO DISASTERS.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 539: TEMP. FIN. ASST./SA FACILITIES.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Appropriations, Health and Human Services, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 540: DRUG TRAFFICKING/JUDICIAL DISCRETION & STUDY.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Judiciary, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 541: CHANGE EXCLUSION FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Energy and Public Utilities, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 542: INCLUDE SOLAR PROPERTY AS NONSYSTEM PROPERTY.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Energy and Public Utilities, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 543: UTILITIES/AMEND REPS REQUIREMENTS.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Energy and Public Utilities, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 544: NCAMC/NCACC SPECIAL REGIS. PLATE.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Transportation, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 545: PROTECT THE MILITARY/FISHERIES/TOURISM.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 546: PROHIBIT COUNTERFEIT/NONFUNCTIONAL AIRBAGS.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Judiciary, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 547: OAK RIDGE PARK SECURITY SYSTEM FUNDS.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on State and Local Government, if favorable, Appropriations, General Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 548: MODIFY PHYSICAL THERAPY DEFINITION.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Insurance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 549: MATCHING FUNDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Appropriations, Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 550: URGE CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT OF VA MISSION ACT.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 551: LRC STUDY--REQUIRE PAID WORK BREAKS. (NEW)

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 552: AFTER-SCHOOL ROBOTICS GRANTS/ATHLETICS.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Education - K-12, if favorable, Appropriations, Education, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 553: LICENSING CERTAIN FIRE SAFETY EQUIP. WORK.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Insurance, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 554: FUNERAL PRACTICE LICENSURE TECH. CORRECTIONS.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Regulatory Reform, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 555: MEDICAID TRANSFORMATION IMPLEMENTATION. (NEW)

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 556: FUNDS FOR FOOD BANKS.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Appropriations, Health and Human Services, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 557: MUNICIPAL OMNIBUS BILL.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on State and Local Government, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 558: AMEND STALKING OFFENSE.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Judiciary, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 569: ONE NC FUNDING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

    House: Filed

H 570: WATER/WASTEWATER PUBLIC ENTERPRISE REFORM.

    House: Filed

H 571: CHANGES TO ADVANCED TEACHING ROLES PROGRAM.

    House: Filed

H 572: REQ PROP. DISPOSAL/CERTAIN COAL ASH IMPDMTS.

    House: Filed

H 573: GIVE WC FOR PTSD IN FIRST RESPONDERS.

    House: Filed

H 574: FIX OUR DEMOCRACY.

    House: Filed

H 575: ESTABLISH BIRTH CENTER LICENSURE ACT.

    House: Filed

H 576: COUNTY EUGENICS COMPENSATION.

    House: Filed

H 577: LIMIT OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN ANIMALS.

    House: Filed

H 578: MODIFY LEGITIMATIONS PROVISIONS.

    House: Filed

H 579: LOCAL COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PROGRAMS/FUNDS.

    House: Filed

H 580: INCREASE FOSTER CARE RATES/FUNDS.

    House: Filed

H 581: FUNDS FOR SCOTLAND CO. LITERACY COUNCIL.

    House: Filed

H 582: FUNDS FOR HOKE CO. LITERACY COUNCIL.

    House: Filed

H 583: FUNDS FOR WAGRAM RECREATION CTR.

    House: Filed

H 584: FUNDS FOR PARTNERS IN MINISTRY.

    House: Filed

H 585: HOKE COURTHOUSE REHABILITATION FUNDS.

    House: Filed

H 586: FUNDS FOR SENIOR TAR HEEL LEGISLATURE.

    House: Filed

H 587: REPEAL DEATH PENALTY.

    House: Filed

H 588: 2019 GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

    House: Filed

H 589: LET NC VOTE ACT.

    House: Filed

H 590: AMEND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE LAWS.

    House: Filed

H 591: MODIFY ADVANCED MATH COURSE ENROLLMENT.

    House: Filed

H 592: CHECK-OFF CLEAN WATER MGMNT TR. FUND. (NEW)

    House: Filed
    House: Filed

H 593: JCPC/DETENTION/CAA AND OTHER FEES. (NEW)

    House: Filed
    House: Filed

H 594: TEMP OPEN GYMS/HEALTH CLUBS/FITNESS CTRS. (NEW)

    House: Filed
    House: Filed

H 595: TAX RETURNS UNIFORMLY MADE PUBLIC ACT/FUNDS.

    House: Filed

H 596: CHILD SEX ABUSE/STRENGTHEN LAWS.

    House: Filed

H 597: WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION AMENDS.

    House: Filed

S 55: CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR GENERAL CONTRACTORS.

    Senate: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    Senate: Com Substitute Adopted
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Finance

S 134: ECONOMICS & FINANCIAL LITERACY ACT.

    Senate: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    Senate: Com Substitute Adopted
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget

S 154: AUTHORIZE SPORTS/HORSE RACE WAGERING TRIBAL LANDS. (NEW)

    Senate: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    Senate: Com Substitute Adopted
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 168: DHHS & OTHER REVISIONS. (NEW)

    Senate: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    Senate: Com Substitute Adopted
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    Senate: Com Substitute Adopted
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 210: ORGAN & TISSUE DONATION/HEART HEROES.

    Senate: Passed 2nd Reading
    Senate: Passed 3rd Reading

S 220: REMOVAL OF POLITICAL SIGNS BY CITIZENS.

    Senate: Regular Message Sent To House
    House: Regular Message Received From Senate

S 227: TP3/PRINCIPAL FELLOWS CONSOLIDATION. (NEW)

    Senate: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    Senate: Com Substitute Adopted
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    Senate: Com Substitute Adopted
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 230: NC MILITARY AND VETERAN ACT OF 2019. (NEW)

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

S 231: AGENCY POLICY DIRECTIVES/2019-2021. (NEW)

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

S 250: REMOVE FOREIGN CITIZENS FROM VOTING ROLLS. (NEW)

    Senate: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    Senate: Com Substitute Adopted
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    Senate: Com Substitute Adopted
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 297: CANCER RESEARCH ADVISORY PANEL.

    Senate: Regular Message Sent To House
    House: Regular Message Received From Senate

S 301: REGIONAL SCHOOL MODIFICATIONS. (NEW)

    Senate: Reptd Fav
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Reptd Fav
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 320: REGIONAL WATER SYSTEMS AND STATE GRANTS.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 321: FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY/PRISM. (NEW)

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 327: TIMBER LARCENY/STRENGTHEN LAWS.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 343: VARIOUS EDUCATION LAW CHANGES. (NEW)

    Senate: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    Senate: Com Substitute Adopted
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    Senate: Com Substitute Adopted
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 367: CLARIFY PROPERTY OWNERS' RIGHTS.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to State and Local Government. If fav, re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 399: REHIRE HIGH-NEED TEACHERS.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Education/Higher Education. If fav, re-ref to Pensions and Retirement and Aging. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 401: REQUIRE ELIMINATION OF VACANT POSITIONS.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 407: FUNDS TO AID JAILS WITH ADDICTION TREATMENT.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 408: COLA FOR TSERS & CJRS. (NEW)

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Pensions and Retirement and Aging. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Pensions and Retirement and Aging. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 409: STUDY NC VETERANS REGISTRY.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to State and Local Government. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 410: PRETRIAL SERVICES-GRANTS PROGRAM.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 412: MODIFY SCHOOL QUAL./STUDENT SUCCESS INDICATOR.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Education/Higher Education. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 413: RAISE THE AGE MODIFICATIONS.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 415: GRAND JURY IF LEO CHARGED PERFORMING DUTIES.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 419: TECHNICAL AND OTHER CHANGES. (NEW)

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Commerce and Insurance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Commerce and Insurance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 421: FUNDS FOR NC SENIOR GAMES.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 425: CLARIFY DNA RESULT WOULD HAVE CHANGED VERDICT.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 427: SMART START FUNDS.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 428: FUNDS FOR SENIOR TAR HEEL LEGISLATURE.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 429: DISASTER RECOVER - 2019 BUDGET PROVISIONS. (NEW)

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Commerce and Insurance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Commerce and Insurance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 430: HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDER PAYMENT STABILITY.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Health Care. If fav, re-ref to Commerce and Insurance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 432: OPEN RINKS, ALLEYS, VENUES, STADIUMS. (NEW)

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Transportation. If fav, re-ref to Finance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Transportation. If fav, re-ref to Finance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 433: DCNR OMNIBUS & OTHER CHANGES. (NEW)

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources. If fav, re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources. If fav, re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 434: MERGER OF CERTAIN SEWERAGE DISTRICTS.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to State and Local Government. If fav, re-ref to Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources. If fav, re-ref to Finance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 438: EXCELLENT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACT OF 2019.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Education/Higher Education. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 444: ALLOW USE OF OYSTER SHELLS AS SERVING DISHES.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Health Care. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 446: ELECTRIC/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE REG. FEES (NEW)

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Transportation. If fav, re-ref to Finance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Transportation. If fav, re-ref to Finance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 447: DISASTER RESILIENCY/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 448: AMEND APPT FOR COMPACT ON EDUCATION/MILITARY.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Education/Higher Education. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 452: 2019 GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget

S 462: MODIFICATIONS TO NC APPRAISAL BOARD.

    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Commerce and Insurance. If fav, re-ref to Finance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 463: REGULATION OF RAILROAD CREWS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 464: FULL REPEAL OF HB2.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 465: REDUCE SPEED IN RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 466: EDPNC MODIFICATIONS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Commerce and Insurance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 467: SUPPORT FOR USCMA.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 468: INSURANCE COVERAGE/PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Commerce and Insurance. If fav, re-ref to Finance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 469: FUNDS FOR SMITHVILLE COMMUNITY COALITION.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 470: ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAM FUNDS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 471: REINSTATE MTN ISLAND LAKE MARINE COMMISSION.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 472: STUDY/MPO VOTING POWER DISTRIBUTION.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 473: VARIOUS OLB AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CHANGES.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 474: OBSOLETE BDS/JUDICIAL AND ADMIN. CHANGES. (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to State and Local Government. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to State and Local Government. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 475: STUDY SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 476: SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH. (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Education/Higher Education. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Education/Higher Education. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Education/Higher Education. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 477: SCHOOL LEASE PAYMENTS-USE OF LOTTERY FUNDS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 478: MODIFY APPOINTMENT REPORTING. (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 479: NORTH CAROLINA CANCER REGISTRY IMPROVEMENT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 480: SUBDIVISION STREETS/DOT ACCEPTANCE.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 481: ONLINE SALES & AUCTIONS FOR JUDICIAL SALES.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 482: THE HAIDEN PREVATTE ACT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 483: VACATION RENTAL ACT CHANGES.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 484: MODIFICATIONS TO NC INNOCENCE INQUIRY COMMISS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 485: DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN FIREARMS/LOCAL OPTION.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 486: NORTH CAROLINA EQUAL PAY ACT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 487: STUDENT MEAL DEBT POLICY.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 488: DMV/MV DEALER CHANGES. (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 489: CLARIFY WACCAMAW SIOUAN .

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 490: REVISE PARENTING COORDINATOR LAWS/FAMILY LAW.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 491: REVISE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION LAWS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 492: ADOPTION LAW CHANGES.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 493: DVPO ABUSER TREATMENT/TIME OF EXPIRATION. (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 494: REVOCATION OF LICENSE/PENALTY/COSTS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 495: AUTOMATIC & ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 496: THE POLLINATOR PROTECTION ACT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 497: ANIMAL ABUSE REGISTRY.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 498: FACILITATE RESPONSE TO DISASTERS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 499: HONOR FRANK BALLANCE, JR.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 500: MODIFY ADVANCED MATH COURSE ENROLLMENT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 501: KNIGHT-LECOUNT ADVOCACY FOR MARROW ED. &AMP REG.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 502: "BAN THE BOX".

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 503: WAGE THEFT ACT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 504: MUNICIPAL OMNIBUS BILL.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 505: RURAL JOB RETENTION ACT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Finance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 506: FUNDS/HIGH ROCK LAKE NAVIGATION AIDS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 507: PRIVATE PROCESS SERVERS- EVICTIONS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 508: CIVIL PROCEDURE/DEPONENT DECLARATION.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 509: PROHIBIT HERD SHARES.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 510: PROMOTION OF ENERGY STORAGE INVESTMENTS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 511: EV CHARGING STATION/PARKING.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 512: ESTABLISH TAMIL PONGAL AS STATE HOLIDAY.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 513: STATE CLEAN ENERGY GOAL FOR 2050.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 514: AIRBORNE &AMP SPECIAL OPERATIONS MUSEUM FUNDS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Withdrawn From Com
    Senate: Re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 515: ADJUST DRUG EDUCATION SCHOOL ENROLLMENT FEE.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 516: DIRECT ERC TO STUDY DRY LITTER POULTRY WASTE.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 517: PROTECT THE MILITARY/FISHERIES/TOURISM.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 518: ESTABLISH PFAS TASK FORCE/ADD'L MEASURES.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 519: LICENSING CERTAIN FIRE SAFETY EQUIP. WORK.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 520: SCHOOL ETHICS TRAINING &AMP FINANCE OFFICERS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 521: CHANGES/TRANSFORM. PRINCIPAL PREP. PROGRAM.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 522: LOW-PERF. SCHOOLS/ADV. TEACHING ROLES. (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 523: REV. LAWS CLARIFYING & ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 524: TUITION GRANTS FOR NCSSM GRADUATES.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 525: TEXTILE HIST. SITE/OPERATE SE NC MUSEUM (NEW).

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 526: AGRICULTURAL MANUFACTURING TAX INCENTIVE.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 527: REFLEXOLOGY REGULATION ACT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 528: EASTERN TRIAD WORKFORCE DEV. FUNDS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 529: FEES/RETURNED CHECKS (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 531: SMALL BUSINESS VENTURE FUND.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 532: AMENDS PROBATE/TRUSTS/WILLS CHOICE OF LAW.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 533: PATRIOTIC SOCIETY PRESENTATIONS IN SCHOOLS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 534: REVISIONS TO OUTDOOR ADVERTISING LAWS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 535: AUTHORIZE STATE PARK/CLARIFY CORP NAME. (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 536: WATER/WASTEWATER PUBLIC ENTERPRISE REFORM.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 537: LICENSING & HHS AMENDS & RURAL HEALTH STABLE. (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 538: TEMP. FIN. ASST./SA FACILITIES.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 539: REPEAL CON LAWS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 540: TUITION GRANTS FOR NCSSM GRADUATES.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 541: ACCESS TO SPORTS/EXTRACURR. FOR ALL STUDENTS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 542: CYBERSECURITY REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 543: FUNDS/REACH OUT AND READ CAROLINAS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 544: ESTABLISH NON-OPIOID TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 545: FAIR CHANCE HIRING.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 546: OPIOID EPIDEMIC RESPONSE ACT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 547: PAIN CAPABLE UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 548: MEDICAID CHANGES FOR TRANSFORMATION.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 549: CHILD WELFARE/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PILOT/FUNDS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 550: SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR GROUP HOMES/FUNDS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 551: CHILD SUPPORT COOPERATION ACT OF 2019.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 552: MODIFY 1/4 CENT SALES TAX BALLOT QUESTION.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 553: REGULATORY REFORM ACT OF 2019.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 554: MARINE FISHERIES REFORMS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 555: MODIFY JUVENILE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCILS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 556: GSC PEOPLE FIRST LANGUAGE 2019.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 557: VARIOUS FINANCE LAW CHANGES. (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 558: ENACT NC HEALTHY PREGNANCY ACT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 559: STORM SECURITIZATION. (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 560: SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHILDREN OF WARTIME VETERANS. (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 561: EDUCATION/JOB READINESS IN PRISONS &AMP JAILS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 562: THE SECOND CHANCE ACT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 563: RIGHT TO REVOKE CONSENT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 564: PROTECT PUBLIC FROM DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 565: EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 566: NC CONSUMER FIREWORKS SAFETY ACT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 567: FUNDS./LITTLE ALAMANCE CREEK CONS. EASEMENT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 568: RECYCLING AND RESTORATION/RENEWABLE ENERGY.

    Senate: Filed

S 569: FAIR CONTRACTS. (NEW)

    Senate: Filed
    Senate: Filed

S 570: DENTAL SERVICES/MEDICAID TRANSFORMATION.

    Senate: Filed

S 571: LOCAL GOVERNMENTS/UNSAFE BUILDINGS.

    Senate: Filed

S 572: UNIVERSITY SYSTEM RISK MANAGEMENT PROVISIONS. (NEW)

    Senate: Filed
    Senate: Filed

S 573: ENACT NATUROPATHIC DOCTORS LICENSURE ACT.

    Senate: Filed

S 574: GAMING COMMISSION. (NEW)

    Senate: Filed
    Senate: Filed
    Senate: Filed

S 575: RESTORE BARGAINING RIGHTS.

    Senate: Filed

S 576: CONSUMER PROTECTION/ROOFING CONTRACTORS.

    Senate: Filed

S 577: FUNDS FOR STATESVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT.

    Senate: Filed

S 578: REDUCE FRANCHISE TAX/EXPAND FILM GRANTS. (NEW)

    Senate: Filed
    Senate: Filed

S 579: PRISON REFORM ACT OF 2019.

    Senate: Filed

S 580: CLASSROOM SUPPLIES TO TEACHERS.

    Senate: Filed

S 581: ADD'L ROBESON JUDGE AND COLUMBUS MAGISTRATE.

    Senate: Filed

S 582: NC COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY.

    Senate: Filed

S 583: REDUCE OPP. SCHOL. FUNDS/PUBLIC SCHOOLS FUNDS.

    Senate: Filed

S 584: CRIMINAL LAW REFORM.

    Senate: Filed

S 585: JUSTICE/JUDGE MAY CONTINUE TERM PAST AGE 72.

    Senate: Filed

S 586: MODIFY FILM GRANT INCENTIVE.

    Senate: Filed

S 587: CONSUMER CREDIT/FINANCE CHARGE RATES.

    Senate: Filed

S 588: FAST-TRACK NONDISCHARGE PERMITTING.

    Senate: Filed

S 589: PROHIBIT COUNTERFEIT/NONFUNCTIONAL AIR BAGS.

    Senate: Filed

S 590: MODIFY CONTINUING ED FOR REAL ESTATE BROKERS.

    Senate: Filed

S 591: ONE NC FUNDING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

    Senate: Filed

S 592: ABC OMNIBUS REGULATORY REFORM.

    Senate: Filed

S 593: INCREASE PODIATRY AND PASTORAL COUNSELOR FEES.

    Senate: Filed

S 594: REGISTER OF DEEDS UPDATES.

    Senate: Filed

S 595: CHANGES TO REAL PROPERTY STATUTES.

    Senate: Filed

S 596: DISORDERLY CONDUCT/UNREASONABLE NOISE.

    Senate: Filed

S 597: CREATE AN ADDITIONAL 5 TIER SYSTEM.

    Senate: Filed

S 598: CLARIFY STATE FIRE PROTECTION GRANT FUND.

    Senate: Filed

S 599: OPEN SKATING RINKS/BOWLING ALLEYS. (NEW)

    Senate: Filed
    Senate: Filed

S 600: VETS CHILDREN/SHORT-TERM WORKFORCE TRAINING.

    Senate: Filed

S 601: SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH.

    Senate: Filed

S 602: NC HOPE TUITION PROGRAM.

    Senate: Filed

S 603: STUDY OF LOCALITIES ON UNIT ASSISTANCE LISTS.

    Senate: Filed

S 604: AMEND NC VETERINARY PRACTICE ACT.

    Senate: Filed

S 605: HIGHWAY STORM RECOVERY ACT (NEW)

    Senate: Filed
    Senate: Filed

S 606: PRIORITIZE NATIVE NC PLANTS ON HIGHWAY ROW.

    Senate: Filed

S 607: PREVENT HIGHWAY TO GENERAL FUND TRANSFERS.

    Senate: Filed

S 608: SAVINGS RESERVE/USE FUNDS FOR DISASTER RELIEF.

    Senate: Filed

S 609: K-12 SCHOLARSHIP CHANGES.

    Senate: Filed

S 610: AUTHORIZE NORTHERN PEAKS TRAIL.

    Senate: Filed

S 611: CTP PROGRAMS/SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY.

    Senate: Filed

S 612: HS CREDIT/DUAL ENROLLMENT WORKFORCE TRAINING.

    Senate: Filed

S 613: SCHOOL CALENDAR ACCOMMODATION/STATEWIDE.

    Senate: Filed

S 614: EXPUNCTIONS RELATED TO RAISE THE AGE.

    Senate: Filed

S 615: DACA RECIPIENTS/IN-STATE TUITION.

    Senate: Filed

S 616: REQUIRE PAID WORK BREAKS.

    Senate: Filed

S 617: TAX RETURNS UNIFORMLY MADE PUBLIC ACT.

    Senate: Filed

S 618: BLUE LIGHTS FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

    Senate: Filed

S 619: LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RECORDINGS.

    Senate: Filed

S 620: ELECTRIC STANDUP SCOOTERS.

    Senate: Filed

S 621: TESTING REDUCTION ACT OF 2019.

    Senate: Filed

S 622: REDUCE THRESHOLD/MEDICAL EXPENSE DEDUCTION. (NEW)

    Senate: Filed
    Senate: Filed

S 623: CLEARING VEHICLE REGISTRATION STOPS.

    Senate: Filed

S 624: GUILFORD COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY/FUNDS.

    Senate: Filed

S 625: ADJUST LPA PAY RATES/DMV ADVERTISING.

    Senate: Filed

S 626: ASSISTANCE/VERIFICATION/ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

    Senate: Filed

S 627: EXPAND GREAT GRANT PROGRAM.

    Senate: Filed

S 628: DAY LABORER PROTECTION ACT.

    Senate: Filed

S 629: FUNDING FOR HOUSING TRUST FUND.

    Senate: Filed

S 630: UP SHP PAY &AMP LEO BENEFITS/DEATH PENALTY.

    Senate: Filed

S 631: ARSON LAW REVISIONS.

    Senate: Filed

S 632: NC PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICENSURE ACT.

    Senate: Filed

S 633: ESTABLISH BIRTH CENTER LICENSURE ACT.

    Senate: Filed

S 634: EARLY CHILDHOOD RECOMMENDATIONS/DHHS.-AB

    Senate: Filed

S 635: B-3 INTERAGENCY COUNCIL CHANGES.-AB

    Senate: Filed

S 636: INCREASE FOSTER CARE RATES/FUNDS.

    Senate: Filed

S 637: 48 HOUR HOLD FOR CERTAIN CRIMINAL DETAINEES.

    Senate: Filed

S 638: DOA/DOI AUTH. CLAR. FOR STATE-OWNED BUILD.

    Senate: Filed

S 639: EDUCATION FUNDING TRANSPARENCY.

    Senate: Filed

S 640: NC A&T STATE UNIVERSITY/AG. FUNDS.

    Senate: Filed

S 641: FIX OUR DEMOCRACY.

    Senate: Filed

S 642: SUPERSEDING DOMESTIC ORDERS.

    Senate: Filed

S 643: REMOVE DRIVERS LIC. REVOCATION/FEES/PENALTIES.

    Senate: Filed

S 644: RICHMOND CC/MULTICAMPUS FUNDS.

    Senate: Filed

S 645: LOCAL GOV'TS/BROADBAND SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE.

    Senate: Filed

S 646: AMEND CERTIFICATE OF NEED LAWS.

    Senate: Filed

S 647: NONPROFIT MERGERS/INCR.CHARIT.SOLIC.EXEMPTS.

    Senate: Filed

S 648: SUPPORT SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE.

    Senate: Filed

S 649: SAVE OUR BENEFITS ACT.

    Senate: Filed

S 650: SIMPLIFYING NC LOCAL SALES TAX DISTRIBUTION.

    Senate: Filed

S 651: POLLUTER PAYS.

    Senate: Filed

S 652: SMALL BUSINESS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT.

    Senate: Filed

S 653: ADD'L MEASURES FOR EMERGING CONTAMINANTS.

    Senate: Filed

S 654: CHARTER SCHOOLS PROVIDE TRANSP. &AMP FOOD.

    Senate: Filed

S 655: BAN PFAS IN FIRE RETARDANT FOAM.

    Senate: Filed

S 656: CONST. AMENDMENT/REPEAL LITERACY TEST.

    Senate: Filed

S 657: EXPAND PROPERTY TAX HOMESTEAD EXCLUSION.

    Senate: Filed

S 658: PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICING.

    Senate: Filed

S 659: REGIONAL SCHOOL ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS.

    Senate: Filed

S 660: GEN. ASSEMBLY/PREVENT WORKPLACE HARASSMENT.

    Senate: Filed

S 661: UNC HBCU FUNDING PARITY/NC A&AMPT DOC. PROGRAMS.

    Senate: Filed

S 662: PILOTS TO ESTABLISH "NO MONEY" BAIL BONDS.

    Senate: Filed

S 663: AGRICULTURAL RELIEF ACT.

    Senate: Filed

S 664: FUNDS FOR PLYMOUTH HEALTH CARE FACILITY.

    Senate: Filed

S 665: OMNIBUS RURAL INVESTMENT ACT.

    Senate: Filed

S 666: CYBERSECURITY AND ROBOTICS FUNDS.

    Senate: Filed

S 667: UNC HBCU FUNDING PARITY/NC A&AMPT DOC. PROGRAMS.

    Senate: Filed

S 668: CAPITAL PROCEDURE/SEVERE DISABILITY.

    Senate: Filed

S 669: STUDY INNOVATIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT MODIFICATION.

    Senate: Filed

S 670: CHANGES TO ADVANCED TEACHING ROLES PROGRAM.

    Senate: Filed

S 671: NATURAL GAS TRANSPORTATION COST RECOVERY.

    Senate: Filed

S 672: MILITARY LIAISON COUNSELORS/FUNDS.

    Senate: Filed

Actions on Bills: 2019-04-03

LOCAL BILLS

H 170: VARIOUS SATELLITE ANNEXATIONS. (NEW)

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 2nd Reading

H 171: CHINA GROVE SATELLITE ANNEXATIONS.

    House: Passed 2nd Reading

H 193: GREENSBORO/SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE.

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 201: RANDOLPH CO. REGISTER OF DEEDS TAX CERT. (NEW)

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 237: BRUNSWICK COUNTY ZONING PROCEDURE CHANGES.

    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 239: PITT COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL RECORDS.

    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 285: CITY OF SANFORD/TOWN OF BEAUFORT VOL ANNEX. (NEW)

    House: Passed 2nd Reading
    House: Passed 2nd Reading

H 311: GREENSBORO/REAL PROPERTY CONVEYANCES.

    House: Withdrawn From Com
    House: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 316: MEALS TAX FOR ROCKINGHAM SPEEDWAY.

    House: Reptd Fav Com Substitute
    House: Re-ref Com On Finance

H 324: CLEVELAND/CALDWELL COUNTIES HUNTING OMNIBUS. (NEW)

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Wildlife Resources
    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Wildlife Resources
    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Wildlife Resources

H 392: VILLAGE OF CLEMMONS/DEANNEXATION.

    House: Reptd Fav
    House: Re-ref Com On Finance

S 186: BEAUFORT-MOREHEAD CTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY/AMEND.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

S 530: AMEND TOWN OF ELON CHARTER/PARKING ORDINANCES.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

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