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

Further amends GS 115C-269.35(b) regarding indicators that must be included in EPP annual performance reports. In addition to existing required indicators and information, now reinstates the requirement that the reports include time to graduation rates and requires that the reports include the retention of beginning educators in the profession for at least two years (was, at least three years) after licensure. 

Amends GS 115C-269.45(a) to require an EPP be assigned warned status if the program fails to meet the performance standards of any one sex, race, or ethnicity demographic group on any of the indications in GS 115C-269.35(a) for two consecutively measured years, regardless of whether the deficiency is in the same standard (was, in the same demographic group or standard).  

Adds that the State Board of Education must not implement the weighted model for EPPs without the General Assembly's express authorization.

Adds the requirement that the State Board of Education report on the rule that is to be adopted by October 1, 2019, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee. 

Senate committee substitute to the 2nd edition is to be summarized.

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

Adds to the proposed changes to GS 143B-1362 to require written approval of the Department of Information Technology (previously, also required approval of the Office of State Budget and Management) for the establishment or renewal of information technology personal service contracts.

Modifies the proposed changes to GS 143B-1353 to maintain the existing prohibition against the State Chief Information Officer (State CIO) or a deputy, or any other policy-making or managerially exempt personnel from being financially interested in information technology or its sourcing (was previously eliminated). Maintains the proposed elimination of the provision prohibiting the acceptance of bribes and the substitute provision subjecting all Department of Information Technology (DIT) employees to GS 133-32 (which regulates gifts and favors for public works contractors).  Makes organizational changes.

Adds to the proposed changes to GS 143B-1379, regarding required information principal department heads and councils of state must provide the State CIO. Exempts military personnel with a valid secret security clearance or a favorable Tier 3 security clearance investigation from the required criminal background reports for an agency's designated liaison in the information technology area.

Amends the proposed changes to GS 143B-1400. Includes in the definition of 911 State Plan the aggregation and sharing of call talking data, resources, procedures, standards, and requirements to improve emergency response and implementation of an NG911 network (previously, did not specify call talking). Adds to the definition of agent an authorized person who has one or more roles for a communications service provider. Maintains the existing definition of CMRS provider (previously, amended to refer to a service provider rather than an entity). Maintains the existing definition of FCC Order (previously, amended). 

Modifies and adds to the proposed changes to GS 143B-1402, regarding the powers and duties of the 911 Board (Board). Eliminates the proposed provisions added to the duty to administer the 911 Fund and the monthly 911 service charge, concerning the Board's adoption of related policy and procedures. Instead, adds a separate subsection to require the Board to determine its policies, procedures, and rules for execution of its powers and duties by majority vote. Also requires the Board to provide the Executive Director with the policy, procedure, or rule for execution. Establishes that no individual Board member has the responsibility or authority to give operational directives to any Board employee other than the Executive Director. Regarding the duty to set operating standards for PSAPs (public safety answering points) and backup PSAPs, removes the explicit inclusion of minimum staffing standards. Makes further clarifying and technical changes. Requires the Board to collect, manage, and analyze call taking data that is delivered to the State ESInet for use by the Board in performing call analytics and call routing (was, to collect and distribute data and to PSAPs and communications service providers).

Eliminates the proposed changes to GS 143B-1403 regarding service charges for 911 service. Requires the revenues of service charges to (1) ensure the full cost recovery for communications service providers over a reasonable period of time and (2) fund allocations under GS 143B-1404, as enacted, for monthly distributions to primary PSAPs and for the State ESInet (substantively similar to the previously proposed changes to subsection (d)). 

Modifies the proposed changes to GS 143B-1404, concerning the 911 Fund, to provide that the 911 Board must set the rate at an amount that enables the Board to ensure funding is adequate to meet its duties (previously, referred to setting the service charge rather than the rate).

Modifies the proposed changes to GS 143B-1405 to maintain the existing terminology, referencing enhanced 911 service.

Makes organizational changes to the proposed changes to GS 143B-1406, regarding distribution of 911 Fund funds to PSAPs. 

Further amends GS 143B-1409, no longer qualifying the specified conditions of the provision of enhanced 911 service by a CMRS (Commercial Mobile Radio Service) provider in accordance with the FCC Order. Similarly, maintains existing terminology, referencing enhanced 911 service. 

Amends GS 58-31-60 to establish that each payroll unit is entitled to the number of payroll deduction slots it needs to be used for payment of insurance premiums for products selected by the Employee Insurance Committee and offered to the employees of the payroll unit (previously, units were entitled to at least four payroll deduction slots).

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

Makes organizational changes throughout.

Part I

Modifies the proposed changes to GS 7A-52 to maintain that an emergency judge can be assigned in the event of a disability of a sitting judge. Adds to the permitted instances in which an emergency judge can be assigned: (1) assignment by the Chief Justice of a Rule 2.1 exceptional case to an emergency judge and (2) court coverage needed by holdover sessions, administrative responsibilities of the chief district court judge, or cases in which a judge has a conflict or judicial educational responsibilities (was, general conflict of a sitting judge). Makes organizational changes to the proposed disaster declaration circumstance, no longer specifically requiring the declaration to be made within a judicial district. 

Enacts GS 7A-98 to provide for unsworn written declarations under penalty of perjury to have the same force and effect as sworn declarations in all court proceedings or pursuant to any rule, regulation, order, or requirement requiring or permitting matters to be supported or proved in writing by oath or affirmation. Excludes oral testimony; oaths of office; and any statement under oath or affirmation required to be taken before a specified official other than a notary public. Sets forth the form for sufficient declarations under the statute. Provides for electronic declaration if the Supreme Court promulgates rules authorizing filing and electronic signatures in any court proceeding. Amends GS 14-209, which sets forth the offense of perjury as a Class F felony, to include the willful and corrupt commission of perjury in any unsworn declaration in the form prescribed by new GS 7A-98. Enacts GS 1-148.1 and GS 15A-101.2 to provide for unsworn declarations in civil pleadings and criminal actions. Effective 30 days after the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) certifies to the NC Supreme Court that the AOC is ready to begin implementation of an integrated case management system adopted pursuant to the e-Courts initiative. 

Amends GS 7A-308 to exempt attorneys filing secured leave documents pursuant to Supreme Court rules from specified clerk fees. 

No longer deletes the language in GS 7A-346.2(c) that required the Administrative Office of the Courts to report to the specified NCGA entities on remanded cases in which the defendant withdraws an appeal for trial de novo in superior court and the superior court judge has signed an order remanding the case to the district court. 

No longer deletes the language in GS 7A-350 that required the Administrative Office of the Courts to report to specified NCGA entities on judicially granted waivers of criminal court costs. 

Eliminates the proposed changes to GS 105A-8 in Part III of the act, which required a request for a hearing on a contested claim of the Judicial Department to be filed within 60 days of the Department mailing the debtor notice of the proposed setoff and deemed a judicial official's order prima facie evidence that an issue has been litigated. Instead, amends GS 105A-8 to require contested claim hearings for any unit of the Judicial Branch to be conducted in accordance with the administrative procedures approved by the AOC Director and the Director of Indigent Defense Services. Establishes original jurisdiction for clerks of superior court where a judgement has been docketed to hear a contested claim and not transfer the matter to district or superior court. Establishes original jurisdiction for the AOC Director to hear contested claims of the Judicial Branch not arising out of a docketed judgement. Amends GS 105A-9 to entitle a party to appeal to superior court for a hearing de novo within 10 days of an order of the clerk of superior court, the AOC Director, or a designee. Provides for filing of the appeal. Makes conforming changes to GS 7A-498.6 to require the Director of Indigent Defense Services to collaborate with the AOC Director in developing administrative procedures regarding Judicial Branch contested claim hearings. Applies to notices issued on or after January 1, 2020.

Part II

Amends GS 44A-4, which allows a lienor to institute a special proceeding to sell a vehicle which has a fair market value of less than $800 in cases in which the certified mail notice is returned undeliverable or if the legal title holder cannot be reasonably ascertained. Limits the special proceeding to one vehicle (previously, allowed for the special proceeding to include more than one vehicle so long as the proceeds of each sale were only subject to valid claims). Applies to applications filed on or after December 1, 2019.

Part III

Further amends GS 7A-20 to make the language gender-neutral.

Clarifies that the proposed changes to Section 8.2 of SL 2018-40, effective January 1, 2019, are effective retroactively. 

Eliminates the provisions regarding the legislative intent of the act's headings.

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

Directs the Revisor of Statutes to make organizational changes to GS 18B-1000.

Makes clarifying and technical changes to GS 20-305.7.

Amends GS 47F-2-117 to change statutory cross-references concerning the requirements for the recordation of amendments to planned community declarations.

Makes clarifying and technical changes to GS 66-58.

Amends GS 106-1018, which establishes the Forest Development Fund, to include revenue from assessments on primary forest products collected under Article 84 in the Fund (previously, referred to Article 81, which provides for corporations formed to protect and develop forests). Further amends the statute to cap program support costs in any fiscal year at 5% of the available funds generated by the Primary Forest Product Assessment Act (was, Primary Forest Product Processor Assessment Act). Makes additional technical changes.

Makes technical changes to GS 106-1026. 

Makes clarifying and technical changes to GS 122-55, concerning facilities sharing confidential client information. Makes language gender-neutral. Effective October 1, 2019.

Effective retroactively June 22, 2018, makes technical changes to Section 46 of SL 2018-33, providing that GS 122C-55(c1), as enacted, is effective on the date that act became law. Clarifies that the change does not impose liability on a facility or sheriff for failing to furnish confidential information before the date this act becomes law. 

Makes a technical change to GS 130A-335.

Amends GS 147-86.20, which sets forth defined terms applicable to Article 6B of GS Chapter 147, Statewide Accounts Receivable Program. Corrects statutory cross-reference and makes technical changes.

Repeals GS 150B-1(e)(11), which exempted from the contested case provisions Department of Health and Human Services hearings regarding the eligibility and provision of services for eligible assaultive and violent children and requires the hearings to be conducted in accordance with law since repealed.

Corrects a statutory reference in GS 161-16.

Makes technical changes to the introductory language in Sections 3.11(a) and (b) of SL 2018-13.

Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition adds the following.

Amends Section 27 of SL 2018-114, which deems existing State Board of Education (State Board) rules as interim rules so long as they do not conflict with state law. Under current law, the interim rules are deemed void if the State Board has not published notice in the Register to adopt the interim rule as a permanent rule by May 30, 2019, and void if the State Board has not adopted the interim rule as a permanent rule by May 30, 2020, pursuant to specified APA provisions. Now directs the State Board to adopt all interim rules as emergency rules and submit the rules to the Codifier of Rules by August 9, 2019. Directs the Codifier to publish notice of the emergency rules online. Voids any interim rule on August 9, 2019, for which the State Board has not complied with the new requirements. Specifies that the State Board is not required to adopt temporary rules for any emergency rules authorized by the act, as amended. Adds a new directive to require the State Board to submit a notice for publication, by December 6, 2019, to adopt all emergency rules, as authorized, as permanent rules by January 2, 2020. Provides that any emergency rule authorized by the act remains effective until the earlier of the adoption of the emergency rule as a permanent rule or May 30, 2020; however, voids any emergency rule which the State Board fails to adopt as a permanent rule by May 30, 2020, pursuant to specified APA provisions. Applies to interim rules of the State Board existing on May 29, 2019. Requires the State Board to take steps to affirm and validate any action taken pursuant to interim rules between May 30, 2019, and the date the act becomes effective. 

Directs the State Board to consult with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to study (1) the weighing of the school achievement score and the school growth score in the calculation of the overall school performance score and (2) the reporting methods used to differentiate schools on the NC annual report cards. Requires the State Board to then propose recommendations based on its study, as specified. Details requirements of the study, including examining methods of reporting data that will better depict school performance and progress, and analyzing the feasibility of reporting school achievement and school growth separately. Requires the State Board and the Superintendent to submit a final report to the specified NCGA committee by February 15, 2020.

Makes conforming changes to the effective date provisions. Amends the act's long title.

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

Amends proposed GS 20-280.5, now requiring transportation network companies (TNCs) to have the vehicle's license plate number displayed in a legible font no smaller than two inches in height (was, no small than the font of the license plate on the vehicle). Adds a new provision to specify that a TNC driver is not required to obtain approval from the TNC or the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for the required license plate number display.

Enacts GS 14-401.26, making it an infraction punishable by a $250 fine for a TNC driver to fail to display the license plate number of the TNC driver's vehicle as required by new GS 20-280.5(d). Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2019.

Changes the proposed GS number for the impersonating a TNC driver offense created by the act.

Enacts GS 14-33(c)(9), making assault of a TNC driver providing a TNC service a Class A1 misdemeanor (rather than a Class 2 misdemeanor for simple assault). Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2019.

Appropriates $500,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the DMV for the 2020-21 fiscal year as grants funds to match higher education institution funds to develop and implement an awareness campaign to educate students at higher education institutions (previously, appropriated $100,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2020-21 fiscal year to the UNC Board of Governors to develop and implement an awareness campaign to educate students at constituent institutions on informational requirements of TNC drivers under current state law and those enacted). Specifies that the appropriations are to be used as grant funds until fully awarded. Specifies that the primary focus of the campaign is TNC driver identification requirements. Allows all higher education institutions in the state to apply for a grant by submitting a campaign plan, cost estimate, and evidence of institution funds committed for the campaign. Specifies that the grant matches non-State dollars of applicants on a 1:1 ratio, with the grant capped at $10,000 per applicant per fiscal year. Effective July 1, 2020.

AN ACT PROVIDING THAT IF THE UTILITIES COMMISSION APPROVES A FLAT RATE TO BE CHARGED BY A WATER OR SEWER UTILITY FOR WATER OR SEWER SERVICES TO CONTIGUOUS DWELLING UNITS, THE LESSOR OF THE UNITS MAY PASS THROUGH AND CHARGE THE TENANTS THAT SAME FLAT RATE. SL 2019-56. Enacted June 26, 2019. Effective June 26, 2019.

AN ACT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE GENERAL STATUTES TO REFLECT THE RESTORATION OF THE FEDERAL PROTECTING TENANTS AT FORECLOSURE ACT. SL 2019-53. Enacted June 26, 2019. Effective October 1, 2019.

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

Makes the following changes to proposed Part 4A to Article 6 of GS Chapter 131E, Birth Center Licensure Act (Act).

Changes the effective date of the offense created by the Part making it unlawful for any person to resist proper entry by DHHS representatives upon any premises other than a private dwelling. Makes the offense effective December 1, 2019 (was, July 1, 2019), and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date.

Modifies the appointment provisions of NC Birth Center Commission (Commission) members, clarifying the appointment of members by the General Assembly upon the respective recommendations of the Speaker and the President Pro Tempore from among those elected by the NC Obstetrical and Gynecological Society and by the North Carolina Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Provides for vacancies to be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, except that unexpired terms that were legislatively appointed must be filled in accordance with GS 120-122 (previously, provided for the executive committee of specified organizations to fill vacancies until the organization nominates a member to fill the vacancy at its next meeting). 

Eliminates the provisions requiring the Commission to notify a licensee within 60 days after confidential information is transmitted and include a summary of the information transmitted; requiring the Commission to allow the licensee to request a copy of the information transmitted within 30 days of notification; and prohibiting the provision of notice of copies pending ongoing criminal investigation by any law enforcement agency or Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS) personnel with enforcement or investigative responsibility. 

Changes the effective date of the licensure requirements, adverse action provisions, and service limitations from July 1, 2019, to one year after the rules promulgated by the Commission are adopted. Concerning licensure requirements, raises the nonrefundable annual license fee to $400 (was, $100) and adds a nonrefundable annual pre-birthing room fee of $17.50. Adds new provisions to allow currently operating and accredited birthing centers to continue operations as the Commission is constituted and promulgates permanent rules. Requires those operating birth centers to submit completed applications and requisite fees to the Division of Health Service Regulation within 90 days of the effective date of the Commission's permanent rules regarding licensure applications. Requires the application and fee to be received or postmarked no later than 90 days after the rules are adopted. Concerning adverse actions on a license, authorizes the DHHS Secretary or a designee (previously, only the Secretary) to suspend the admission of any new patients to a birth center if the birth center conditions are detrimental to the health or safety of any patient (was, for substantial noncompliance with the provisions of new Part 4A or related rule and dangerous to any patient; also, previously authorized the Secretary to suspend services of the birth center). Eliminates the factors the Secretary was required to consider before suspending admissions. Establishes that the suspension is effective until the Secretary or a designee is satisfied that the conditions or circumstances merit its removal. Further, clarifies that this authority is in addition to the authority to suspend or revoke the license of the birth center. 

Adds a new statute to the Part to make it a Class 3 misdemeanor to operate a birth center without a license, punishable by a fine of up to $50 for the first offense and up to $500 for each subsequent offense. Specifies that each day of continuing violation after conviction is considered a separate offense. Effective one year after the rules promulgated by the Commission are adopted.

Adds a directive for DHHS to develop a birth center licensure application consistent with the Part's requirements and make it available upon the adoption of the rules by the Commission.

Makes further clarifying and technical changes. Changes the act's effective date to the date the act becomes law (was, July 1, 2019), except as otherwise provided.

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

Part III.

Deletes the content of proposed GS 14-269.9 (possession of certain weapons during the commission or attempted commission of a felony) and instead makes it a Class F felony for a person participating in criminal gang activity to purchase, own, possess, or have in the person's custody, care, or control any firearm (as defined in the statute). 

Deletes proposed GS 14-269.10, which made it a Class G felony to sell, deliver, transfer, or give a firearm or weapon of mass death and destruction to a person the transferor knows or reasonably should know is participating in criminal gang activity. 

Deletes the proposed changes to GS 14-415.1, which amended the punishment for possession of firearms, etc., by a felon.

Amends the act's long title.

AN ACT MODIFYING THE EXPIRED DRUG PROVISION OF THE DRUG, SUPPLIES, AND MEDICAL DEVICE REPOSITORY PROGRAM TO ALLOW FOR THE ACCEPTANCE AND DISPENSING OF DRUGS THAT HAVE NOT REACHED THEIR EXPIRATION DATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED. SL 2019-54. Enacted June 26, 2019. Effective June 26, 2019.

Senate committee substitute to the 2nd edition deletes the act's previous provisions except for the proposed changes to GS 115D-58.10. Qualifies the proposed changes to GS 115D-58.10, which permits community colleges to provide sufficient insurance coverage in lieu of a surety bond, providing that the changes are repealed if HB 966 (the 2019 Appropriations Act) becomes law. Adds the following.

Amends GS 116-37.1 to rename the UNC Center for Public Television as the UNC Center for Public Media (the Center). Now includes in the functions of the Center the responsibility to provide research, development, and production of noncommercial educational and information media programming, and program material and communications; to provide distribution of noncommercial media programming and information through the broadcast facilities licensed to UNC and other available distribution platforms; and otherwise to enhance the uses of television, media, and related technology for public purposes. Adds the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety as an ex officio member of the Center's Board of Trustees. Makes technical changes. Amends the following statutes, making conforming changes to refer to the UNC Center for Public Media: GS 116-36, GS 116D-1, GS 116D-22, GS 120-123, GS 143B-426.9, and GS 143B-426.10. 

Amends GS 116-41.2 to authorize the Board of Governors (BOG) to purchase or finance the purchase of computers, computer hardware and software, and emergency management equipment through lease purchase or installment purchase contracts that create a security interest in the purchased property, subject to State appropriations. Prohibits directly or indirectly pledging the State's taxing power. Makes the BOG and the State judgment proof for breach of a contractual obligation under this new provision.

Amends GS 116-143.1, concerning residency status for higher education tuition purposes, to specifically allow an individual to offer evidence of graduation from a North Carolina high school to reinforce or rebut the presumption that the individual's domicile is the same domicile as the individual's living parent or guardian. Adds that such evidence alone cannot establish legal residence in the State.

Amends the act's long title.

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

Modifies and adds to the proposed changes to GS 20-16 (Authority of Division to suspend license) as follows. 

Amends subsection (a) to now provide that a licensee retains his or her license when the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspends the license without a preliminary hearing and the licensee requests a hearing before the effective date of the suspension (previously, applied to revocations). Provides for the licensee to retain the license unless the license is revoked or suspended (was, revoked) under another law, until the hearing is held, the person withdraws his or her request for a hearing, or he or she fails to appear at the scheduled hearing.

Makes organizational and clarifying changes to the proposed changes to subsections (c) and (d). Amends subsection (c) to limit the authority of the DMV to substitute a probation period of up to one year for suspension or for any unexpired period of suspension under subdivisions (a)(6) through (a)(8b) (was, (a)(1) through (a)(10a); subdivisions (a)(6) through (a)(8b) concern fraudulent use of the license, commission of offenses in other states warranting suspension or revocation, conviction of illegal transportation of alcohol, conviction of impaired instruction, and conviction of military installations constituting impaired driving with related driving privileges suspended or revoked). Prohibits the DMV from substituting a period of probation for suspension or for any unexpired period of suspension if the license was suspended pursuant to subdivisions (5), (9), (10), or (10a) of subsection (a) (previously, qualified the prohibition to such substitution before the licensee completes the driver retraining course established in accordance with subsection (d1) of the statute). Makes conforming changes. Further amends subsection (d) to require the DMV to either rescind or extend the suspension of a license suspended pursuant to subdivisions (a)(6) though (a)(8b) upon the hearing (previously, not restricted to specific suspensions). 

Modifies proposed subsection (d1). Now limits the scope of the driver training course required to be established by the DMV to benefit licensees who have had their licenses suspended pursuant to subdivisions (5), (9), (10), or (10a) of subsection (a) (previously, also included those placed under probation under those provisions). Regarding the waiver of course fees, now requires the driver to provide satisfactory documentation establishing that the driver receive public assistance or has a judicial determination of indigence made within two years of the date of the course (was, more generally a prior judicial determination of indigence).

Changes the effective date of the act from July 1, 2019, to January 1, 2020.