Bill Summary for H 1059 (2019-2020)

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Summary date: 

May 2 2020

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2019-2020 Session
House Bill 1059 (Public) Filed Saturday, May 2, 2020
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR AN ISSUANCE OF A STATEWIDE STATE OF EMERGENCY BY THE GOVERNOR, TO ALLOW RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS TO MEET IN BUILDINGS USED AS PLACES OF WORSHIP LOCATED INSIDE AN EMERGENCY AREA, AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
Intro. by Kidwell, Setzer, Saine, K. Hall.

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Bill summary

Amends GS 166A-19.20 regarding gubernatorial or legislative declarations of a state of emergency. Conditions the effectiveness of a gubernatorial statewide state of emergency upon (1) the Governor submitting the proposed declaration of a statewide state of emergency to each Council of State member, and (2) the Council of State approving the proposed declaration by majority vote within 24 hours of receipt. Mandates that a executive order or resolution declaring a statewide state of emergency must include a definition of greater than 67 counties in the State constituting the emergency area. Specifies that a gubernatorially declared statewide state of emergency expires upon the earliest of (1) the eight legislative day of the next regular or extra session after the date of issuance, unless approved by joint resolution adopted by the majority of each NCGA chamber, or (2) rescind by the Governor.

Amends GS 166A-19.30 to bar the Governor from prohibiting any religious organization or entity controlled by religious organizations from meeting inside a building that is located inside an emergency area and used as a place of worship. Authorizes the Governor to request religious organizations limit buildings in an emergency area and used as a place of worship to 20% maximum capacity allowed by the certificate of occupancy.

Directs that $50,000 in nonrecurring funds of the funds from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund be used for the 2019-20 fiscal year for the purchase of personal protective equipment and other supplies and equipment, to be appropriated in equal amounts to the Department of Revenue, the Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles, and the State Board of Elections. Specifies that the funds do not revert and remain available for the described authorized purposes.

Applies to all declarations issued on or after the date the act becomes law.