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

Deletes the proposed new language in GS 136-32 and instead amends the existing language to allow a municipality to, by ordinance, prohibit or regulate the placement of political signs in the rights-of-way of municipal streets and state highways that are located within the municipality's corporate limits. Provides that in the absence of an ordinance prohibiting or regulating political sign placement, on the rights-of-way of municipal streets and state highways located within the corporate limits of a municipality, subsections (b) through (e) of the statute apply.

Adds a new section to the bill amending GS 135-48.1, the definitions for terms used in Article 3B, State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees (Plan), to add that an employing unit also means a local government unit that participates in the Plan under GS 135-48.47 or under any other law. Enacts new GS 135-48.47 making the employees of Elizabethtown and Matthews, and their dependents, eligible to participate in the Plan. Participation is contingent on the local government complying with the statute and Article, as well as any Plan policies. Specifies five conditions that govern their participation in the Plan, including requiring the local government to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Plan acknowledging the conditions, at least 60 day before joining the Plan, and keeping the premiums for coverage and Plan options the same as those offered to state employees and their dependents on a fully contributory basis. Amends GS 135-48.8 to add that the state deems it to be in the public interest for certain local government units to be allowed to join and participate in the Plan. Amends GS 135-48.55 to set the interest charged to local government units for premiums that are not paid by the 15th of the month as 1 1/2 percent of the amount due the Plan, per month or fraction thereof, beginning with the 16th day of the month following the due date of the remittance.

Makes conforming changes to the act's title.