The Raleigh Report
From the Office of Cullie Tarleton
May 12, 2008
This week my colleagues and I are back for the short session that begins Tuesday, May 13th. Much of our work during this year's session will focus on adjusting the state budget to conform to our State’s Constitution which requires a balanced budget. We will also consider the recommendations of the committees that met during the interim. Legislation that passed one chamber during the last session also remains eligible for consideration. This week, I thought it would be useful to point out some of the legislation that has already passed the House and is eligible for consideration in the Senate. Of course, the Senate passed a number of bills that didn’t move through the House and they are also eligible for consideration.
Thank you for your interest in state government and please let me know if I can be of assistance.
Education
One bill (HB 15) passed in the House would help suspended disabled students stay on track in school. The bill allows disabled students on suspension to take home their textbooks, ask about homework, and complete exams during their suspension.
Another bill (HB 140) would require the State Board of Education to study ways to change principal and assistant principal compensation for recruitment and retention purposes.
House members passed a bill (HB 1366) that requires schools to adopt policies prohibiting bullying and harassment.
Health Care
House members approved a bill (HB 116) that requires tissue banks outside of hospitals to register with the Food and Drug Administration and accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks, or accredited by the Eye Bank Association of America.
Senior Citizens
House members passed a bill (HB 93) that directs the Department of Transportation to study the use of wheelchairs in motor vehicles.
A bill (HB 197) to increase the number of assignments to the Special Assistance In-Home Program passed in the House. The Special Assistance In-Home provides a monetary supplement to low-income individuals who are at risk for entering an adult-care facility but would like to stay at home.
A bill (H 1076), I introduced which passed the House, would Waive Fees for Senior Citizens at UNC & Community Colleges.
Public Safety
Members of the House passed a bill (HB 904) that requires a valid Social Security number for anyone applying for a duplicate special identification card, learner’s permit, or driver’s license issued using a taxpayer identification number.
A bill (HB 946) to increase the penalty for vandalism passed the House. If ratified, a person convicted of vandalism that results in $5,000 worth of damages will be guilty of a Class I felony. Vandalism convictions are now punished as a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Families
House members passed a bill (HB 597) that would allow relief from a child support order if the obligator is not the child’s father.
Economy and Taxes
Members of the House cleared a bill (HB 99) that requires the Tax Review Board to reimburse administrative expenses to certain prevailing taxpayers if the state’s position was not substantially justified.
Transportation
A bill (HB 603) to create the Joint Legislative Commission on Expanding Rail Service
Notes
As stated above, we’re back in Raleigh for the short session. The best way to reach me is through my Raleigh office at 919-733-7727 or email at culliet@ncleg.net.
If you have specific thoughts about any of these bills listed above, please feel free to contact me. This is not a complete list of eligible bills plus there will be new bills introduced that will be worked through committees. I suspect we’ll stay plenty busy as we move through the process.
A reminder that I still have a supply of 2008 DOT maps. If you’d like one or two, please send me an email.
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