The Raleigh Report
From the Office of Cullie Tarleton
May 18, 2009
The past two weeks in Raleigh have been extraordinarily busy as we approached the legislative “crossover” deadline. The deadline requires that all bills unrelated to spending or the budget pass out of at least one chamber or not be eligible during this biennium.
Our hard work last week paid off, as we made significant progress on legislation that I believe makes our state a better place to live. Among other things, we passed legislation to protect homeowners and added transparency to government and campaign financing. The following information highlights some other bills of interest that passed the House this week.
As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions, and I hope that you will contact me if I can be of any assistance. Thank you for taking an interest in state government.
Health
A bill that would prohibit smoking in bars and restaurants passed both the House and the Senate this week (HB 2). The intent of the legislation is to protect North Carolinians from the harm of secondhand smoke. The bill now goes to the governor who has already said she will sign. The bill goes into effect January 1.
Education
Educators could intervene sooner to help at-risk students through plans intended to improve their school performance under a bill that has passed the House. Existing law allows personal education plans to be developed based on students’ performance on end-of-grade tests. A proposed bill (HB 804) would allow educators to step in if they determine the student is at risk of failing based on grades, observations, state assessments or other factors. The bill now goes to the Senate.
A bill that would change the school starting date for students passed the House this week (HB 593). The legislation would require local boards of education to conduct a public hearing before determining the opening and closing dates for North Carolina public schools. The bill is now in the Senate. I did not support the bill since our district is so dependent on tourism and we need as much time as possible for folks to visit the high country.
The high school graduation project would no longer be required under a bill that passed the House this week (HB 223). The legislation, which now goes to the Senate, would direct the Program Evaluation Division of the General Assembly to study the cost and effectiveness of requiring a high school graduation project.
The cap on the number of charter schools in the state would be increased from 100 to 106 under a bill that passed the House this week (HB 856). If enacted, the legislation would also direct the State Board of Education to develop a process of oversight to enable a timely response to inadequate school performance. The bill is now in the Senate.
Legislation to allow voter pre-registration for qualified 16- and 17-year-olds and to encourage local boards of education to promote registration and pre-registration of students (HB 1260) has passed the House. The legislation would also expand instruction on the importance of voting in the high school social studies curriculum. The bill is now in the Senate.
Protecting Homeowners
North Carolinians who have been victimized by predatory mortgage lenders would be helped under a bill that passed the House this week (HB 1523). The primary intent of the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act is to ensure that mortgage loan originators operate ethically. The legislation, now pending in the Senate, would give the Commissioner of Banks broad authority to enforce this law.
Crime/Justice
Taking indecent liberties with a student would be added to the list of sex offenses that require registration under the sex offender and public protection registration program under a bill that passed the House this week (HB 209). The bill is now in the Senate.
Campaign Financing
Political candidates would not be able to accept campaign donations from a company or officers of companies that have active contracts with the state under a bill that passed the House this week (HB 961). The intent of the so-called Pay to Play legislation is to prevent possible conflicts of interest by candidates and state contractors. The Senate will consider the bill next.
Improving Government
The state Department of Administration (DOA) would be directed to consider the fuel economy of state vehicles under a bill that passed the House last week (HB 1079). Existing law does not require the department to consider fuel economy when buying a new vehicle. The intent of the bill is to reduce the state’s carbon footprint and reduce fuel costs. DOA would be directed to submit a report outlining the quantity and cost of fuel saved. The bill is now in the Senate.
An act to clarify that a Silver Alert may be issued for a person of any age passed the House this week (H1129). The Silver Alert System is a statewide system used to notify people about missing persons believed to be suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairments. The bill is now in the Senate
Legislation that improves North Carolina’s absentee voting laws passed the House last week (HB 614). The Senate will now take up the bill, which is specifically intended to improve the ability of military and overseas voters to cast timely ballots.
Certain executive branch employees would be prohibited from registering as lobbyists for six months after leaving employment with the state under a bill that passed the House this week (HB 1136). The bill is now in the Senate.
Miscellaneous
A bill that passed the House this week would prohibit mercury in unlined landfills, and would require state agencies, including community colleges and public universities, to recycle lights and thermostats containing mercury (HB 1287). If enacted, the legislation would also require the removal of products containing mercury from buildings prior to demolition. The Senate will consider the bill next.
The North Carolina State Lottery would be prohibited from selling lottery tickets at businesses that primarily exist to cash checks or money orders under a bill that passed the House this week (HB 1289).
Children in North Carolina would be further protected from cyber bullying under a bill that passed the House this week (HB 1261). If enacted, the legislation would make cyber bullying a criminal offense punishable as a Class 1 Misdemeanor. The bill is now in the Senate.
Notes
I had a private meeting with Governor Purdue last week to discuss several issues including water. As Chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources and Infrastructure, I have some ideas and strategies I want to pursue and wanted to get the Governor on board. I’m happy to say she completely endorsed what I want to do so I’ll have much more to say later.
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