The Raleigh Report
From the Office of Cullie Tarleton
July 21, 2008
Well, it’s over. Gov. Easley signed the state budget bill into law, clearing the way for the General Assembly to adjourn last Friday. We completed the session by approving important legislation on a number of matters, including drought, mortgage foreclosures, driver’s licenses, ethics, election reform and anti-gang legislation. This newsletter includes a description of some of these major items we addressed and I’ll be sharing more information with you in the weeks to come.
I am now at home in the District. Please feel free to call me at 828-295-3353 if I can be of any help to you.
Transportation
The General Assembly approved changes to how driver’s licenses are made and distributed. One bill would allow the state Division of Motor Vehicles to use new laser-engraving technology that will put the embed photos into the driver’s license, which will aid in reducing fraud. The bill (S1799) also allows driver’s licenses to be mailed to people’s homes or a post office box if they don’t have a street address. The change is part of new process for how licenses are made and distributed. The revised procedure is designed to make it more difficult to fraudulently obtain licenses. Licenses will now be centrally distributed out of Raleigh and there will be a 20-day waiting period. During this time, drivers will be issued a temporary permit and can use their existing license for identification. The mailing provision is expected to make the waiting period more convenient by eliminating the need for applicants to return to their DMV offices to pick up their licenses.
Crime
The General Assembly has given approval to anti-gang legislation that would create several felonies for those who take part in gang activity. Those who commit drive-by shootings, solicit people to join gangs or threaten those who try to leave a gang would be subject to felonies under the bill (H274). Property acquired for gangs or resulting from gang activity could be taken. The bill provides the state’s first legal definitions of gang activity. Gov. Easley has already signed a separate bill (S1358) that addresses gang intervention and prevention programs. The state budget includes $10 million for gang prevention grants. While gang activity is more prevalent in the larger urban cities, there is evidence of gang activity here in the high country.
This week The General Assembly gave final approval to a bill titled “Jessica’s Law.” The bill is named for Jessica Lunsford, a former North Carolina resident who was raped and murdered in Florida at the age of nine (9) by a convicted sex offender. The (H933) would make the rape or a sexual offense committed on a child punishable by life in prison without parole or a mandatory 25-year sentence with lifetime GPS monitoring. This bill also increases penalties associated with the exploitation/prostitution of a minor, strengthens sex offender registry requirements and limits contact offenders have with victims and on what premises. This bill requires sex offenders to be 300 feet or more away from places where minors are prevalent. Any sex offender not on the registry for a life term will be on the list for 30 years. The bill now goes to the governor for his signature.
Drought
A bill to improve the state’s response to droughts was approved this week in the House. The bill (H2499) would give the governor more authority during a drought to work with local governments to help them address water shortages and makes other changes to improve how we manage droughts. The bill also would require public water providers to develop drought and water shortage plans while heavy water users would be subject to stricter reporting requirements. The bill was the result of collaboration between many different interests, including municipalities, business, farmers and private residents. The bill must now be signed by the governor. We are still in drought conditions in both Ashe and Watauga counties. During times of drought, I think we should accept the fact that we’re all in this together and must work together to make sure there is adequate water for all our citizens. We should all also practice sound water conservation measures.
Mortgages
The General Assembly has approved a bill that will give mortgage holders more time to work out a plan with their banks before losing their homes. The bill (H2623) requires lenders to give homeowners 45 days notice before starting foreclosure proceedings and gives the state bank commissioner authority to delay foreclosures for 30 days in hopes of coming up with a new payment plan. The bill is one of several we have approved recently to help cope with the ongoing mortgage crisis.
Notes
One of the bills we passed last week was the Speakers appointment bill. Among those appointed were Jeff Talbot of Boone who was appointed to the N. C. Small Business Contractor Authority for a three (3) year term and Alan Boone of Boone who was appointed to a two (2) year term to the N. C. Locksmith Licensing Board.
Unfortunately, I missed the last day of Session last Friday. Sylvia had a minor medical emergency Thursday night that required an over night stay in the hospital. Of course I came home late Thursday night to be with her. Every thing’s fine. She received a clean bill of health from the hospital and the cardiologist. I brought her home around noon on Friday.
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