The General Assembly returned from spring break this week to a flurry of activity. With the crossover deadline looming next week, both chambers had a full schedule of committee meetings and floor votes. This pace will continue through the deadline on April 27.
Issue Insights
State and Legislative Issues
Crossover Deadline April 27
- With the crossover deadline next week, the House approved nearly 40 bills on Thursday. Most bills must pass at least one chamber by April 27 to still be considered in the two year session.
- Most bills moved quickly on the House floor with little discussion, after being vetted by committees.
- HB 110 caused some debate after a provision was added in committee to make changes to transportation funding policy. The provision, called “Megaproject Funding,” would create a new road-building fund, separate from the Strategic Transportation Investments program, to help pay for major statewide or regional projects exceeding $200 million.
WRAL: Bills fly through House as deadline looms
Development Fees
- The House Finance Committee this week approved a scaled back proposal dealing with impact fees on new development.
- The bill as first introduced would have stopped counties and municipalities from imposing the fees.
- As amended, the bill prevents increasing or enacting new impact fees. It also directs the Legislative Research Committee to study the issue and recommend legislation next session.
- Local governments say the funds are needed for roads, utilities and other public services that accompany development.
Raleigh News & Observer: NC House backs off proposed ban on development impact fees
Economic Development Incentives
- The Senate Commerce Committee this week approved SB 660, which would limit the amount of Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) funds that could be used for projects in the most prosperous counties in the state.
- The bill’s intent is to direct more of these funds to help bring job creation to more distressed counties in the state.
- Commerce Secretary Tony Copeland pointed to additional factors, such as the quality of the workforce and access to infrastructure, as important considerations for companies considering where to locate or expand their business.
- The bill would restrict the JDIG budget so that no more than half its funds could be awarded in Tier 3 counties – the 20 most prosperous counties in the state. In addition, the bill would further restrict the program so that no more than a quarter of its funds could be used in the state’s four or five most prosperous counties, including Mecklenburg, Wake, and Durham.
- The bill now goes to the Senate Finance Committee.
Raleigh News & Observer: These NC counties would see job creation incentives cut by legislature
Rural Broadband
- HB 68, the BRIGHT (Broadband, Retail, Internet of Things, Grid Power, Healthcare and Training) Futures Act passed the House in a 109-8 vote this week.
- The bill allows local governments to lease their unused fiber capacity to broadband providers in an effort to increase coverage in underserved areas.
Bill aimed at expanding rural broadband internet passes NC House
News Roundup
- HB2 deal a factor in company’s decision to move to Cary (Raleigh News & Observer)
- John Lassiter resigning as NC economic development board chair (Charlotte Observer)
- Budget hole projected if $1 billion tax-cut plan passes NC legislature (Raleigh News & Observer)
- Report Highlights Urban/Rural Health Divide (WUNC)
- After HB2 repeal, NC cities win bids to host NCAA tournament games (Charlotte Observer)
- ACC returns title football game to Charlotte following HB2 repeal (Charlotte Observer)
- Court changes would ‘seriously harm our judicial system,’ former NC chief justices say (Raleigh News & Observer)
- Legislative leaders agree to withdraw motion – for now – that halts NC Medicaid expansion request (Winston-Salem Journal)
- Effort to freeze NC’s renewable energy requirements renewed (WRAL)
- NC craft brewers lose battle to big distributors: ‘It’s backroom politics’ (Charlotte Observer)