NC Legislative Update
June 5, 2020
While several bills moved forward this week (mostly small appropriations bills dealing with a single subject), only one major piece of legislation cleared the General Assembly. As of now, the Governor has yet to act on two pieces of legislation awaiting his approval or veto.
Issue Insights
State and Legislative Issues
Executive Orders
The Governor issued two executive orders this week. The state also announced two online tools to help with testing and tracing of coronavirus: “check my symptoms” tool and test site finder.
- Executive Order #142, issued Saturday, May 30, 2020. This order temporarily suspends residential and commercial evictions under certain circumstances and continues the prohibition on utility shut-offs.
- Executive Order #143, issued Thursday, June 4, 2020. This order implements a number of provisions designed to address the disproportionate impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on communities of color. The order attempts to the address these inequities in the areas of health, economic opportunity, environmental justice, education, and access to government services.
COVID-19 Order Directs Efforts To Fix N.C. Racial Disparity (Associated Press)
RNC
Republicans in the North Carolina House will file a bill to require capacity attendance at all events for the scheduled Republican National Convention in Charlotte in August.
Reopening Lawsuit
A group of nearly 200 bar owners in North Carolina have filed a lawsuit against Gov. Roy Cooper in an effort to immediately reopen bars in the state.
After an ‘unproductive’ talk with the governor, NC bar owners file lawsuit to reopen (Raleigh News & Observer)
Gym Legislation
While a group of eastern North Carolina gym owners are asking the courts to open their doors, state lawmakers are pursuing their own bid to reopen those businesses – over the objections of the governor and state health officials.
Farm Bill
North Carolina legislators have finally completed the General Assembly’s annual agriculture policy bill, albeit the one that was first debated in 2019.
N. Carolina 2019 farm bill finally OK’d, omits controversies (Raleigh News & Observer)