What Hath the General Assembly Gods Wrought?

Legislative News by Nelda Holder –

They packed their bags in time to be at home for the Fourth of July holiday celebrating the birth of a democratic nation.

And they didn’t really say when they might be back in the state’s capital city of Raleigh … never mind that they left without crafting a budget, though our fiscal year ended June 30.

Oh, it’s happened before. And in general, things stay in operation at the same budget level in existence when they left, because there’s a law for that. General Statute 143C-5-4 ensures allocation of funds at a level “not to exceed … those funds in the recurring certified budget for the prior fiscal year.” If there is not enough funding available, the director allocates funds at a lower level.

But when this happens, it’s hard not to feel that our representatives generally didn’t get their job done—especially when they leave without a goal for reconvening and finishing their work. That was left a mystery this time, but it was then announced that the Legislature would reconvene on July 10.

They did at least pass another relief bill for victims of Hurricane Helene before their holiday (HB 1012), setting aside another $500,000,000 (with a firm nudge from Gov. Josh Stein) and releasing additional financial support through additional transfers. The latest appropriation adds to the $1.6 billion already allocated in state funding.

But the legislature took other steps less helpful to the state’s inhabitants, such as threatening an important target of 70% reduction of carbon emissions by the year 2030 from the baseline year 2005, made possible by turning to clean energy in the state—a major bipartisan legislative achievement in 2021.

That environmental success, which promised important, more affordable energy as well as carbon reduction, is now under attack by Senate Bill 266. (It has also been pointed out that the current emissions law offers protection for highly vulnerable bird species which otherwise could be eliminated.)

Where Does the Governor Stand?

Gov. Josh Stein, now in his seventh month on the job, signed several bills into law and vetoed three while the legislators were away. The three vetoes were:

HB 96 (Expedited Removal of Unauthorized Persons): Stein’s objection to a bill that originally addressed squatters was caused by an unrelated amendment prohibiting local governments from regulating pet stores. “This bill would facilitate inhumane puppy mills in North Carolina,” the governor said, explaining his objection.

HB 193 (Firearm Law Revisions): This bill would primarily have allowed certain employees and volunteers to carry certain weapons on the property of nonpublic schools if authorized by the school, and would impose increased punishment for certain assaults or threats against various legislative, court, executive, and locally elected officers.

Stein commented that the bill “would make our children less safe” and that only trained law enforcement officers should respond to such a school crisis. The governor noted that he does support protecting local elected officials and asked for a clean bill with such provisions—which he promised he would sign.

SB 416 (Personal Privacy Protection Act.): The governor’s objection to this bill was the reduction in transparency and the increase in opportunity for dark money in politics, particularly candidates’ legal funds. He also objected to the difficulty it would engender in detecting tax fraud.

Laws the Governor Signed

Signed into law with comments from the governor were the following:

SB 118 (Military and Veteran Support Act.): Noting that North Carolina “is home to approximately 100,000 active-duty service members, Stein praised the bill for helping families moving to a new deployment to smooth various disruptions by making it easier to enroll children in schools and renew drivers’ licenses remotely.

“I have concerns,” he added, “that certain businesses that claim to help service members secure benefits will instead use this bill as cover to overcharge them.” He encouraged the General Assembly to find ways to protect service families from those wanting to take advantage.

SB 311 (Session Law): A bill that “cracks down on a variety of crimes” (burglary, retail theft, reckless driving, hit-and-run offenses) and “protects utilities and communications workers on the job.”

SB 429 (2025 Public Safety Act): Stein noted this bill “makes it easier for certain victims of domestic violence to have their day in court and obtain a restraining order, and it increases penalties for the sale of fentanyl to get this deadly drug off our streets.” The bill also clarifies that—like other organizations—“religious organizations can be held liable for sexual abuse by their employees.”

SB 479 (SCRIPT Act): Increases accountability and protects community pharmacies from Pharmacy Benefit Managers’ unfair business practices that make prescription drugs more expensive for patients. It will help independent pharmacies promote access to health care … and (make) sure discounts are passed on to consumers.

Signed without comment by the governor were the following:

SB 375 (Harrison’s Law): Revises the criminal offense of hazing, and requires publication of total compensation and position information for central office employees.

HB 694 (Study Water/Wastewater Regionalization): Sets up a study by the Environmental Finance Center, UNC at Chapel Hill School of Government, concerning regionalization of water and wastewater services across the state.

HB 850 (Interbasin Transfer Moratorium/Study): Imposes a moratorium on issuance of certificates for certain surface water transfers.

HB 992 (Timeshare Foreclosure/Paternity Matters): Creates a timeshare trustee foreclosure process for certain delinquent assessments, and changes process for establishing paternity of children born out of wedlock. (Author’s Note: I do not have a clue how paternity got included in this particular bill.)

HB 1003 (Board of Funeral Service Modifications): Modifications to the laws governing funeral service and cremation.

What’s Next for GOP Legislators?

The House reconvened July 14 and passed HB 958 (Election Law Changes); the Senate will vote on it next. According to the Wake County (Raleigh) Democratic Party, Republicans are trying to replace trusted, experienced professionals with partisan operatives hand-picked to control our elections. The bill also makes it illegal for elections officials to encourage voting: no voter education from elections offices, no public outreach, and no PSAs reminding people to vote. The message is simple: They don’t want you to vote.

A Website for Governor Stein’s Activities and Actions

If you are politically curious but haven’t discovered this handy internet reference, you can keep yourself updated on official actions by the governor of the state at governor.nc.gov. There is a link to press releases, such as “Governor Stein Takes Action on 12 Bills” (July 9). And, with just one little click, you can email the governor from the home page.

But I enjoy the “News” link which can take you immediately to press releases, proclamations, executive orders, and letters. You may also submit requests, link to a job-finding site, and browse through an extensive list of state organizations.

On the latter page, there is a current “Fraud Alert” warning of multiple text scams requesting payment for NCDMV fees, fines or tolls. Have you gotten one? I’ve gotten several! The state website assures you that “NCDMV will NEVER request payment by text. Please report it as spam and then delete.”

You may also browse the governor’s official letters on topics such as:

July 2, 2025: Letter from Governor Stein to North Carolina’s House Delegation on the Senate’s Reconciliation Bill

June 24, 2025: Letter from Governor Stein and Governors across the Country to Congressional Leadership on Proposed SNAP Cuts

June 6, 2025: Governor Stein’s letter to Senators Tillis and Budd on the US House’s Budget Reconciliation Bill

May 22, 2025: Letter from FEMA Ending Direct Federal Assistance for US Army Corps of Engineers

April 25, 2025: Letter from Governor Stein Appealing FEMA Decision

Nelda Holder is the author of The Thirteenth Juror – Ferguson: A Personal Look at the Grand Jury Transcripts.