Senator Bill Cook Legislative Update: VIII | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

Local Bills Heard in House Rules Committee

    On Thursday, July 24, 2014, I presented Senate Bill - SB788 (Town of Duck Eminent Domain) and Senate Bill - SB877 (Exempt Time Shares/Rule Against Perpetuities) to the Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House. The bills passed unanimously in the committee and were placed on the House calendar.

    Senate Bill - SB788 will allow the Town of Duck to move forward with their beach nourishment project. The legislation simply adds the Town of Duck to the list of counties and municipalities that use the quick take condemnation process to protect their beach. In addition to Duck, the following counties and municipalities have quick take authorization: Carteret and Dare Counties, the Towns of Atlantic Beach, Carolina Beach, Caswell Beach, Emerald Isle, Holden Beach, Indian Beach, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Kure Beach, Nags Head, North Topsail Beach, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Sunset Beach, Surf City, Topsail Beach, and Wrightsville Beach, and the Village of Bald Head. The bill passed on the floor of the House on Friday, July 25, 2014, after previously passing in the Senate last week.

    Senate Bill - SB877 will allow timeshare owners in North Carolina to overcome the "rule against perpetuities." Absent this law, timeshare owners with declarations dated prior to July 1, 1984, could lose their individual ownership rights to their timeshare. However, this bill will protect those rights. The bill was vetted by the North Carolina Bar Association and had no opposition. After previously passing in the Senate on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, the legislation went on to pass the House on Friday, July 25, 2014.
Presenting Senate Bill - SB 788 (Town of Duck/Eminent Domain) and Senate Bill - SB 877 (Exempt Time Shares/Rule Against Perpetuities) to the Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House on Thursday, July 24, 2014.

Senate Passes HB1224 (Local Sales Tax Options)

    The Senate, on Thursday, July 24, 2014, passed a revised version of House Bill - HB1224, (Local Sales Tax Options/Econ. Devpt. Changes), granting counties more flexibility to invest in local priorities. The legislation does not increase the sales tax rate that was previously allowed. It only allows for more options. Counties, only by a vote of the people, can now use local sales tax generated funds for public transit, public education or general purpose needs. It caps the sales tax rate for all but two counties at 2.5%. This law should help rural counties to more easily generate the money for education or even ferries or bridges.

Reforming and Restructuring Medicaid

    On Thursday, July 24, 2014, the Senate tentatively passed legislation to reform and restructure the state's chronically troubled and over-budget Medicaid entitlement program. In the past four years alone, the legislature has had to fill shortfalls totaling nearly $2 billion. The program has been stealing funds from priorities like education, transportation and public safety. The Senate's Medicaid reform plan creates a new Department of Medical Benefits to administer Medicaid and lead North Carolina toward a patient-focused program. We are making tough choices to make sure we have a solvent program that will be able to provide care to the neediest.]


Contact: Jordan Hennessy
     jordan.hennessy@ncleg.net, •  (252) 619-3606


     300 N. Salisbury Street
     Room 525 • Raleigh, NC 27603

    Phone: (919) 715-8293  •  Fax: (919) 754-3296  •  bill.cook@ncleg.net