It's a wrap! Legislature adjourns | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: This article originally was published in the Beaufort Observer.

Here's a recap of last week's action

    Last week was indeed a busy on as the General Assembly moved toward adjournment. I'll have more on the session later but here is the Speaker's summary of last week's action:

    •  Senate Bill 781, the Regulatory Reform Act of 2011, passed the House on a bipartisan vote of 74-42. The Act is the product of the Joint Committee on Regulatory Reform, which held meetings throughout the state to gather public input on which burdensome regulations to eliminate.
    Bill Cook speaks to a crowd attending a political fundraiser for Pat McCrory.     image by Stan Deatherage

    •   The House passed House Bill 134, which allows certain community colleges to voluntarily opt-out of the Federal William D. Ford Loan Program.

    •   House Bill 49, also known as "Laura's Law" was concurred in the House with only one dissenting vote. It strengthens the state's laws against repeat DWI offenders. It has been sent to the Governor.

    •   House Bill 351, called "Restore Confidence in Government," has passed the House and been sent to the Governor. It requires voters to provide photo identification before they vote.

    •   The comprehensive legislation on tort reform, House Bill 542, was concurred by the House on a bipartisan vote of 80-32. The bill is the most comprehensive reform of tort laws in recent memory and has been sent to the Governor.

    •   House Bill 650, which amends various laws on gun ownership, including the "Castle Doctrine," was concurred by the House on a bipartisan vote of 80-39.

    •   House Bill 845, the Annexation Reform Act of 2011, has passed the House and the Senate. It is a comprehensive reform of existing annexation laws.

    •   The conference report for House Bill 36, which requires certain employers to use the Federal E-verify system to verify employees' citizenship status, passed the House at the final House session on Saturday. It will be sent to the Governor.