NCACC Legislative Update: December 10, 2018 | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Except for possible veto override votes, the General Assembly Thursday concluded its business for the biennium in a three-week reconvened session. Rumors of bills addressing sales tax redistribution and sanctuary jurisdictions never came to fruition, and legislation repealing certain boards and commissions that help counties did not become law, leaving in place the structure of these boards established by Governor Cooper's executive order. The new photo voter identification law passed on December 6 still awaits gubernatorial action. Unless the General Assembly returns before the New Year to override any potential vetoes, the work of the 2017-18 session is likely complete.

    Elections, Ethics and Lobbying Bill Restores Previous Oversight Structure

    House Bill 1029 (Bipartisan State Board Changes) passed both chambers with minimal debate Wednesday. The legislation returns the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement to its previous structure in place before the General Assembly made changes after the 2016 election.

    The legislation splits the board into two agencies. The Ethics Commission would consist of eight members; four appointed by the Governor and four appointed by the legislature, with the membership equally split between Republicans and Democrats. The State Board of Elections would revert to a five member board appointed by the Governor. The legislation also returns oversight of lobbying activities to the Secretary of State's office.

    County boards of elections would be expanded to five members. Four members will be appointed by the state board upon the recommendation of party chairs from the county, with two each from the two political parties with the most registered voters. The Governor will appoint the fifth member, who will serve as the county board chair.

    In addition, the law would require a primary if new elections are ordered in congressional races, which would be a further cost to counties. Newly-passed voter ID laws would not apply to new elections ordered for 2018 contests. The Governor has until December 22 to take action on the bill.

    Omnibus Bill Eliminates Telecommunications Service Report

    On Thursday the House and Senate revealed and passed a conference report on a bill making technical and substantive changes to state law. The final version of Senate Bill 469 (Technical Corrections) still includes a provision repealing a cable franchise report that NCACC noted last week. The bill passed the House and Senate on Thursday afternoon and is now on the Governor's desk; he has until December 23 to veto, sign, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.

    Fire District Bill Does Not Receive Senate Consideration

    Legislation creating a fire protection oversight board for a specific rural fire district in Wake County received final approval by the House earlier this week, but the Senate did not debate or vote on the bill. As reported in last week's brief, Wake County currently has a unified single county-wide fire service district consisting of all its unincorporated areas, and House Bill 1110 would remove one local district from the unified structure and provide for separate governance through an oversight board. It is highly unlikely the General Assembly will consider any further legislation before adjourning sine die later this month, so a new bill in the 2019 long session would be needed to revive this issue.

    Contact: North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
        353 East Six Forks Road
        Suite 300
        Raleigh, NC 27609