NC Senator Bill Cook's Legislative Update: April 30, 2013 | Eastern North Carolina Now

Meeting with DOT Secretary Tata
    This week, I led a group of Buxton constituents and Dare County Commissioners, along with Representative Paul Tine to talk with NC Secretary of Transportation Anthony Tata regarding the road problems experienced by the folks in Buxton. The ocean is encroaching on Hatteras Island, and is often over Route 12 in Buxton with 8"-10" standing on the road with high tide and strong winds. The concern of the local folks is that the next big storm to hit the coast will form an inlet right through Buxton.

    We talked with Secretary Tata, giving him information, sharing our concerns, and showing pictures (I've included a couple below). He promised to support us and help the situation. I found the meeting encouraging and am hopeful we can get relief for the good people on Buxton soon.

S189 - Homeschool Definition Update
    Last week, the Senate Education/Higher Education unanimously passed my bill S189, which updates the definition of home school for North Carolina. The next day, this bill unanimously passed the Senate. Since a companion bill had earlier unanimously passed the House, I am hopeful that a conference will be called soon to pass this bill on the Governor to become law. I have received overwhelming support from the folks in the homeschooling community on this bill, and am glad to be a part of helping parents be able to educate their children in the way they see best.

S228 Update
    I am grateful that Governor McCrory signed my bill: S228 HOA/Limited Common Area/Amend of Declaration into law. This bill provides that a condominium unit owner and a planned community lot owner has access to the limited common area assigned to his lot or unit and also to that assigned his neighbors, in order to conduct maintenance, repair, or replacement work. If damage is caused by the lot or unit owner, they are responsible. The need for this bill became apparent after a recent hurricane.

    Also, the bill amends the NC Planned Community Act to provide that the declaration bylaws and articles of incorporation of a planned community form the basis for the legal authority for the community. There was no opposition to this bill, and I am glad that folks in Planned Communities will now be able to repair their homes easily should damage occur from another storm.

    Here's a picture of the Governor signing my bill.

Sponsorship Update
    Since the bill filing deadline is passed, there will be no more sponsorship updates, as no new pieces of legislation will be filed. However, you can keep track of all the bills I have sponsored or cosponsored here.

Page Program
    If you know a high school student interested in learning more about our state government and how it operates, please have them contact our office about the week-long Senate Page Program. The program is filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. All weeks in May are currently open. Currently, the need is critical for pages the weeks of May 6th and May 13th. Please contact us for the application as soon as possible for the best chance of receiving appointment to your desired week of service.

    Mailing Address:

    300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 525
     Raleigh, NC 27603
     (919) 715-8293     cookla@ncleg.net or bill.cook@ncleg.net