The Honorables were back at work this week, holding meetings and votes after taking a week off out of respect for the passing of House Speaker Tim Moore's father.
Still, with spotty attendance, no override vote was scheduled for Governor Cooper's veto of H198, DOT Legislative Changes, the bill that calls for dramatically increasing tree-cutting zones around billboards. In the meantime, we're working hard to whip the votes to sustain the governor’s veto, which is difficult when the opposing party holds a supermajority in both chambers. But it's not impossible, so please support our efforts by contacting your lawmakers and asking them to vote against an override, if you haven't already.
The new Farm Act of 2024, a traditional omnibus bill that addresses various agricultural concerns, sailed through House committees and received unanimous support on the House Floor. The measure, S355, previously "An Act Clarifying the Definition of Property-Hauling Vehicles," got a midweek makeover starting in the House Agriculture Committee. Of particular note is the reinstatement of much of the Conservation Tax Credit that was eliminated in 2013. During House floor debate, Rep. Pricey Harrison (District 61, Guilford), the chamber's most ardent environmentalist, said she was excited for the first time to cast her vote in favor of a Farm Bill. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Jimmy Dixon (District 4, Duplin & Wayne), jokingly replied that there must be something wrong and it should go back to committee. Jokes aside, S355 passed 93-0, and now goes to the Senate for concurrence with the new language.
H385, formerly "Regulation of Battery-Charged Security Fences," also got a new look in its trip through the Senate. The substitute, titled "Various Energy and Environmental Changes," has several problematic sections. They include language relating to the Department of Environmental Quality's issuance of 401 certifications on a tight timeline, and some changes to the Coastal Area Management Act for purposes of dock rebuilding. DEQ is working with lawmakers to fine-tune the language, and we'll support whatever position the agency feels is best. Another worrisome section would loosen the requirements to allow hog farms to spray animal waste in the 100-year floodplain, though it would still ban the siting of CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations, or factory farms) in the floodplain.