I wanted to update you this week on some more of the new laws that went into place this month.
Some of these represent major changes in the way we do business in this state, such as clearer ethics rules and stronger environmental laws. Others will be less noticeable but are still important to those people who are affected.
Thank you as always for your interest in North Carolina and state government. Please contact me if I can be of any service to you.
Open Government
The Government Ethics and Campaign Reform Act of 2010 (H961) creates stronger standards for elected officials and government workers. Among other things, the act: increases the penalty for illegal campaign donations; improves the state’s campaign finance database by making it easier to search; makes complete salary histories of government workers public; requires the government to pay plaintiffs’ legal fees in cases where they are found to have violated open records laws without a written basis; increases economic disclosure requirements for judicial officers, legislators, and public servants.
Animal euthanasia technicians may be subject to more intense scrutiny of their backgrounds before they can be certified. A new law (H1741) allows the Department of Agriculture to reject certification for euthanasia technicians if they are convicted of felony drug laws, animal abuse or neglect or submitting a false application, in addition to other violations. The law also requires animal shelters that euthanize animals to register their shelters with the Department of Health and Human Services under the state’s Controlled Substances Act.
A new law will expand access to adoption information for family members. The law (H1463) allows adult siblings and half-siblings of living adoptees and adult family members of deceased adoptees or biological parents to have access to confidential services seeking to connect adoptees and their parents. The law also allows the intermediary to deliver a copy of a death certificate for the person being sought.
Environment
The General Assembly amended nearly 25 environmental laws in a single bill this past session. Among other things, the law (H1766) requires public agencies to recycle used fluorescent lights and mercury thermostats, requires the removal of all fluorescent lights and mercury thermostats from buildings prior to demolition, and bans products containing mercury from unlined landfills. The law also prohibits the use of high-arsenic glass in public roads.
A person who has been issued a permit to remove a coyote now has an additional option under legislation approved this year by the General Assembly. A new law (H1824) allows the use of a humane, live capture collar trap. The trap works by throwing a cable loop over the animal’s head. The end of the loop is anchored in the ground. The law requires that the trap be checked daily and that a dog or any other animal not targeted by the trap be released unharmed. The law was recommended by the House Select Committee on Coyote Nuisance Control.
Miscellaneous
Senior Resident Superior Court judges will no longer be determined based solely on their seniority. A new law (H1398) allows the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court to select the senior resident judge after consulting with the district court judges, members of the local bar, clerks of court, district attorneys, public defenders and others within the district.
Meetings/Events
I plan to attend the following meetings/events:
Please invite me to attend your county, city, community or civic, etc. meetings or events.
As I’ve said many times before, I hope you will continue to let me know how you feel about the issues that are being debated by the North Carolina Legislature and the challenges you and your family are facing each day.
By working together, we can make Northampton, Vance and Warren Counties and all regions of North Carolina a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Please remember that you can use the General Assembly’s website to look up bills, view lawmaker biographies and access other information. The site also contains detailed information about the state budget and legislative schedules.