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Week eleven of the 2009-10 session marks the end of bill introductions with the exception of finance bills. So, this is likely the last we’ll see of the Nanny Tracker. We’ll try to make this week’s one to remember!
It is amazing what happens when the budget passes out of one body and bill introductions are complete. Things get downright weird. Highlights of week eleven included one Senator donning a horse head and tail while presenting a bill in committee regarding creation of an equine industry commission. The bill passed overwhelmingly, with only one “naaayyy” vote.
In the House, lobbyists and visitors were treated to two days of long, protracted debate over what should be appropriate sex education for students in middle and high school. Yes, this discussion occurred as two classes of (giggling) elementary school aged youngsters were herded out of chambers and many adults were blushing. But it paled in comparison to what must have been THE most awkward of moments for the high school-aged Pages. As Speaker Hackney bid them farewell on Thursday, he told the Pages that he hoped this was a week to remember. No doubt, having to listen to two long days of legislators discussing “you-know-what” will leave an indelible image on the minds of those fine young citizens!
Bills introduced last week (but too late for last week’s edition) include:
· H 1353 Conserve Energy/Water would authorize cities and counties to adopt ordinances that prohibit deed restrictions or covenants that prohibit the use of solar collectors, clotheslines, rain barrels or other devices that conserve energy or reuse water.
· H 1385 Cistern Tax Credit/Regulatory Reform would provide a tax credit for construction of cisterns on residential and commercial property.
· H 1388 Brownfields Property Notifications would expand the public notice requirement regarding a prospective developer’s intent to redevelop a brownfields property.
· H 1409 Building Code Exclusion/Certain Wiring would exempt certain simple wiring activities and appliance replacement in residences from building permitting requirements.
· H 1410 Building Code Exclusion/Hot Water Heaters would exempt water heater replacement in residences from building permitting requirements when the heater is of the same size and capacity and is in the same location.
· H 1431 Repeal Land Transfer Tax would repeal the one-fourth cent local option land transfer tax.
· H 1442 Protect Private Drinking Well Users’ Health would require a test on any private drinking water well or improved spring that supplies water for human consumption within six months before the real property on which it is located is transferred.
· H 1443 Green Building Code would require that new and renovated commercial buildings and new residential buildings comply with ICC energy standards.
· H 1490 Extend Permits Regarding Land Development (identical to S 831 and introduced at the request of NCHBA) would extend state and local permits and approvals for a specific period of time.
Next week will be a busy one for NCHBA Government Affairs staff as we begin the countdown to “crossover”. The crossover deadline, May 14th, is the date by which all non-appropriation/non-finance bills must pass through one chamber. We will not only be moving our bills, but we will be stopping bills that we oppose!
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