North Carolina Home Builders Association - Legislative Report


	Inside this issue
	• Week 21 Update • NCHBA Legislative Priorities on the Move • Quote of the Week

	Week 21 Update
	As the General Assembly completed its 21st week, tempers are flaring! The House and Senate have yet to agree on a budget, with the primary disagreement over the revenue package. To add more drama, the Governor held her own rallies across the state in an attempt to get citizens to put even more pressure on legislators to limit education budget cuts. The Governor then visited the General Assembly and asked the budget negotiators to come up with more money - $1.5 billion to be precise. As if legislators aren’t taking enough heat for the proposed tax package that broadens the base and RAISES the rate! The Senate approved a Continuing Resolution (CR) this week that would fund the state’s existing budget at 85 percent into the next fiscal year (which starts on July 1). The House resisted discussing the CR in hopes that the Senate and House budget negotiators would deliberate over the weekend. Instead, the Senate adjourned and went home. Shot across the bow? You betcha’! Now, the House will be forced to approve a CR in order for state government to keep functioning after July 1. While we applaud the Senate for digging their heels in and opposing some of the measures in the House revenue package, a CR means no rest for the weary (and no tan lines for NCHBA’s Government Affairs staff)!
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NCHBA Legislative Priorities on the Move

NCHBA scored great victory this week as HB 852 Defer Tax on Builders’ Inventory passed both its 2nd and 3rd readings in the House. The vote on the 2nd reading was 106-8. The bill then passed the 3rd reading on a voice vote and is on its way to the Senate. Rep. Margaret Dickson (D-Cumberland) is the bill's chief sponsor, and she deserves great credit for the masterful job she has done in helping get overwhelming bi-partisan support. Former Speaker Harold Brubaker (R-Randolph) and Rep. Laura Wiley (R-Guilford) both offered some eloquent remarks in support of the bill during the floor debate. Rep. Dickson was instrumental in gaining the vocal support of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners and the N.C. League of Municipalities for the bill. Their support was crucial in the margin of victory, because many local officials had earlier communicated their opposition to the bill. House members voting against the bill on the 2nd reading were: Reps. Daughtry (R-Johnston), Haire (D-Haywood), Harrison (D-Guilford), Insko (D-Orange), Jackson (D- Wake), Langdon (R-Johnston), Sager (R-Wayne) and Tolson (D-Edgecombe).

HB 239 Restore Water Quality in Jordan Reservoir passed the Senate, returned to the House for concurrence, and was sent to the Governor for her signature.

HB 749 Use of Cisterns in Construction/Renovation received concurrence from the House on Senate amendments and was ratified.

HB 1409 Building Code Exclusion/Certain Wiring was amended in the Senate by consolidating bills that excluded hot water heaters and certain lighting fixtures from building code requirements. The bill now returns to the House for concurrence.

SB 44 Appeals of Quasi-Judicial Land Use Decisions passed out of the House Environment Committee without prejudice (neither the Chair nor NCHBA staff could figure out why it was referred there in the first place). The bill now moves on to House Judiciary I.

SB 698 City/County/Sanitary District Fees/Internet was reported favorably out of the House Local Government II committee. It now moves on to House Judiciary I.

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	Quote of the Week
	“Will the Lady from Cumberland yield to the Lady from Franklin?” Following proper House procedure, members must receive permission before they can ask a question of another member. Rep. Lucy Allen (D-Franklin) (pictured right) wanted to ask Rep. Margaret Dickson (D-Cumberland) (pictured left) a question about HB 852 Defer Tax on Builders’ Inventory. As you can see in the picture, these two Representatives are seat-mates. It may have been easier to just whisper the question. (Neither Representative could keep a straight face!)
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Week 21 Update

NCHBA Legislative Priorities on the Move

Quote of the Week