HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-22-1999 - 1cFeb-19-99 01:57P Coleman Gledhill Hargrave 919 732 7997
.w
LAW OFFICES
COLEMAN, GLEDHILL & HARGRAVE
n PAt)fE5S10NAL ODRPORnr1UN
il9 E, 7RYUN S'fl1EE7
P. U_ DRAITIBR 1529
HIILSIfoxOUG9i, Nt>Rltl t:.AROLlAIA E727S
919.732.21%
FAX 919.792.7997
February 19, 1999
Alice M. Gordon, Chair
Margaret W. Brown
Moses Carey, Jr.
Stephen xalkiotis
Barry Jacobs
Orange County Board
Post Office Box 8181
Hillsborough, North
of Commissioners
Carolina 27278
~ ~ ~,~~2
G /
FROM TF~ DESK OF
QEOFFREY E. GLEDHILL
R8: Passible 1999 Orange County Legislative 16atter8
Dear Board Members:
This letter is a follow-up to John Link's memorandum
concerning a process for consideration of legislative matters.
As a starting point I want to highlight the rules established by
both the xouse and the Senate concerning legislation and
particularly its introduction during the regular 1999 Session of
the General Assembly. Both Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 1
require local bills to be filed no later than 3:00 p.m.,
Wednesday, March 31, 1999. The deadline for filing other than
local bills is 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, Apx`il 14, 1999. There are
some other deadlines which probably aren't pertinent to your
work such as requests for study commissions and appropriations
bills. A bill, whether local or public, is considered to be
timely filed if it is submitted to the General Assembly's Bill
Drafting Division one week before the filing deadline. That
means that your local bills must be to our legislators in time
for them to deliver them to Sill Drafting by 3 : 00 p.m. , March
24, 1999 and, for non-local bills, by 3:00 p.m., April 7, 1999.
The Senate and House rules also establish April 29, 1999 as the
"crossover" deadline for consideration in one house of bills
introduced in the other house. In the recent past., our
legislators have introduced those of your legislative requests
that they support in both the House and the Senate to minimize
crossover and adjournment-related problems.
I have enclosed the list of possible 1999 Orange County
legislative topics from your February 16, 1999 agenda materials.
What follows is a reorganization of that topic lisC and my
comments on the legislation proposed.
During your February 16, 1999 meeting you approved a
request to seek:
Feb-19-99 01:57P Coleman Gledhill Hargrave 919 732 7997 P_03
i
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Page 2
February 19, 1999
1. authority to levy a school capital impact tax which
would replace Orange County's school impact fee aut.horit.y;
2. an entertainment tax;
3. authority to include sexual preference/orientation as
a class protected against discrimination in the County's Civil
Rights Ordinance.
Each of these matters has been requested by you in r_he pasr_. The
Board has approved submitting these requests and is committed to
these issues, It is too soon in the legislative process to know
the likelihood of success of these matters. It is safe to assume
that there will be opposition to each of them. I recommend they
be presented at public hearing on March 3, 1999.
I recommend the following additional local matters be
requested either because the Board has sought legislation about
these matters in the past and my read is that they still. have
your support or because they t,ave a reasonably good chance o£
getting through the General Assembly.
1. Authority to levy land transfer taxes;
2. authority to levy a 1 cent sales tax to be allocated
to capital projects and tE~ include or not a tax-:
3. authority for the County to assign road names and
street numbers for private roads;
4, authority to regulate pesticides in Counr_y land use
regulations.
It is also too soon in the legislative process to know the
likelihood of success of any of these matters. There will no
doubt be opposition to each with the probable exception of road
naming and house numbering. And, the local transfer tax and
sales tax items may give way to Statewide initiatives providing
for more local government revenue sources. I recommend these
matters be presented at public hearing an March 3, 1999.
I recommend the following local items not be pursued at
this time either because they need additional staff work, the
Board of County Commissioners has not approved the subject of
them as a matter of policy or because they have little or no
opportunity for success in the legislative process.
1. Adding Orange County to the list of Counties
authorized to garnish/levy/attactl for payment. of EMS fees;
2, payments in lieu of taxation for LTNC properties;
Feb-19-99 01:58P Coleman Gledhill Hargrave 919 732 7997
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Page 3
February 19, 1999
3. transfer of development rights;
P_04
4 . ,. ,~tC~.ted 't~x~s ~ ~ ~ . ~,ral property
5. allowing farms enrolled in voluntary agricultural
districts to defer 50$ of their property taxes;
6. exempting farms in voluntary agricultural. districts
with land in conservation easements from property taxes on that.
land;
7, exempting farms enrolled in voluntary agricultural
districts from property taxes on farm buildings, machinery and
equipment.
The last four items are matters which must be done on a
Statewide basis. As you know, the Board has not adopted these
ideas as policy goals. I recommend that it do so before an
effort is made to go forward with legislation that would be
applicable Statewide. These legislative initiatives will have
the effect of broadening the voluntary agricultural districts'
Statewide program to include additional tax benefits. The fiscal
impact to Orange County and to other counties in North Carolina
may need assessment before these ideas are presented tv the
Legislature. I recommend that none of the above items be
presented for public hearing on March 3, 1999.
Y recommend that the Board request the introduction of the
following "public" (applicable Statewide) bills.
.'' Require other counties to reimburse Orange County for
Qr `bounty Sheriffs Department transportation expenses for
involuntary commitment of mental patients released or
transferred from UNC Hospitals when those patients reside in
other counties;
;!'"=°~s authority parallel to city authority to regulate
burning.
A bill providing for reimbursement to Orange County for the cost
to it of the Sheriff's transporting mental health patients is a
new initiative. As you know, there are several State hospitals
in North Carolina. The law presently provides that the County
doing the transportation must seek reimbursement for
transportation expenses from the patient {unless the patient is
indigent in which case the county of .residence is responsible).
The proposal is that the county of residence be responsible to
the county providing the transportation. This legislation would
"cut both ways" and would require Orange County to reimburse
Feb-19-99 01:58P Coleman Gledhill Hargrave 919 732 7997 P.05
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Page 4
February 19, 1999
other counties transporting its residents. The Sheriff has
requested this legislative change presumably because Orange
County would receive more than it pays if this legislation is
adopted.
During the last session of the General Assembly, Orange
County attempted to get local authority to regulate burning
parallel to that authority given to cities. Counsel to the
legislative committee considering that bill worried about its
constitutionality because it relates to healtr~. Bills regulating
health cannot be local. Although I did not share, nor did the
County Commissioner Associations General Counsel share that
concern, it stopped the bill from moving. I think that a
Statewide bill granting this authority will at least assure a
"hearing' on this grant of authority. I recommend these matters
be presented for public hearing on March 3, 1999.
The next category of legislation includes those matters
which may be introduced either on a local or Statewide basis,
which I think the Board should support by resolution rather than
with its own bill. Zn each instance the item is likely to be a
part of legislation introduced on behalf of thc~ North Carolina
Association of County Commissioners, the Triangle Transit
Authority or some other group or jurisdiction more directly
involved with the issue.
1, An expanded menu of County revenue sources;
2, an increased State role in paying the cost of
Medicaid;
3. restoring growth in reimbursements for lost local
property tax revenue;
4. State funding for increased school utility costs;
5. local government exemption from State sales taxes;
6. increased court fees to provide counties with revenue
for court facilities;
~-
_ :. ~ ~-
C a
8. prevent tax base erosion that would occur from
property tax exemption for nonprofit retirement. facilities;
9. streamline design and bidding processes for new school
construction;
Feb-19-99 O1r58P Coleman Gledhill Hargrave 919 732 7997 P.06
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Page S
February 19, 1999
10. transportation initiatives that could require
legislative assistance, including planning for rail stations in
Orange County and funding more bicycle lanes;
11. further annexation reform, for example, to give people
in the area being annexed more control over the process and the
result;
12. creation of on-campus voting precincts;
13, require utility providers to gain county approval for
utility route selections;
14, campaign finance reform;
15. increased accountability from charter schools;
16. revise the legislation pertaining to school systems
seizing vehicles in a way that holds tYie school systems
financially harmless from this Statewide requirement.
'xb~ ~~~ of su ort, ever at the
hearh~ .
Items included in the topics list with your February 16,
1999 agenda which, in my view, should not be part of the Board's
legislative request at this time follow.
1. Amendment of The Machinery Act to "clarify" that a
measurement error is the basis for a refund;
Z, repeal statute establishing requirement for a county
review officer;
3. strengthen adult protective services law;
4. N.C. DOT reform;
S. expand "Work Firs t flexibility;
6. opposition to measures to restrict annual inr_rease in
the valuation of real property;
7. local government exemption from State sales taxes.
My recommendation further on these items is that the County
Commissioners react during the legislative Session to bills that
may be introduced covering these topics. As a practical matter,
the initiatives above for the most part are Statewide in nat:,_~re
and have a natural "constituency." If that constituency is
Feb-19-99 01:59P Colc?man Gledhill Hargrave 919 732 7997 P.07
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Page 6
February 19, 1999
successful in having legislation introduced on these matters,
the Board can respond to that legislation with a resolution of
support if it likes the way the legislation is grafted.
Presently, you have no information and Z have no information as
to how any bill covering these items might. look and what impact
it may have on Orange County. I think it is more prudent for you
to consider these matters as they are introduced.
Finally, there is the matter of the incorporation of
Hebron. It is not included here because it is not a County
legislative initiative. Further, the Board has requested staff
information on the impact of "Hebron" not yet available. Support
yr not of this initiative of the Hebron community can be
addressed when more information is available to you.
Very truly yours,
GLEDHILL & HAROR2lVE, P,C.
GEG/lsg
Enclosures
xc: John M. Link, Jr.
Rod Visser
rey ~. Gl~ihill
mydocumentstbdofcom2l.ltr.
Feb X19-99 O1 :59P Coleman Gledhill Hargrave 919 732 7997 P.08
ORANGE BOUNTY
HIT.LSBQROL'C~H
NOKrF2 CA,I20I.INA
~b ~~~
MEMORAN~IUM
TO: Alice Gordon, Chair
Board of County Commissioners ~-
FROM: John M. Link, Jr., County Manager
DATE: Februazy I7, 1999
RE: Local Legislation
:,
,:;.
~.,.
Geof, Beverly, Rod and I met this afternoon to work o~;~he process for develo~l'~g the Legislative Propos~
Package. Here is our plan to t}~is point: :~'` " ,,.~ 4~,-
S
~! rV4 tk ,. !
.,.,
.~ r.
4;.,
,: . ~ ........ ~ i ,.~ . ,.
1. Beverly will call the Legis~~'" .$ert taeb~tf~(rn4 tI-i~ da ~ er) or
-, x
, , % ~ , ,~„ ....t~J±~• tottc,~~t~aer al ;' ~..- .tieither f th work.)
~ o em
- .ri. r:~, tea.
2. Rod, Geof and I have wo~~vu~,.~':cc~'%t~'~It+slat~-c iterris at~tti 'Pare a Proposed List of
Items for a Public He '.'~, ~, =~' x°
~,, ll. ?. Co i ers to
n Monday, Fei+ ,~~!~ ~~ ~ of mmiss on
revtew o - da
e ~. " ' fearing. The Agen
.,. ,.
:.... ., M
~ '"•`
Face Sheet for the `' ~ '~ ~• ^~~y ~'
C!~`; ~releta~:~; .•.,, ,, ~~''~ set the Public Hearing
h 3 1999 at tlic~ie ° x- •'~.~.. z.,,.,
date of Marc g3mm~$-a€~hd'Pu~ilc'-iig: ,:a ~~:~~~~.;~.,,~,"~`:~::...._..:
3. My suggestion is that the BOCC members determine if there is any item they would like added for public
hearing not on Geof s list. Geof will react as to the viability of additions (i.e., legal, practical
consideration).
4. Geof will have the items for possible legislation available for the BOCC by February 26, l 999; probably
under separate cover from the rest of the agenda
5. The BOCC will, therefore, have the list of proposed items doting the weekend, heaz public comment on
March 3, 1999 and make a final decision on the items to c:any forward.
6. Geof then prepares the necessary legislative package completed for the BOCC and legislative delegation
to review prior to the actual meeting with the delegation.
AREA CODE (9~ 9) 732-Bi S 1 • 968-4501 • 688.7331 • 227-2031 • FAX (919) 644-3004
Feb-19-99 02:OOP Coleman Gledhill Hargrave 919 732 7997 P_09
I believe this is "doable" within the time constraints, etc. that we have. As you know, Rod and I will be at
the Department Head Retreat at the Aqueduct Conference Center tomorrow and Friday (telephone: 933-
5557), but of course will be at the Work Session tomorrow evening. Geof says that he will be available
tomorrow in his office.
cc: Geof Gledhill
Rod Visser
Beverly Blythe
Feb 1999 02:OOP_Coleman_GledFiill Hargrave 919 732 7997___ __ _P. 10
Ta John Link, Mao~tger
From: Alike Gordon, Chair [~~~'
Subject: Lora! I.eglslat~tt
Date: Febrv~-ty 17, 1999
As the Commissioners discussed at our regular meeting 4~st
night, we need to have a plan for pursuing our local legislation. The
purpose of tbls memorandum is to request that you and the staff
pi''oP'~ and m"8+~ize a plan ar-d schedule that successfully pulls
together orange County's legislative requests and gets tbe~aa
submitted m the legislature in a timely manner.
Some of the eiesaents of that plan would involve the fiDlbwl,ag
items, but there could be others:
{~1 }Solicit input from the Commissfonezs and develop a list of
1~lalattve iceses to submitt®d.
{2) Hold a public heating on March 3
(3} ()rg~ani~ and schedule a meeting with our legislative
delegation da a date that would do the flnost good for us in teams of
s~e~rtlng our regu~ests and also getting them introduced in a way that
gives us the best chance for approval
(4) Drs~ft the legtstatioa and obtain Gommisslaner approval
t would ilk+e for you atx3 your staff -- Geof Gledhill, Brnerly
slyt~, Rod viss~er, and others as appropriate - to craft such z plan
that you could recommend to the Cvt:tmissloaersnnd implement
upaas our approval.
with respect m ilk Hebron ialtisttlv~e, i would like you and the
Staff m pzepate a report as vMe discussed at the meeting Last night.
The iepcut rook! Siva the flsCal and other hap~ts op the County.
your s~sset of the pros surd cow, and Your recda-iloszz
Pl~tse let t»e know whether you have any questtcns or
cotntueats. 'I'hanjc ynu very much.
cC. Stepltert Halkiotis, Vice Chair
TOTAL. P, pZ
Feb-1,9-99 02:OOP Coleman Gledhill Hargrave 919 732 7997 P. 11
.. • w... ~ ~ ~ ~ .• ~ ~ ~ ~-• ~,vv,.. • w w w ~w.w~, ~ 717b44Jk7F7d F', kt_'.'[?.S
POSSIBLE 1999 ORANGE COUPTTY LEGISLATIVE TOPICS
2/l I/49
7bc follatving potential topics for 1949 kgislation in the North Carolina t~enesal Assembly have been identified
by Comntiss[oaert, stat'!w advtsoty boardsJeomtnissions, and/or citizens. 'Y'o assist the Commissioners with their
discussion, these topics )savo been o,rganizod into two categories -those issues that are revenue related, and those
that address ail other issc~. Witb6n those two categories, the topics have been further subdivided into those that
would require lore! legislation tpettinent co Qrattge County only}; those that could be either lore! to Orange
County or 4LLrwide in their appl'KStbility; and those that would til-aly be Statewidt in their application.
SZwuW the Bomd time constraints in discussing ~f is agenda ium at the February 16 tneetfAg. the
Manager rxommends that the Bottrd focus its attention first oe those items that would be specific to Orange
Cocmty, and second to those tl3at could be s~lieltblo either locally or Stsuwide_ Many of the topics that
would be appticeble Statewide are beieg tucked by the North Carolims Association of Commissioners, so the
Board's imraediaic attention to those topics is not as critical as the mstterrs that would pertain to Orange Coumy
only.
I. R~VENVE LSS~S
a) lt.ocs-1l.e~lsle-tt~
1. School uapsict tau, to replace school impsct fee
2. Eutcrtaimoent tax
bj I,o~al/Stat~eewide
1. County authority to kvy land aansfer taxes
2. Authariry far counties to kvy additional sales razes
3. Addtbottsl aae c~ asks tax that might be allocated to school caPi~
4. Addition of Oran County to list of courtier authorized to garnish/levylatmch for payment of
F.MS f+aes
S. Payment in lieu of taxation for UNC' properties
6. itequire other jurisdictions to reirnbucse Sheriff's Department far pr.7viding transport foe
involnutary commitment of mental health patients (from UNC Hospitals) residing in thoso other
jurisdictions
7. DefsEra! of accrued taxes when agricuhural propCrty changes hands from fsnnor to fanner
S. Allowing fauns enrolled in Voluntary Agricultural Districts to defer 50•/. of their property taxes
9. Exempting farms in Voluntary A$ricultura! Districts with land in conservation easemems from
property taxes cm that land
l d. Facemptiag farms enrolled in Voluntary Agricultural Districts from property taxes oa farm
buildings, maChiady and equipment
c) Stasswide
i. Expanded menu of county revenue sources
2. Increased Stain role in paying t~ costs of Medicaid
3. R®storiAg growth in reimburserneats for lest local property tax revasua
4, 5tat+o funding for irureased so6ool utility costs
5. Local goveravOent exemption from State sales taxes (to supplant current rcinnbursament approach)
6. lttet~ased court fees m provide counties with reve>tuc for court fuitities
7. laareasad lylmdicsre reitnbursanenu for County EMS bills
g. Opposition to measures to restrict armua! increase in the valuation of real property to 2•i6
9. Prevent tax base az+ogioa that would occur front proprrey tax exemption far ~c-profit ratiremeat
facilities
Feb-19-99 02=01P Coleman G7edhil7 Hargrave 919 732 7997 P_12
o _._. .._ _~..~ _. _v ...,.... ..........~.. ~~'70srvJ{a?4 Y ~
. as. s
4
II. Atd. O?1i~ LSSUES
a) LocalI.egialatioa
1. Authority to inchyde sexual pscfrrcncolorierration a9 a class protected against discrimination
2. In~enrporatiara of grotwscd Town of Hebron
b) Loe~VStrtt~ew:ae
1. Str+attalme the design and bidding processes for new schoat cvnstrucdon
2. ~'ranspoRatiot- initiatives that could require Iegistative assistance, including phrntting tier rail
stations in Qran~t County and finding more bicycle lanes
3. Anthosizativn for County to assign mad names ar+d strew numbers Por privy roads
4, Facpand Woeic (First tlexibiiity
5. Anncxatian rcfiortn
6. Transfer of de~relopment rights
7. County authority parallel to city authority to regulate homing
S. iocai authority to regulate pesticides under lead use r~ulations
9_ Creation of on-campus voting precincu
c) 5tstewide
1. Require utility providers to gaiu caunry approval for utility roue selxtians
2. CatapaiPp fmaacc r+cfotm
3_ Increa.~ted accotuo~rtbility from charter schools
4. Amend stizcd vehicle tevie~od legislation that r+equires schools to still pay for towed vehicles
5. Raped statute establ"~shrng requirement for a frounty Review (Jfficer to certify alt plats, rasps, etc.
prior to t+eoordiag
b. Strengthen aduk protettivrr services law
7. DOT eeform
TOTAL P, $3
r I
•~oa3H ~RO`'~• ~ ~ i~
- °0 ~a
~ North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
ao ,. ~~
yo ot-'~ Mailing Address • P.O. Box 1488, Raleigh, NC 27602-1488
~ oouNt'i o Street Address • Albert Coates Local Government Center, 215 N. Dawson Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
Telephone 919-715-2893 • Fax 919-733-1065 • Email NCACFQ~~~~~p~~T
Home Page Address http://ncinfo.iog.unc.edu/NCACC ,j~frjj~~jj ~I jj ~Y r~J11JJ
FEB 2 2 1999
Bulletin #4-99 Thursday, February 18, 1999
.. , •~ , ~ ~-:, - HOMESTEAD TAX RELIEF PROPOSED -- ;., ,.. ,. ,
Legislation introduced this week would provide tax relief for disabled and elderly low-income
taxpayers and would reimburse local governments for the revenue loss. H 89, introduced by
Reps. Bill Owens (Pasquotank) and Cary Allred (Alamance) would increase to $25,000 the
amount of property excluded from taxation under the "Homestead Exemption" and would
increase the income threshold below which taxpayers qualify for the exclusion to $25,000. -
The Bill also proposes to reimburse local governments for half of all revenue lost because of the
Homestead Tax relief. The 50-50 state/local sharing of the burden had existed prior to 1991. ~ ~At
that time the annual income threshold was $11,000 and the amount of property excluded was
$12,000. The total revenue lost was approximately $16 million. During the 1991 session the
General Assembly froze the local reimbursement at half that total, $8 million. Since then the
amount of the exclusion has been increased twice, to $15,000 in 1994 and to $20,000, effective
in 1997. The latter increase, enacted in 1996, was accompanied by an increase in the income
threshold to $15,000. Local governments were reimbursed for the increases enacted in 1996, but
only for two years. As a result, if no action is taken by the Legislature this session, the total
reimbursement to local governments will revert to the $8 million "frozen" in 1991, less that one-
third of the total cost of the current exclusion. The total cost of the exclusion proposed in H 89
was estimated lastJyear at $34.5 million, half o_ _f which, $17.25 _million, would b_e reim_ burs_ed to
local governments if H 89 is enacted. - - ~ ~ . ~ ...
SPEAKER NAMES HOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIRS
House Speaker Jim Black announced the names of those that would chair and serve on House
committees at the end of last week. Below are the names of representatives who will chair the
committees.
Alcoholic Beverage Control
Aging
Agriculture
Appropriations
- 'Rep. Bob Hensley (Wake)
Rep. Verla Insko (Orange)
Rep. Dewey Hill (Columbus)
Reps. Ruth Easterling (Mecklenburg).
Tom Hardaway (Halifax) and
David Redwine (Brunswick)
Appropriatiou Subcommittees:
Education
Capital
General Government
Health and Human Services
Justice and Public Safety
Natural and Economic
Resources
Transportation _... .
Children, Youth and Families
Cultural Resources
Economic Growth and Community
Development
Education
Education Subcommittees:
Pre School, Elementary and
Secondary ._ ..
Community Colleges
Universities
Election Law and Campaign Finance
Reform
Environment and Natural Resources
Ethics
Finance
Financial Institutions
Health
Highway Safety
Insurance
Judiciary I
Judiciary II .
Judiciary III
2
Reps. Gene Rogers (Martin),
Flossie Boyd McIntyre (Guilford),
Pete Oldham (Forsyth)
Rep. Tom Wright (New Hanover)
Reps. Maggie Jeffus (Guilford) and
William Wainwright (Craven)
Reps. Beverly Earle (Mecklenburg) and
Edd Nye (Bladen)
Reps. Ted Kinney (Cumberland),
Jaybird McCrary (Davidson) and
Bill Culpepper (Chowan)
Reps. Stan Fox (Granville) and
Bill Owens (Pasquotank)
Reps. Jim Crawford (Granville) and, -:: .
Nelson Cole (Rockingham)
Rep. Howazd Hunter (Northhampton)
Rep. Daniel Bazefoot (Lincoln)
Rep. Mary Jarrell (Guilford)
Reps. Alex Warner (Cumberland) and
Douglas Yongue (Scotland)
Reps. Donald Bonner (Robeson) and
,Richard Moore (Cabarrus)
Rep. Joe Tolson (Edgecombe)
Rep. Verla Insko (Orange)
Reps. Martha Alexander (Mecklenburg),
Donald Bonner (Robeson)
Reps. Pryor Gibson (Montgomery) and
Nurham Warwick (Sampson)
Reps. George Miller (Durham) and
Steve Wood (Guilford)
Reps. Gordon Allen (Person),
Paul Luebke (Durham) and
George Miller (Durham)
Reps. Walter Church (Burke) and
. Liston Ramsey (Madison)
Rep. Tom Wright (New Hanover)
Reps. Alma Adams (Guilford) and
Wayne Goodwin (Richmond)
Rep. Bill Hurley (Cumberland)
Rep. Joe Hackney (Orange)
Rep. Jerry Braswell (Wayne)
Rep. Ronnie Sutton (Robeson)
3
Judiciary IV
Law Enforcement
Local Government I - ~-
Loca1 Government II
Mental Health
Military, Veterans and Indian Affairs
Pensions and Retirement
Public Health -
Public Utilities
Rules -
Small Business
State Parks and Properties
State Personnel - -
Technology
Transportation
Travel and Tourism
University Board of Governors
Nominating
Ways and Means
Welfare Reform
Wildlife Resources ~ '
Select Committees:
- Tobacco Settlement
Health Care Delivery
Rep. Phil ~Baddour (Wayne)
Rep. Andy Dedmon (Cleveland)
Rep. Andy Dedmon (Cleveland)
Rep. Mary Jarrell (Guilford)
Reps. Jim Crawford (Granville) and
Wayne Goodwin (Riclunond)
Rep. Ted Kinney (Cumberland)
Rep. Mickey Michaux (Durham)
Reps. Zeno Edwards (Beaufort) and
Mary McAllister (Cumberland)
Rep. Ronnie Smith (Carteret)
Rep. Bill Culpepper (Chowan)
Rep. Dan Blue (Wake)
Rep: Toby Fitch (Wilson)
--Rep. Jane Mosley (Wake) - ~ : ... -
Reps. Drew .Sunders (Mecklenburg) and
Joe Tolson (Edgecombe)
Reps. Monroe Buchanan (Mitchell) and
Drew Saunders (Mecklenburg)
Rep. Larry Womble (Forsyth)
Rep. Pete Oldham (Forsyth)
Rep. Martin Nesbitt (Buncombe)
Reps. Beverly Earle (Mecklenburg) and
Stan Fox (Granville) '
Rep. Jim Gulley (Mecklenburg)
Reps. Martha Alexander (Mecklenburg),
- Jerry Braswell (Wayne) and = ~ -
Gordon Allen (Person) ..
Reps: Zeno Edwards (Beaufort) and
Jane Mosley (Wake)
BILLS OF INTEREST
HUMAN RESOURCES
Introductions
S26, H36 "To repeal the prohibition on reimbursement for services provided by school-
based mental health clinics under the children's Health Insurance Program." Sen.
Bill Purcell (Scotland) and Rep. Phil Baddour (Wayne). Each of these bills would ~ -
reverse's decision made by the General Assembly last year and would accomplish an -
Association legislative goal. H36 was referred to the House Rules Committee.. S26
was referred to the Senate Committee on Health Care. It was favorably reported
February 11 and was approved by the Senate on second and third reading February 16.
4
PERSONNEL
lntroductions
H77 "To eliminate the Separation Allowance for law enforcement officers and
substitute an increase in the retirement formula." Rep. Toby Fitch (Wilson). .This
bill would restrict the current separation allowance to officers who retire before the end
of this .year. It would amend G.S. 128-27, dealing with benefits for retired employees
of counties, cities and towns to increase benefits for law enforcement officers who retire
3anuary 1, 2000 or later. The "multiplier" used to compute retirement benefits would
be increased from 1.77 percent to 2.5 percent. The bill was referred to the House
Committee on Law Enforcement.
PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE
Introductions
H90 "To appropriate funds for the Land Records Management Program for matching
grants to complete mapping projects in every county." Rep. Bill Owens
(Pasquotank). This bill would appropriate $2 million in the second year of the
biennuim (2000-01) to provide matching grants to counties for completion of base map
projects. It was referred to the House Appropriations Committee.
TAXATION AND FINANCE
Introductions
H71 "To establish a state lottery to provide funds for educational purposes:' Rep. Toby
Fitch (Wilson). This proposal would allocate net proceeds as follows:. 50% to the
Education Improvement Scholarship Program; $1 million annually to each school
administrative unit for capital outlay projects; the balance to Smart Start to fully fund
the program in all 100 counties. The bill was referred to the House Rules Committee.
H89 "To reduce property taxes on homestead property, to allow mare individuals to
qualify for the homestead Tax Reduction,. and to reimburse local governments for
half of the revenue loss due to the Homestead Tax Reduction." Reps. Cary Allred
(Alamance) and Bill Owens (Pasquotank). This bill would. increase from $20,000 to
$25,000 the value of property .excluded from tax under the Homestead Tax exclusion
provided in G.S. 105-277.1 and would increase from $15,000 to $25,000 the income
threshold below which a taxpayer qualifies for the exclusion. It would reinstate the
system that existed prior to 1991 under which the state reimbursed local governments
for fifty percent of all revenue lost because of the exclusion. The bill was referred to
the House Finance Committee.
James B. Blackburn, III
General Counsel
C. Ronald Aycock
Executive Director