Governor signs Cape Hatteras Electric Membership Corporation Bill into Law | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory signed Senate Bill – SB 790, into law at his office in the State Capitol on Monday afternoon, June 30, 2014. Senator Bill Cook (R-District 1) was the primary sponsor of the legislation. It adjusts the sales tax on the Cape Hatteras Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) customers. Instead of a 7% sales tax, Cape Hatteras EMC will collect a 3.5% sales tax starting July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2015.

    "This legislation will reduce the rate shock to utility customers on an island that already suffers from high electricity rates in an economically volatile area," Cook said.

    The Senate voted 44-5 in favor of the legislation on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, and it was sent to the House by regular message on Thursday, June 12, 2014. While the bill was in the House, it was amended to additionally phase in the sales tax to customers of piped natural gas sold by eight gas cities. Those eight gas cities are: Bessemer City, Greenville, Kings Mountain, Lexington, Monroe, Rocky Mount, Shelby, and Wilson.

    "I was pleased to work with Representative Rena Turner from Iredell County and the House on these local legislative issues," Cook said.

    The bill was brought to the House floor on Thursday, June 19, 2014, and it passed with a vote of 111-1. Since, there was an amendment added to the legislation it had to be brought back to the Senate for final concurrence. With Cook's urging the Senate approved the amended legislation on Thursday, June 26, 2014, with a vote of 46-0. Cook requested that the legislation be sent to the Governor by special message.

    "The law will be enacted starting tomorrow, July 1, 2014," Cook Said. "I was happy to have the support of my fellow members in the Senate and House on these issues. I was also pleased by the Governor's fast track signing of this very time-sensitive bill."
Senator Bill Cook, R-District 1, (left) and Representative Rena W. Turner, R-Iredell, (right) attended the bill signing ceremony for Senate Bill – SB 790, on Monday afternoon, June 30, 2014. Governor Pat McCrory (center) signed the bill into law at his office in the State Capitol.

Contact: Jordan Hennessy
     jordan.hennessy@ncleg.net, •  (252) 619-3606


     300 N. Salisbury Street
     Room 525 • Raleigh, NC 27603

    Phone: (919) 715-8293  •  Fax: (919) 754-3296  •  bill.cook@ncleg.net