Governor McCrory Signs Legislation and Urges Legislature to Pass Budget, Jobs Plan and Bond Proposal | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, N.C. - Governor Pat McCrory signed several pieces of legislation today and issued a statement on the Cultural History Artifact Management and Patriotism Act. It ensures respectful treatment of the flags of North Carolina and United States, establishes the Division of Veterans Affairs as a clearing house for worn and damaged flags, transfers custody of certain historic documents from the Secretary of State to the Department of Cultural Resources to facilitate public viewing and provides protection of historic monuments and memorials across the state.

    "North Carolina's history is interwoven with acts of personal sacrifice, courage, leadership and individuals who have made this state great," Governor McCrory said. "Our monuments and memorials reminds us of North Carolina's complete story.

    "The protection of our heritage is a matter of statewide significance to ensure that our rich history will always be preserved and remembered for generations to come. I remain committed to ensuring that our past, present and future state monuments tell the complete story of North Carolina. While I disagree with the process created in the bill and the overreach into local decision making, the overall goals of the bill merit my signature."

    The governor also called on the General Assembly to double its efforts on passing a budget, the governor's job plan and legislation that would put the Connect NC bond proposal before voters in November.

    "North Carolina is one of only a handful of states that has not passed a budget, which is remarkable given that we have a revenue surplus," Governor McCrory said. "I urge the General Assembly to get back to work on strengthening North Carolina's economy by passing the NC Competes jobs plan and the Connect NC bond proposal, legislation that our economy and people of our state urgently need."

    In addition to SB 22, the governor also signed the following legislation:

• H.B. 201 - A bill removing the qualified protest petition process and implementing a mechanism for citizen input into proposed zoning ordinance amendments, changes, modifications, repeals, or supplementations.
• H.B. 254 - A bill expanding reemployment protections granted to members of the North Carolina National Guard to include members of the National Guards of other states.
• H.B. 341 - A bill adding a number of drugs to the list of controlled substances in Schedules I, II, and VI of the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act.
• H.B. 277 - A bill making various changes to the laws governing the administration of the state's public employee retirement systems as recommended by the State Treasurer.
• H.B. 6 - A bill amending the motor vehicle laws to define and regulate three-wheeled enclosed motorcycles, known as autocycles. Operators of motorcycles would only need a regular driver's license and would not have to wear a helmet.
• H.B. 264 - A bill amending the law governing community colleges to allow local boards of trustees to offer their employees participation in the North Carolina Public School Teachers' and Professional Educator's Investment Plan as operated by the Department of State Treasurer, as recommended by the North Carolina Community Colleges.
• H.B. 276 - A bill making omnibus changes to charter school employee retirement benefits by creating a new procedure for charter schools to participate in the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System; directing the Fiscal Research Division to obtain estimates of withdrawal liability for actuarial note on bills that remove an agency from the retirement systems; establishing the priority for use of reserved funds in the event of dissolution of a charter school; and prohibiting granting prior service to new agencies in the Local Governmental Employees Retirement System.
• H.B. 350 - A bill requiring the Division of Motor Vehicles to restore a person's driving privilege upon notification from the Clerk of Court that the person has been adjudicated to be restored to competency.
• H.B. 544 - A bill allowing a city to require the county ordinance to adhere to the city's sign ordinance when the city opts to enforce a county ordinance within the city.
• H.B. 390 - A bill making necessary law changes due to the Washington County Board of Commissioners resolution requesting reassignment of Washington County "exclusively to the service area of Beaufort County Community College for purpose of providing all available programs and services to and within Washington County." The bill authorizes the election of an additional member to the Board of Trustees of Beaufort County Community College (BCCC) by each board of county commissioners within the administrative area; requires the State Board of Community Colleges (SBCC) to include all of Washington County in the service area of BCCC; and directs the SBCC to review service areas that include multiple community colleges for one county.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov