Governor McCrory Takes Action on Legislation | Eastern North Carolina Now

For Immediate Release:

    Raleigh, NC     Governor Pat McCrory signed 18 bills today, including:

    •   SB 353 (Sen. Harrington) Health and Safety Law Changes - This bill will enhance the medical and safety standards for North Carolina's abortion clinics and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to write new safety and professional standards for these clinics.

    "I would have vetoed HB 695 because it was clearly designed to restrict access. I am pleased that this new legislation is focused on the health and safety of women in North Carolina. These higher standards will result in safer conditions for North Carolina women. This law does not further limit access and those who contend it does are more interested in politics than the health and safety of our citizens." - Governor Pat McCrory

    •   HB 937 (Reps. Schaffer, Burr, Faircloth and Cleveland) Amend Various Firearms Laws - This legislation amends state firearms laws.

    "This legislation prohibits guns in classrooms, dorms, and administrative buildings on college campuses. Additionally, this legislation gives bar owners the authority to prohibit guns in their establishments. Following my threat of a veto, we worked closely with law enforcement officials across the state so that changes were made to the original legislation. This ensured that permitting is still required for a concealed carry permit and is implemented at the local level." - Governor Pat McCrory

    "Like many North Carolinians, I am a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment. As a 34-year veteran of law enforcement here in North Carolina, I believe it's important that Sherriff's offices continue to administer the certification process for concealed carry permits. I would like to thank Governor Pat McCrory for his efforts on behalf of public safety in ensuring this common sense provision remained in HB 937." - Guilford County Sherriff BJ Barnes

    •   HB 269 (Reps. Jordan, Brandon, Jones and Stam) Children w/Disabilities Scholarship Grants - This legislation creates special education scholarship grants for children with disabilities to attend nonpublic schools. The $3,000 per semester grants may be used for tuition, special education, and related services.

    "This legislation ensures that our commitment to excellence and innovation in K-12 education is extended to all North Carolina students. Students with physical or learning disabilities deserve access to the best education possible and this legislation goes a long way toward providing that." - Governor Pat McCrory

    •   SB 683 (Sens. Goolsby, Barringer and Kinnaird) Safe Harbor/Victims of Human Trafficking - This legislation provides protections to minors, the severely mentally ill and the most vulnerable in our society from human trafficking. Further, this legislation imposes stiff penalties for those who would exploit individuals through human trafficking.

    "It is important to protect victims and likely victims of human trafficking. These children should have every opportunity to live in a safe environment and without the prospect of living in fear." - Governor Pat McCrory

    •   SB 76 (Sens. Newton, Rucho and Brock) Domestic Energy Jobs Act - This legislation directs the Mining and Energy Commission to explore the next steps to allow North Carolinians to conduct greater energy exploration. This legislation also establishes an Offshore Energy Fund of up to $250 million dollars for emergencies.

    "This legislation is a step in the right direction, but it does not go far enough. We need an all-of-the-above energy policy and that includes the exploration of shale gas." - Governor Pat McCrory

    •  SB 379 (Sen. Jackson) Exp. of Natural Gas & Propane for Agriculture - This legislation allows for greater flexibility for state economic development funds to support expanded natural gas and propane infrastructure for agricultural projects.

    "This is pro-jobs, economic development legislation that helps agribusiness grow through pipeline infrastructure expansion at a time when we need it the most. This will be especially helpful for rural areas."

    •  HB 112 (Reps. Dollar, Collins and McElraft) Modifications/2013 Appropriations Act - Technical corrections to the 2013-2014 budget bill

    Other bills signed include: HB 399, HB 675, HB 936, SB 18, SB 103, SB 305, SB 381, SB 485, SB 626, SB 571 and SB 354. For more information on these bills, please visit: NCleg.net.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
      govpress@nc.gov