This week at the N.C. General Assembly:
The 2025 legislative session is well underway: Offices have been assigned, bills are being filed, committee assignments have been made.
This session, in addition to the Agriculture, Energy and Environment Committee, the Senate has added a standing committee on Regulatory Reform. While we've opposed most regulatory reform issues considered by the General Assembly, our friends in the Senate appreciate this new committee as it will allow them to learn more about these issues before bills reach floor votes. This structure matches the House Agriculture and Environment Committee and the House’s standing committee on Regulatory Reform.
Several bills of environmental interest have been filed:
- H8, NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2025, once again seeks to remove plastic single-use food containers from our public institutions.
- S19, Various Environmental Amendments, would create a law protecting Jockey’s Ridge State Park. There has been a longterm effort to do this through the administrative rules process, but the Coastal Resources Commission and the Rules Review Commission have been battling over the rule for a year, leaving the Park unprotected.
- S20, Prohibit Certain Mass Balloon Releases, acknowledges the impact of released balloons on wildlife and the environment, and attaches a fine to releases.
Helene relief:
The next phase of disaster relief assistance is starting in the House with H47, Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 - Part 1. The bill calls for appropriating $500 million – only half of the $1 billion requested by Gov. Josh Stein. The measure has been referred to the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery.
In addition to funds for housing, road and bridge reconstruction, both Stein's proposal and the House bill include funds for repairs to state parks and for "natural restoration projects" to help protect communities against flood damage and allow farmers to resume production.
Getting the House in order
It’s a new day under House Speaker Destin Hall, who published a calendar through June 30 that specifies which days the House will conduct floor votes, and when the House will have an Easter and summer recess.
Thursday, May 8, is this year's crossover deadline, the point by which most bills must have been passed by one chamber or another to remain active for the session. Exceptions include bills that involve appropriations or raising funds (eg, fees and taxes); or that address redistricting, constitutional amendments, gubernatorial nominations or appointments, and General Assembly appointments.