State lawmakers returned to Raleigh this week for another mini session, with the goals of overriding vetoes, enacting mini-budgets, appropriating additional funds ("rebasing") for Medicaid, and passing a crime bill filed in response to the killing of Iryna Zarutska, a young Ukrainian refugee, on Charlotte public transit. They had mixed success.
H307, Iryna's Law, passed and awaits Gov. Josh Stein's signature. No action was taken on four vetoed bills (including H170, Equality in State Agencies / Prohibitions on DEI) that needed a House override vote in order to become law.
Ahead of Saturday's anniversary of Hurricane Helene devastating western North Carolina, the Government Operations Subcommittee on Hurricane Helene Recovery heard reports from state and local officials and groups about how the area is – or isn't – rebounding.
Local officials from Yancey and Avery counties raised concerns about insufficient road access for emergency vehicles to reach remote homes, areas where mudslides are still a risk, and yet-to-be-cleared debris that could fuel wildfires. State speakers and lawmakers focused considerable attention on how long it's taking for recovery funds to flow from the federal government.
The Senate passed several mini budgets, rewriting existing House bills to speed the process (meaning only a House concurrence vote would be needed for passage). Only one was approved and sent to Governor Stein: H358, Continuing Budget Operations II, which appropriated funds in response to damage caused by Tropic Storm Chantal to the western Triangle region. The bill also would fund some community college / university and economic development priorities.
The House and Senate passed differing versions of a Medicaid rebase, which is needed so that provider rates are not slashed on Oct. 1. However, a fight over whether to include funding for a new children’s hospital led to a standoff and no bill being passed, meaning Medicaid payments to providers will be cut starting next week.
H926, the Regulatory Reform Act of 2025, was ratified and awaits Governor Stein's signature. It contains sections that exempt certain unspecified companies from some regulatory requirements.
Meet the Chapter's new legislative / political director
If you get this update by email, you may have noticed it came from someone new: Lisa Hazirjian (Ha-ZERJ-yen), who joined the Chapter at the end of July as Legislative and Political Director. She brings to the job nearly 15 years of experience in the North Carolina nonprofit advocacy and political campaign space, including service as Director of the NC AIDS Action Network, founder of Win Together Consulting, and, during the 2024 election cycle, as program and data manager for America Votes – NC.
Lisa is passionate about ensuring that everyday people have the tools, opportunities, and support they need to work together to achieve shared goals – and that means YOU, Sierra Club members and supporters. Right now, she's eager to hear from folks who want to get more involved in our chapter’s legislative advocacy work. Please reach out if that’s you!