Like fans watching the end of regulation time in a World Cup match and waiting to see how much extra time will be added, just about everyone who follows the N.C. General Assembly is wondering when exactly this legislative session is going to end.
We don’t have an answer, just signs that it may be soon.
Take, for example, the Parking Lot Reform/Stormwater Control bill, which was reported favorably out of the Senate Rules committee on Thursday (for technical reasons, the language was shifted into a new bill, H162). It’s headed next to the Senate floor, where we expect to see a minor adjustment to change its effective date. That amendment itself isn’t remarkable, but the fact that it’s happening on the floor instead of in committee is a telltale sign that session may be wrapping up.
This is a good bill: Contact your state senator ASAP to ask them to VOTE YES on H162!
- Use our form to send a message online.
- Call them, too! Get their contact information here.
Earlier this week, the Senate Agriculture, Energy, and Environment committee heard two of three bills that would gut the state's longstanding ban on hardened structures along our coastline. This legislation would allow construction of jetties, bulkheads, seawalls, and terminal groins – ostensibly to stop erosion, but in reality making it worse outside the structures' immediate area and causing other environmental harm. Thank you to everyone who asked their state senators to oppose Senate Bills 1008 and 1009!
No news to report this week on S730, the poorly named Ratepayer Protection Act, which would put some guardrails around data center development, but also delay coal plant retirements and require expensive new nuclear plant construction in North Carolina. The bill, which passed the NC House on June 3, has been sitting in the state Senate ever since, its ultimate fate unclear.
Though it's not strictly environmental legislation, we're keeping an eye on H958, Election Law Changes – more accurately an overhaul that threatens voting rights. A healthy environment depends on a healthy democracy, so we're glad to see that the House hit pause on the bill after protesters demanded changes.
As for the budget – maybe we’ll see one this coming week?
Our best guess is that the session has another couple of weeks to go, so we hope you'll join us in Raleigh to speak up for legislation that protects our environment and communities. Sign up now for one of our two last Wednesdays on Jones Street! You can meet with your lawmakers about a specific bill, educate them about an environmental issue of importance to your community, or just get a peek inside the legislative sausage factory.
Register to join us on June 24 or July 1 – or both! Come for a bit or stay all day, we’d love to have you either way!