Sex Offender Loophole Closed
The short session of the General Assembly is scheduled to end either tomorrow or Saturday. This has been a very hectic week with committee meetings and long sessions.
As a primary sponsor of House Bill 726, I am pleased to report the bill passed the House Tuesday and has gone to the Governor for her signature. The new law will close the sex offender loophole in the state sex offender registry. We want to make sure those sex offenders who are on the national sex offender registry who are living in North Carolina are also on our state sex offender registry.
Yesterday we voted on House Bill 80, Ban Electronic Sweepstakes, and the bill passed 86 to 27. The bill had a long debate, and after much discussion and consideration, I voted in favor of the bill. In 2006, video poker was banned, but this bill clears up any confusion concerning computer-based sweepstakes. The bill now awaits the Governor’s signature.
Senate Bill 20, Public Financing Changes, is on the House calendar today. I am totally opposed to this bill regarding the tax supported election of the State Treasurer. A number of you have sent me e-mails and asking me to vote no on the bill, and I will vote no.
House Bill 1403, Collect DNA Sample on Arrest, overwhelmingly passed the House. This bill was supported by law enforcement and the Conference of District Attorney’s that permits law enforcement to obtain DNA from those charged with a crime. DNA is the modern fingerprint and the bill spells out the appropriate uses and safeguards of this non-testimonial evidence, and also provides for its destruction and expungement of that date when and if charges are dismissed or there is an acquittal. The bill strikes a good balance in my opinion of protecting individual liberties while also providing law enforcement with a useful tool in solving crimes.
Jobs continue to be my focus this week, and a couple of the important bills that are to be voted on today that will benefit Cleveland County are:
Senate Bill 1171, Keeping North Carolina Competitive Act – This bill is a companion bill to my House Bill 1958. The bill is to modify eligibility for economic incentive sales and use tax exemptions; to modify eligibility for the one percent privilege tax on datacenter machinery and equipment; and to modify the circumstance under which the Department of Commerce may extend the base period for JDIG grant.
House Bill 1973, Various Economic Incentives – I am very hopeful this economic development legislation will also pass today because it means jobs and jobs for Cleveland County.
Ethics legislation has passed the House and the Senate but there are differences in the two bills. We do need stronger ethics, and I sure hope before we adjourn the differences can be worked out and the conference bill is passed.
Other bills of interest this week include:
- House Bill 1377, Safe Schools Act
- House Bill 357, School Absence for Religious Holidays
- Senate Bill 181, Drivers Licenses Change Expiration/8 Years Through 65
With the session ending, a number of important bills have not been allowed for consideration by the leadership. A few of the important issues left undone this session:
- Responsible budgeting decisions – Critical questions remain about the budget adopted last month for the upcoming fiscal year. Estimates are that next year’s structural budget deficit will exceed $3 billion. Adopting zero-based budgeting and spending priorities this year would have lessened the pain we know is coming next year.
- Jobs, Jobs, Jobs – We need regulatory relief as well as a reduction in the marginal tax rates to small businesses will have an incentive to create jobs.
- Health Care Freedom – Consideration of a bill to protect the freedom for our citizens to choose health care and health insurance. Senate and House Republicans requested action on a bill to allow individuals to continue to make their own health care choices and forgo federal mandates under the recently adopted federal health care legislation.
- Executive oversight for state employees’ health care plan – Provide accountability for the fiscal stability of the state health care plan by placing its responsibility in the Executive Branch.
- Prohibit illegal immigrants from attending NC Community Colleges.
- Marriage amendment – consideration was not allowed for a constitutional amendment to provide that marriage in NC is between one man and one woman.
- Tax fairness in education
I hope everyone has a great weekend. I will send out a final update at the end of the week once we adjourn session sine die for the year.
Please feel free to contact us with any concerns or comments you may have. We look forward to hearing from you. You can reach us at our Raleigh number at 919-733-4838 or you can e-mail us a timm@ncleg.net or Moorela@ncleg.net.
Best Wishes,
Representative Tim Moore
Serving Cleveland County