The House of Representatives passed a budget proposal over the weekend that would help our economy while also investing in education and health care. Approval of the package leads us to the next phase of the budget-writing process, and I am among those members who are negotiating with the Senate over a final proposal to present to Gov. Perdue.

Despite the large amount of work we’re doing on the budget, we continue our work to improve and refine legislation that makes our state a better place to live. The following information highlights some bills of interest that have made it through the House this week.

Crime

Storing and preserving DNA and biological evidence related to a crime would be the responsibility of the law enforcement agency investigating the offense under a bill that has been ratified by the General Assembly. Under existing law, clerks of court are responsible for storing such evidence, but bill supporters argue that law enforcement is better equipped for the job. The bill now goes to Gov. Perdue for a signature.

Improving government

State facilities that provide mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services would be required to disclose certain information about death reports, facility police reports, and incident reports under a bill that has passed both bodies of the legislature. The intent of the legislation is to improve transparency. Conferees will be appointed from each chamber to negotiate a final version of the bill.

Legislation that would expand the ability of counties and municipalities to form joint emergency management agencies has been ratified by the General Assembly. Currently, a county can only form joint agencies with municipalities within its borders. This proposal would allow counties to also work with other counties, as well as municipalities within the partnering county. Gov. Perdue must now sign the bill for it to become law.

State lawmakers have also ratified legislation to clarify that counties and cities have the authority to order evacuations in certain emergency situations. The legislation also clarifies that the Emergency Management Immunity Statute applies to counties and cities in these situations. The bill has now gone to Gov. Perdue for her signature.

Miscellaneous

Last week, lawmakers ratified a bill that will establish a minimum motor fuels tax rate, which will be effective for two years. From July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2011, the gasoline tax will go no lower than 29.9 cents per gallon. Fiscal analysts at the General Assembly have projected that establishing this floor on the gas tax could generate approximately $67.5 million in new revenue for the coming fiscal year. The extra revenue would be utilized for highway and bridge projects across the state. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Perdue this Tuesday, June 16, 2009.

The ban on texting while driving has been ratified by the General Assembly. The intent of the legislation is to improve safety on North Carolina’s roads and highways. Once effective, violators of the law would face the penalty of a $100 fine plus court costs. The bill has now gone to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law. I am the primary sponsor of this bill and I am looking forward to Gov. Perdue signing the bill into law.

Also an act to reduce plastic and non-recycled paper bag used on North Carolina’s Outer Banks has passed both bodies of the legislature . Under the law, no retailer shall provide customers with plastic bags unless the bag is reusable bag or used for some unpackaged items. The legislation would also restrict the substitution of paper bags for plastic bags. Paper bags could only be substituted for plastic if the bag is a recycled paper bag, or if the retailer offers certain specified incentives to a customer who uses the their own reusable bags instead of the bags provided by the retailer. The bill now returns to the Senate for concurrence.

A portion of U.S. Highway 17 and U.S. Highway 70 will be designated as “The U.S. Marine Corps Highway: Home of the Carolina-Based Marines since 1941” under a bill that has been ratified by the General Assembly. The bill now goes to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law.

History and Geography curricula in public schools would be modified under a bill that has passed both bodies of the legislature. The legislation would amend middle school curriculum to require a one-year course on North Carolina history with United States history integrated into the instruction, instead of a course with a focus on national history with state history integrated into it. After the bill is ratified, it will go to Gov. Perdue to be signed into law.

Visitors

On June 16, The Hoke, Robeson, and Scotland Counties 4-H Citizenship Program coordinators and youth filled the halls of the General Assembly to meet with representatives to learn more about the three branches of state government, discuss how the work of government impacts youth, and develop the tolls necessary to develop a localized action plan for their communities. The students attending from Scotland County were DeAngelo W. Byrd and Ryan Fairley.