iLEGISLATIVE NEWS
STATE REVENUE SURPLUS FIGURE REVISED
North Carolina's projected revenue surplus through mid-2025 has been downgraded by $430 million due to lower individual income tax payments, but the state expects nearly $1 billion more this fiscal year and $799 million next year.
It is uncertain if lawmakers meeting to amend the budget during this short session will be more cautious about further expenditure or a possible income tax refund. The new funds represent a modest portion of the almost $31 billion the state has budgeted for the upcoming year.
NO SURPRISES IN MAY 14 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTIONS
Hal Weatherman and Dave Boliek were nominated by North Carolina Republicans for lieutenant governor and auditor, respectively, in a Second Primary Election on May 14. On the November ballot, Weatherman, who defeated Forsyth County DA Jim O'Neill, will run against Senator Rachel Hunt, a Democrat, and Dee Watson, a Libertarian. Bob Drach, a Libertarian, and Jessica Holmes, a Democrat, are Boliek's opponents in the November state auditor election.
Brad Knott prevailed in the 13th Congressional District race over Kelly Daughtry, who halted her candidacy following former President Donald Trump's endorsement of her rival. Knott will face Democrat Frank Pierce in the November election.
Less than 3% of voters cast ballots in the second primary overall, even though early voting and mail-in voting were available.
PREDATORY ROOFING LEGISLATION PASSED BY HOUSE
As per Representative Sarah Stevens (R-Surry), a predatory roofing law that aims to shield consumers against "unscrupulous persons" might finally receive some support in the Senate. Despite passing the House in the last two sessions, Senate Bill 124 has not yet been considered by the Senate.
The bill was driven by an ongoing problem. When storm-damaged neighborhoods are visited by predatory, unlicensed contractors, they pressure residents to sign a contract right away without checking to see if their insurance will cover the damage.
The proposed committee substitute for Senate Bill 124, which was re-referred to the House Insurance Committee on Wednesday, would add a new subsection to G.S. 14401.13 addressing the right to cancel residential roof replacement or repair contracts. Residential roof replacement or repair contracts would be required to have a five-business day cancellation period following an insurance claim denial for the contracted work, during which time the seller may not begin work or collect payment. If a residential roofing contractor performs emergency repairs on a roof, as acknowledged by the insured in writing, the contractor would be entitled to the amount due for the emergency repairs. This provision would not apply to work performed by a licensed general contractor, individuals working for a licensed general contractor, or a seller of materials used for roof repair who offers to install the materials. A violation of this law would be a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Read more by State Affairs Pro
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT LEGISLATION STILL IN PLAY
North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) says that his caucus wants to make technical changes to a Senate bill that would compel sheriffs to collaborate with federal immigration officers. If the House and the Senate can agree, the bill could be advanced next week.
Members of the House voted 108-3 on Wednesday to reject the Senate version of House Bill 10 that passed the Senate along party lines earlier this month. The House objected to a bill amendment that would have given anyone the right to report to the state attorney general about a sheriff's noncompliance with the proposed statute.
Should this bill become law, all 100 sheriffs in the state will have to alert ICE if they are unable to ascertain the legal status of an individual accused of specific serious crimes. It would force sheriffs to comply with ICE requests to hold people for up to 48 hours if they are believed to be in the country illegally.
