iLEGISLATIVE NEWS
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
Legislators in the state are being urged by organizations throughout North Carolina to institute reforms to the criminal justice system that would make it easier for individuals to re-enter the workforce by getting their driver's licenses reinstated and having charges that have been dismissed or not guilty verdicts expunged from their records. Americans for Tax Reform estimates that the North Carolina Economy loses $685 million due to driver’s license suspensions over debt.
- House Bill 888 would eliminate the debt-based Driver's License suspension system.
- Senate Bill 565 would resume automatic expungements, which are presently on hold for over 1 million records.
Read more by Americans for Tax Reform
Read more by Fox 8 WGHP
FUNDING FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS PASSES SENATE
Senate allocates a portion of the budget surplus to move the 55,000 students off the wait list for the school choice Opportunity Scholarships.
Read more about House Bill 823
Read more by Carolina Journal
Read more by Center Square
IMMIGRATION BILL MOVING FORWARD
The North Carolina Senate has moved a bill mandating sheriffs to assist federal immigration agents. Under House Bill 10, prior to an inmate’s release, sheriffs will be required to attempt to determine if the inmate is a legal resident of the United States if the inmate is charged with certain crimes. If the inmate’s residency status is unable to be determined, the sheriff shall make inquiry to ICE and detain the inmate for up to 48 hours during the inquiry. After passing the Senate, the House will need to formally agree to the Senate’s amendments before reaching Governor Cooper’s desk.
Read more by North State Journal
Read more by UNC
Read more by The Carolina Journal
MORE REGULATION OF CBD, HEMP, AND MARIJUANA TO COME IN 2024
There are few restrictions on the sale of CBD, hemp, and other goods containing the active component of marijuana in North Carolina. The state legislature is working to change that through House Bill 563, which was approved by the House in 2023.
