The Raleigh Report

From the Office of Representative William Brisson

July 29, 2010

Since our session ended, the governor has signed several pieces of legislation into law. These laws will help protect the vulnerable among us, make our education system stronger and improve our health system. These are good laws meant to help in difficult times.

Thank you as always for your interest in state government. If you have any questions about this information or anything else that I can help with, please contact me. I am always glad to be of service.

Crime/Safety

_The North Carolina Supreme Court would be directed to establish minimum standards of domestic violence education and training for district court judges under a new state law (HB 1762 - S.L. 2010-106). The legislation also encourages the University Of North Carolina School Of Government to provide domestic violence education and training for judges and magistrates. The legislation is based on the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence.

_The penalty for the killing of an animal is increased from a Class A1 Misdemeanor to a Class H Felony under a new state law (SB 254 - S.L. 2010-16). The law also increases the penalty for the malicious abuse or torture of an animal from a Class I Felony to a Class H Felony. Susie's Law, as the legislation is commonly known, is named after a dog found burned and left to die in a Greensboro park last summer.

_Legislation that would provide a Survivor’s Alternate Benefit for survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty has been signed into law (HB 766 - S.L. 2010-11). Under the law, the principal beneficiary of an officer who has completed 15 years of service will be entitled to the survivor’s benefit should that officer be killed in the line of duty.

_The Division of Aging and Adult Services will study whether to require criminal record checks for current and prospective owners, operators, and volunteers of adult day care programs and adult day health services programs. The legislation (HB 1703 - S.L. 2010-93) is based on the recommendations of the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging and was considered this week by the House Committee on Aging this week.

Health

_The Child Care Commission, in consultation with the Division of Child Development of the Department of Health and Human Services, would be required to develop improved nutrition standards for child care facilities under a new state law (HB 1726 - S.L. 2010-117). The legislation also directs the Division of Childcare Development to study and recommend guidelines for increased physical activity in child care facilities. The legislation is based on the recommendations of the Legislative Task Force on Childhood Obesity.

_Legislation that will allow already enrolled dependent children under the age of 26 who are not eligible for employer-based health care to remain on the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees for plan year 2010-2011 has been signed into law (HB 1707 - S.L. 2010-3). The legislation also directs the State Health Plan to consult with the Committee on Hospital and Medical Benefits before implanting a tobacco use testing program.

Miscellaneous

_School districts will have more flexibility to improve failing schools under a new state law. The law (SB 704 - S.L. 2010-1) gives school systems additional authority to reorganize failing schools, including the ability to operate them like charter schools. Charter schools are public schools that are exempt from some of the rules that apply to traditional schools. The legislation is expected to help strengthen the state’s application for federal education money.

_A new state law will provide for an alternative credit for qualifying expenses of a production company (HB 713 - S.L. 2010-89).

_The sunset on certain economic incentives has been extended under a new state law (HB 1973 - S.L. 2010-147). These economic incentives include a credit for constructing renewable fuel facilities, a credit for small business employee health benefits, and a credit for biodiesel producers, among others. The legislation will also provide an enhanced incentive for jobs in high unemployment counties.

Notes

_The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) and the North Carolina Military Foundation announced that Department of Defense spending in North Carolina grew by 10 percent and exceeded $4.0 billion in federal fiscal year 2009 – an increase of $363.8 million over procurement in the state in 2008.

In closing, I would like to remind everyone in our district to take advantage of the upcoming tax – free holiday starting on August 6^th at 12:01 am on Friday to 11:59pm on Sunday, August 8^th.  In an effort to better help consumers afford back-to-school items for their children, shoppers this weekend will not have to pay the sales tax on clothing, school supplies and computers.

  The sales tax holiday was created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2001 and went into effect on January 1, 2002.  During the sales tax holiday, consumers will not pay sales tax on clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item, computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item.

If I may be of service to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me at williambr@ncleg.net  or at my office, 919 733-5772.  It is an honor to represent the people of the 22^nd district.

Please remember that you can listen to committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select "Audio," and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.