The General Assembly on Thursday approved a joint resolution to pause the so-called short legislative session of 2024.
Lawmakers formally agreed to call occasional short sessions throughout the rest of the year, primarily to deal with veto overrides or emergencies.
But they could also address important issues such as pending bills.
Return dates, with possible legislative sessions:
- July 10th
- 29 from July to August 1
- September 9 to 11
- October 9
- November 19 to 22
“The idea is to close the short 2024 legislative session on December 13,” explained Republican Senator Bill Rabon, introducing the joint resolution on the floor of the state Senate.
Matters that may be considered
According to Adjournment Resolution. 916, the following matters may be considered when resuming legislative work:
- Bills vetoed by the Governor
- Proposals necessary for the selection, appointment or confirmation of a person for a government position.
- Bills that provide for the adoption of measures in relation to the appointments or designations of the Governor.
- Bills that respond to actions related to legal challenges to enacted laws
- Any bill related to electoral laws that does not contain other matters
- Bills providing for dismissal in accordance with the General Statutes.
- Simple resolutions that address organizational issues of each respective chamber
- Adoption of conference reports
- A joint resolution postponing or modifying the 2023 regular session
Recess with pending challenges
During their two months of work, the state Senate and House of Representatives overrode vetoes from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, passed a constitutional amendment on the November ballot and sent many additional bills to Cooper's desk.
However, the Republican legislature failed to pass a comprehensive budget adjustment for the next 12 months.
Likewise, attempts to introduce additional constitutional referendums and some bills on controversial issues are on hold.
“I wish we could have done more. I think if we had done more, we'd have a little more to talk about,” Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger told reporters after they passed a resolution to end the session. But, Berger added, “there was a lot of productive activity that took place.”
Related> What does the 2024 legislative session have in store for us?
Budget adjustment, differences between the Senate and the House of Representatives
North Carolina's two chambers could not agree on how much more to spend for the fiscal year that began July 1.
Despite Republicans holding a majority in both chambers and a $1 billion surplus this year, budget negotiations collapsed.
One point of contention was the allocation of nearly $500 million for scholarships and other funds for K-12 students to attend private schools or receive services.
House Speaker Phil Berger and Tim Moore blamed each other for the stalemate in approving school vouchers.
“I'm disappointed in the House of Representatives because we sent them a funding bill for Opportunity Scholarships eight weeks ago, and they haven't considered it,” Berger said.
Moore indicated the House wanted to tie school vouchers to more funding for public schools, including additional raises for teachers proposed in the budget bill.
“It would be a real shame and a missed opportunity if we don’t get those Opportunity Grant dollars distributed,” Moore told reporters.
“At the same time, we need to make sure we're doing everything we can for our public schools,” he added.
Bills on pause
Several bills remain on hold due to negotiations among North Carolina's supermajority of Republican lawmakers.
The bill HB 563, on the legalization of medical marijuana, was approved by the Senate but awaits action by the House of Representatives.
Tim Moore said he personally supports the idea, but most of his Republican colleagues do not, so they are still in negotiations.
Likewise, the bill HB 309, which would require governor and state Senate approval for the DMV commissioner position also awaits House approval.
Currently, the DMV commissioner is appointed by the state Secretary of Transportation.
Proposals on the governor's table
Among the approved projects heading to Cooper's desk are the SB 357 y SB 332, the result of discussions about inclusion in the budget adjustment.
If there are any vetoes, votes to override them could come later in the year if the legislature reconsiders the budget and other bills.
One proposal allocates $67.5 million in funding for child care centers through the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the other bill formally authorizes salary increases for teachers and other school employees.
Those increases, for the fiscal year that begins Monday, were approved in last year's biannual budget, but needed additional language to actually take effect.
Also arriving on Cooper's desk is the first legal definition of anti-Semitism.
and a bill to crack down on many of the vaping products sold in North Carolina.
Experimental treatments and digital driver's licenses
In addition, legislators unanimously approved the proposal HB 98 which seeks to allow patients with terminal or severely debilitating illnesses to participate in experimental treatments recommended by a doctor.
Moreover, you could soon carry your driver's licenses on your phones, thanks to modernization driven by HB 199, approved by legislators.
These initiatives, along with other bills pending the governor's signature, could be approved as the legislature gradually returns over the summer or fall.
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