NC Legislative Roundup: Governor Stein Signs Key Bills and Vetoes Another

North Carolina --  Governor Stein recently took action on several significant bills, signing into law legislation focused on disaster recovery, improvements to the Department of Health and Human Services, and various labor amendments.

However, he also issued a veto on a bill he argued would undermine environmental and public health protections.

Here's a breakdown of the recent legislative actions:

Boosting Disaster Recovery Efforts
House Bill 1012: Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 - Part II received Governor Stein's signature, allocating a substantial $575 million to aid North Carolina's recovery from recent natural disasters, particularly Hurricane Helene and wildfires. This vital funding will address a wide range of needs, including:

Wildfire and Landslide Prevention: Funding to combat ongoing environmental threats.

Home and Dam Repairs: Direct assistance for affected residents and critical infrastructure.

Community Support: Financial aid for schools and local governments to rebuild.

Extended State of Emergency: The bill prolongs the state of emergency until October 1, 2025, allowing for continued expedited recovery, especially for private road and bridge repairs.

Governor Stein expressed his gratitude for the bill's unanimous passage, emphasizing the importance of continued support for western North Carolina's recovery.

Strengthening Health and Human Services
House Bill 576: Dept. of Health and Human Services Revisions was signed by the Governor, aiming to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This comprehensive bill includes provisions to:

Simplify Medicaid Enrollment: Making it easier for counties to enroll eligible individuals in Medicaid, expanding access to healthcare.

Expedite Adult Protection: Empowering county social services to secure emergency court orders after hours, crucial for protecting adults experiencing abuse or neglect.

Optimize Psychiatric Care: Supporting pilot programs that improve the use of limited beds in state psychiatric hospitals, ensuring patients receive care in the most appropriate settings.

Vetoed: Restrictions on State Regulations
In a move that drew a clear line on regulatory oversight, Governor Stein vetoed House Bill 402: Limit Rules with Substantial Financial Cost. He expressed grave concerns that the bill would "make it harder for the state to keep people's drinking water clean from PFAS and other dangerous chemicals, their air free from toxic pollutants, and their health care facilities providing high quality care."

The vetoed bill sought to:

Require Legislative Approval: Mandate direct legislative approval for new permanent rules with an estimated economic cost of $20 million or more over five years.

Demand Supermajority Votes: Require a two-thirds vote from an agency's board for rules costing between $1 million and $10 million, and a unanimous vote for those over $10 million.

Governor Stein argued that these requirements, particularly the "unworkable unanimity requirement," would hinder agencies from effectively protecting public health, safety, and and welfare. The bill now returns to the legislature, where a three-fifths supermajority in both chambers would be needed to override the veto.

Labor Law Updates Enacted
Governor Stein also signed House Bill 568: 2025 Omnibus Labor Amendments. While no specific statement was released, this "omnibus" bill generally consolidates various revisions to North Carolina's labor laws. These amendments likely include updates to administrative processes, clarifications of legal procedures within the Department of Labor, and adjustments to areas like occupational safety and health regulations.

Additional Bills Previously Signed by Governor Stein:
Beyond these recent actions, Governor Stein has signed several other significant bills into law, addressing a range of issues across the state:

House Bill 373: UNC Tuition Discount for Certain Students: Allows UNC System institutions to offer tuition discounts to military students and those supported by employer-sponsored financial programs, making higher education more accessible.

House Bill 251: Various Disaster Recovery Reforms: Focuses on improving disaster recovery processes, preventing political bias in aid distribution, and allowing legislative oversight on executive branch regulations with significant economic impacts. This bill also included various appropriations for disaster relief.

Bill 400: Adult Protection Multidisciplinary Teams: Establishes a framework for local teams to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of disabled and older adults through case review and systemic improvements.

House Bill 40: Various GSC Recommendations: A technical bill making corrections and administrative changes to existing state laws as recommended by the General Statutes Commission, ensuring legal consistency and clarity.

House Bill 91: Define Armed Forces / Religious Prop. Tax Excl.: Expands the definition of "Armed Forces" to include the U.S. Space Force for state benefits and extends the "lookback" period for certain late property tax exemption applications, particularly for religious organizations.

House Bill 247: Underground Safety Revisions: Updates regulations for excavation near underground utilities, improving safety protocols, clarifying definitions, and strengthening enforcement procedures.

House Bill 421: Motor Vehicle Dealers: Extends key timeframes for motor vehicle dealer licensing, including the renewal grace period and the validity of dealer license plates, streamlining administrative processes.

House Bill 476: DST Technical Corrections/Admin. Changes 2025: Makes technical and administrative adjustments to laws governing the Department of State Treasurer, affecting state financial matters and various related programs.

Senate Bill 344: Pooled Trust Transfers / Public Benefits Eligibility: Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to amend policies, allowing disabled individuals aged 65 and older to transfer funds into pooled special needs trusts without jeopardizing their eligibility for Medicaid and State-County Special Assistance.

These legislative actions reflect North Carolina's ongoing efforts to address critical issues ranging from disaster preparedness and public health to economic development and administrative efficiency.

WNCTimes

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