The North Carolina General Assembly plans to override House Bill 10 next week when they reconvene for four days in Raleigh in what could be the last strike against Gov. Cooper by the Republican supermajority.
The legislation, which was passed by the General Assembly in September and subsequently vetoed by Cooper, will mandate that all North Carolina sheriffs cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the federal agency that issues detainers to remove noncitizen criminals.
It also includes adjustments to the budget proposal and fully funds opportunity scholarships, clearing the waitlist for approximately 50,000 families that were left hanging when the program’s funds were exhausted following its expansion and promotion.
Following the Nov. 5 election, Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and Rep. Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, confirmed that they would vote to override the governor’s veto during their November return.
“Both chambers plan to override that on November 19, and that was the case no matter what happened in this election,” Hall previously said during a press conference.
While the exact date of the vote could still be changed to later in the week, a House spokesperson confirmed to the Carolina Journal on Thursday that a vote is scheduled for next Tuesday.
Though HB 10 will conclude the most consequential legislative actions for the session, the General Assembly could potentially advance additional measures while Republicans maintain a supermajority in both chambers. The adjournment resolution includes three additional days in December for legislators to reconvene, from Dec. 11 to 13. Activity during each return session is limited to action on gubernatorial vetoes, appointments, conference reports, elections, and a final sine die adjournment.
Legislators could attempt to pass additional disaster relief aid for western North Carolina. Since the natural disaster, the state has passed two rounds of funding totaling over $800 million. Reports this week have raised concerns over FEMA advising personnel to avoid approaching homes displaying Trump signs.
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During the lame-duck session following the 2016 election, the Republican-controlled legislature pushed to reclaim some powers before Cooper took office. Asked if similar actions could take place, leaders said they have not yet determined what their final actions of the session will be.
“When we adjourned earlier this year, we set up a session in November for four days, and there’s another session in December for three days,” Berger previously said. “We had always intended to come back. What we will do in those sessions beyond the override of House Bill 10 has not been determined at this time.”