The third full week of the 2011 legislative session was a busy one for North Carolina lawmakers. The Balanced Budget Act of 2011 and the Protect Healthcare Freedom bill are on their way to Gov. Bev Perdue; two regulatory reform bills have passed the Senate and are moving through the House; and the Involuntary Annexation Moratorium and No Cap on the Number of Charter Schools bills are making progress in the Senate.

Bills attempting to strengthen Second Amendment rights and improve government transparency also were added to the legislative calendar this week.

Budget

Senate Bill 13, the Balanced Budget Act of 2011, was ratified and presented to the governor Feb. 14. The bill, which lays out Republicans suggestions for up to $800,000 in budget cuts, may be the first Perdue vetoes in the 2011 session, as it diverts funds from business incentive programs she supports, including Golden LEAF, the Tobacco Trust Fund, the One North Carolina Fund, and Job Development Investment Grants.

Health care

House Bill 2, Protect Healthcare Freedom, has passed both the House and the Senate and now is engrossed in the Senate. If enacted, the bill would exempt North Carolinians from the federal mandate that they buy health insurance and would direct Attorney General Roy Cooper to join a multistate lawsuit against the federal government challenging the constitutionality of the mandate.

Regulatory reform

Senate Bill 22, APA Rules: Increasing Costs Prohibition, was referred to the House Committee on Environment Feb. 14, after passing the Senate. The bill essentially puts a moratorium on new regulations on business and individuals in an attempt to spur job creation.

Senate Bill 17, Joint Regulatory Reform Committee, passed its second reading in the House Feb. 17 and already has passed the Senate. The bill creates a joint House and Senate study committee charged with reviewing “outdated, unnecessary, unduly burdensome, or vague rules … that are an impediment to private sector job creation.”

Forced annexation

Senate Bill 27, Involuntary Annexation Moratorium, passed the Senate Committee on State and Local Government and was referred to the Finance Committee Feb. 16. The bill would put a hold on all forced annexations until July 1, 2012, and ultimately could result in an end to the practice.

Charter schools

Senate Bill 8, No Cap on Number of Charter Schools, passed out of the Senate Education Committee was referred to the Senate Finance Committee Feb. 17. The bill would lift the cap on the number of charter schools allowed in the state, now set at 100. Senate Democrats failed to pass an amendment forcing charter schools to provide free transportation and free and reduced lunch programs.

New bills

Two new gun laws were introduced and referred to committee this week. House Bill 74, Castle Doctrine, provides immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action to those using deadly force in cases of self defense or defense of others, one’s home or one’s vehicle. House Bill 111, Handgun Permit Valid in Parks and Restaurants, adds parks and restaurants to the list of places holders of concealed handgun permits may carry handguns.

House Bill 87 and Senate Bill 67, both titled Sunshine Amendment, would amend the North Carolina Constitution to allow easier access to public records and meetings. Both were referred to committee this week.

Sara Burrows is an associate editor of Carolina Journal.