North Carolina senators have returned to Raleigh for their final legislative actions of the year, which include pushing through constitutional amendments that would alter the income tax rate cap and mandate voter ID for all voters. A third bill would have North Carolina join a national effort to impose term limits on members of Congress.
The full Senate approved all three bills in the noon hour.
On Monday morning, the Senate Committee on Rules and Operations passed House Joint Resolution 151, which aims to place term limits on members of Congress. The resolution calls for a convention of the states as provided under Article V of the US Constitution, enabling the states to meet and propose constitutional amendments.
The Senate approved the measure, 29-20.
“Lifelong, career politicians lead to the gridlock that we have seen in DC today,” said Sen. Todd Johnson, R-Cabarrus. “With this resolution, North Carolina would join the other eight states to do our part in addressing the issues in DC.”
The effort is not connected to House Joint Resolution 235, a somewhat similar effort led by Convention of States Action that has passed in 19 states. The North Carolina House passed the resolution, but it remains stalled in the Senate.
A constitutional amendment proposal senators brought to the table is Senate Bill 920, which would modify the income tax rate cap to 5% instead of the state constitution’s current 7% limit.
Senators approved it on a party-line 30-19 vote.
“This is the simplest amendment you’ll ever see,” said Sen. Paul Newton, R-Cabarrus. “The Constitution of North Carolina currently limits the income tax rate to a maximum of 7%. We are currently enjoying a rate less than 5% here in our state, and this would simply move the cap down from 7% to 5% as a constitutional maximum personal income tax rate.”
Also up for discussion is Senate Bill 921, a constitutional amendment proposal to require photo identification for all voters in North Carolina. Legislators explained that while state law already requires photo ID for absentee voting, the amendment would just conform the state constitution to current state law.
Senators approved the measure with a 30-19 vote.
“Currently our Constitution’s voter ID language is specific to those voting in person. So the constitutional change we are proposing would amend the Constitution to apply to all voters, not just those voting in person,” said Sen. Warren Daniel, R-Buncombe. “So that would mean that in person, on election day, in person, early voting, absentee by mail and provisional voting, would also require a voter ID.”
The Senate will vote on key legislative items on Monday afternoon, including an override of Senate Bill 382, the bill that includes funding for disaster relief in western North Carolina. It also diverts some of the governor’s powers to other state officials, such as moving authority over the State Board of Elections (NCSBE) to the state auditor.
Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the bill last Tuesday, but Senate and House Republicans are expected to override it as their days with a veto-proof supermajority come to an end.