THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 3, 1994 TAG: 9407030150
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
In the closing days of the General Assembly, the House and Senate handled more than 400 bills. Here's a look at some of the proposals from eastern North Carolina legislators which were eligible for debate this summer and how they fared:
Commercial fishing license moratorium. A proposal to freeze the sale of commercial fishing licenses was approved by the legislature and went into effect July 1. The proposed legislation also includes a procedure for fishermen to appeal a denial of a new license and calls for a study of fish and shellfish management practices.
Currituck Construction Exemption. Separate versions of a bill that would exempt Currituck County and the Whalehead Preservation Trust from state requirements related to the awarding of construction contracts were approved by both chambers. During the session late Friday, the chambers were expected to settle the differences in the two versions of the bill and approve it, effective immediately.
Dare County Board of Education Elections. A bill to restore the Dare County Board of Education to seven members, effective on the first Monday in December, was approved by the General Assembly. One member will be elected at large and the other members from districts used by the Dare County Board of Commissioners.
Duck District Sidewalk Taxes. A bill calling for a referendum within the Duck Area Beautification District to authorize ad valorem property taxes of not more than 5 cents per $100 value to build and maintain sidewalks within the district was approved.
Hyde County Land Transfer Tax. A bill to impose a 1 percent tax on land transfers in Hyde County stalled in the House Finance Committee. The county's board of commissioners estimate that Hyde County lost about $1 million in revenue last year by not having the tax.
Kitty Hawk-Nags Head Ordinances. The legislation, amended to include towns of Southern Shores and Kill Devil Hills, allows the four Dare County towns to regulation swimming, surfing, littering and the operation of jetskis and other personal watercraft in the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to those towns. It was approved late Friday and is effective immediately.
Kitty Hawk-Nags Head Running Dogs. A bill prohibiting the running or hunting of deer by dogs in the towns of Kitty Hawk and Nags Head was approved and is effective Oct. 1.
Pari-mutuel betting. Bills that would allow voters to decide whether to bring pari-mutuel betting to the state failed to pass the Senate and House appropriations committees this session after being approved by agriculture committees in both chambers in 1993.
Perquimans School Board Terms. A bill changing the date on which members of the Perquimans County Board of Education take office to the first meeting of the board in July, beginning with the 1996 election, was approved.
Red Wolf Takings. A bill that would allow Hyde and Washington County residents to kill or trap any red wolves that wander off the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge was approved late Friday. It will be effective July 1, 1995.
Tyrrell Gun Permits. A bill to provide that the Sheriff of Tyrrell County issue gun permits was approved. It is effective immediately and applies to permit applications filed on or after the approval date of the bill.
Washington No-Wake Amendment. A bill to allow the City of Washington to nullify its no wake law during special events was approved and is effective immediately.
- Compiled by Betty Mitchell Gray, staff writer by CNB