THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 6, 1995 TAG: 9508060031
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
LENGTH: Long : 142 lines
North Carolina legislators passed 558 new laws - covering issues
from abortion to drunken driving to victims' rights - during their
six-month session that began Jan. 25 and ended July 29.
But some perennial legislative favorites - such as a lottery and
judicial elections - will have to wait until another session. Here's
a look at some of the more widely watched statewide and regional
issues and how they fared, followed by a look at some local
measures.
STATEWIDE AND REGIONAL ISSUES
Abortion. The South's only remaining taxpayer fund that pays for
abortions for poor women was cut from $1.2 million to $50,000.
Lawmakers also approved legislation requiring unmarried girls under
18 to get consent from a parent, grandparent, guardian or judge in
order to have an abortion. A bill requiring a 24-hour waiting period
for women who want an abortion stalled in the House.
Concealed weapons. North Carolina became the 24th state to allow
law-abiding residents to carry concealed handguns, starting Dec. 1.
Divorce laws. The state made it easier for financially dependent
spouses - usually the wife - to seek alimony and other
post-separation support. Legislators also approved measures that
require property settlements before divorces are granted.
Domestic violence. State lawmakers authorized judges to take away
guns from spouses who have a record of violence and abuse.
Food tax. Bills that would repeal the state's 6 percent tax on
food were killed in the House.
High-speed ferries. Northeastern economic developers who had
hoped for a boost from the legislature for a system of high-speed
ferries in the region were disappointed this year when state
lawmakers, as expected, passed over the project for funding.
Highway bonds. The House passed an $800 million highway bond
package to build loop roads around some of the state's largest
cities and pave unpaved secondary roads but the measure stalled in
the Senate.
Homestead tax. Measures to increase the Homestead Tax exemption
for elderly and disabled homeowners and to give local governments
the option to offer even larger tax breaks to their residents passed
the Senate but were bottled up in the House.
Intangibles tax. State legislators repealed North Carolina's tax
on stocks, bonds and mutual funds.
Judicial elections. A constitutional amendment, passed by the
Senate, to end direct elections to the state's highest courts, was
defeated in the House.
Lottery. A variety of measures that would have scheduled a
referendum on a statewide lottery failed to pass the legislature;
these included one calling for proceeds from the lottery to pay for
school construction.
Marina fees. Lawmakers approved a $1,000 fee for a 50-year
easement, renewable for 50 years, for marinas built over public
waterways.
Moment of silence. Lawmakers approved compromise language that
bars school boards from denying students the opportunity for a
moment of silent prayer rather than requiring such moments of
silence in schools.
Pledge of allegiance. Lawmakers approved compromise language that
encourages schools to display the flag and recite the pledge of
allegiance rather than requiring schools to do so.
School bonds. The House and Senate failed to resolve differences
in packages that called for $500 million and $1.8 billion in bonds,
respectively, for state schools but the measures are still alive for
1996.
School choice. The House and Senate passed different plans that
would have created experimental charter schools. Lawmakers delayed
action over tax credits for parents who send their children to
private schools. Both issues are still alive for 1996.
Sex education. Public schools were told to offer sex education
programs that promote abstinence from sex until marriage. The
legislature also barred schools from handing out contraceptives.
Sex offender registration. Convicted sex offenders will be
required to register with the local sheriff's department for up to
10 years after their release from prison.
Smoke detectors. Lawmakers expanded the requirement that smoke
detectors be installed in rental properties to those built before
1975 but exempted most beach rental properties from the measure.
State parks. Following through on action begun in 1994, lawmakers
approved a plan to give proceeds from real estate transfer taxes to
fund state parks - a move that some predicted could mean about $10
million a year for the system. The legislature also approved a $10
million appropriation in the state's capital budget for the park
system.
State vegetable. The legislature named the sweet potato the
state's vegetable but failed to pass bills designating an official
state dance. The sweet potato joins the plot hound, the Scotch
bonnet, and the cardinal as official state symbols.
Tort reform. Lawmakers approved a measure that limits punitive
damages in product liability and personal injury lawsuits to
$250,000 or three times compensatory damages.
Veto. The state's voters will get the chance to decide in
November 1996 whether North Carolina's governor should have the
authority to veto legislation.
Victims' rights. Lawmakers agreed to let voters decide in
November 1996 whether a victims' rights amendment, guaranteeing
crime victims the right to participate in court cases, should be
added to the state Constitution.
Bridge authority. Lawmakers approved a measure creating the North
Carolina Bridge Authority, which will oversee construction of a toll
bridge between the Currituck County mainland and the Outer Banks.
Colington Harbour motor vehicles. Lawmakers approved a measure
effective June 7 extending state motor vehicle laws to streets owned
by the Colington Harbour Association.
Currituck beautification. A bill allowing Currituck County voters
to decide whether to create a beautification district and levy an ad
valorem tax of up to 10 cents per $100 to construct and maintain
bicycle trails along N.C. Route 12 was approved. No date for the
referendum was set.
Currituck meals tax. A bill that would have allowed Currituck
County to levy a meals tax stalled in the House Finance Committee.
Dare County noise. Lawmakers approved a bill effective May 16
that allows the towns of Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head and
Southern Shores to regulate noise in the Atlantic Ocean and other
waters within their jurisdiction.
Duck beautification. A bill authorizing Dare County to levy taxes
for the Duck Beautification District to raise money to build and
maintain sidewalks in the district was approved effective May 23,
1995.
Manteo noise. State lawmakers gave Manteo town officials the
authority to regulate noise in the waters within their jurisdiction
effective June 7.
Red wolves. Beaufort and Craven counties were added to the list
of counties whose residents are allowed to shoot red wolves that
wander off federal refuge lands.
Real estate transfer tax. Bills that would have allowed Hyde
County and other counties in the region to institute a tax on real
estate transfers stalled in the House Finance Committee.
School acquisition. A bill that adds Currituck County to the list
of counties that can acquire property for use by their boards of
education was approved by the state legislature effective Jan. 1,
1995.
Southern Shores hunting. A measure that prohibits hunting of deer
with dogs in Southern Shores was approved by the legislature
effective Oct. 1. by CNB