9th Veto Override by N.C. House Improves Rulemaking Process

Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina House of Representatives approved its ninth veto override of Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday, securing passage of pro-growth regulatory reforms to streamline and simplify state government’s rulemaking process.

Senate Bill 16 Business and Agency Reg. Reform Act of 2017 reduces the burden of excessive guidelines on state government and the private sector while increasing public notice requirements and citizens’ access to judicial review of new agency rules and regulations.

“North Carolinians continue to reap the economic rewards of a government that works for the citizens it represents,” said House Speaker Tim Moore.

“We’ve empowered the people of this state with a louder voice in government’s rulemaking process through regulatory reforms that enhance transparency and respond to public input.” 

Senate Bill 16 combines recommendations from the Joint Administrative Procedures Oversight Committee, the Department of Labor, other legislative proposals and suggestions from state policy stakeholders.

The legislation is part of a continued effort by House Republicans to eliminate and improve excessive, duplicative and onerous regulations that burden North Carolinians and the state’s economy.

Summary of Senate Bill 16

Senate Bill 16 ensures that all objections to agency rules are recorded as public comment, expanding the impact of citizens and businesses who wish to file on-the-record complaints about state regulations.

The regulatory reform legislation expands public notice requirements of proposed rule changes to keep North Carolinians more informed and allow citizens time to submit comments and have input on the regulatory process.

Senate Bill 16 removes hurdles for North Carolinians to petition for judicial review of regulations by eliminating the requirement that a person or party petition an agency through the rules review process before seeking relief in court.

Senate Bill 16 also helps agencies prioritize critical reports to ensure impactful regulations receive the highest scrutiny from agency officials and the legislature.

It reforms regulations that oversee state agencies, bed and breakfasts, alarm system salespeople, and businesses that provide critical solid waste disposal services.

It also clarifies stormwater laws to ease duplicative requirements on coastal redevelopment of residential projects and proposes several legislative studies.

The legislation removes an outdated requirement that pipelines and mains originate in North Carolina for public bodies to exercise eminent domain to expand their construction.

Finally, the legislation adds a new requirement that vehicle backup lamps be in working order to pass annual safety inspections.

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