N.C. Lawmakers Keep Commitment to Streamline and Simplify Regulations

 Raleigh, N.C. – The state House of Representatives maintained a consistent record of regulatory reforms that streamline and simplify regulations on Wednesday, keeping a key promise of the Republican-led legislature to the people of North Carolina. 

House Bill 374 Regulatory Reform Act of 2018 reduces the burden of excessive regulations on the public and businesses, maintaining this policy priority of the state General Assembly that has passed more than a dozen other regulatory reform bills since 2011.

The legislature has kept a long-term commitment to eliminate or improve onerous regulations that burden North Carolinians and the state’s economy.  The regulatory reforms empower businesses and individuals by removing barriers to growth and reducing costs.

Summary of House Bill 374

Implementing dozens of regulatory reforms recommended by citizens and businesses, House Bill 374 Regulatory Reform Act of 2018:

  • Allows electronic delivery of agency decision documents in contested cases

 

  • Allows temporary food establishments to operate for up to 30 days

 

  • Amends the law on contracts with automatic renewal clauses to exempt real estate professionals from applicable requirements

 

  • Modifies timing for renewable precertification for persons transporting essentials or restoring utilities during emergency declarations

 

  • Requires the Division of Mitigation Services to review and revise its bidding and contracting procedures for procurement of mitigation services

 

  • Revises wastewater permitting requirements to include approved trench dispersal systems

 

  • Authorizes replacement of temporary erosion control structures

 

  • Amends the process for vacancy appointments to the Utilities Commission and the Industrial Commission

 

  • Amends legislation regarding maintenance of roads surrounding schools

 

  • Repeals State Board of Education policies inconsistent with state law, as affirmed by the N.C. Supreme Court

 

  • Authorizes certain coastal storm water program variances

 

  • Amends recoverable costs in the fuel clause rider for electric public utilities that have fewer than 150,000 North Carolina retail jurisdictional customers and subject them to the current 1% annual cap on cost increases.

 

  • Exempts the personal property of charter schools from property tax

 

  • Clarifies landfill life-of-site/franchise requirements

 

  • Makes motorcycle financing changes to exempt certain motorcycles with a purchase price of $7,500 or more from the prohibition on balloon payments

 

  • Require the Legislative Research Commission to study mandatory connection authority relating to the use of engineer option permits for wastewater

 

Regulatory Reforms Passed by the N.C. General Assembly Since 2011: