Regulatory Reform Act of 2016-17 Passes North Carolina House

 Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 131 Regulatory Reform Act of 2016-17 on Thursday to continue consolidating, simplifying and eliminating unnecessary rules and reporting requirements across local governments and state agencies in North Carolina.

Eliminating excessive rules and red tape through commonsense deregulation of North Carolina’s bureaucracy has been a priority of conservative leaders in the General Assembly since 2011.

 “The Regulatory Reform Act of 2016-17 keeps our promise to improve North Carolina’s regulatory system and get government out of the way of private sector citizens and businesses in our state,” said House Committee on Regulatory Reform Chairman John Bradford.

Among other deregulation, SB 131 would streamline mortgage notice requirements, allow agencies to fulfill public records requests online, eliminate redundant reports from North Carolina’s bureaucracy, exempt basic landscaping materials from stringent stormwater control regulations and seek flexibility for the state from excessive stream mitigation requirements.

The Regulatory Reform Act of 2016-17 also streamlines permits for private well-water systems and allows certain building classes to voluntarily comply with the Energy Conservation Code.  It provides financial and regulatory relief to residents of certain counties by no longer requiring state emissions inspections on vehicles and exempting vehicles greater than twenty years old from emissions inspections, lifting a cost burden on those who cannot afford to purchase newer automobiles.

“By simplifying and streamlining government regulations,  we’re ensuring state and local agencies serve taxpayers more effectively while focusing on the critical safeguards in place to protect North Carolina,” said Rep. Chris Millis, co-chair of the House Committee on Regulatory Reform.

North Carolina Regulatory Reform Since 2011

2011 HB 268 Reclaimed Water Rules/Storm Debris Cleanup

2011 HB 209 Amend Solid Waste Financial Assurance Requirements

2011 HB 609 Promote Water Supply Development/Efficiency

2011 HB 952 State Air Toxics Program Reforms  

2011 HB 45 Accelerate Cleanup of Industrial Properties

2011 HB 119 Amend Environmental Laws 2011

2012 HB 953 Amend Environmental Laws 2

2013 HB 74 Regulatory Reform Act of 2013

2014 SB 734 Regulatory Reform Act of 2014

2015 HB 44 Local Government Regulatory Reform 2015

2015 HB 765 Regulatory Reform Act of 2015