WHAT HAPPENED: Lawmakers sent more big-ticket legislation to the governor's desk, including measures on the
makeup of the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement and a 20-page "technical corrections" bill that contains some items of interest to cities and towns (as explained later in this Bulletin). Meanwhile,
a Senate bill seeking a sunset on six state boards (including those of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund) seemed to lose steam.
WHAT IT MEANS: It finally looks like we're coming to the end of this extended 2018 "short session." Most known priorities among legislative leaders have been addressed.
ON TAP: Veto-watch. The governor has 10 days to think about each bill (
the voter ID bill, for example) and whether he'll sign it, veto it, or let it become law without his signature. Vetoed bills return to the General Assembly, so lawmakers have planned for skeletal sessions as the clock runs. The legislature's supermajority is still in place, so it's possible that any vetoed bills will be overriden and put into law.
THE SKINNY: Other than outstanding veto questions, the 2017-18 General Assembly is virtually concluded.
The legislative chambers this week agreed on a series of provisions wrapped into a conference report for SB 469 Technical Corrections. The approved legislation included a restriction on municipalities’ ability to recoup from industry the cost of reviewing small cell applications (reported on in last week's Bulletin), extending restraints on small cell application fees to also apply to those fees charged for zoning application review and technical consultant costs. The bill also came with a new provision to make it clear that an existing limitation on not requiring new or increased stormwater controls for preexisting development or redevelopment “applies to all local governments regardless of the source of their regulatory authority.” It additionally requires that local governments include that limitation in their stormwater ordinances. The bill was presented to the governor on Thursday.
The 911 Board has adopted goals for the upcoming legislative session and is hosting a stakeholder meeting to discuss them. The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Dec. 19 at the Guilford Metro 9-1-1, 1903 Midway St., Greensboro. Anyone with questions or feedback about the board’s legislative proposals is encouraged to attend or reach out to board staff.
After a little downtime, we're back -- and let's pick up with a fun one. On this episode of Municipal Equation, we continue our quest for ways and activities to better connect with or learn the city you're in -- whether it's your hometown or a place you've never been before. Here, we're documenting and learning the secrets of the city as guided by notable photographers from around the world. We hit London, Los Angeles, Kuala Lumpur and the North Carolina city of Wilson. Municipal Equation is the League's nationally recognized podcast about cities and towns adapting in the face of change. Find past episodes at marianneangelirodriguez.com/municipalequation.
