NC General Assembly - Current Status of Key Bills

June 15, 2011

1. NC Budget Override - The House voted to override the governor's veto in a vote of 73 to 46, just after midnight this morning. All five Democrats kept their word to vote with the Republicans. The Senate could vote on the override either today or Thursday, and has an advantage of 31 Republicans to 19 Democrats. To override the governor's veto, a margin of three-fifths of the votes is needed in the Legislature.

2. Voter Photo ID (HB351/S351) - "Restore Confidence in Government" bill is currently on the calendar today to be discussed in the Senate's Committee on Appropriations/Base Budget. We want to ensure that this issue is voted on the Senate before this session ends on Fri, Jun 17th. Call the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee Sen. Peter Brunstetter (919) 733-7850; or the Co-Chairmen Sen. Neal Hunt (919) 733-5850; or Sen. Richard Stevens (919) 733-5653 to move this important legislation to a Senate vote by Friday, Jun 17th.

3. Abortion-Woman's Right to Know Act (HB854) - Moved from the Judiciary I Committee in the Senate to the Rules and Operations Committee in the Senate. Call the Chairman, Sen. Tom Apodaca (919) 733-5745, or Vice Chairman Peter S. Brunstetter (919) 733-7850 to get the legislation voted on this session in the Senate.

4. Energy Jobs Act (SB709) The bill passed in the House in a vote of 68 to 49 on Jun 14th. It previously passed in the Senate. The bill increases energy production in NC and facilitates economic growth and creates jobs. Next stop is to the governor.

5. Defense of Marriage (SB106) - Defense of Marriage will be heard in a special session devoted to amendments to the NC Constitution, most likely in August or September.

Sources: ncga.state.nc.us; Greensboro News & Record, "N.C. House overrides budget veto, " by Mark Binker, Jun 15, 2011;