After receiving overwhelming approval from the House and Senate, environmental reform bill H45: Accelerate Cleanup of Industrial Properties was signed by Gov. Bev Perdue. The legislation permits “risk-based remediation,” which provides site-specific cleanup standards that would expedite the reuse of valuable industrial sites while ensuring protection of public health and the environment. Existing law restricts redevelopment of these sites and prevents productive use of the land. Maintenance of North Carolina’s surface water and groundwater resources will become increasingly important to the continued economic vitality of the state in the future. Supporters of the law applaud the efforts to protect the public’s health and the environment, while allowing businesses to create jobs and grow the economy.
Session Adjourned
Both the House and Senate wrapped up session last Saturday, enacting the state budget two weeks before the start of the fiscal year, the earliest in over 30 years. Republican leaders believe that regulatory and tax changes, along with legal and workers’ compensation reform will give businesses more certainty needed to create jobs. "This has been a session of real accomplishment and a real change in direction for North Carolina, a direction that the people of North Carolina have long been looking for," said Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham). With a surge of activity in the final week at the legislature, over 200 bills were sent to Gov. Perdue on Monday. She has 10 days after receiving a bill to decide whether to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without her signature. The full General Assembly is slated to reconvene on July 13 to review bills related to election law, appointments to various state boards and commissions, as well as conference reports not adopted upon adjournment. Bills that Gov. Perdue vetoed will also be on the agenda for review. Legislative and Congressional district maps are scheduled for consideration and debate later in the month.
