Critics warn that House Bill 600 threatens to chip away at some protections provided by the Clean Water Act.
North Carolina General Assembly
No ESGs, ETJs: Bills nix green investments, planning tool
House Bill 750 ratified this week bars state hiring and investment policies that consider environmental or socioeconomic factors, while Senate Bill 675 eliminates municipal extraterritorial jurisdictions.
Bill limiting NC wetland protections sent to Gov. Cooper
The measure removes the state’s regulatory authority that now protects federally nonjurisdictional wetlands.
Cooper signs bill to OK removal of abandoned vessels
The bill granting local governments authority to get rid of derelict vessels in navigable waters in their jurisdiction has been signed by Gov. Roy Cooper.
NC farm bill would restrict how state defines wetlands
Environmentalists say the bill would strip the state’s ability to fill in regulatory gaps to protect federally nonjurisdictional waters, including isolated wetlands.
Coastal legislators named to House, Senate committees
House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate Leader Phil Berger have announced committee appointments, including numerous legislators representing coastal districts.
Groups join case challenging NC Rules Review Commission
Gov. Roy Cooper’s lawsuit contends that the legislature-appointed commission that reviews and approves — or rejects — rules adopted by state agencies is unconstitutional.
Rules Review Commission meets Sept. 15
The meeting is in Raleigh with limited capacity, but the public can attend online or listen by phone.
Elizabeth City eyes hiring Steinburg as lobbyist
Elizabeth City council’s finance committee unanimously voted last week to begin the process of hiring former state Sen. Bob Steinburg as the city’s lobbyist in Raleigh.
Hanig GOP’s unanimous choice to fill Senate seat
Republican officials from the 11 counties in the 1st Senate District unanimously selected Hanig to replace former state Sen. Bob Steinburg, who resigned last month.
A coastal reporter remembers the late Sen. Marc Basnight
Journalist Catherine Kozak recalls her years covering the late Sen. Marc Basnight and his approach to politics, his impact on the Outer Banks and his passion for the coastal environment.
Measure would hold Chemours liable for contamination
House Bill 1095 would set human health standards for chemical substances in the drinking water supply and force the polluter to reimburse public water systems for their removal costs.
Bill would fund efforts to support growing shellfish industry
The measure introduced Thursday in the N.C. General Assembly would provide $8.5 million in funding for coastal water quality and oyster habitat restoration projects.
US Supreme Court lets NC redistricting stand
North Carolina’s congressional map is settled for 2022, as only three of nine U.S. justices favor accepting appeal by Republican legislators. Decision leaves maps as state courts approved them.
NC Supreme Court denies appeals on redistricting
UPDATED: Congressional map could still see appeal to federal high court, but candidate filing with new maps opens Thursday.
Plaintiffs’ maps submitted in NC redistricting lawsuit
Plaintiffs in an ongoing lawsuit submitted Friday redistricting recommendations for the state’s legislative and congressional districts.
