Finally House Bill 524, Annexation – Omnibus Changes is heard on the House floor

Bill sponsor, Rep Bruce Goforth, (D-Buncombe) says it’s been 50 years since annexation laws were written and to date, no reform. “This bill leaves everybody upset, so it must be good bill.” Has time limits on when service has to be provided, doughnut holes of poorer areas can’t be excluded, spells out meaningful services, provides oversight by LGC (same folks who oversaw the Randy Parton Theatre). Interestingly he doesn’t mention the referendum charade (see previous posts on the charade).

Appropriations Chair Mickey Michaux (D-Durham) asks if there is a fiscal note. No, is the answer, because there is no cost to government. Michaux says there will be a cost to local government and the LGC added responsibilities. Goforth says LGC has not said it will cost more so it must not. Rep Rick Glazier (D-Cumberland) says they’ll need additional staff and probably software so a fiscal note is needed.
Hackney asks if the request is under Rule 36.1.   Michaux as Approps. Chair can request that it come back to Appropriations Committee and upon inquiry from Speaker Hackney says he will return the bill promptly to the full House.  A group of 8 -10 legislators gather around the podium.

Request from Appropriations Chair has to be honored. Michaux makes a motion to remove the bill from today’s calendar, and send back to Appropriations Committee for “examination” and a fiscal note, after which, the bill could be sent back to the House floor.
Another option is to displace the bill, have a fiscal note run and presented to the floor, and then return the bill to the House for a vote tomorrow, or whenever the note is complete.

Michaux makes the argument that costs to the LGC may require changes to the title (which can only be done in committee).

Rep Dale Folwell (R-Forsyth) reminds everyone that there have been motions to have oversight by county commissioners or the Joint Committee on Municipal Incorporations, but no one wanted that. LGC said they were qualified and comfortable with oversight responsibilities. They never raised or objected to additional costs.

Glazier says we have to know what the cost is going to be.

Michaux’s motion to send the bill to Appropriations for a fiscal note is 59 to 59. Speaker breaks the tie by voting yes. Annexation reform is delayed again – goes back to the House Appropriations Committee for a fiscal note.