Public Utilities Chair Lorene Coates makes a motion to suspend the rules and move Senate Bill 967, Creation of Yadkin River Trust forward to put the bill immediately on the House calendar for a vote tonight.
Representatives Jeff Barnhart, R-Cabarrus, Justin Burr, R-Stanly and Pryor Gibson, D-Anson speak in favor of moving the bill forward.
Rep. Mitch Gillespie, R-McDowell says the provisions of the bill have been inserted in another bill (House Bill 1099, Environmental Amendment Changes or Alcoa II) and can be considered in that one and asks members to vote against the motion.
Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, says the bill has been moved too quickly with a very hurried review today in Public Utilities Committee and asks members to vote against the motion and allow additional time to review the bill.
Rep. Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke, says Michaux was right earlier when he expressed concerns about he cost of this bill. Need to take more time to consider this complex and important issue.
Rules Chair Rep. Bill Owens, D?Pasquotank, says it can?t be taken up Monday because the Senate won?t be here for their final vote. Must be heard in the House and get it over to the Senate to vote before they leave tomorrow.
Rep. Wil Neumann, R-Gaston says it should be heard tonight. Rep Bill Current, R- Gaston says he doesn?t know of any more important issue than the taking of property by the government and it should not be considered while everyone is tired, Needs full consideration and debate. He?ll vote no.
Rep. John Blust, R-Guilford says it?s a complex issue, he has attended the meetings and tried to catch up on this bill. It?s been a long day and he suggests that in order to make an informed vote, need to take the time to get it right and come back on Monday when everyone is fresh.
Gillespie reminds Owens that the Assistant Attorney General testified at one of the committee hearings that we don?t have to have this legislation in order to get the license. Gillespie asks why the Trust can?t it be handled in House bill 1099? Owens says the issue may go down if it?s combined with others, as it is in House Bill 1099. Gillespie points out that in order for anything to move forward the issues in the Environmental bill need to stay together. And again makes the argument that this is too important and complex to rush through and asks members to vote no.
Rep. Coates, with the final word on her motion says if they don?t vote on it tonight, it will kill the bill.
Vote is 58-50. The motion carries and Senate Bill 967 will be heard later tonight.
