The forced annexation moratorium bill is stuck in the Senate Rules Committee.  It is stuck there because of one person: Senator Rand.  One way to get it out of committee is through a discharge petition (see Rule 47(b)), but that requires two-thirds of the Senators to support the petition–not an easy thing to do.

As I explained before,
the Senate rules do not prohibit this moratorium bill from being
considered.  There are limits on what can be considered in the
short session, but the good news is bills that implement the
recommendations of select committees are expressly allowed.   The moratorium bill is the recommendation of the House Select Committee on Municipal Annexation.

The rules that govern what can be considered in the short session are found in the adjournment resolution.  Support for my explanation is found in the legislative librarian’s memo on eligible bills for the short session and in the bill drafting division’s explanation of what can be considered in the short session.

Rand is trying to make claims
to the contrary in hopes that people will buy that the rules prohibit
the bill from being considered.  Unfortunately for him, it is
crystal clear that the bill can be considered.

He has said “a bill must be the result of a joint study by the house
and the senate.”  There is absolutely no such requirement. 
Other legislators have been parroting his misleading claim though.

I hope facts and our own eyes will let everyone see the truth.  Rand is basically repeating the Groucho Marx quote:
“Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes??  BTW: I
thought someone else said that, but apparently it was Groucho Marx.

Let’s keep this simple: The bill can be considered.  Rand
doesn’t want it considered and can do whatever he wants, and he is.

One other issue of interest on the annexation front.  Senate
Democrats are saying they will seek a study bill in the Senate–but
some at least won’t support the moratorium.  Let’s be clear on the
study issue as well:

– Last year, the Senate could have participated in an annexation study
committee but didn’t want to, and actually killed the idea of a joint
committee.

– Even if they decided to study the bill on their own or as part of a
joint committee, there would be no time for them to do so–they
wouldn’t meet during the session next year, and there isn’t enough time
for them to consider the issue during the fall.

– The last thing anyone that opposes forced annexation should want is the anti-property rights Senate (i.e.
this is the same body that killed the bipartisan eminent domain
constitutional amendment) to study the issue by loading up some
committee with NC League of Municipalities reps.

– The House annexation committee has done a good job and is fully
capable of coming up with good recommendations, and has made enough
progress to finish its work in the fall.

Bottom Line

– The rules expressly allow the moratorium bill to be considered.

– Senator Rand is the sole reason, as of now, why thousands of North
Carolinians will be victimized by forced annexation in the upcoming
year.

– A Senate study bill is a sham and a way to divert attention from the fact that the Senate is killing the moratorium bill.