An amendment to eliminate the fee for a marriage license by $10 ($50 to $60) is displaced.  Amendment sponsor, House Minority Leader, Rep Skip Stam (R  Wake) says he will try again on the floor.   No word so far on challenging the proposed doubling ($75 to $150) of the divorce fee.

Rep David Lewis (R Harnett) expresses concerns over a new fee for law enforcement officer certification (paid for by the law enforcement officers – seems a little unfair)  generating $4 m part of first year; $8 m the second and proposes instead increasing a court cost imposed against a criminal convict fee increase to make up the difference in revenue.  Lewis suggestion is temporarily displaced as Rep Van Braxton ( D – Lenoir) and Rep Bill Faison (D – Orange) had similar concerns.  Matter will be addressed by the Appropriations Chairs..

Rep Paul Stam (R Wake) proposes adjustment to the  fee on deeds of trust and mortgages.  Passes.

Rep Bill Faison (D’ Orange) concerns about Home Inspectors fees (says they should be eliminated  and to make up for it, securities salesmen fee should be raised to $250.  His amendment fails.

Luebke says he always has problems with the fee bill becuase the fees, paid the same by everyone,  are progressive.  But seems to have no problems with the money it will take from taxpayers  (progressive or not, it seems) –  $88.7 m in 09-10 and $104.6 m in 10-11.

School zone speeding violation fee is $50:  work zone speeding is $275.  Amendment to make them the same.  Rep Stam says the Finance Committee should not be doing criminal law policy decisions; it should not be a revenue issue.  Let the judge decide.  Amendment to make the fees the same.  Amendment fails.

Committee recesses until 9.  More amendments on the way after recess.