The Smoking ban bill is up for a final vote in the Senate tonight. Sen. Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, proposes an amendment that would exclude ALL private clubs from the ban, arguing that people’s choice is what this about. It’s a choice to use a legal product in North Carolina.
Sen. Stan Bingham jokes that truck stops ought to be included as private clubs. Berger’s amendment fails, 23-25.
The final vote on H.B. 2, the Smoking Ban Bill, is 30-18. Because the Senate version is different than the House version, a conference committee will be appointed to work out a final bill.