ACU FOUNDATION'S RATINGS of NORTH CAROLINA 2019acuratings.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/... · 2020. 5. 12. · • HB 966 Discouraging Fiscal Discipline within Medicaid

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter from the Chairman .......................................................2

Selecting the Votes .......................................................................3

2019 Winners & Losers ................................................................4

North Carolina Senate Statistics ........................................5

North Carolina Senate Scores ............................................. 6

North Carolina Senate Vote Descriptions ................ 10

North Carolina House Statistics ........................................15

North Carolina House Scores ..............................................16

North Carolina House Vote Descriptions ................ 26

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NORTH CAROLINA2019

ACU FOUNDATION'S RATINGS ofNORTH CAROLINA2019

ACU FOUNDATION'S RATINGS of

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ACU FOUNDATION'S Ratings of North Carolina 2019 | CENTER FOR LEGISLATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY

Dear Fellow Conservative,

The American Conservative Union Foundation’s Center for Legislative Accountability is proud to present our Ratings of the North Carolina Legislature for 2019. Like our Ratings of Congress, which date back 48 years, ACU Foundation’s Ratings of the States are meant to reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual’s life. We begin with our philosophy (conservatism is the political philosophy that sovereignty resides in the person) and then apply the correct purpose of government (its essential role is to defend Life, Liberty and Property).

As a 501(c)(3) educational endeavor, these Ratings serve as a retrospective analysis to explain to voters, the media, scholars and activists how consistently lawmakers apply conservative principles when casting votes. ACU Foundation evaluates over 100,000 bills and ultimately selects around 2,000 bills to produce scorecards for Congress and all 50 states.

Our American Experiment in self-governance depends on our ability as citizens to evaluate whether our elected officials implement policies that help people live happier, healthier, more productive lives. ACU Foundation’s Ratings of the States equips citizens with clear and effective analysis to hold the nation’s 8,000 lawmakers accountable for their votes.

The Left has renewed its commitment to advance socialism in their zeal to fundamentally transform America. With such an important fight ahead, it’s never been more important for our elected officials to understand the proper role of government and for Americans to defend our conservative values and take action to preserve liberty.

Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union Foundation

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

TO SEE MORE ACU RATINGS, PLEASE VISIT: conservative.org/ratings

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CENTER FOR LEGISLATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY | ACU FOUNDATION'S Ratings of North Carolina 2019

SELECTING THE VOTES

ACU Foundation researched and selected a range of bills before the North Carolina legislature that determine a member’s adherence to conservative principles. We selected bills that focus on Ronald Reagan’s philosophy of the “three-legged stool”: 1) fiscal and economic: taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, and property; 2) social and cultural: 2nd amendment, religion, life, welfare, and education; and 3) government integrity: voting, individual liberty, privacy, and transparency. This wide range of issues are designed to give citizens an accurate assessment that conveys which of North Carolina’s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property.

Matt Schlapp Chairman Charlie Gerow Vice ChairmanCarolyn D. Meadows 2nd Vice ChairBob Beauprez Treasurer

Ron Christie SecretaryEd Yevoli At-LargeDan Schneider Executive Director

ACUExecutive Committee

Jackie ArendsLarry BeasleyKimberly BellissimoMorton C. BlackwellJamie BurkeMuriel ColemanSean FielerSander GerberAlan M. GottliebVan D. Hipp, Jr.Dr. M. Zuhdi JasserKT McFarland

Jim McLaughlinPriscilla O’ShaughnessyRon RobinsonMike RoseTim RyanPeter SamuelsonTerry SchillingMatt SmithChris TurnerBill WaltonThomas Winter

Board Members

ACUFExecutive Committee

Matt Schlapp ChairmanMillie Hallow Vice ChairVan D. Hipp, Jr. TreasurerKimberly Bellissimo Secretary Dan Schneider Executive Director

Board Members

Veronica Birkenstock Gordon ChangJonathan GarthwaiteCharlie GerowNiger InnisAdam LaxaltWilles K. LeeCarolyn D. MeadowsRandy NeugebauerThomas Winter

THE CENTER FOR LEGISLATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY

Fred McGrath, DirectorLuke Schneider, Public Affairs & Policy AnalystFrancis Finnegan, Data Manager

Larry Hart, Senior Policy FellowThomas Bradbury, Policy AnalystAbby Draiss, Policy FellowJonathan Moy, Policy Fellow

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2019 WINNERS & LOSERS

SENATE

ALEXANDER, JOHN

BERGER, PHIL

BROWN, HARRY

EDWARDS, CHUCK

GUNN, RICK

HISE, RALPH

JACKSON, BRENT

JOHNSON, TODD

KRAWIEC, JOYCE

SENATE

McINNIS, TOM

PERRY, JIM

RABON, WILLIAM

SAWYER, VICKIE

STEINBURG, BOB

TILLMAN, JERRY

WELLS, ANDY

90-100% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE

HOUSE

HASTINGS, KELLY

Republicans in ALL CAPS, Democrats in initial caps, asterisk indicates Independents/Libertarians/other

10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT≤

80-89% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

SENATE

ALEXANDER, TED

BALLARD, DEANNA

BRITT, DANNY

BURGIN, JIM

DANIEL, WARREN

DAVIS, JIM

FORD, CARL

SENATE

GALLIMORE, EDDIE

HARRINGTON, KATHRYN

HORNER, RICK

NEWTON, PAUL

SANDERSON, NORMAN

HOUSE

BRODY, MARK

BUMGARDNER, DANA

CLEVELAND, GEORGE

ELMORE, JEFFREY

KIDWELL, KEITH

MOORE, TIMOTHY

PITTMAN, LARRY

SPECIALE, MICHAEL

SENATE

Smith, Erica

HOUSE

n/a

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NORTH CAROLINA SENATE STATISTICS

63%OVERALL AVERAGE

n/a

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

89%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

29%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

DAVIS, DONALD43%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

NORTH CAROLINA SENATE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

# OF STATE

SENATORS

2019 ACUF PERCENTAGE

90-100%0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%0

5

10

15

20

6


NORTH CAROLINA SENATE SCORES

NORTH CAROLINA SENATE VOTE DETAILACU Foundation Position Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N

Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

SB 86 (A

md. 2)

SB 86 (A

md. 3)

SB 50

5

SB 359

SB 374

SB 284

SB 562

SB 60

9

SB 622 (A

md. 2)

HB

363

HB

966 (Am

d. 19)

HB

966 (Am

d. 10)

HB

966 (Am

d. 13)

HB

934

HB

370

HB

675

SB 290

HB

554

HB

645

SB 438

SB 86

HB

74

SB 553

HB

399

ALEXANDER, JOHN R 18 95% 100% 82% + + x + x + + + + + + + + x + + + + + + + + + -

ALEXANDER, TED R 44 83% n/a 83% + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + x + + -

BALLARD, DEANNA R 45 86% 100% 87% + + - + + + + + x + + + + x + + - + + + + + + -

BERGER, PHIL R 30 90% 100% 91% + + - + + x x x + + + + + + + x + + + + + + + -

BISHOP, DAN R 39 n/a† 100% 89% + + - + + x x + + x + + + x + x x x x x + + x x

Blue, Dan D 14 27% 30% 27% - - - - - - + - - + - - - + - + x + - x + - - -

BRITT, DANNY R 13 89% 100% 91% + + - + + + + + + + + + + x + + x x x x + + + -

BROWN, HARRY R 6 90% 100% 90% x x - + + + + + + + + + + + + x + + + + + + x -

BRYAN, ROB R 39 n/a† n/a 79% x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x -

BURGIN, JIM R 12 82% n/a 82% + + - + + + + + + - + + + + + + - x x + + + + -

Chaudhuri, Jay D 15 27% 17% 25% - - - - - + + - - x - - - + - + + - - x - - + -

Clark, Ben D 21 32% 36% 41% - - - - - - + + x + - - - x - + + - - - + - + -

DANIEL, WARREN R 46 87% 92% 87% + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + x - + + + + + + -

+ = Member voted with ACU’s position- = Member voted against ACU’s positionx = Member was absent for vote

† = Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result did not receive a rating for the 2019 session. Two-thirds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.R = RepublicanD = Democrat

• SB 86 Driving up Health Insurance Costs by Prohibiting Risk Assessment in Association Health Plans.

• SB 86 Enacting a $6 Billion Expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare.

• SB 505 Expanding Cronyism by Awarding $15 Million in Direct Subsidies to the Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company.

• SB 359 Protecting Children Who Survive Abortion. • SB 374 Protecting Public Employee Pensions by

Combatting Unfunded Liabilities. • SB 284 Improving the Transparency of State

Agencies. • SB 562 Expanding Employment Opportunities

through Expungement of Certain Criminal Convictions.

• SB 609 Strengthening School Choice by Expanding Opportunity Scholarships.

• SB 622 Reinstating the Earned Income Tax Credit. • HB 363 Expanding Entrepreneurship and

Consumer Choice by Easing Certain Regulations of Craft Breweries.

• HB 966 Discouraging Fiscal Discipline within Medicaid through a $124 Million Rebase Increase.

• HB 966 Jeopardizing the Solvency of the State Pension System by Hiking Payouts.

• HB 966 Preventing Equal Taxation of Motor Vehicle Transportation.

• HB 934 Granting Terminally Ill Patients the “Right to Try” Experimental Adult Stem Cell Treatments.

• HB 370 Requiring Local Cooperation with Federal Immigration Authorities.

•

• HB 675 Reducing Construction Costs by Prohibiting Excessive Local Regulation.

• SB 290 Reducing Costly and Anti-Competitive Regulations in the Alcohol Industry and Expanding Individual Liberties.

• HB 554 Expanding Employment Opportunities by Easing Licensure Mandates for Funeral Directors.

• HB 645 Combatting Government Regulatory Overreach in the Billboard Advertising Industry.

• SB 438 Improving Educational Outcomes by Reforming the Read to Achieve Program.

• SB 86 Strengthening Opportunities for Health Coverage by Expanding Employer Benefit Associations.

• HB 74 Refunding Surplus Tax Revenue Back to the Taxpayers.

• SB 553 Strengthening Individual Liberties and Employment by Easing Numerous Excessive Regulations.

• HB 399 Expanding Cronyism by Extending Direct Subsidies to Government-Favored Special Interests.

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Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

SB 86 (A

md. 2)

SB 86 (A

md. 3)

SB 50

5

SB 359

SB 374

SB 284

SB 562

SB 60

9

SB 622 (A

md. 2)

HB

363

HB

966 (Am

d. 19)

HB

966 (Am

d. 10)

HB

966 (Am

d. 13)

HB

934

HB

370

HB

675

SB 290

HB

554

HB

645

SB 438

SB 86

HB

74

SB 553

HB

399

Davis, Donald D 5 43% 33% 27% - - - + - - + - - - - - - + x + - + + + + + + -

DAVIS, JIM R 50 88% 100% 91% + + - + + + + + + + x x x + x + + + + x x x + -

deViere, Kirk D 19 32% n/a 32% - - - - - - + - - + - - - + - + + + - x - x + -

EDWARDS, CHUCK R 48 90% 100% 91% + + - + + + x x + + + + + + + + + + + x x + + -

Fitch, Milton D 4 32% 18% 25% - - x - - - + - - + - - - + - + + + - x + - - -

FORD, CARL R 33 83% 92% 92% + + - + + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + + + + + -

Foushee, Valerie D 23 31% 13% 21% x x - - - - x x - + x x x + - + + + - x - - - -

GALLIMORE, EDDIE R 29 87% n/a 87% + + - + + + + + x + + + + + + + - + + + + + + -

Garrett, Michael D 27 25% n/a 25% - - - - - - + - - x - - - + x + + + - x x - - -

GUNN, RICK R 24 91% 100% 92% + + - + + + + + x + + + + + + + + + + x + + + -

HARRINGTON, KATHRYN R 43 89% 100% 92% + + - + + x x x + + + + + + + + + x x x + + + -

HISE, RALPH R 47 90% 100% 93% + + - + + + + + + + + + + x x + + + + + x + + -

HORNER, RICK R 11 84% 91% 85% + + - + + + + + x x x + x + x + - + + + + + + -

JACKSON, BRENT R 10 91% 100% 91% + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + x + + + + + + -

Jackson, Jeff D 37 27% 27% 35% - - - - - - + - - + - - - + x + + + - x - - - -


















•










8



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

SB 86 (A

md. 2)

SB 86 (A

md. 3)

SB 50

5

SB 359

SB 374

SB 284

SB 562

SB 60

9

SB 622 (A

md. 2)

HB

363

HB

966 (Am

d. 19)

HB

966 (Am

d. 10)

HB

966 (Am

d. 13)

HB

934

HB

370

HB

675

SB 290

HB

554

HB

645

SB 438

SB 86

HB

74

SB 553

HB

399

JOHNSON, TODD R 35 92% n/a 92% + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + -

KRAWIEC, JOYCE R 31 91% 100% 88% + + - + + + + + + + + + + + x + + + + + + + + -

Lowe, Paul D 32 30% 36% 29% - - - - - - + - - + - - - + - + x x x x + + - -

Marcus, Natasha D 41 26% n/a 26% - - - - - - + - - x - - - + - + + + - + - - - -

McINNIS, TOM R 25 92% 92% 89% + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + -

McKissick, Floyd D 20 36% 18% 23% - - - - - + + - - + - - - + - + + x x + + - - -

Mohammed, Mujtaba D 38 25% n/a 25% - - - - - - + - - + - - - + - + + + - - - - - -

NEWTON, PAUL R 36 88% 100% 94% + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + -

Nickel, Wiley D 16 29% n/a 29% - - - - - - + - - + - - - + - + + + + - - - - -

PERRY, JIM R 7 91% n/a 91% + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + x + + + -

Peterson, Harper D 9 30% n/a 30% - - - - - - + - - + - - - + - + + + - x + - - -

RABON, WILLIAM R 8 91% 100% 88% + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + x + + + + + x -

Robinson, Gladys D 28 20% 20% 13% - - - - - - + - - x - - - + - + x + - x - - x -

SANDERSON, NORMAN R 2 88% 100% 91% + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + -

SAWYER, VICKIE R 34 91% n/a 91% + + - + + + + + + x + + + + + + + + + + + x + -


















•










9



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

SB 86 (A

md. 2)

SB 86 (A

md. 3)

SB 50

5

SB 359

SB 374

SB 284

SB 562

SB 60

9

SB 622 (A

md. 2)

HB

363

HB

966 (Am

d. 19)

HB

966 (Am

d. 10)

HB

966 (Am

d. 13)

HB

934

HB

370

HB

675

SB 290

HB

554

HB

645

SB 438

SB 86

HB

74

SB 553

HB

399

Searcy, Sam D 17 33% n/a 33% - - - - - - + - - x - - - + - + x + - + x + + -

Smith, Erica D 3 6% 42% 30% - - - - - - x x - x - - - x - + x - - - x - - -

STEINBURG, BOB R 1 92% 82% 82% + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + -

TILLMAN, JERRY R 26 90% 92% 91% + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + x x x + -

Van Duyn, Terry D 49 22% 18% 25% - - - - - - + - - + - - - x - + + - - + - - - -

Waddell, Joyce D 40 38% 25% 30% - - - - - - + - - + - - - + - + + + - + + + - -

WELLS, ANDY R 42 91% 100% 91% + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + x + + -

Woodard, Mike D 22 38% 27% 29% - - - - - - + - - + - - - + - + + + - + + - + -


















•










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1. SB 86 Driving up Health Insurance Costs by Prohibiting Risk Assessment in Association Health Plans. The Garrett (ACUF Lifetime 29%) amendment to the Small Business Health Care Act would drive up health costs for workers covered under group health plans offered by employers. Specifically, the amendment would prohibit health insurance companies from assessing numerous factors of risk when issuing coverage of association health plans or multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs). For example, insurers would be unable to rate plans based on health status, industry, geography or demographics, including age. ACU opposes limiting the ability for insurers to assess risk, which results in higher priced insurance policies for employers and employees and opposed this amendment. The Senate voted to table (defeat) the amendment on March 13, 2019 by a vote of 28-20. (A “Yes” vote supported the ACU position.)

2. SB 86 Enacting a $6 Billion Expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare. The deViere (ACUF Lifetime 32%) amendment to the Small Business Health Care Act would increase government dependency by expanding Medicaid under Obamacare to near the maximum extent allowed under the Affordable Care Act. As a result of this expansion, North Carolina taxpayers would face an estimated $6 billion in increased taxes or higher levels of deficit spending and would potentially see funding diverted from essential functions of government, including transportation projects and education. This expansion would be extended to individuals earning up to 133% of the federal poverty level, or 500,000 individuals, 78% of whom are work-ready childless adults, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The amendment also fails to contain any work requirements which would have helped people escape poverty by equipping them with essential life and work skills. ACU supports efforts to help people live happier, healthier, more productive lives, opposes increasing government dependency and expanding a program rife with inefficiencies, fraud and waste and opposed this amendment. The Senate voted to table (defeat) the amendment on March 13, 2019 by a vote of 28-20. (A “Yes” vote supported the ACU position.)

3. SB 505 Expanding Cronyism by Awarding $15 Million in Direct Subsidies to the Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company. This expands cronyism by providing $15 million in corporate welfare to the Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company to relocate from Charlotte to a less populous county. Specifically, this bill amends the state’s Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund to allow Charlotte Pipe to categorically qualify for grants under the newly-created term, “heritage manufacturing employer.” ACU opposes cronyism which shifts tax burdens to other businesses and interferes in the marketplace by providing competitive advantages to select government-favored industries and businesses and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 29, 2019 by a vote of 48-0 and the bill was signed into law.

4. SB 359 Protecting Children Who Survive Abortion. This bill would require health practitioners to immediately admit to a hospital any child who is born alive after an abortion is attempted and failed. Additionally, practitioners would face criminal penalties if they do not provide the same degree of care to children who survive abortion as they would any other child. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions to end the practice and supported the bill. The Senate failed to override the governor’s veto on April 30, 2019 by a vote of 30-20 and the veto was sustained. (A three-fifths majority vote was required. A “yes” vote supported the ACU position.)

5. SB 374 Protecting Public Employee Pensions by Combatting Unfunded Liabilities. This bill is designed to help ensure that contracted benefits are delivered to state employees and protect the state’s pension fund from insolvency. Under the bill, two pension benefit options that have threatened to further drive up the fund’s $17 billion in unfunded liabilities are eliminated for future retirees. Firstly, the bill would eliminate the option for “social security leveling” which allows public employees who retire early to receive even greater pension payouts until they qualify for Social Security benefits. Secondly, the bill would remove a “pop-up” retirement option in which retirees could transfer their benefits to their child, essentially creating a new retirement account for a much younger individual and extending the pension payouts by multiple decades in some cases. ACU supports fiscally responsible measures to protect the solvency of the pension system to ensure that government workers receive the benefits for which they contracted, supports protecting taxpayers from potentially being severely burdened by unfunded liabilities and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill May 2, 2019 by a vote of 28-21. (The bill failed to advance in the House.)

NORTH CAROLINA SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

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6. SB 284 Improving the Transparency of State Agencies. This bill would help ensure that state agencies and their spending are accountable to the people by providing the state auditor greater access and oversight of agency records and spending. Specifically, the auditor is directed to ensure that agencies adhere to the statutory intent of the funding as written by the legislative branch, among other standard accounting measures. Additionally, the audits would be performed at the auditor’s discretion or by order of the General Assembly or governor and without prior notice to the agencies. ACU supports improving government transparency and ensuring the accountability of government bureaucracies through increased oversight and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 7, 2019 by a vote of 28-19. (The bill failed to advance in the House.)

7. SB 562 Expanding Employment Opportunities through Expungement of Certain Criminal Convictions. This bill, known as the Second Chance Act, is designed to expand employment opportunities by providing a pathway for individuals to expunge certain nonviolent criminal convictions. Firstly, the bill provides a pathway for individuals to expunge certain criminal records of incidents that occurred when they were minors if they have remained crime-free for at least the past five years. Secondly, individuals may now have their records cleared of any charges that were dismissed or resolved with a “not guilty” verdict. Furthermore, the bill permits individuals to petition a court to remove multiple nonviolent misdemeanor convictions after seven years of lawful conduct. While the bill seals expunged criminal records from public access, prosecutors will maintain access to complete criminal records, even those expunged, thus permitting all records to be considered in the prosecution of a new crime. ACUF’s Nolan Center for Justice is a national leader in criminal justice reform and works to cut crime, reduce taxpayer costs, protect victims, define the proper scope of government, and responsibly reduce incarceration rates. ACU supports efforts to reduce recidivism and expand economic growth by making it easier for those with criminal records to obtain employment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 8, 2019 by a vote of 44-0. (The bill failed to advance in the House.)

8. SB 609 Strengthening School Choice by Expanding Opportunity Scholarships. This bill is designed to improve educational outcomes and strengthen school choice options for students and their families by expanding the Opportunity Scholarship program which provides tuition assistance to students attending nonpublic schools. Specifically, the bill eases restrictions on income required to participate and provides scholarships to younger students entering kindergarten. ACU supports improving educational outcomes by strengthening school choice and responsibly expanding K-12 scholarship opportunities and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 8, 2019 by a vote of 27-18. (The bill failed to advance in the House.)

9. SB 622 Reinstating the Earned Income Tax Credit. The McKissick (ACUF Lifetime 23%) amendment to a health care bill would reenact a previous welfare program known as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) that was erected at the state level during the last recession and expired in 2014. Under the amendment, direct cash payments to certain individuals in the form of fully refundable tax credits would be reenacted into law. ACU recognizes that this program is in addition to numerous federal and state programs which provide temporary assistance to individuals. ACU also recognizes that further expanding cash welfare payments and diverting resources away from helping people become more self-sufficient only incentivizes greater government dependency and traps people in cycles of poverty. ACU supports policies that help individuals live happier, healthier, more productive lives by helping them become self-sufficient and opposed this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment through a procedural motion on May 16, 2019 by a vote of 25-20. [A “yes” vote supported the ACU position. The same welfare expansion was proposed and defeated in the House as an amendment to HB 966 (No. 9 in the House guide.)]

10. HB 363 Expanding Entrepreneurship and Consumer Choice by Easing Certain Regulations of Craft Breweries. This bill expands entrepreneurship and expands consumer alcoholic beverage choices by easing certain unnecessary regulations on small-scale craft breweries. Under previous law, these breweries were limited to selling a marginal amount of their products to retailers unless they conducted transactions through a separate wholesaler. Under this bill, breweries selling fewer than 100,000 barrels per year may obtain wholesalers permits to self-distribute up to half (50,000 barrels) of their products to unaffiliated retail permittees. ACU supports expanding consumer choice and eliminating unnecessary regulations designed to protect larger brewing operations from competition and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on May 20, 2019 by a vote of 38-3 and the bill was signed into law.

12


11. HB 966 Discouraging Fiscal Discipline within Medicaid through a $124 Million Rebase Increase. The Robinson (ACUF Lifetime 13%) amendment to the operating budget bill would discourage fiscal discipline in the administration of the state’s Medicaid system. Under the amendment, the “rebase,” or amount appropriated to account for growing costs within Medicaid, is hiked by $124 million over the next two years. This amendment calls for this tremendous increase despite the fact the state is transitioning to a “managed care” system which is expected to reduce costs. As a result of the amendment, the Medicaid system would likely have excess funding, thus discouraging any cost-saving and instead creating incentives for administrative waste. ACU recognizes that any additional funds needed for the Medicaid system can easily be provided through additional supplemental appropriations. ACU opposes appropriating limiting taxpayer resources to bureaucracies that cannot demonstrate a need for funds, opposes disincentivizing fiscal restraint and opposed this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on May 30, 2019 by a vote of 20-27.

12. HB 966 Jeopardizing the Solvency of the State Pension System by Hiking Payouts. The Waddell (ACUF Lifetime 30%) amendment to the operating budget bill would place the solvency of the state’s public pension system at risk by providing a 2% increase in pension payouts for all retirees in the state, including legislators. ACU recognizes that it is unwise fiscal policy to increase pension payouts at a time when the pension fund is already facing unfunded liabilities of $17 billion and rising and the fund is projected not to meet its required funding levels for the next two decades. ACU opposes jeopardizing the solvency of the state pension system through fiscally irresponsible measures that may result in workers not receiving the benefits for which they contracted, opposes placing taxpayers at heightened risk of significant new burdens and opposed this amendment. The Senate voted to table (defeat) the amendment on May 30, 2019 by a vote of 28-20. (A “yes” vote supported the ACU position.)

13. HB 966 Preventing Equal Taxation of Motor Vehicle Transportation. The Nickel (ACUF Lifetime 29%) amendment to the operating budget bill would prevent an adjustment in the electric vehicle (EV) registration fee which is assessed to ensure EV owners are equally responsible for maintaining public roadways. Under the original bill, the additional registration fee for fully-electric vehicles was increased from $130 to $230 and a $115 for plug-in hybrid vehicles was established. Currently, drivers of traditional gas-powered cars pay a 35.4-cent-per-gallon state gas tax and an 18.4-cent-per-gallon federal tax. ACU supports the user fee model of funding transportation, supports all sources of vehicle propulsion, believes all vehicles should be taxed equally and opposed this amendment. The Senate voted to table (defeat) the amendment on May 30, 2019 by a vote of 27-20. (A “yes” vote supported the ACU position.)

14. HB 934 Granting Terminally Ill Patients the “Right to Try” Experimental Adult Stem Cell Treatments. This bill expands the state’s Right to Try Act by allowing terminally ill patients the right to try certain adult stem cell treatments that have not yet been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or completed all the agency’s clinical trials. This bill includes a provision that clarifies that insurance policies are not required to provide coverage for the clinical treatments. ACU believes it is absurd to deny terminally ill patients the right to try potentially lifesaving drugs and treatments and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 20, 2019 by a vote of 42-0 and the bill was signed into law.

15. HB 370 Requiring Local Cooperation with Federal Immigration Authorities. This bill would strengthen national security by requiring state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Under the bill, sheriffs who have arrested illegal immigrants for criminal behavior are required to comply with detainer requests issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The bill is in response to sheriff’s departments which have released illegal immigrants who have gone on to commit violent assaults, sex offenses, offenses against children, and numerous other serious crimes. ACU supports efforts to help the federal government perform its constitutional role in enforcing the nation’s immigration laws and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 24, 2019 by a vote of 25-18 but the bill was vetoed by the governor.

13


16. HB 675 Reducing Construction Costs by Prohibiting Excessive Local Regulation. This bill reduces building and construction costs by making a number of reforms to the state’s building codes. Under the bill, localities are prohibited from imposing zoning ordinances that set minimum square footage requirements on one- and two-family dwellings. Additionally, localities are unable to force developers to bury power lines that are were already in place or not associated with the new development. Furthermore, the bill includes a number of other provisions designed to decrease regulatory burdens. ACU supports reducing building costs by eliminating excessive local and state regulations, supports similarly reforming zoning regulations to further encourage growth in development and housing and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on July 10, 2019 by a vote of 46-0 and the bill was signed into law.

17. SB 290 Reducing Costly and Anti-Competitive Regulations in the Alcohol Industry and Expanding Individual Liberties. This bill makes numerous reforms in the alcoholic beverage industry, including permitting private distillers to compete in a freer marketplace and prohibiting the creation of additional Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABC) boards. This bill eliminates arbitrary caps on the number of bottles of beer, wine, and mixed drinks a distillery may sell to any one consumer and eliminates a number of other costly and unnecessary regulations. Furthermore, the bill prevents the creation of additional local boards—of which there are more than 170 in the state and often multiple in one county—and permits private distillers to hold tastings at ABC stores. Finally, the bill permits alcohol sales and consumption at bingo parlors, delivery by third parties and a greater variety of beverages at sports and entertainment venues. ACU supports expanding individual liberties and consumer choice and fostering business growth by eliminating unnecessary and anti-competitive regulations in the alcoholic beverage industry and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on July 16, 2019 by a vote of 31-10 and the bill was signed into law.

18. HB 554 Expanding Employment Opportunities by Easing Licensure Mandates for Funeral Directors. This bill expands employment opportunities by easing stringent licensure requirements for individuals seeking employment as funeral directors. Under the bill, individuals may apply for provisional licenses which allow individuals to work in the field as they complete the state-mandated requirements to become a licensed funeral director. The provisional license also makes it slightly easier and quicker to obtain a full license, especially for out-of-state licensed directors. ACU supports expanding job opportunities by eliminating excessive licensure requirements which are primarily designed to restrict competition and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on July 23, 2019 by a vote of 39-5 and the bill later was signed into law.

19. HB 645 Combatting Government Regulatory Overreach in the Billboard Advertising Industry. This bill would strengthen property rights by ensuring owners of advertising billboards are able to relocate their signage without excessive government interference. The bill would apply to cases in which billboard owners are forced to move their signs due to eminent domain proceedings. Under the bill, local governments would be prohibited from imposing additional regulations that would prevent billboard owners from relocating their signage to legally suitable property within two miles. ACU recognizes that in addition to strengthening property and free speech rights, this bill also reduces costs concerning eminent domain settlements incurred by taxpayers. ACU supports efforts to combat regulatory overreach at all levels of government and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on July 23, 2019 by a vote of 27-17 but the bill was later vetoed by the Governor.

20. SB 438 Improving Educational Outcomes by Reforming the Read to Achieve Program. This bill is designed to improve educational outcomes for students kindergarten through third grade by reforming numerous provisions of the Read to Achieve program. The bill would devise a plan to establish individualized reading plans for students and set goals for teachers and struggling students. ACU recognizes that many centrally-planned education agendas such as Read to Achieve adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to education that limits the educational attainment of students, supports significantly reforming this program in recognition of individualized student needs and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The bill Senate passed the bill on August 7, 2019 by a vote of 28-4 but the bill was vetoed by the governor.

14


21. SB 86 Strengthening Opportunities for Health Coverage by Expanding Employer Benefit Associations. This bill provides more small businesses and their employees the option to obtain lower cost health care coverage through association health plans or multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs). Due to the fact that policies offered through MEWAs are exempt from many of Obamacare’s costly mandates, the health care premiums are typically much lower than traditional insurance. Under previous law, a MEWA could only be formed by a trade industry or professional association. This bill allows MEWAs to now be formed by a much larger range of small employers as long as they have a “commonality of interest” such as similar industry. ACU has long-opposed Obamacare and its draconian mandates which have sent insurance costs skyrocketing and did not allow the wide majority of Americans to “keep their doctor,” supports expanding consumer options for health insurance and improving the ability of employers to provide competitive benefits for workers and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on August 13, 2019 by a vote of 32-9 and the bill became law without the governor’s signature.

22. HB 74 Refunding Surplus Tax Revenue Back to the Taxpayers. This bill would utilize part of the state’s $900 million budget surplus to return roughly $680 million in tax revenues to taxpayers. Under the bill, the state Department of Revenue would be directed to automatically apply tax credits to the 2019 tax returns of qualifying taxpayers, ranging from $125 for individual filers to $250 for those married filing jointly. ACU believes budget surplus revenues should be refunded to the taxpayers or used to pay down the state’s debt and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on August 27, 2019 by a vote of 30-16. (The Senate added the refund provision to a House bill which failed to advance in conference committee.)

23. SB 553 Strengthening Individual Liberties and Employment by Easing Numerous Excessive Regulations. This bill, known as the North Carolina Regulatory Reform Act, would strengthen individual liberties through a series of regulatory reforms designed to allow more freedom in employment, building and construction, and business operations. Among a series of other reforms, the bill relaxes mandates concerning: the placement of drinking fountains and water closets; the disposal of used electronics; and the siting of septic tanks. The bill also would have directed a study on the use of online education to fulfill licensure requirements. ACU supports expanding employment opportunities and strengthening property rights by eliminating excessive regulations and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on September 10, 2019 by a vote of 32-14 but the bill was vetoed by the governor.

24. HB 399 Expanding Cronyism by Extending Direct Subsidies to Government-Favored Special Interests. This bill expands cronyism by extending a laundry list of corporate welfare programs designed to provide lucrative subsidies and competitive advantages to government-favored special interests. Under the bill, multi-million dollar direct subsidies in the form of business and personal income tax credits and grants which were set to expire are extended for the following special interests: developers of railroads and historic sites (2022), pro motorsports and airlines (2024). ACU supports fostering the free market through a tax code with the lowest possible tax rates for everyone, opposes cronyism which provides competitive advantages to government-favored businesses and industries while placing higher tax burdens on others and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on October 24, 2019 by a vote of 50-0 and the bill was signed into law.

15


NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE STATISTICS

54%OVERALL AVERAGE

SAULS, JOHN59%

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

73%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

33%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

GRAHAM, CHARLES

48%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

# OF STATE REPS

2019 ACUF PERCENTAGE

90-100%0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

16


NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE SCORES

NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE VOTE DETAILACU Foundation Position Y Y Y Y N Y N N N N Y N N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y

Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

HB

3

HB

32

HB

315

HB

363

HB

105

HB

451

HB

479 (Am

d. 1)

SB 50

5

HB

966 (Am

d. 1)

HB

966 (Am

d. 30)

HB

966 (Am

d. 46)

HB

87

HB

480

HB

551

HB

144

HB

447

HB

796

HB

671

SB 359

SB 219

HB

934

HB

135

HB

675

SB 290

(Am

d. 2)

SB 290

HB

645

SB 86

SB 438

HB

370

HB

554

HB

553

HB

399

SB 578

ADAMS, JAY R 96 72% 100% 86% + + + + + + + - + + + + - - - + - - + + + + + - - - + + + + + x +

Adcock, Gale D 41 28% 25% 28% + + - + - + + - - - - - - - - - - - - x + - + + + - - - - - - - -

Ager, John D 115 36% 25% 35% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - - + - - - + + - + + + - - - - - + - -

Alexander, Kelly D 107 30% n/a 24% - - - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + + + - - - - + + - -

ARP, DEAN R 69 69% 90% 85% + + x + - + + - + + + - + - - + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + + - +

Autry, John D 100 30% 17% 19% - - - + + + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + + + - - - - + - - -

Ball, Cynthia D 49 30% 17% 25% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + - + - - - - + - - -

BARNES, LISA R 7 70% n/a 70% + + + + - + + - + + - - - + - + + - + + + + + - + + + + + - + - +

Batch, Sydney D 37 36% n/a 36% + + x + - + - - - - - + - - x x x x - + + - + + + - - - - - - - -

Beasley, Chaz D 92 39% 42% 37% + + - + + + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + + + - - - - + + - -

Belk, Mary D 88 30% 11% 22% + - - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + + + - - - - + - - -



• HB 3 Strengthening Property Rights through a Constitutional Amendment to Restrict Eminent Domain Abuse.

• HB 32 Reducing Legal Costs and Delays through “Collaborative Law” Participation Agreements.

• HB 315 Strengthening Parental Rights and Local Control over Teaching Material.

• HB 363 Expanding Entrepreneurship and Consumer Choice by Easing Certain Regulations of Craft Breweries.

• HB 105 Imposing Costly Fines on Motorists by Expanding the Use of Red-Light Cameras.

• HB 451 Defending Human Dignity by Strengthening Parental Rights over Fetal Remains.

• HB 479 Driving Up Consumer Electricity Costs by Mandating 100% “Renewable” Energy.


• HB 966 Reinstating the Earned Income Tax Credit.

• HB 966 Cutting School Choice Scholarships in Order to Create a Crony Program Benefiting Select Industries.

• HB 966 Ensuring Proper Spending of Transportation Funds by Prohibiting a Second Round of Unauthorized Public Employee Pay Raises.

• HB 87 Violating Privacy Rights by Expanding Local Power to Install Automatic License Plate Readers.

• HB 480 Driving up Health Insurance Costs by Expanding Coverage Mandates.

• HB 551 Commissioning a Study to Promote Greater Government Interference in the Labor Market.

• HB 144 Imposing an Excessive Handheld Device Ban on All Motorists.

• HB 447 Strengthening Property Rights by Expanding Liability Protections to Private Bodies of Water.

• HB 796 Infringing Property Rights by Overriding “No Pets” Rental Policies.

• HB 671 Weakening Employment Opportunities by Mandating Licensure for Behavior Analysts.

• SB 359 Protecting Children Who Survive Abortion. • SB 219 Combatting Teacher Shortages by Modifying

Teacher Licensing Requirements. • HB 934 Granting Terminally Ill Patients the “Right to

Try” Experimental Adult Stem Cell Treatments. • HB 135 Supporting the Enforcement of Federal

Immigration Laws by Nullifying Local Sanctuary City Policies.


• SB 290 Maintaining the Prohibition of Alcohol at Bingo Games.







• HB 553 Strengthening Individual Liberties and Employment by Easing Numerous Excessive Regulations.


• SB 578 Supporting Economic Growth by Reducing the Franchise Tax.

17



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

HB

3

HB

32

HB

315

HB

363

HB

105

HB

451

HB

479 (Am

d. 1)

SB 50

5

HB

966 (Am

d. 1)

HB

966 (Am

d. 30)

HB

966 (Am

d. 46)

HB

87

HB

480

HB

551

HB

144

HB

447

HB

796

HB

671

SB 359

SB 219

HB

934

HB

135

HB

675

SB 290

(Am

d. 2)

SB 290

HB

645

SB 86

SB 438

HB

370

HB

554

HB

553

HB

399

SB 578

BELL, JOHN R 10 73% 92% 85% + + + + - + + - + + - + - + - + - - + + + + + + + + + + + - + - +

Black, Maryann D 29 23% 30% 26% - - - + + + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + x - + - + - - - - - - x x

BLACKWELL, HUGH R 86 n/a† 100% 86% + + + + - + x x x x x x x x x x x - + + + + + + + x x + + + + + -

BOLES, JAMIE R 52 77% 91% 87% + + + + - + + - + + + x x x - + - - + + + + + + + - + + + + + - +

Brewer, Scott D 66 35% n/a 35% x x x x x x - - - - - + - - - - x - - + + + + - + - + - - + + - -

BRISSON, WILLIAM R 22 69% 83% 66% + + + - - + + - + + - - - + - + - - + + + + + x + + + + + + + - +

Brockman, Cecil D 60 41% 30% 36% + + - x - + - - - - + + - - - + - - - + + - x x x + + - - + x - x

BRODY, MARK R 55 85% 83% 86% + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + + + +

BUMGARDNER, DANA R 109 87% 91% 93% + x + + + + + - + + + + + + + + x - + + + + + - + + + + + + + - +

Butler, Deb D 18 34% 17% 22% x - - + - + + - - - - + - - + - - - - + + - + + + - - - - + - - -

Carney, Becky D 102 27% n/a 23% - - - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + - + - - - - + + - -

CARTER, JERRY R 65 74% n/a 74% + + + x - + + - + + - + - + + + + - + + x + + - - + + + + + + - +

Clark, Christy D 98 34% n/a 34% + - - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + + + - + - - + - - x




































18



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

HB

3

HB

32

HB

315

HB

363

HB

105

HB

451

HB

479 (Am

d. 1)

SB 50

5

HB

966 (Am

d. 1)

HB

966 (Am

d. 30)

HB

966 (Am

d. 46)

HB

87

HB

480

HB

551

HB

144

HB

447

HB

796

HB

671

SB 359

SB 219

HB

934

HB

135

HB

675

SB 290

(Am

d. 2)

SB 290

HB

645

SB 86

SB 438

HB

370

HB

554

HB

553

HB

399

SB 578

Clemmons, Ashton D 57 32% n/a 32% + + - + - + - - - - x - - - - - - - - + x - + + + - + + - - - - -

CLEVELAND, GEORGE R 14 81% n/a 92% + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + - x +

CONRAD, DEBRA R 74 71% 83% 83% + + + + - + + - + + + - + + - x - - + + + + + - - + + + + + x - +

CORBIN, KEVIN R 120 70% 92% 82% + + + + - + + - + + + - + - - + - - + + + x + - - + + + + + + x x

Cunningham, Carla D 106 30% 22% 21% - - x + x + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + + + - - - - - + x -

Dahle, Allison D 11 24% n/a 24% - - - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + + + - - - - - - - -

DAVIS, TED R 19 73% 73% 79% + + + + - + + - + + + - - - - + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - +

DIXON, JAMES R 4 69% 92% 85% + + + + - + + - + + + - - - - + - - + + x + + - + + + + + + + - +

DOBSON, JOSH R 85 75% 82% 74% + + + + - + + - + + + - - - - + x x + + + + + + + + + + x x x - +

ELMORE, JEFFREY R 94 83% 83% 85% + + + + - + + - + + + + + - + + - - + + + + + + + + + + x x x x +

Everitt, Terence D 35 27% n/a 27% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + - + - - - - - - - -

FAIRCLOTH, JOHN R 62 70% 83% 82% + + + + - + + - + + - - - + - + - - + + + + + + + - + + + + + - +

Farmer-Butterfield, Jean

D 24 33% 25% 12% + - - + - + - - - - - + - - - + - - - + + - + - + - + - - - + - -




































19



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

HB

3

HB

32

HB

315

HB

363

HB

105

HB

451

HB

479 (Am

d. 1)

SB 50

5

HB

966 (Am

d. 1)

HB

966 (Am

d. 30)

HB

966 (Am

d. 46)

HB

87

HB

480

HB

551

HB

144

HB

447

HB

796

HB

671

SB 359

SB 219

HB

934

HB

135

HB

675

SB 290

(Am

d. 2)

SB 290

HB

645

SB 86

SB 438

HB

370

HB

554

HB

553

HB

399

SB 578

Fisher, Susan D 114 24% 18% 13% - - - + - + - - - - + + - - - - - - - + + - - + + - - - - - - - -

Floyd, Elmer D 43 42% 33% 25% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - - + - - - + + - + - + - + - - + + - +

FRALEY, JOHN R 95 73% 83% 70% x x + + - + + - + + + - - - - + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + x +

Gailliard, James D 25 32% n/a 32% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - + + - - - x + - + - + - - - - - - - x

Garrison, Terry D 32 27% 17% 24% - - - + - + - - - - - - - - - + - - - + + - + + + - + - - - - - -

Gill, Rosa D 33 23% 9% 14% - - x + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + x - + + + - - - - - - x -

Goodman, Ken D 66 n/a† 44% 45% + + - x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

GOODWIN, ED R 1 67% n/a 67% + + + + - + + - + + - + - - - + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + + - +

Graham, Charles D 47 48% 33% 28% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - - + - - + + + x + - + x x x - + + - +

GRANGE, HOLLY R 20 68% 100% 83% + + + + - + + - + + - - - - - + - - + + x + x x x + + + + + + x +

HALL, DESTIN R 87 71% 100% 87% + + + + - x + - + + - - + + - - - - + + x + + + + + + + + + + - +

HALL, KYLE R 91 78% 83% 76% + + + + - + + - + + + - + - - + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + x +

HANIG, ROBERT R 6 76% n/a 76% + + + + - + + - + + - + - + - + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - +

HARDISTER, JON R 59 72% 92% 82% + + + + - x + - + + + - - - - + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - +




































20



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

HB

3

HB

32

HB

315

HB

363

HB

105

HB

451

HB

479 (Am

d. 1)

SB 50

5

HB

966 (Am

d. 1)

HB

966 (Am

d. 30)

HB

966 (Am

d. 46)

HB

87

HB

480

HB

551

HB

144

HB

447

HB

796

HB

671

SB 359

SB 219

HB

934

HB

135

HB

675

SB 290

(Am

d. 2)

SB 290

HB

645

SB 86

SB 438

HB

370

HB

554

HB

553

HB

399

SB 578

Harris, Wesley D 105 39% n/a 39% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + + + - + - x x + - -

Harrison, Mary D 61 36% 17% 17% - - - + + + - + - - + + - - + - - - - + + - - + + - - - - - - + -

HASTINGS, KELLY R 110 92% 90% 91% + + + + + + x x + + + - x x x + x - + x + + + + + + + + + + + x +

Hawkins, Zack D 31 31% n/a 31% - - - + - + - - - - - + - - - + - - - + + - + + + x + - - - - - -

HENSON, CODY R 113 78% 100% 83% + + + + x + + - + + + + - - + + - - + x + + + + + x x x x x x x x

Holley, Yvonne D 38 30% 17% 17% - + - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + - + - - - - + + - -

HORN, D. CRAIG R 68 73% 73% 79% + + + + - + x x + x + - - - - + - - + + x + + + + + + + + + x x x

HOWARD, JULIA R 77 70% 83% 84% + + + + - + + - + + - + + - - + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + + - +

HUMPHREY, CHRIS R 12 76% n/a 76% + + + + - + + - + + - + - + - + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + - +

Hunt, Rachel D 103 31% n/a 31% + + - + x + - - - - - + - - - - - - - - + - + + + - + - - - - - -

Hunter, Howard D 5 47% 25% 33% + + - + x + + - - x - - - - - + - - - + + - + + + - + + - x + - -

HURLEY, PATRICIA R 70 67% 92% 84% + + + - - + + - + + + - - - + + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + + - +

ILER, FRANK R 17 69% 91% 83% + + + + - + + - + + - - - + - + - x + + + + + - - + + + + + + - +




































21



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

HB

3

HB

32

HB

315

HB

363

HB

105

HB

451

HB

479 (Am

d. 1)

SB 50

5

HB

966 (Am

d. 1)

HB

966 (Am

d. 30)

HB

966 (Am

d. 46)

HB

87

HB

480

HB

551

HB

144

HB

447

HB

796

HB

671

SB 359

SB 219

HB

934

HB

135

HB

675

SB 290

(Am

d. 2)

SB 290

HB

645

SB 86

SB 438

HB

370

HB

554

HB

553

HB

399

SB 578

Insko, Verla D 56 26% 17% 12% - - - + - x - - - - - + + - - - - x - + + - + - + - - - - + - - -

Jackson, Darren D 39 28% 17% 16% - + - + - + - - - - - - - - - x - - - + + - + - + - - - - + - + -

JARVIS, STEVEN R 80 78% n/a 78% + + + - x + + - + + + + + + - + + - + + + + + - - + + + + + + - +

John, Joe D 40 33% 18% 31% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + - + - - - - + + - -

JOHNSON, JAKE R 113 n/a† n/a n/a x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x + + + + + + - +

JOHNSON, LINDA R 82 n/a† 89% 81% + + x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x - + x x + + + + + + + + + + x +

JONES, BRENDEN R 46 77% 92% 84% + + + + x + + - + + x - - + - + - - + + x + + + + + + + + + + - +

JONES, PERRIN R 9 n/a† n/a n/a x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x - +

KIDWELL, KEITH R 79 84% n/a 84% + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + + + x

LAMBETH, DONNY R 75 71% 83% 79% + + + + - + + - + + + - - - - + - - + + x + + - + + + + + + + x +

LEWIS, DAVID R 53 70% 92% 84% + + + + - + + - + + - - - - - + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - +

Lofton, Brandon D 104 36% n/a 36% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + + + - - - - + + - -

Logan, Carolyn D 101 27% n/a 27% - - - + - + - - - - - + - - + - - - - + + - + - + - - - - + - - -




































22



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

HB

3

HB

32

HB

315

HB

363

HB

105

HB

451

HB

479 (Am

d. 1)

SB 50

5

HB

966 (Am

d. 1)

HB

966 (Am

d. 30)

HB

966 (Am

d. 46)

HB

87

HB

480

HB

551

HB

144

HB

447

HB

796

HB

671

SB 359

SB 219

HB

934

HB

135

HB

675

SB 290

(Am

d. 2)

SB 290

HB

645

SB 86

SB 438

HB

370

HB

554

HB

553

HB

399

SB 578

Lucas, Marvin D 42 29% 20% 21% - - - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + - + x x - - + + - -

Majeed, Nasif D 99 38% n/a 38% - - - + + + - - - - - + - - - + - - - + + - + + + - + - - + x - -

Martin, Grier D 34 25% 17% 17% - + - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + x - + - + - - - - + - - -

McELRAFT, PATRICIA R 13 71% 89% 83% + + + + - + + - + + + - - - + + - - + x x + + - + + + + + + + - +

McGRADY, CHARLES R 117 72% 80% 74% + + + + - + + - + + + - - x - + - - + + + + + + + - + + + + + - +

McNEELY, JEFFREY R 84 n/a† n/a n/a x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x + - + + + + + + + - +

McNEILL, ALLEN R 78 63% 92% 80% + + + - - + + - + + + - - - - + - - + x + + + - - + + + + + + - +

Meyer, Graig D 50 36% 27% 26% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + + + - + - - - + - -

Montgomery, Derwin D 72 31% n/a 31% + - - + - + - - - - x + - - - - - - - + + - + + - - + - - - + - -

MOORE, TIMOTHY R 111 83% 100% 91% + - + + + + x - x x x x x - x + x x + + + + + + + + + + + + + - +

Morey, Marcia D 30 27% 17% 20% - - - + - + - - - - + + - - + - - - - + + - - - + - - - - - - + -

MURPHY, GREGORY R 9 n/a† 89% 71% + + + + - x x x + + - + - + - + - x + + x + x x x + + + x x x x x

Pierce, Garland D 48 41% 25% 20% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - - + - - + + + - + - + - + - - - + x -




































23



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

HB

3

HB

32

HB

315

HB

363

HB

105

HB

451

HB

479 (Am

d. 1)

SB 50

5

HB

966 (Am

d. 1)

HB

966 (Am

d. 30)

HB

966 (Am

d. 46)

HB

87

HB

480

HB

551

HB

144

HB

447

HB

796

HB

671

SB 359

SB 219

HB

934

HB

135

HB

675

SB 290

(Am

d. 2)

SB 290

HB

645

SB 86

SB 438

HB

370

HB

554

HB

553

HB

399

SB 578

PITTMAN, LARRY R 83 82% 92% 93% + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - - + + + + + + - - + + + + + + + -

POTTS, LARRY R 81 70% 92% 81% + + + + - + + - + + + + - - - + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + + - +

PRESNELL, MICHELE R 118 70% 92% 82% + + + - - + + - + + - + - + + + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + + - +

Queen, Joe D 119 39% n/a 33% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + + + + + - + - - - + - -

Quick, Amos D 58 25% 30% 26% + + - x - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - x + - + - - - x x - + x - -

Reives, Robert D 54 40% 25% 23% + + - + - + x x - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + + + - - - - + + x -

Richardson, William D 44 33% 33% 27% + - - + - + + - - - - - - - - - - - - + + - + - + x x x x x x - +

RIDDELL, DENNIS R 64 67% 100% 89% + + + + - + + - + + + - - - - + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + + - +

ROGERS, DAVID R 112 77% 100% 87% + + + + - x + - + + - - - + + + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + x x

ROSS, STEPHEN R 63 71% 75% 78% + + + + x + + - + + + - - - - + - - + x + + + + + - + + + + + - +

Russell, Ray D 93 36% n/a 36% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + + + - + - - - + - -

SAINE, JASON R 97 75% 92% 84% + + + x - + + - + + + - + - - + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - +

SASSER, CLAYTON R 67 70% n/a 70% + + + + - + + - + + + - - + - + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + + - +




































24



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

HB

3

HB

32

HB

315

HB

363

HB

105

HB

451

HB

479 (Am

d. 1)

SB 50

5

HB

966 (Am

d. 1)

HB

966 (Am

d. 30)

HB

966 (Am

d. 46)

HB

87

HB

480

HB

551

HB

144

HB

447

HB

796

HB

671

SB 359

SB 219

HB

934

HB

135

HB

675

SB 290

(Am

d. 2)

SB 290

HB

645

SB 86

SB 438

HB

370

HB

554

HB

553

HB

399

SB 578

SAULS, JOHN R 51 59% 92% 76% + + + - - x x x x x x - - - - + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + + - +

SETZER, MITCHELL R 89 67% 75% 76% + + + - - + + - + + - + - - + + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + + - +

SHEPARD, PHILLIP R 15 61% 100% 86% + + + + - + + - + + - - - - - + - - + + + + + - - x x + + + + - +

SMITH, CARSON R 16 79% n/a 79% + + + + - + + - + + + - - + + + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - +

Smith, Kandie D 8 23% n/a 23% - + x x + + - - - - - + - - + - - - - x + - x x x - - - - - - - x

Smith, Raymond D 21 26% n/a 26% - - - + - + - - - - - + - - + + - - - + + - + x - - - - - - - x -

SPECIALE, MICHAEL R 3 85% 83% 87% + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + + + + + - - + + + + + - + +

STEVENS, SARAH R 90 75% 91% 89% + + + + - + + - + + + - + - + + - - + x + + + - + + + + + + + - +

STRICKLAND, LARRY R 28 67% 92% 81% + + + + - + + - + + - + - - - + - - + + + + + - - + + + + + + - +

SZOKA, JOHN R 45 76% 92% 84% + + + + - + + - + + + - + - - + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - +

Terry, Evelyn D 71 29% 25% 24% + - - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + + + - - x - - x - -

TORBETT, JOHN R 108 69% 91% 85% + + + + - + + - + + - - - - - + x - + + + + + + + + + + + + - - +

Turner, Brian D 116 42% 45% 45% + + - + - + + - - - - - - - - + - - - + + - + + + - + - - + + - -




































25



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

HB

3

HB

32

HB

315

HB

363

HB

105

HB

451

HB

479 (Am

d. 1)

SB 50

5

HB

966 (Am

d. 1)

HB

966 (Am

d. 30)

HB

966 (Am

d. 46)

HB

87

HB

480

HB

551

HB

144

HB

447

HB

796

HB

671

SB 359

SB 219

HB

934

HB

135

HB

675

SB 290

(Am

d. 2)

SB 290

HB

645

SB 86

SB 438

HB

370

HB

554

HB

553

HB

399

SB 578

TURNER, RENA R 84 n/a† 92% 82% + + + - x + + - + + + - - + - + - - + + + x x x x x x x x x x x x

Von Haefen, Julie D 36 27% n/a 27% + + - + - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + + - + - + - - - - - - - -

WARREN, HARRY R 76 73% 83% 85% + + + + - + + - + + - + - + - + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + - - +

WHITE, DONNA R 26 61% 92% 79% + + + + - + + - + + - + - - - + - - + + + + + - - - + + + - + - +

Willingham, Shelly D 23 30% 27% 19% + + - + - + - - - - - - - - - + - - - + + - + - + + - - - - - - -

Wray, Michael D 27 45% 42% 32% x + - x - + + - - - - - - - - + - - - + + - + + + + + + - + + - -

YARBOROUGH, LARRY R 2 72% 92% 79% x x + + x + + - + + + - - - - + - - + + + + x x x + + + + + + x x

ZACHARY, LEE R 73 68% 100% 75% x x + + x + + - + + + - - - - + - - + x + + x x x + + + + + x - +




































26


1. HB 3 Strengthening Property Rights through a Constitutional Amendment to Restrict Eminent Domain Abuse. This bill would propose a constitutional amendment to the voters in order to protect private property rights by restricting abuse of “eminent domain” (i.e., government taking of private property for public use). Under the constitutional amendment, all levels of North Carolina government are prohibited from condemning and taking private property for vaguely defined “public benefits” such as economic gain or commercial development but still may exercise eminent domain for legitimate “public uses” such as roads, bridges and power lines. Additionally, the amendment ensures that all disputes regarding compensation for government takings are decided by a jury at the request of any party. This amendment is in response to one of the most atrocious Supreme Court decisions in Kelo v. New London which held that the private homes were lawfully seized and transferred to a private developer who supposedly would provide a “public benefit” by increasing the value of the properties. ACUF’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights is a leading voice on this issue and advances policies that support the founders’ belief that strong property rights are inherent to a free society. ACU recognizes that the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits “private property … taken for public use, without just compensation,” supports this effort to ensure property owners are properly compensated and protected from having their property seized solely to enrich other private entities and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 27, 2019 by a vote of 94-21. (The Senate killed the constitutional amendment without a vote, making this the fifth consecutive legislative session in which the Senate failed to advance eminent domain reforms passed by the House.)

2. HB 32 Reducing Legal Costs and Delays through “Collaborative Law” Participation Agreements. This bill is designed to reduce legal costs and court congestion by establishing a framework for parties to resolve their disputes through a “collaborative law” process. This process, commonly used in family law, allows parties to avoid going to court and instead voluntarily sign a binding “participation agreement” in which parties work with lawyers and trained professionals to achieve a resolution. ACU supports reducing costly and lengthy litigation through the collaborative law process and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 27, 2019 by a vote of 91-25. (The bill failed to advance in the Senate.)

3. HB 315 Strengthening Parental Rights and Local Control over Teaching Material. This bill would strengthen parental rights and improve the ability of local schools to determine their own teaching materials rather than be restricted to state-approved instructional material. Under the bill, a framework is developed for local boards of education to select the instructional material (such as textbooks) that are most appropriate for their students. Furthermore, local community media advisory committees (which comprise teachers and parents) are established to review educational material and challenge unfit materials that are obscene or age inappropriate. ACU supports strengthening parental rights, supports improving transparency of public schools to ensure they are more accountable to taxpayers and parents and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 3, 2019 by a vote of 63-51. (The bill failed to advance in the Senate.)

4. HB 363 Expanding Entrepreneurship and Consumer Choice by Easing Certain Regulations of Craft Breweries. This bill expands entrepreneurship and expands consumer alcoholic beverage choices by easing certain unnecessary regulations on small-scale craft breweries. Under previous law, these breweries were limited to selling a marginal amount of their products to retailers unless they conducted transactions through a separate wholesaler. Under this bill, breweries selling fewer than 100,000 barrels per year may obtain wholesalers permits to self-distribute up to half (50,000 barrels) of their products to unaffiliated retail permittees. ACU supports expanding consumer choice and eliminating unnecessary regulations designed to protect larger brewing operations from competition and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on April 16, 2019 by a vote of 104-8 and the bill was signed into law.

5. HB 105 Imposing Costly Fines on Motorists by Expanding the Use of Red-Light Cameras. This bill would impose even greater costs on motorists by expanding the use of “traffic control systems” such as red-light cameras. Under the bill, Hope Mills, Spring Lake and the Cumberland County Board of Education would be permitted to contract for additional control systems. Additionally, the bill would hike fines for traffic violations captured by traffic control systems in Fayetteville, Hope Mills and Spring Lake by 33% to $100 per violation. ACU opposes these devices that are used primarily to produce revenue and we also have serious concerns about the ability of these systems to invade privacy by tracking people’s movements and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 25, 2019 by a vote of 93-15. (The bill failed to advance in the Senate.)

NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

27


6. HB 451 Defending Human Dignity by Strengthening Parental Rights over Fetal Remains. This bill would defend the human dignity of unborn children by strengthening the right of parents to obtain fetal remains. Current law requires health care providers to dispose of fetal remains only by burial or cremation, but afford little protection of the rights of parents to receive the remains and conduct their own end of life ceremonies. Under this bill, physicians would be required to afford parents seven days to request the remains of their unborn child in cases of accidental death, stillbirth or miscarriage. ACU recognizes each and every unborn child is a unique human being possessing the right to life and deserving of the utmost respect, supports measures to defend the human dignity of unborn children and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 29, 2019 by a vote of 112-0. (The bill failed to advance in the Senate.)

7. HB 479 Driving Up Consumer Electricity Costs by Mandating 100% “Renewable” Energy. The Hawkins (ACUF Lifetime 31%) amendment to a bill concerning decommissioning large solar projects would significantly drive up consumer heating, cooling and electricity costs by mandating 100% “renewable” energy by 2050. Under the amendment, the State Energy Office and Environmental Review Commission would be required to develop a plan to eliminate all other sources of energy for retail electricity and submit the plan to the General Assembly. ACU supports all sources of energy, does not believe government should favor one source of energy over another, opposes politicized energy agendas that favor special interests and drive up energy costs for consumers and opposed this amendment. The House defeated the amendment on May 2, 2019 by a vote of 48-64.

8. SB 505 Expanding Cronyism by Awarding $15 Million in Direct Subsidies to the Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company. This expands cronyism by providing $15 million in corporate welfare to the Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company to relocate from Charlotte to a less populous county. Specifically, this bill amends the state’s Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund to allow Charlotte Pipe to categorically qualify for grants under the newly-created term, “heritage manufacturing employer.” ACU opposes cronyism which shifts tax burdens to other businesses and interferes in the marketplace by providing competitive advantages to select government-favored industries and businesses and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 2, 2019 by a vote of 110-3 and the bill was signed into law.

9. HB 966 Reinstating the Earned Income Tax Credit. The Harris (ACUF Lifetime 39%) amendment to the operating budget bill would reenact a previous welfare program known as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) that was erected at the state level during the last recession and expired in 2014. Under the amendment, direct cash payments to certain individuals in the form of fully refundable tax credits would be reenacted into law. ACU recognizes that this program is in addition to numerous federal and state programs which provide temporary assistance to individuals. ACU also recognizes that further expanding cash welfare payments and diverting resources away from helping people become more self-sufficient only incentivizes greater government dependency and traps people in cycles of poverty. ACU supports policies that help individuals live happier, healthier, more productive lives by helping them become self-sufficient and opposed this amendment. The House defeated the amendment on May 2, 2019 by a vote of 55-61. [The same welfare expansion was proposed and defeated in the Senate as an amendment to SB 622 (No. 10 in the Senate guide.)]

10. HB 966 Cutting School Choice Scholarships in Order to Create a Crony Program Benefiting Select Industries. The Brian Turner (ACUF Lifetime 45%) amendment to the operating budget bill would cut funding for school choice scholarships by $20 million in order to establish a crony program designed to benefit select government-favored industries. The amendment’s new program, known as NC GROW, would spend $30 million in taxpayer funds to subsidize the worker training costs for select industries. Specifically, the amendment would award community college scholarships only to students who pursue government-favored coursework such as architecture, construction, manufacturing and any other areas chosen by unelected bureaucrats. ACU opposes weakening educational outcomes by eliminating school choice opportunities, opposes cronyism which interferes in the free marketplace by providing competitive advantages to select government-favored businesses and industries and opposed this amendment. The House defeated the amendment on May 2, 2019 by a vote of 54-60.

28


11. HB 966 Ensuring Proper Spending of Transportation Funds by Prohibiting a Second Round of Unauthorized Public Employee Pay Raises. The McGrady (ACUF Lifetime 74%) amendment to the operating budget bill would help ensure that transportation funds are properly used to build roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure. This amendment is in response to the state Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) misinterpretation of a previous budget which allowed the agency to award roughly $30 million in pay raises for NCDOT employees that were not authorized by the General Assembly. Due to the lack of clarity in the previous budget, NCDOT employees received raises as generous as 65% in some cases. This amendment prohibits NCDOT from awarding a second round of pay raises to workers and instead places the authority to issue raises back with the General Assembly. ACU believes taxpayers should be the ultimate decision-makers on spending issues, opposes the use of funds without legislative authorization, supported this measure to prevent another potential $165 million in unauthorized spending on pay increases and supported this amendment. The House defeated the amendment on May 3, 2019 by a vote of 41-72.

12. HB 87 Violating Privacy Rights by Expanding Local Power to Install Automatic License Plate Readers. This bill would violate the privacy rights of North Carolina residents by granting even greater authority to localities to install automatic license plate readers. Current law already allows localities to deploy these devices on law enforcement vehicles and within municipal jurisdictions. This bill would significantly expand the government surveillance state by permitting these systems to be deployed along state-maintained roadways and rights of way. While this iteration of the bill prohibits the use of these additional devices to enforce traffic violations, ACU recognizes the slippery slope leading to the use of these devices to track the movements of law-abiding individuals. ACU opposes this dangerous measure that could allow these systems to invade privacy and infringe civil liberties in addition to placing new financial burdens on motorists and opposed this bill. The House defeated the bill on May 6, 2019 by a vote of 47-69.

13. HB 480 Driving up Health Insurance Costs by Expanding Coverage Mandates. This bill would drive up health insurance costs by imposing additional mandates on the types of coverages all private health insurance policies in the state must provide. Specifically, the bill would mandate that policies which provide coverage for intravenously administered cancer drugs also provide coverage for orally administered anticancer drugs and not be subject to any dollar limit, copayment, or out-of-pocket expense. As a result of this mandate, which is in addition to countless others, individuals would be unable to obtain low-cost, basic health plans that provide the custom coverages they prefer. While ACU sympathizes with individuals who rely on this coverage, we oppose health insurance mandates which ultimately make quality health insurance unaffordable and unobtainable for many individuals and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 6, 2019 by a vote of 97-18. (The bill failed to advance in the Senate.)

14. HB 551 Commissioning a Study to Promote Greater Government Interference in the Labor Market. This bill would pave the way for greater government interference in the labor market through the commission of a study to force employers to provide paid breaks during the workday. Under the bill, taxpayer resources would be expended by the Legislative Research Commission to study amending the Wage and Hour Act to force employers to provide a daily 20-minute paid break to every employee working a six-hour or longer shift. ACU opposes misusing taxpayer resources to promote a measure which infringes the right of employees and employers to negotiate benefits and which may ultimately limit the ability of employees to receive other benefits or job perks, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 6, 2019 by a vote of 90-25. (The bill failed to advance in the Senate.)

15. HB 144 Imposing an Excessive Handheld Device Ban on All Motorists. This bill would expand the prohibition on the use of mobile phones for drivers under 18 to now ban talking, texting and nearly all other mobile phone uses for every motorist in the state. Under the bill, any nonemergency use of a mobile device that requires more than one touch would be a primary offense, meaning law enforcement would be permitted to pull over drivers and enforce penalties absent any other driving safety infraction. ACU opposes fining motorists for the responsible use of mobile devices absent any other driving safety infractions and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 7, 2019 by a vote of 92-23. (The bill failed to advance in the Senate.)

29


16. HB 447 Strengthening Property Rights by Expanding Liability Protections to Private Bodies of Water. This bill would strengthen property rights by clarifying that landowners are not liable for harm incurred by individuals who trespass onto private bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, rivers and reservoirs. Under current law, such limitations on the liabilities of property owners are afforded to landowners for a variety of properties, but there is a lack of clarity regarding whether the protections also apply to bodies of water on private property. This bill would clarify that bodies of water are akin to other property and that landowners are not liable for the injuries of minors who trespass onto private waters, unless a beach or other improvements have been made that would “make the body of water attractive to a child trespasser.” ACUF’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights is a leading voice on this issue and works to advance policies that support the founders’ belief that strong protection of property rights is inherent to a free society. ACU recognizes the right to “use and exclude from use” is a fundamental aspect of property rights, supports protecting property owners from litigation for injuries caused by unauthorized trespassers and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 7, 2019 by a vote of 74-41. (The bill failed to advance in the Senate.)

17. HB 796 Infringing Property Rights by Overriding “No Pets” Rental Policies. This bill would infringe the property rights of rental housing providers by creating a new mechanism for housing applicants to exploit the law pertaining to “service animals.” Under federal law, landlords are already required to accommodate individuals with disabilities who rely on “service animals” (i.e., animals that are specifically trained to assist the individual, such as a guide dog). This bill forces landlords to allow pets and other animals in their rental properties by mandating that they accept “emotional support animals” which are not required to be trained or registered. Additionally, the bill permits a near-endless array of individuals to sign-off on the need for someone to have an emotional support animal, including any physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, psychologist, or social worker. Furthermore, the bill prevents landlords from requiring any type of pet deposit for an emotional support animal and prohibits landlords from taking any action against an individual with an emotional support animal such as refusing to enter into or renew a rental agreement or terminating a tenancy. ACUF’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights is a leading voice on this issue and works to protect the property rights of both tenants and landlords. ACU recognizes that this measure will result in higher rental rates due to the new risk faced by landlords and further recognizes the bill will make it more difficult for those with legitimate service animal needs to obtain quality housing. ACU further recognizes that this measure may harm other tenants in multi-family complexes who have allergies or other legitimate concerns about animals which led them to contract for housing that excludes animals. ACU opposes infringing property rights, subjecting landlords to lawsuit abuse and driving up housing costs and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 7, 2019 by a vote of 107-4. (The bill failed to advance in the Senate.)

30


18. HB 671 Weakening Employment Opportunities by Mandating Licensure for Behavior Analysts. This bill would weaken employment opportunities and control competition on behalf of government-favored special interests by mandating that all individuals become licensed by the state in order to work as a behavioral analyst. Individuals who serve as behavioral analysts typically work with children and individuals with autism spectrum disorder to [improve their social behavior]. Under the bill, a new Behavioral Analyst Board is established and authorized to impose a sprawling list of anti-competitive and costly requirements for an individual to obtain a license. A key requirement for licensure is certification by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, an unaccountable private entity that mandates an individual obtain a master’s degree, undergo physical and psychological examination, pay fees, and undergo continuing education by the board in order to be certified. ACU opposes reducing employment opportunities, restricting competition and raising patient costs through this measure designed to enrich and empower an unaccountable private organization and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 28, 2019 by a vote of 112-2. (The bill failed to advance in the Senate.)

19. SB 359 Protecting Children Who Survive Abortion. This bill would require health practitioners to immediately admit to a hospital any child who is born alive after an abortion is attempted and failed. Additionally, practitioners would face criminal penalties if they do not provide the same degree of care to children who survive abortion as they would any other child. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions to end the practice and supported the bill. The House failed to override the governor’s veto on June 5, 2019 by a vote of 67-53 and the veto was sustained. (A three-fifths majority vote was required. A “yes” vote supported the ACU position.)

20. SB 219 Combatting Teacher Shortages by Modifying Teacher Licensing Requirements. This bill helps ensure local schools are able to staff their classrooms with the most successful and effective teachers by modifying teacher licensing requirements. The bill is in response to the state’s excessively stringent licensing exams which hundreds of effective teachers have been unable to pass. Under previous law, once teachers were hired, they were provided initial licenses and provided two years to pass their licensing exams and obtain continuing licenses. Under this bill, teachers whom the school and superintendent certify as effective may be provided a nonrenewable three-year limited license so teachers have more time to pass the exam. ACU supports improving educational outcomes by ensuring schools are able to hire and retain the most successful and effective teachers and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on June 20, 2019 by a vote of 107-1 and the bill was signed into law.

21. HB 934 Granting Terminally Ill Patients the “Right to Try” Experimental Adult Stem Cell Treatments. This bill expands the state’s Right to Try Act by allowing terminally ill patients the right to try certain adult stem cell treatments that have not yet been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or completed all the agency’s clinical trials. This bill includes a provision that clarifies that insurance policies are not required to provide coverage for the clinical treatments. ACU believes it is absurd to deny terminally ill patients the right to try potentially lifesaving drugs and treatments and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on June 24, 2019 by a vote of 106-0 and the bill was signed into law.

22. HB 135 Supporting the Enforcement of Federal Immigration Laws by Nullifying Local Sanctuary City Policies. This bill would nullify all local “sanctuary city policies” that are designed to obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws. While current law prohibits localities from enacting such policies, localities have continued to defy the law and prohibited cooperation with federal authorities. This bill would strengthen compliance with federal law by nullifying all local sanctuary city policies and allowing individuals to bring legal action against noncompliant localities. ACU supports efforts to help the federal government perform its constitutional role in enforcing the nation’s immigration laws and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on June 26, 2019 by a vote of 65-52. (The bill failed to advance in the Senate.)

23. HB 675 Reducing Construction Costs by Prohibiting Excessive Local Regulation. This bill reduces building and construction costs by making a number of reforms to the state’s building codes. Under the bill, localities are prohibited from imposing zoning ordinances that set minimum square footage requirements on one- and two-family dwellings. Additionally, localities are unable to force developers to bury power lines that are were already in place or not associated with the new development. Furthermore, the bill includes a number of other provisions designed to decrease regulatory burdens. ACU supports reducing building costs by eliminating excessive local and state regulations, supports similarly reforming zoning regulations to further encourage growth in development and housing and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on July 11, 2019 by a vote of 111-3 and the bill was signed into law.

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24. SB 290 Maintaining the Prohibition of Alcohol at Bingo Games. The Hurley (ACUF Lifetime 84%) amendment to a bill reforming the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission (ABC) would maintain existing prohibitions on the sale and consumption of alcohol anywhere a bingo game is taking place. Specifically, this amendment would stop the bill’s attempt to eliminate the Depression-era prohibition of drinking or purchasing alcoholic beverages at bingo games. ACU supports strengthening individual liberties, expanding consumer choice and fostering business growth by easing antiquated regulations of alcoholic beverages and opposed this amendment. The House defeated the amendment on July 11, 2019 by a vote of 54-58.

25. SB 290 Reducing Costly and Anti-Competitive Regulations in the Alcohol Industry and Expanding Individual Liberties. This bill makes numerous reforms in the alcoholic beverage industry, including permitting private distillers to compete in a freer marketplace and prohibiting the creation of additional Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABC) boards. This bill eliminates arbitrary caps on the number of bottles of beer, wine, and mixed drinks a distillery may sell to any one consumer and eliminates a number of other costly and unnecessary regulations. Furthermore, the bill prevents the creation of additional local boards—of which there are more than 170 in the state and often multiple in one county—and permits private distillers to hold tastings at ABC stores. Finally, the bill permits alcohol sales and consumption at bingo parlors, delivery by third parties and a greater variety of beverages at sports and entertainment venues. ACU supports expanding individual liberties and consumer choice and fostering business growth by eliminating unnecessary and anti-competitive regulations in the alcoholic beverage industry and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on July 11, 2019 by a vote of 86-28 and the bill was signed into law.

26. HB 645 Combatting Government Regulatory Overreach in the Billboard Advertising Industry. This bill would strengthen property rights by ensuring owners of advertising billboards are able to relocate their signage without excessive government interference. The bill would apply to cases in which billboard owners are forced to move their signs due to eminent domain proceedings. Under the bill, local governments would be prohibited from imposing additional regulations that would prevent billboard owners from relocating their signage to legally suitable property within two miles. ACU recognizes that in addition to strengthening property and free speech rights, this bill also reduces costs concerning eminent domain settlements incurred by taxpayers. ACU supports efforts to combat regulatory overreach at all levels of government and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on August 7, 2019 by a vote of 60-54 but the bill was vetoed by the governor.

27. SB 86 Strengthening Opportunities for Health Coverage by Expanding Employer Benefit Associations. This bill provides more small businesses and their employees the option to obtain lower cost health care coverage through association health plans or multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs). Due to the fact that policies offered through MEWAs are exempt from many of Obamacare’s costly mandates, the health care premiums are typically much lower than traditional insurance. Under previous law, a MEWA could only be formed by a trade industry or professional association. This bill allows MEWAs to now be formed by a much larger range of small employers as long as they have a “commonality of interest” such as similar industry. ACU has long-opposed Obamacare and its draconian mandates which have sent insurance costs skyrocketing and did not allow the wide majority of Americans to “keep their doctor,” supports expanding consumer options for health insurance and improving the ability of employers to provide competitive benefits for workers and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on August 7, 2019 by a vote of 82-32 and the bill became law without the governor’s signature.

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28. SB 438 Improving Educational Outcomes by Reforming the Read to Achieve Program. This bill is designed to improve educational outcomes for students kindergarten through third grade by reforming numerous provisions of the Read to Achieve program. The bill would devise a plan to establish individualized reading plans for students and set goals for teachers and struggling students. ACU recognizes that many centrally-planned education agendas such as Read to Achieve adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to education that limits the educational attainment of students, supports significantly reforming this program in recognition of individualized student needs and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on August 8, 2019 by a vote of 68-48 but the bill was vetoed by the governor.

29. HB 370 Requiring Local Cooperation with Federal Immigration Authorities. This bill would strengthen national security by requiring state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Under the bill, sheriffs who have arrested illegal immigrants for criminal behavior are required to comply with detainer requests issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The bill is in response to sheriff’s departments which have released illegal immigrants who have gone on to commit violent assaults, sex offenses, offenses against children, and numerous other serious crimes. ACU supports efforts to help the federal government perform its constitutional role in enforcing the nation’s immigration laws and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on August 20, 2019 by a vote of 62-53 but the bill was vetoed by the governor.

30. HB 554 Expanding Employment Opportunities by Easing Licensure Mandates for Funeral Directors. This bill expands employment opportunities by easing stringent licensure requirements for individuals seeking employment as funeral directors. Under the bill, individuals may apply for provisional licenses which allow individuals to work in the field as they complete the state-mandated requirements to become a licensed funeral director. The provisional license also makes it slightly easier and quicker to obtain a full license, especially for out-of-state licensed directors. ACU supports expanding job opportunities by eliminating excessive licensure requirements which are primarily designed to restrict competition and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on August 20, 2019 by a vote of 83-31 and the bill was signed into law.

31. HB 553 Strengthening Individual Liberties and Employment by Easing Numerous Excessive Regulations. This bill, known as the North Carolina Regulatory Reform Act, would strengthen individual liberties through a series of regulatory reforms designed to allow more freedom in employment, building and construction, and business operations. Among a series of other reforms, the bill relaxes mandates concerning: the placement of drinking fountains and water closets; the disposal of used electronics; and the siting of septic tanks. The bill also would have directed a study on the use of online education to fulfill licensure requirements. ACU supports expanding employment opportunities and strengthening property rights by eliminating excessive regulations and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on August 29, 2019 by a vote of 78-31 but the bill was vetoed by the governor.

32. HB 399 Expanding Cronyism by Extending Direct Subsidies to Government-Favored Special Interests. This bill expands cronyism by extending a laundry list of corporate welfare programs designed to provide lucrative subsidies and competitive advantages to government-favored special interests. Under the bill, multi-million dollar direct subsidies in the form of business and personal income tax credits and grants which were set to expire are extended for the following special interests: developers of railroads and historic sites (2022), pro motorsports and airlines (2024). ACU supports fostering the free market through a tax code with the lowest possible tax rates for everyone, opposes cronyism which provides competitive advantages to government-favored businesses and industries while placing higher tax burdens on others and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on October 24, 2019 by a vote of 93-8 and the bill was signed into law.

33. SB 578 Supporting Economic Growth by Reducing the Franchise Tax. This bill would support economic growth in the state by reducing the franchise tax by over one-third by 2021, providing businesses nearly $1 billion in tax relief. The state franchise tax is imposed on every individual and operation doing business in the state, and effectively serves as double taxation on top of personal income tax. While the bill does contain a provision which increases cronyism through the expansion of tax credits to film and television productions, ACU believes the elimination of double taxation should be a leading legislative priority in the state. ACU supports fostering economic growth by eliminating excessive taxation and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on October 31, 2019 by a vote of 61-49 but the bill was vetoed by the governor.

Documents

ACU FOUNDATION'S RATINGS of NORTH CAROLINA 2019acuratings.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/... · 2020. 5. 12. · • HB 966 Discouraging Fiscal Discipline within Medicaid