Karl Gillespie Legislative report

The legislative short session continues as the North Carolina House and Senate convene committee meetings and votes are held in both chambers.

For the week beginning April 29, 2024, the legislative short session entered its second official week. I returned to Raleigh Monday evening and attended the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Legislative Day on Tuesday morning. This event provided an opportunity for NC State Highway Patrol to demonstrate the value of various Highway Patrol assets and techniques used to facilitate the safety of the citizens and visitors of our State. Included in the presentation were:

• Chase Simulations and High-Speed Patrol Car Ride Along 

• Aviation Display showcasing the new SHP Helicopter in a simulation winch rescue mission.

• North Carolina Troopers Association Caisson Unit, a horse-drawn military wagon used for transporting funeral caskets. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol Caisson is one of only three remaining units in the United States.

No legislative votes were conducted on Tuesday in the NC House. On Wednesday, I met with various advocacy groups in the morning and then made my way to the Senate Transportation Committee where my bill, HB593, Restrict Truck Length Through Cullasaja Gorge, was heard by the committee members. The bill passed without opposition and was referred to the Senate Rules Committee.

After additional meetings with state agency liaisons, I met with my colleagues for a 4:00PM caucus meeting. Upon caucus' conclusion, the House convened for a voting session at 5:00PM. We voted on SB508, 2023 Budget Tech/Other Corrections. I voted in favor and SB508 passed the House 110-6.

On Thursday, I attended the Senate Rules committee to present HB593. The bill passed with a favorable vote and its next stop is to the Senate chamber for consideration. The House held a non-voting session on Thursday and the House concluded its legislative business for the week.

Presenting HB593, "Restrict Truck Length Through Cullasaja Gorge" before the Senate Transportation Committee

For the week beginning Monday, May 6, 2024, the NC House held non-voting sessions on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, the House convened for an afternoon voting session. We voted on the following legislation:

HB942, SHALOM Act, is an act standing up to hate and leading with our moral principles. I voted in favor and the bill passed, 105-4.

SB166, 2024 Bldg. Code Regulatory Reform, is an act to amend various development regulations. I voted in favor and the bill passed, 71-35.

During session, the House recognized the Western Carolina University Women's Soccer team. The WCU women's soccer team are the 2023 Southern Conference Regular Season Champions as well as the 2023 Southern Conference Tournament Champions. Congratulations to the Catamounts for a historic season!

No scheduled votes are expected in the House on Thursday.

During the short session, I have introduced or am a primary sponsor of the following legislation:

HB911, Town of Andrews Deannexation, is an act to remove certain described property from the corporate limits of the Town of Andrews.

HB984, Removal of Squatters from Private Property,

is an act to create an alternative remedy for the expedited removal of unauthorized persons from private property by a law enforcement agency.

HB1042, Vet Care for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs, is an act to reimburse the veterinary care of retired law enforcement canines.

HB1060, Add At-Large Members/Macon Co. Board of Comm, is an act to revise the method of electing members of the Macon County Board of Commissioners to provide for the election of two at-large members.

Did You Know?

USDA Grants Available to Farmers, Small Business Owners

"Millions of dollars are now available for North Carolina farmers and other small business owners in the agriculture industry. The state Department of Agriculture and the USDA are offering a total of $6.2 million to small agricultural businesses, with the grants ranging from $10,000 up to $2 million."

More information can be found, here.