Untitled Document

The following is a list of bills related to planning, land use regulation, environment, transportation, and similar matters introduced in the 2007 session of the North Carolina General Assembly. The legislature convened on January 24, 2007 and adjourned on August 2, 2007. For the most part, individual appropriation and study bills are not listed as any to be approved are grouped in the budget bill or omnibus study act.

The General Assembly will reconvene on May 13, 2008. Bills that may be considered in 2008 include amendments to the 2008-09 state budget, bills that had passed in the chamber in which they were introduced by May 24, 2007 (the "crossover" deadline), bills recommended by study committees authorized to report in 2008, and noncontroversial local bills. The bill numbers in the first column of those bills that met the crossover deadline and are thus eligible for further consideration in 2008 are in italics.

House bills are listed first, followed by Senate bills. The last action taken in each house is indicated. "Comm. fav" indicates the bill was reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, but no floor action was taken. "Passed" indicates the bill has passed in the indicated house. Bills awaiting gubernatorial action are indicated by "Gov." in the last column (the Governor has thirty days from final legislative action to sign, veto, or allow a bill to become law without signature). For bills that have become law, a session law chapter number is included in the last column.

Copies of the texts of all bills, and a detailed legislative history for each bill, can be obtained through the General Assembly’s Bill Information web site.

Bill
Number

Title/Short Description

Identical

House Action

Senate Action

Session Law Chapter No.

H. 2

Incorporate village of Corolla, subject to voter approval

Comm. fav.

H. 32

Suspend involuntary municipal annexation and create study committee to consider issues involved

H. 36

Improve management of hazardous wastes and create study committee on issues involved

Passed

S.L. 2007-107

H. 53

Allow ETJ in specified area for Oriental

Passed

H. 56

Prohibit involuntary annexation in areas with urban services in place

H. 60

Make annexations in Moore County subject to referenda

H. 86

Require referendum for annexation in Buncombe County if 20% of voters within the area object

H. 87

Require referendum for annexation if 20% of voters within the area object

H. 89

Various provisions related to beach nourishment in Oak Island, include setting vegetation line, erosion setback line, fill areas, takings claims

Passed

H. 104

Require referendum for annexation if 10% of voters within the area object

H. 107

Revise standards on abandoned and neglected cemeteries

Passed

S.L. 2007-118

H. 127

Authorize, subject to voter approval, issuance of up to $500 million in bonds for wastewater and drinking water projects

H. 180

Exempt Four Oaks from 10% cap on satellite annexations

Passed

S.L. 2007-17

H. 189

Allow counties to delegate pyrotechnic permit authority to cities

Passed

S.L. 2007-38

H. 192

Authorize, subject to voter approval, issuance of up to $250 million in bonds for affordable housing projects

H. 217

Authorize annual notice of violation to chronic violators of nuisance lot ordinance in Cornelius and Davidson

Passed

S.L. 2007-3

H. 243

Revise process for involuntary annexations to require certified mail notice, notice on public access TV channels, and require meeting density and development standards

H. 260

Require adoption of Building Code rule requiring sprinklers for all residential buildings over two stories and containing more than 16 units (and disapprove earlier rule on sprinklers)

H. 261

Allow ETJ residents to vote in elections for city councils

H. 275

Extend moratorium on new swine farms to 2010

Comm. fav.

H. 303

Allow New Bern to require permit prior to demolition of a contributing structure in a historic district

S. 394

Passed

S.L. 2007-32

H. 315

Prohibit city outside of Polk County from annexing or extending ETJ into that county

H. 326

Exempt Green Level from 10% cap on satellite annexations and modify standards for Oak Island annexations

Passed

S.L. 2007-26

H. 378

Provide that residents of areas to be annexed and in ETJ can vote in municipal elections

H. 379

Provide that areas of involuntary annexation be contiguous to area of equal or larger size within the city that is developed for urban purposes

H. 398

Provide Spring Lake and Winston-Salem with additional options for notice of violations of nuisance lot ordinances

Passed

S.L. 2007-319

H. 407

Extend Magnolia ETJ to specified area

S. 439

Passed

S.L. 2007-40

H. 412

Reduce minimum size of land eligible for agricultural use value taxation from ten to five acres

H. 427

Shift planning jurisdiction of specified area from Navassa to Brunswick County

H. 428

Deannex specified area from Navassa

Comm. fav.

H. 457

Prohibit satellite annexations outside of ETJ area

H. 463

Modify state income tax credit for donation of conservation lands

S. 241

Passed

S.L. 2007-309

H. 469

Reduce notification period in process for closing streets

Passed

H. 489

Allow Asheville to provide affordable housing to specified employees (teachers, police officers, fire fighters)

Passed

S.L. 2007-239

H. 526

Provide state income tax credit for builders of energy efficient homes

S. 505

Comm. fav.

H. 537

Allow satellite annexations in Norwood up to 25% of primary corporate area

S. 398

Passed

S.L. 2007-71

H. 549

Provide for referenda on annexations in Polk County

H. 557

Establish state Green Building Fund

S. 634

H. 562

Authorize Morrisville to annex certain areas surrounding by city territory

S.491

Passed

S.L. 2007-324

H. 579

Authorize Greensboro and Spring Lake to provide annual notice of violation to chronic violators of overgrown lot ordinance

Passed

S.L. 2007-31

H. 586

Adopt International Building Code as state building code; require decisions on code appeals within 30 days

S. 695

H. 596

Modify property tax exclusion for low income home owners

S. 412

H. 607

Authorize use of school impact fees by Granville County

S. 636

H. 619

Authorize Louisburg to remove or demolish unsafe buildings in CD target areas

Passed

S.L. 2007-216

H. 621

Deannex specific area from Beech Mountain

Passed

S.L. 2007-74

H. 666

Allow cities and counties to provide rebates on building permit fees for LEED and similarly certified buildings

Passed

H. 700

Clarify standards for code enforcement officials

Passed

S.L. 2007-120

H. 728

Create separate residential building code and require decisions on appeals within 30 days of close of hearing

S. 949

H. 734

Make all municipalities eligible to have urban area redevelopment projects

Passed

H. 741

Establish moratorium on annexations and ETJ extensions into Hoke County

H. 758

Adjust Asheville-Woodfin boundary

H. 810

Clarify and extend animal waste management provisions

Passed

S.L. 2007-536

H. 820

Mandate study of interbasin water transfers; amend interbasin transfer statutes to require analysis and certificate of approval for transfers

Passed

S.L. 2007-518

H. 827

Authorize Cary and Wake Forest to regulate demolition of structures in historic districts

S. 559

Passed

S.L. 2007-66

H. 836

Provide that transfer to immediate family member is not a subdivision in Bertie County

S. 626

Passed

S.L. 2007-87

H. 842

Remove restrictions on Kannapolis satellite annexations

Passed

S.L. 2007-344

H. 878

Amend constitution (subject to voter approval) to prohibit use of eminent domain for economic development purposes

Passed

H. 921

Require distribution of information on property tax implications prior to involuntary annexation

H. 942

Allow special assessments for beach nourishment projects in Oak Island

Passed

S.L. 2007-161

H. 944

Modify statute relating to fees-in-lieu for subdivision exactions in Harnett County-- allow use for land and construction of recreation and library facilities; caps fee at $500 per lot

Passed

H. 958

Adopt bullfrog as official state amphibian

Passed

Comm. fav.

H. 960

Amend interbasin transfer approval process and study need for interstate compact

S. 1360

H. 986

Incorporate town of Butner

S. 1316

Passed

S.L. 2007-269

H. 990

Authorize $1 billion in bonds, subject to voter approval, for land and water conservation fund

S. 1522

H. 999

Clarify that industrial machinery is not subject to state building code

S. 575

H. 1011

Require immediate repairs for dangerous conditions in housing and require probable cause to inspect structures for dangerous and unsafe conditions

S. 1507

H. 1018

Amend definition of "chronic violator" of nuisance lot ordinance for Durham and Williamston

Passed

H. 1041

Annex specified area into Earl

Passed

S.L. 2007-53

H. 1047

Incorporate Village of Sneads Ferry

Comm. fav.

H. 1061

Deannex specified area from Carrboro

H. 1097

Allow Asheville, Carrboro, Charlotte, Chapel Hill, and Wilmington and to offer development incentives in exchange for reductions in energy consumption

S. 539

Passed

S.L. 207-241

H. 1101

Authorize Currituck County to use transferable development rights in association with conservation easements in rural areas

H. 1120

Repeal local modification of subdivision definition for Pasquotank County

Passed

S.L. 2007-207

H. 1130

Confirm that Cumberland County can use fees-in-lieu of dedication of recreation areas in subdivision ordinance

H. 1131

Confirm that Cumberland County can use fees in stormwater management ordinance

H. 1134

Encourage and assist county plans for deconstruction and removal of abandoned mobile homes

H. 1143

Add exemption to subdivision definition for Stanly County

Passed

S.L. 2007-237

H. 1144

Annex specified area to Columbia

Passed

S.L. 2007-140

H. 1147

Incorporate town of Rougemont

H. 1151

Annex specified area to Shallotte

Comm. fav.

H. 1152

Authorize Boiling Springs Lake to participate in and fund as a public enterprise a habitat conservation plan for red-cockaded woodpeckers and other endangered species

Passed

H. 1153

Annex specified area to Sunset Beach

Passed

S.L. 2007-141

H. 1154

Set lines for determining erosion setbacks in Oak Island and set time limit for making takings claims

Comm. fav.

H. 1161

Allow Knightdale to exercise ETJ within urban service area as defined in Wake County LUP

Comm. fav.

H. 1163

Annex specified area to Landis and allow exercise of ETJ prior to annexation

Passed

S.L. 2007-139

H. 1166

Adjust High Point/Jamestown boundary

Passed

S.L. 2004-75

H. 1168

Allow Pitt County to use zoning amendment protest petitions

Passed

H. 1189

Authorize joint taxing and zoning district for Landis and Kannapolis

H. 1191

Incorporate town of Eastover

Passed

S.L. 2007-267

H. 1193

Annex specified town-owned area to Ramseur

Passed

S.L. 2007-110

H. 1194

Authorize Morrisville to impose conditions on development approval that address areawide impacts and require off-site improvements

H. 1198

Adjust McAdenville/Cramerton boundary

Comm. fav.

H. 1202

Authorize Salisbury to prohibit demolition with historic district

Passed

S.L. 2007-102

H. 1205

Permit voluntary annexations and limit involuntary annexations for specified area in Kannapolis

Comm. fav.

H. 1213

Authorize Cary to require multifamily developments not subject to subdivision regulation to provide funds for recreational needs

Passed

S.L. 2007-321

H. 1217

Authorize Navassa to enter agreement for payments in lieu of annexation

Passed

S.L. 2007-314

H. 1218

Authorize Brunswick County impact fees

H. 1250

Exempt Durham from 10% limit on satellite annexations

Passed

S.L. 2007-225

H. 1259

Remove sunset on pass-through provision in historic structure rehabilitation tax credit

S. 1024

Passed

S.L. 2007-461

H. 1278

Allow cities with populations of 190,000 or more to order repair or demolition of condemned structures

H. 1338

Raise project limits for electrical and general contractors

Passed

S.L. 2007-247

H. 1340

Require city and county ordinances to accommodate amateur radio antennas and limit regulation of antennas are 90 feet high or less

Passed

S.L. 2007-147

H. 1405

Modify municipal incorporation standards regarding minimum separation between cities

H. 1462

Define municipal streets and require functionality testing and classification

H. 1473

2007 Appropriations Act {includes in addition to funding, requirement for parking lots to have 20% pervious surfaces}

Passed

S.L. 2007-323

H. 1495

Require county approval of involuntary annexations

H. 1498

Create incentives to encourage reuse of vacant buildings in small towns

H. 1504

Limited expansion of permits for swine farms

H. 1508

Broaden provisions for establishment of cartways

H. 1511

Study acquisition of rights-of-way under official map act

Comm. fav.

H. 1559

Authorize transit system bus shelters to be located on highway rights of way under specified conditions

Passed

H. 1576

Require DOT, MPOs, and local governments to coordinate traffic signals to save energy

Passed

H. 1580

Authorize municipalities to deannex parcels under 300 acres upon petition of landowners

H. 1608

Create annexation law and practice study commission

H. 1628

Require disclosure of natural hazards to purchasers of oceanfront and inlet hazard area properties

H. 1651

Amend definition of subdivision in Raleigh

Passed

H. 1700

Require provision notice to tenants prior to sale of manufactured home community

H. 1702

Allow state building code to require insulation of hot water plumbing pipes

Passed

S.L. 2007-542

H. 1715

Increase tax on real estate conveyances to fund land conservation

H. 1718

Authorize specified high population municipalities enact fair housing ordinances

Passed

S.L. 2007-475

H. 1756

Mandate local ordinances consistent with state standards regarding artificial slope construction on steep slopes and landslide hazard areas

H. 1811

Authorize Deep River state trail

H. 1821

Establish DENR regulatory program for wind energy systems

H. 1824

Promote use of low impact stormwater management design in counties

Comm. fav.

H. 1826

Require annual state agency reports on greenhouse gas emission reductions

H. 1832

Prohibit sand mining in coastal inlets except for navigation maintenance

H. 1889

Provide reduced property taxes for wildlife conservation lands

Passed

H. 1893

Provide that city may only annex area within ETJ if minority population of annexed area is not less than minority population of entire ETJ

H. 1894

Create study commission on greenhouse regulations

H. 1958

Provide that property taxes may not be assessed in areas involuntarily annexed until services are provided

H. 2002

Clarify property tax exclusion for conservation lands

S. 3

Promote renewable energy and energy efficiency

Passed

S.L. 2007-397

S. 6

Amend solid waste statutes to modify landfill setbacks fro wildlife refuges, gamelands, and parks; revise distribution of solid waste disposal tax

Passed

S.L. 2007-543

S. 15

Incorporate town of Hampstead

Passed

S.L. 2007-329

S. 38

Amend state constitution, subject to voter approval, to prohibit use of eminent domain for economic development

S. 143

Move specified area from Navassa to Brunswick County planning and zoning jurisdiction

S. 150

Authorize removal of vegetation within 500 feet of billboards, increase fees and penalties (and allow restoration fee) for unlawful removal

H. 49

Passed

S. 181

Allow Clayton to provide annual notice to chronic violators of nuisance lot ordinance and allow voluntary annexation of areas more than three miles from city if adjacent to satellite annexed area

Passed

S.L. 2007-327

S. 208

Authorize, subject to voter approval, issuance of up to $500 million in bonds for wastewater and drinking water projects

S. 212

Clarify statutes on judicial appeals of quasi-judicial land use decisions

Passed

S. 214

Make annexations subject to approval by referendum

S. 220

Exempt Ahoskie, Columbus, Roanoke Rapids, and Weldon from 10% cap on satellite annexations

H. 188

Passed

S.L. 2007-311

S. 227

Allow Wilmington to provide annual notice to chronic violators of nuisance lot ordinance

Passed

S.L. 2007-254

S. 255

Prohibit city outside of Polk County from extending ETJ into that county

Comm. fav.

S. 284

Allow Sanford annexations more than three miles from primary limits if adjacent to satellite area, prohibit annexation into Chatham County

H. 293

Passed

S.L. 2007-43

S. 294

Provide that sport shooting range relocated due to condemnation, rezoning, annexation road construction, or development shall be deemed to be in continuous operation without a substantial change in use

S. 334

Amend state Fair Housing Act

Comm. fav.

S. 350

Allow Apex, Gardner, and Knightdale and to use electronic posting of public hearing notices

Passed

S.L. 2007-86

S. 359

Set building height limit of 60 feet in Atlantic Beach (except existing buildings in Circle District), with changes allowed only upon voter approval

Passed

S. 373

Limit street construction exactions in subdivision approvals in Onslow County and its municipalities

Passed

S. 382

Annex specified areas into Sunset Beach and Dallas

Passed

S.L. 2007-160

S. 396

Clarify that EMC and DENR permit conditions must be specifically authorized and based on preponderance of evidence

Passed

S. 412

Modify property tax exclusion for low income home owners

H. 596

S. 426

Modify definition of junked cars for Ayden, Cornelius, Davidson, Eden, Greensboro, High Point, Huntersville, Reidsville, and Spring Lake ($100 to $500 value)

H. 509

Passed

S.L. 2007-208

S. 427

Allow Ayden and Burgaw to order repair or demolition of unfit housing after six months failure to repair

H. 510

Passed

S.L. 2007-202

S. 432

Deannex specified area from Greensboro

Passed

S.L. 2007-256

S. 443

Annex specified area to Yanceyville

Passed

S. 446

Annex specified area to Leland

S. 479

Mandate that persons in annexed areas have 25 years to pay for mandated water and sewer connections

S. 490

Clarify that industrial machinery is not subject to state building code

Passed

S.L. 2007-529

S. 505

Provide state income tax credit for builders of energy efficient homes

H. 526

S. 541

Impose standards and limitations on permits for new public water and sewer permits regarding interconnection of systems and analysis of alternatives

S. 546

Remove limit on satellite annexation for Mt. Pleasant

Passed

S.L. 2007-342

S. 556

Authorize municipal nonresidential building maintenance codes; allow orders for buildings vacated two years to be repaired or demolished

H. 871

Passed

S.L. 2007-414

S. 569

Provide property tax relief for wildlife conservation lands

S. 570

Exempt Watha and Cramerton from 10% cap on satellite annexations

Passed

S.L. 2007-62

S. 571

Establish two year moratorium on municipal annexation and incorporation in Hampstead area of Pender County

S. 572

Prohibit annexations and ETJ extensions by municipalities outside of the county into Hoke County

Comm. fav.

S. 575

Clarify that industrial machinery is not subject to state building code

H. 999

S. 581

Allow cities and counties to provide building permit fee rebates to certified energy efficient building projects

Passed.

Passed

S.L. 2007-381

S. 599

Authorize Coastal Resources Commission to permit pilot project of terminal groin at inlets

Passed

S. 607

Authorize Durham to order buildings demolished or repaired six months after being declared unfit

H. 1164

Passed

S.L. 2007-219

S. 608

Authorize Durham to provide expedited notice of violation of refuse and debris ordinance to chronic violators

Passed

S.L. 2007-220

S. 609

Expand use of recreation exaction fees in Chatham County

Passed

S.L. 2007-339

S. 616

Allow River Bend to use standard annexation and ETJ law; prohibit involuntary annexation of specified subdivisions

H. 1160

Passed

S.L. 2007-334

S. 618

Validate Union County's recission of ETJ approval given to Wesley Chapel and invalidate town exercise of ETJ

S. 624

Allow Gates County to withhold permits if taxes unpaid

Passed

S.L. 2007-58

S. 631

Annex specified area to Asheville or Black Mountain

S. 634

Establish state Green Building Fund

H. 557

S. 636

Authorize use of school impact fees by Granville County

H. 607

S. 642

Adjust boundary between McAdenville and Cramerton

Passed

S.L. 2007-34

S. 646

Establish use value property taxation for "working waterfront" properties; delete fees for CAMA emergency permits; study access issues

H. 534

Passed

S.L. 2007-485

S. 647

Provide for referenda on annexations in Buncombe County

S. 649

Repeal exemptions from height limits in Hendersonville

Passed

S.L. 2004-257

S. 650

Provide for referenda on annexations in Polk County

S. 651

Allow Greensboro to provide annual notice of violation to chronic violators or overgrown lot ordinance

S. 652

Allow Eden, Reidsville, and Rockingham to provide annual notice of violation to chronic violators or overgrown lot ordinance

H. 882

Passed

S.L. 2007-258

S. 654

Authorize Rutherford County to conduct referendum on high impact land use ordinance

Passed

S.L. 2007-137

S. 668

Promote energy efficiency in state buildings

H. 1075

Passed

S.L. 2007-546

S. 670

Limit local ordinances that prohibit installation of solar energy collectors on single-family residences

Passed

S.L. 2007-279

S. 679

Merge state environmental regulatory commissions into one full time commission

S. 694

Clarify standards for code enforcement officials

S. 695

Adopt International Building Code as state building code; require decisions on code appeals within 30 days

H. 586

S. 766

Allow payment of replacement value to nonprofits subject to eminent domain

S. 817

Require residential property disclosure statements include information on airport noise contours and flood hazard information

S. 831

Set standards for local land development regulation of wireless telecommunication facilities and towers

Passed

S.L. 2007-526

S. 926

Study removal of inactive dams

S. 949

Create separate residential building code and require decisions on appeals within 30 days of close of hearing

H. 728

S. 1024

Remove sunset on pass-through provision in historic structure rehabilitation tax credit

H. 1259

S. 1106

Allow Coastal Resources Commission to waive permit application fees for emergency repair work

S. 1138

Extend Legislative Growth Strategies Commission to December 31, 2008 [in studies bill]

S. 1139

Provide tax credit for infill projects in historic districts

S. 1152

Require cities and counties to pay 6% interest (as well as refunding) any exaction, tax, or fee for development held to be illegally imposed

Passed

S.L. 2007-371

S. 1159

Clarify law on persons setting up modular homes

S. 1167

Require notice to cities and counties prior to state acquisition of land with value of $25,000 or more

Passed

S.L. 2007-396

S. 1180

Provide that cities and counties may not impose tax or fee or require monetary contribution as part of development agreement

Passed

S. 1196

Modify provisions of project development financing (TIF) to allow funds to be used for park and recreation purposes

Passed

S.L. 2007-395

S. 1200

Allow municipalities to shift Powell Bill funds to state TIP projects

S. 1201

Create Capital and Infrastructure Fund funded by land transfer tax

S. 1203

Modify use value taxation statutes to reduce acreage required for agricultural use value, clarify treatment of conservation easements, allow use value for wildlife conservation areas

S. 1216

Allow nonprofit organizations building residences with volunteer forces to secure building permit without a general contractor

S. 1221

Require cities and counties to regulate portable storage units in residential areas and amend the nuisance law regarding these

S. 1255

Require counties to consider plan for removal of abandoned mobile homes, authorize fees for such, set procedures for disposal

S. 1256

2007 Studies Bill -- lists authorized studies, extends life of Legislative Growth Strategies Oversight Commission

Passed

S. 1303

Direct Wildlife Resources Commission to establish Mountain Heritage Trout Waters protection program

Passed

S.L. 2007-408

S. 1305

Provide for property tax reductions where permanent conservation easement is in place

S. 1313

Require Council of State approval for applicability of any zoning of state-owned building within six blocks of Capitol Building.

Passed

S.L. 2007-482

S. 1348

Lower property tax for low and moderate income housing

S. 1358

Strengthen environmental justice aspects of landfill siting

S. 1360

Amend interbasin transfer approval process and study need for interstate compact

H. 960

S. 1397

Require referendum prior to sale of county landfill

S. 1385

Enhance environmental justice reviews in landfill siting

S. 1421

Study interbasin transfer standards and establish review/certificate program for transfers

Comm. fav.

S. 1431

Add Deep River trail to state parks system

S. 1465

Swine farm animal waste management standards and promote lagoon conversions

H. 1254

Passed

S.L. 2007-523

S. 1468

Allow Clean Water Management Trust Funds to be used for innovative and pilot projects

Passed

S.L. 2007-549

S. 1482

Allow Charlotte streets in ETJ to be constructed to city rather than state standards

Passed

S.L. 2007-440

S. 1492

Various amendments to state solid waste laws, including provisions on financial responsibility, traffic studies, prohibition of landfills within 200 feet of stream or wetland and within 100-year floodplain, setbacks from wildlife refuges, gamelands, and state parks, disposal tax, and computer recycling

H. 1233

Passed

S.L. 2007-550

S. 1507

Require repairs for dangerous conditions in housing "in a reasonable time" and require probable cause to inspect structures for dangerous and unsafe conditions

H. 1011

Passed

S. 1513

Allow counties to participate in financing roads and bridges; allow cities to reprogram Powell Bill funds to state TIP projects

Passed

S.L. 2007-428

S. 1522

Authorize $1 billion in bonds, subject to voter approval, for land and water conservation fund

H. 990

S. 1573

Adjourment resolution

Passed

R. 2007-68