Table of Contents
Chapter Page
Editor’s Preface ix
1 The General Assembly 1Overview of the 1999 Legislative Session 1
Major Legislation Enacted in 1999 4
The Legislative Institution 4
Constitutional Amendment Proposals 7
Statistics for 1999 Session 9
2 The State Budget 11
The Budget Process 11
The 1999–2001 Budget 13
Tax Refunds 16
Tobacco Settlement 17
3 Alcoholic Beverage Control 21
Historic ABC Establishments 21
National Historic Landmarks 22
Tourism Resorts 22
Urban Redevelopment Areas 22
Sales to and Purchases by Underage Persons 22
Bills That Failed to Pass 23
4 Children and Families 25
Child Support and Paternity 25
Child Custody 28
Domestic Violence 30
Court Procedure in Family Law Cases 33
Unemployment Benefits for Workers With Child Care Responsibilities 33
Abused, Neglected, and Dependent Juveniles 34
Delinquent and Undisciplined Juveniles 37
Legislation Affecting Other Laws Relating to Minors 39
5 Community Development and Housing 43
Community and Economic Development 43
Housing 45
6 Courts and Civil Procedure 49
Futures Commission Recommendations 50
The Budget 52
Criminal Calendaring 53
Clerk’s Procedures and Appeals from Clerk 54
Alternative Dispute Resolution 56
Civil Procedure 57
Matters of Particular Interest to Trial Judges 58
Matters of Particular Interest to Clerks of Superior Court 60
Matters of Particular Interest to Magistrates 62
7 Criminal Law and Procedure 65
Assaults and Threats 65
Controlled Substances, Alcohol, and Cigarettes 67
Explosives and Firearms 68
Offenses Concerning Schools 71
Fraud and Property Offenses 73
Domestic Violence 74
Capital Cases 75
Miscellaneous Offenses 75
Criminal Procedure 76
Evidence 77
Law Enforcement 78
Victims’ Rights 79
Collateral Consequences 79
Local Bills 80
8 Elections 83
Voter Registration 83
Precincts, Polling Places, and Voting Districts 84
Local-Level Elections Administration 86
State-Level Elections Administration 87
Absentee Voting 88
Campaign Finance Regulation 90
Election Laws Study Commission 93
9 Elementary and Secondary Education 95
Responses to Violence at School 96
Criminal Law 98
Parental Liability 99
Improving School Safety and Student Achievement 99
Salaries, Calendar, and Leave 102
Certification, Hiring, Nonrenewal, and Dismissal Provisions 103
Sexual Harassment and Improper Sexual Relations 104
Improving Instructional Conditions for Teachers 105
Miscellaneous 106
Appropriations 107
Pilot Programs 108
Studies 108
Unaddressed Areas 109
10 Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste 111
Administrative Law 112
Agency Structure 112
Agriculture 112
Air Quality 115
Animal Waste Management 117
Coastal and Marine Resources 117
Environmental Assessment 119
Environmental Finance 120
Environmental Health 120
Natural Resource Management 122
Pesticides 123
Pollution Prevention/Waste Reduction 123
Protection of Natural Areas 124
Radiation Protection 124
Sediment Control 125
Solid and Hazardous Waste 125
Water Quality 127
11 Health 129
Managed Care 129
Prescription Drugs 130
Health Providers 130
Health Facilities 131
Health Insurance 132
Health Financing 132
Medical Information 133
Women’s Health 133
Communicable Disease 133
Studies 133
12 Higher Education 135
13 Land Records and Registers of Deeds 141Appropriations and Salaries 135
UNC Governance 136
Community College Governance 138
Studies 140
Office of the Register of Deeds 141
Real Property Records 142
Notaries 145
Vital Records 146
14 Land Use Regulation, Planning, Code Enforcement, and Transportation 147
Planning and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction 147
Zoning 150
Signs and Outdoor Advertising; Community Appearance 151
Housing Code/Nuisance Abatement 153
Land Subdivision Regulation/Platting 154
Building Code Enforcement 154
Transportation 157
Local Government Generally and Other Topics 158
15 Local Government and Local Finance 159
Local Finance 160
Local Government 163
16 Local Taxes and Tax Collection 175
Assessment 175
Collection 178
Other Local Taxes 181
Studies 182
Bills Eligible for Consideration 182
17 Mental Health and Related Laws 183
Area Authorities 183
Appropriations 184
State Government Reorganization 186
Licensed Professionals 186
Mental Health Records 189
Transportation Costs for Involuntary Commitment 190
Health Care Personnel Registry 191
Insurance 191
Medicaid 192
Abused, Neglected, and Dependent Juveniles 192
Adult Protective Services 193
Camp Butner Reservation 193
Studies and Reports 194
18 Motor Vehicles 197
Impaired Driving 197
Driver’s License Law 201
Equipment Violations 203
Rules of the Road 204
Liability Insurance 205
Other Motor Vehicle Legislation 205
Bills That Failed to Pass 205
19 Public Personnel 207
State Employees 207
State and Local Government Employees 208
Public School Employees 211
Local Government Employees 211
20 Public Purchasing and Contracting 213
Information Technology and Electronic Commerce 213
Other State Purchasing Procedures 215
Construction Contracting 216
21 Senior Citizens 219
State and Local Government Assistance for Senior Citizens 219
Long-Term Care for the Elderly and Disabled 222
Other Legislation of Interest to Senior Citizens 229
22 Sentencing, Corrections, Prisons, and Jails 231
Sentencing, Punishment, and Related Matters 231
Prisons 235
Probation, Parole, and Post-Release Supervision 236
Other Correctional Programs 237
Jails 238
23 Social Services 239
Work First (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) 239
Other Public Assistance Programs 244
Child Welfare Services 245
Child Support Enforcement (IV-D) Services 247
Child Care Programs and Assistance 248
Other Social Services Programs 249
Other Legislation Affecting Social Services Agencies 250
24 State Government 251
New State Agencies 251
Changes to Existing State Agencies 252
Administrative Procedure Act 253
25 State Taxation 255
Tax Incentives: Economic Development and Historic Preservation 255
Unemployment Tax 267
Sales, Use, and Motor Fuels Taxes 268
Other Taxes and Fees 271
Administration and Enforcement of State Tax Laws 272
26 Utilities and Energy 277
Electricity 277
Energy 278
Railroads 279
Telecommunications 279
Utilities Commission 279
Local Acts 280
27 Wildlife and Boating Regulation 281
Waterfowl Licenses 281
Baiting Fields 281
Personal Watercraft 282
Vessel Registration Agents 282
Local Acts 282
Bills That Failed to Pass 284