The Regulatory Reform Act of 2015 (HB760) has passed the House of Representatives on a third reading bi-partisan vote of 77-32 after 11 amendments were offered.
The bill is aimed at reducing the regulatory burdens on citizens as well as businesses across the state and creating a commission to study and make recommendations about existing regulations. Rep. Chris Millis (Onslow) says regulations are necessary in cases of public safety and some environmental issues but the state and federal agencies have expanded their role in creating regulations without sufficient oversight.
Regulatory reform has been at the top of the agenda of NFIB/North Carolina members for many years.
“As I travel around the state and talk with our members, regulations is always one of the top three issues they want to talk about and encourage us to fight for them to get some reform passed,” said Gregg Thompson, state director of NFIB/North Carolina State Director. “House Bill 760 is a 39-page bill of changes and a great start to a huge problem with regulations in the business sector.”
The bill addresses many regulatory issues such as inspections, licensing, worker’ comp definitions, zoning, and numerous environmental issues like storm water runoff, riparian buffer zones, marine fisheries and wildlife.
The most controversial part of the bill deals with utility regulations. Several of the amendments offered dealt with renewable energy regulations and the impact on energy rates.
To keep up with this bill and other issues affecting small business, follow @NFIB_NC on Twitter.
