Untitled Document

The North Carolina General Assembly convened for its 2008 session on May 13, 2008 and adjourned on July 18, 2008.

The following is a list of bills related to planning, land use regulation, environment, transportation, and similar matters considered in the 2008 session of the North Carolina General Assembly. For the most part, individual appropriation and study bills are not listed as they were for the most part in the budget bill or omnibus study act if adopted. Where identical bills were introduced in both houses and final action has been taken on one of the bills, the other bill entry is deleted from this list.

House bills are listed first, followed by Senate bills. The last action taken in each house is indicated. "Com. fav" indicates the bill was reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, but no floor action was taken. "Passed" indicates the bill passed in the indicated house. For bills that have become law, a session law chapter number is included in the last column. Click on the session law number to view a copy of the enacted laws.

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. Other legislative information is available at the General Assembly's home page.

Bill
Number

Title/Short Description

Identical

House Action

Senate Action

Session Law Chapter No.

H. 53

Allow modified ETJ for Oriental

Passed

H. 469

Reduce notification period in process for closing streets

Passed

H. 578

Deannex specified area from Greensboro

Passed

H. 666

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

Passed

H. 821

Provide for out-of-state notices re interbasin transfers; study river basins

Passed

Com. fav.

H. 822

Amend swine farm siting act to reduce setbacks and allow variances for alterations of existing swine houses, provide for civil penalties for violations

Passed

H. 878

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

Passed

H. 1018

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

Passed

H. 1113

Clarify use of public duty doctrine as liability defense

Passed

S.L. 2008-170

H. 1134

Establish program to assist cleanup of abandoned manufactured homes; require use of $1 million from Solid Waste Trust Fund for same

Passed

S.L. 2008-136

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. 1168

Allow Pitt County to use zoning amendment protest petitions

Passed

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. 1651

Amend definition of subdivision in Raleigh

Passed

H. 1700

Require notice to Housing Finance Agency prior to closing manufactured housing community

Passed

H. 2084

Amend effective date for specified Landis annexation to 2010

Passed

S.L. 2008-26

H. 1889

Modify property tax use value assessment for wildlife conservation land and for leaseholds used to provide affordable housing for government employees

Passed

S.L. 2008-171

H. 2097

Repeal local land transfer taxes

S. 1830

H. 2114

Adjust town boundaries for Bolton

S. 1601

H. 2132

Deannex specified area from Mount Airy

Com. fav.

H. 2154

Limit building heights in Caswell Beach

S. 1602

H 2230

Expand Housing Finance Agency's home foreclosure avoidance program statewide

H. 2239

Create community enhancement and economic transformation program and pilot program with ECU

H. 2253

Require smoke-free area around state buildings and authorize local governments to require same

S. 1686

H. 2255

Increase value of small jobs that can be done without a building permit in Edgecombe, Nash, and Wilson Counties

S.1650

Passed

S.L. 2008-65

H. 2259

Direct Division of Water Quality, DEHNR, to authorize use of open-bottom culverts on private land

H. 2299

Create Floodplain Mapping Trust Fund

H. 2313

Expedite DOT driveway permits; exempt greenhouses in municipalities from building code; {provision limiting adoption of development moratoria deleted prior to adoption}

Passed

S.L. 2008-176

H. 2314

Allow all counties participation in transportation projects on a voluntary basis and revise statutes regarding local government participation in state road projects

S. 1790

Passed

S.L. 2008-180

H. 2354

Authorize Wadesboro to provide annual notice to chronic violators of overgrown lot ordinance

H. 2363

Create Congestion Relief and Intermodal Transportation Fund; allow Wake-Durham-Orange (1/2% with TTA approval), Forsyth-Guilford (1/2% with PART approval), and Alamance-Davidson-Davie-Randolph-Rockingham-Surry-Stokes-Yadkin (1/4 % with PART approval) Counties to have transportation sales tax; additional sales tax authorization for public transportation in specified counties

S. 1894

H. 2367

Establish moratorium on involuntary annexations until 5/32/09; prohibit adoption of new resolutions of consideration

Passed

H. 2381

Allow Chapel Hill to add building code requirements regarding energy efficiency and use of renewable energy

H. 2382

Authorize Chapel Hill to regulate or prohibit lawn and landscaping irrigation systems connected to public water supply for new subdivisions and new construction

S. 1749

Passed

H. 2402

Amend provisions regarding Winston-Salem authority to provide annual notice to chronic violators of trash and overgrown lot ordinances

Passed

S.L. 2008-47

H. 2414

Annex portion of Ft. Bragg into Fayetteville or Spring Lake

S. 1708

Passed

S.L. 2008-74

H. 2431

2008 Studies Act-- includes potential studies of consolidation of environmental regulatory programs; state permits for wind turbines; hazard disclosures in coastal real estate transactions; phasing out hog lagoons; limit eminent domain for conservation lands; enhanced disaster management at county level; DOT standards for placement of sound barriers to protect residential areas. Creates Legislative Study Commission on Urban Growth and Infrastructure Issues to study measures to foster regional water resource and transportation planning, incentive-based local land use planning, and planning to accommodate rapid urban population growth. Creates Joint Legislative Study Commission on Municipal Annexation to study municipal annexation.

Passed

S.L. 2008-143

H. 2432

Direct Division of Emergency Management to develop plans to enhance county disaster management capabilities

Passed

S.L. 2008-162

H. 2436

2008 Appropriations Act

Passed

S.L. 2008-107

H. 2449

Allow Maggie Valley satellite annexation of specified area more than three miles from city limits

Passed

S.L. 2008-28

H. 2476

Modify various aspects of property taxes, including provisions on manufactured housing, use value taxation

S. 1878

H. 2496

Add Bear Paw and Yellow Mountain to state parks system

S. 1930

Passed

S.L. 2008-155

H. 2499

Adopt various drought response provisions, including those on water withdrawal and transfer registration, provisions for minimum conservation measures to be set by local governments, water use reporting, state water shortage emergency powers, rules for permissible uses of gray water, studies

S. 1879

Passed

S.L. 2008-143

H. 2501

Facilitate use of reclaimed water

S. 1937

H. 2502

Revise mitigation options for non-DOT federal wetland permitees

S. 1875

H. 2504

Revise impervious limits for new parking areas

H. 2506

Revise appeals process from civil penalties assessed under local sedimentation programs

Com. fav.

H. 2529

Extend Climate Change Commission to 2009

Passed

S.L. 2008-81

H. 2530

Tax credit for contributions to taxing entity for renewable energy equipment

Passed

Com. fav.

H. 2531

Set energy and water efficiency standards for state funded buildings

H. 2563

Allow Richmond County to remove unauthorized vehicles from private property

S. 2005

Passed

S.L. 2008-68

H. 2575

Allow Fletcher to enter contract to not involuntarily annex specified tract for 20 years and to accept conveyance of other land transfer as consideration

S. 2130

Passed

Passed.

S.L. 2008-51

H. 2579

Allow Chapel Hill to adopt ordinance further regulating demolition of structures in historic district

S. 2073

Passed

S.L. 2008-75

H. 2580

Modify Chapel Hill authority re in-lieu recreation fees

S. 1947

Passed

S.L. 2008-76

H. 2585

Exempt Granite Quarry, Kenansville, Lilington, Nashville, Richlands (for Richlands, applicable to specified parcels only), and Troutman from 10% limit on satellite annexations

S. 2045

Passed

S.L. 2008-30

H. 2709

Prohibit utilities from using coal obtained from mountain-top removal mining operations

H. 2710

Provide income tax credit for energy efficient homes

H. 2713

Allow Oak Island satellite annexations within three miles of another municipality

H. 2754

Prohibit involuntary annexations by Rowan County municipalities until June 30, 2009

H. 2764

Prohibit involuntary annexations by New Hanover County municipalities until June 30, 2009

S. 2128

H. 2765

Deannex specified areas from Statesville and Mooresville

Passed

S.L. 2008-32

H. 2767

Allow Hyde County boards and commissions to hold electronic meeting and vote remotely

H. 2769

Annex specified satellite area to Asheboro

Passed

S.L. 2008-21

H. 2775

Adjust Asheville and Woodfin boundaries relative to specified state owned properties

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. 212

Limit access to information on local parks and recreation participants {replaces bill originally adopted by Senate to clarify statutes on judicial appeals of quasi-judicial land use decisions}

Passed

S.L. 2008-126

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. 396

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

Passed

S. 443

Annex specified area to Yanceyville

Passed

S. 599

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

Passed

S. 845

Technical amendments to environmental laws, including revision of impervious surface standards for parking areas

Passed

S.L. 2008-198

S. 1046

Study impacts on NC of FERC licensing for Yadkin River hydroelectric projects

Passed

S.L. 2008-137

S. 1180

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

Passed

S. 1339

Delay Ecosystem Enhancement program

Com. fav.

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. 1579

Allow Cary to substitute electronic notification for published notice of hearings

H. 2094

Passed

Passed.

S.L. 2005-5

S. 1597

Allow Cary, Concord, Durham, Harrisburg, Kannapolis, Locust, Midland, Mount Pleasant, Stanfield, and Cabarrus County to provide development incentives for energy conservation

H. 2134

Passed

S.L. 2008-22

S. 1601

Adjust town boundaries for Bolton

H. 2114

S. 1602

Limit building heights in Caswell Beach

H. 2154

Com. fav.

S. 1636

Add Morehead City and Wilson to jurisdictions that can give annual notice of violation to chronic violators of nuisance lot ordinance

Passed

S.L. 2008-23

S.1648

Remove 10% cap on satellite annexations for Middlesex and Nashville

Passed

S.L. 2008-24

S. 1653

Allow Franklinton, Louisburg, Mt. Airy, Pinetops, Smithfield, and Yadkinville to give annual notice to violators of overgrown lot ordinance

H. 2603

Passed

S.L. 2005-6

S. 1654

Deannex specified areas from Cramerton and Mt. Airy

Passed

S.L. 2008-39

S. 1675

Disapprove rule regarding Group A sprinklers

S. 1686

Require smoke-free area around state buildings and authorize local governments to require same

H. 2253

S. 1748

Authorize Chapel Hill to levy additional vehicle fee to be use to fund public transit

Passed

S.L. 2008-16

S. 1749

Authorize Chapel Hill to regulate or prohibit lawn and landscaping irrigation systems connected to public water supply

H. 2382

Unfav.

S. 1754

Create state Infrastructure Trust Fund

S. 1828

Allow Marshville, Wadesboro, and Wingate to provide annual notice to chronic violators of overgrown vegetation ordinances

Passed

S.L. 2008-25

S. 1830

Repeal local transfer taxes

H. 2097

S. 1843

Deannex specified area from Hillsborough

Passed

S.L. 2008-17

S. 1862

Remove specified area of Lake Waccamaw State Park from state Nature and Historic Preserve to allow bridge realignment

Passed

S.L. 2008-11

S. 1869

Allow bill to require referendum approval for municipal annexation

S. 1872

Extend study of water resource allocation to allow final report to 2009 General Assembly by Oct. 1, 2010

H. 2447

Passed

S.L. 2008-10

S. 1878

Modify various aspects of property taxes, including provisions on manufactured housing, use value taxation

H. 2476

Passed

S.L. 2008-146

S. 1875

Revise mitigation options for non-DOT federal wetland permitees

H. 2502

S. 1885

Promote private compensatory mitigation banks in wetlands permitting

Passed

S.L. 2008-152

S. 1894

Create Congestion Relief and Intermodal Transportation Fund; allow Wake-Durham-Orange (1/2% with TTA approval), Forsyth-Guildford (1/2% with PART approval), and Alamance-Davidson-Davie-Randolph-Rockingham-Surry-Stokes-Yadkin (1/4 % with PART approval) Counties to have transportation sales tax; additional sales tax authorization for public transportation in specified counties

H. 2363

S. 1924

Require rental residences to have carbon monoxide detectors

H. 2471

Passed

S.L. 2008-219

S. 1937

Facilitate use of reclaimed water

H. 2501

S. 1946

Set energy and water efficiency standards for state funded buildings

H. 2532

Passed

S.L. 2008-203

S. 1951

Repeal county authority to impose land transfer tax if approved by referendum

Passed

S. 1962

Prohibit UNC-CH from closing Horace Williams Airport until replacement airport is located within 10 miles of existing airport

S. 1967

Disapprove coastal stormwater rules and adopt coastal stormwater standards

H. 2138

Passed

S.L. 2008-211

S. 1970

Allow Wilson to impose additional restrictions on demolition of structures in historic district

Passed

S.L. 2008-58

S. 1971

Allow Rocky Mount and Wilson to order demolition of unsafe buildings in community development target areas

Passed

S.L. 2008-59

S. 1977

Annex DOT right of way into Leland and Spencer

Passed

S.L. 2008-112

S. 2020

Establish floodplain mapping trust fund

S. 2119

Allow Brunswick County to use eminent domain to acquire land for road improvement and maintenance

S. 2126

Amend Winston-Salem charter re zoning penalties (increasing maximum fine from $50 to $500 ) and notices of violation

Passed

S.L. 2008-41

S. 2127

Authorize Wilson to provide annual notice to chronic violators of public nuisance ordinance

S. 2128

Prohibit involuntary annexations by New Hanover County municipalities until June 30, 2009

H. 2764

S. 2148

Authorize introduction of bill regarding state coordination with Raleigh planning

S. 2149

Prohibit involuntary annexation by Rowan County municipalities

S. 2150

Prohibit involuntary annexation by Davie County municipalities

S. 2151

Regarding annexation of state-owned land in Spencer (blank)

S. 2152

Incorporate town of Enochville

S. 2154

Authorize bill to protect sport shooting ranges that relocate from being classified as a "change in use"