July 26 marked the end of Republicans’ first legislative session since taking control of both chambers of the N.C. General Assembly and the governor’s mansion in November — the first time in 140 years.
Gov. Pat McCrory has until Aug. 25 to sign or veto 35 still-pending bills as of Sunday afternoon, or they will automatically become law.
Bills signed into law
• House Bill 937 — The law expands where concealed guns are allowed, including locked cars on campuses of public universities and schools, bars and restaurants and playgrounds.
• Senate Bill 353 — Both a motorcycle safety and an abortion law, it limits abortion coverage under city and county health insurance. It also prohibits abortions based on the fetus’ sex and tightens standards for abortion clinics.
• House Bill 589 — The law requires voters to provide a government-issued photo ID and does not accept college IDs. It also shortens early voting by a week and ends high school pre-registration and same-day registration.
Bills vetoed
• House Bill 392 — The bill would have required drug testing for recipients on some welfare programs, and McCrory said he had concerns about its implementation. The section to deny welfare benefits or food stamps to fleeing felons or parole violators was approved in an executive order.
• House Bill 786 — The bill, “RECLAIM N.C.,” would have studied different ways of addressing illegal immigration in North Carolina. It also tripled the amount of time — from 90 days to about 9 months — to exempt seasonal workers from being E-Verified.
