2006 legislative agenda

Land for Tomorrow (S1046/H1687):  The Land for Tomorrow campaign is a large state-wide coalition of groups seeking to place a $1 billion bond referendum on the ballot in November 2006 for the purposes of land conservation.

Clean Cars (S1006/H1460):  This legislation would require that new cars sold in NC after 2008 meet the emissions standards set by the state of California (higher than the US Federal Government's standards). Similar laws have been enacted in 8 states, though NC would be the first in the South.

Energy Efficiency:  An energy efficiency initiative is being crafted by NCSEA and others, with support of legislative leaders. This initiative is still being developed, but there is cautious optimism that energy efficiency measures will gain some traction this session given high energy costs.

Schoolchildren's Health Act (H1502): a bill that addresses environmental hazards on public school campuses. This legislation passed the House unanimously last session but got held back in the Senate Education Committee by the Committee Co-Chair Senator A.B. Swindell.

Stormwater: The Conservation Council is participating in a stakeholder process-with SELC, Environment North Carolina, and NC Coastal Federation-to negotiate a compromise between Phase II stormwater legislation passed by the legislature in 2004 and EMC rules adopted several months ago. Generally speaking, we favor the EMC rules which tend to be stronger and the Homebuilders favor the session law.

Ethics and Lobbying reform will be a hot topic this year, given the troubles with Speaker Black. A special Ethics Committee has been meeting on the House side and will almost certainly recommend new legislation. The Conservation Council was an active participant in the lobby reform coalition last year and is poised to assist again.

Last year, the Clean Water Management Trust Fund received, for the first time in its history, full funding at $100 million. The Conservation Council will work with other groups to see that full-funding is maintained in this year's budget.

In other budget matters, the Conservation Council will actively support additional funding for DENR, particularly new inspections positions. It is not yet clear how many new positions the Governor will ask for in his budget proposal, but we are positioned to assist DENR in lobbying for any additional allocations.