Summary:
North Carolina House overrides vetoes on key bills, including a ban on central bank digital currencies.
House Bill 556 aims to prevent local governments from protecting against rent discrimination.
House Bill 155 allows modified utility vehicles on more streets despite safety concerns.
Governor Cooper criticized the CBDC ban as premature and misguided.
Legislative actions demonstrate the power of the GOP supermajority in North Carolina.
North Carolina House Takes Bold Action
In a rare mid-summer session, the Republican-led North Carolina House voted decisively to override vetoes on three significant bills despite opposition from Democratic Governor Roy Cooper. These measures are now set to advance to the Senate, which was not in session on the day of the vote.
Bill Breakdown
- House Bill 556: This legislation aims to prevent local governments from enacting prohibitions on landlords who refuse rental agreements to individuals receiving federal housing assistance. The House voted 74-to-40 to override Cooper's veto, with Democrats arguing that it would exacerbate the housing crisis for low-income families. Governor Cooper criticized the bill, stating it would create legal ambiguities and increase costs for renters involved in disputes.
- House Bill 155: This bill allows modified utility vehicles on more streets, particularly in beach communities. The House voted 73-to-41 in favor of the override, despite Cooper’s concerns regarding safety on highways where these vehicles could operate at speeds of up to 55 mph.
- House Bill 690: The most controversial of the three, this bill bans state agencies from testing or accepting central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The House voted 73-to-41 to override Cooper’s veto. The governor described it as a misguided reaction to federal efforts to explore digital currencies similar to Bitcoin, suggesting that the legislation is premature and vague. Cooper emphasized the need for standards and safeguards in digital transactions before taking such legislative action.
Key Quotes
- Cooper stated, "This legislation is premature, vague and reactionary... The legislature should have passed a budget to provide more funding for cybersecurity threats that actually exist now."
- Supporters of the landlord bill argue, "The United States is a land of opportunity, not a land of discrimination."
This legislative push highlights the GOP supermajority's ability to shape policy in North Carolina, often against the backdrop of a divided political landscape.
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