2020 Session Coverage

New senator picked to fill unexpired term in Randolph, Guilford counties
Bank vice president Dave Craven replaces Jerry Tillman in the NC Senate.

Last-minute bill would refund fees closed bars paid for alcohol permits
Without the measure, bars that can't open would still owe the state money for their permits.

Cooper vetoes controversial death records language, wider bill
Facing a midnight deadline and despite signs of a legislative fix, Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill that had protesters camping out in front of the governor's mansion.

Lawmakers fail to increase unemployment benefits, extend exemption to law barring masks
State lawmakers adjourned early Friday after a marathon session without increasing the maximum weekly unemployment benefit or extending an exemption to state law prohibiting people from wearing masks in public.

Legislative notebook: Wake senator leaves session to get coronavirus test
A rundown of the late action as the General Assembly tries to wrap up this session.

Lawmakers unlikely to boost unemployment benefits for NC's jobless before they leave town
The Senate backed an increase, but the House didn't, and then the issue just faded.

Former lawmaker would get raise through late addition in policy bill
Lawmakers have tried for two years to boost former Rep. Justin Burr's salary at the Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council.

Republicans try again to rein in governor's emergency powers
The House voted Thursday to pare back the governor's powers in a statewide emergency.

Bill looks to crack down on sweepstakes parlors - or favor one manufacturer's machine
As the legislative session comes to a close, North Carolina's long-running debate over sweepstakes laws re-emerges.

New $200 million grant program proposed for businesses, local governments
The measure passed the Senate unanimously Friday and heads to the House.

After painful testimony, lawmakers consider upping sentences for death by motor vehicle
A bill would increase sentences for people with DWI convictions who drive on a revoked license and kill someone. Right now, it's 75 days.

Senate moves to fund long-discussed African-American monuments in downtown Raleigh
Funding for the monument, left in question after last year's budget veto, was reintroduced and may pass soon.

Bill to give some NC felons second chance at life without a criminal record nears passage
State lawmakers will take a final vote next week on legislation that could change the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Will protests lead to policy changes?
The urgency visible from protesters demanding police accountability reforms may not translate to momentum for for policy changes, at least at the state level in North Carolina. WRAL's Travis Fain reports that the state General Assembly is not likely to take up policing or social justice issues in the coming weeks.

Republicans promise bill to allow full RNC
Bill seeks to circumvent the governor, but it's likely he will veto, mooting the effort.

Scant momentum at NCGA for police reforms, but promises to listen
The N.C. House will form a commission and the governor is expected to take executive action, but ......

Farm bill, with hemp sections cut after months, clears NC House
Legislature punts on smokable hemp fight to pass scaled down agriculture measure.

Bill to waive road tests for young drivers passes NC House
The DMV suspended road tests over COVID-19, leaving young drivers who need them to get a license on hold.

Forced DHHS move to Granville County dropped from Senate budget language
Other budget priorities emerge as the Senate rolls out bills. House Speaker Tim Moore calls for a multibillion-dollar bond package.