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Cooper vetoes regulatory reform bill

Governor cites trash can, septic system provisions.

Posted Updated
Gov Cooper Budget Veto
By
Travis Fain
, WRAL statehouse reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a wide-ranging regulatory reform bill Friday, saying it would allow trash cans in hallways, posing a fire safety risk.

The governor also said Senate Bill 553 could allow septic systems to circumvent state rules, "which can hurt public health and threaten clean water."

This bill moved through the General Assembly with bipartisan support, particularly after a controversial section ending the state's ban on disposing of televisions and computers in landfills was dropped from the bill.
The bill still generated opposition, though, passing the House 78-31 and the Senate 32-14.

The legislature is on a break until Sept. 30.

Cooper's full veto statement follows:

"Provisions in the legislation allowing trash receptacles in exit corridors could pose a fire safety risk for residents and emergency responders. Also, this legislation could allow septic system permits to be issued that circumvent state septic system rules which can hurt public health and threaten clean water. Both of these provisions threaten public health and safety. Therefore, I veto the bill."

The governor has vetoed 37 bills since taking office in January 2017, and lawmakers have overridden 23 of them.

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