Weekly Legislative Tracker - August 9
Dear Advocate,

Thank you for advocating for our state's rural communities. The General Assembly is in the heat of session and we are watching many important bills. Between now and the end of session, I'll be sending you a weekly update about what's happening at the legislature and how you can be an advocate for our Rural Counts priorities. I hope you will find these updates--and our legislative tracker-- useful in your advocacy efforts.

Thank you for your partnership, and please let me know if I can answer any questions or support you in your work on behalf of rural North Carolina.
The Highlights
Many bills we're tracking saw significant changes this week, yet there is still no budget compromise or vote on H655/NC Health Care for Working Families , the Republican-sponsored legislation that would increase access to affordable, quality healthcare.

This week's highlights include:

  • The House State and Local Government Committee assessed and voted on H431,The FIBER NC Act, Wednesday, August 7. H431 is legislation seeking to remove access barriers by clarifying the ability of local governments to raise and spend funds for broadband infrastructure and to lease existing assets to private and nonprofit internet service providers. The bill's concept yielded much discussion and debate, but ultimately passed out of the committee and is headed to the House Finance Committee.

  • The Health Care Expansion Act of 2019 not only got a face lift, but also a new name. It has been renamed as Healthy NC but its bill number remains S361. The bill initially intended to repeal certificate of need laws, but now has multiple components including the integration of various telehealth policy proposals. Details below.

Much of next week is still to be determined, but we do know that the next voting session for the Senate will be Tuesday, August 13.
Broadband

Bill Summary: Authorizes cities and counties to build and lease facilities and equipment for broadband services. Leases must be to a non-governmental entity. Unrestricted funds, including taxes and grants, may be used. Sets out requirements for proposed construction.

Update: Favorable report in State & Local Gov't 8/7, then Finance, then Rules.

Take Action!

The current budget includes $30 million over two years for the GREAT Program. We applaud members of both houses for making broadband access a priority.

T  he next step? We need to pass a separate bill making tweaks to the program, including incentivizing faster speeds and offering low-cost options for newly served areas.

Use this template to send a letter of support for H398, Growing GREAT Rural Broadband Funding , to your representatives today!
Health

Bill Summary:
Originally drafted to amend the Certificate of Need (CON) statutes, it now contains eight parts, many of which include previous standalone bills, with CON now removed. Confused yet? You're not alone.

Here's how it breaks down:
(1) Enacts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Licensure Compact
(2) Allows marriage and family therapists to conduct the first-level exam for involuntary
commitment.
(3) Eliminates redundancy in adult care home inspections.
(4) Creates the Lupus Advisory
Committee.
(5) Modifies STEP therapy protocols.
(6) Provides equal coverage for oral and intravenous chemotherapy drugs.
(7) Amends telehealth coverage provisions for Medicaid and private insurance.
(8) Establishes a task
force to develop innovative solutions to the problems with access to healthcare in North Carolina.

Update: Passed third reading in the Senate & sent to House 6/26. Received favorable reports in both House Health and Rules committees and went on to pass second reading 8/8. Bill is scheduled for third reading 8/12.

Take Action!

Please  let your representatives know the entire House needs to take up H655 for a vote on the floor. Every call and email matters! Here's a  template   you can use in an email or call expressing support for the bill.

Here is the contact information for every member in the  House of Representatives . We encourage you to call your legislators now!
Other

Bill Summary:
Creates 10-member legislative study committee on Small Business Retirement Options. Committee to look at four specific topics, including ways the State can reduce burden on small businesses that want to offer payroll deduction retirement savings options. To report by 3/31/2020.

Update:
Amendment adopted and passed third reading 8/7.
Tiffany Gladney
Policy and Government Affairs Manager