North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue has signed 11 more bills into law. The Regulatory Reform Act, also known as Senate Bill 810, is now ratified.
Senator David Rouzer, a primary sponsor, is a Republican from Johnston County who happens to be in a heated race against Representative Mike McIntyre for his seat in the 7th Congressional District. Rouzer says the Regulatory Reform Act creates a more customer service-oriented permitting process for industry. State environmental agencies will now be required to track and report the time it takes to complete each step. Rouzer says that will help legislators figure out where delays in the permitting process occur – after lawmakers spent two decades going overboard with well-intentioned -- but unnecessary and costly environmental protections.
Other bills signed by Perdue include one that permits a judge to erase some nonviolent felony convictions; another directs lawmakers to come to Raleigh earlier than usual next year to elect their leaders. Perdue has signed nearly 50 bills after the recent short session. Only a dozen remain on her desk.