The state House overwhelmingly approved a bill that would place no limit on the amount of damages the state could recover if oil from BP's Gulf of Mexico spill reaches North Carolina.
A previous version of the bill would have lifted the liability cap on any spills that make it into the state's waters. The bill is written so that the state would have no limit on the damages it could collect from BP if the oil spill hits the state, said state Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Greensboro Democrat.
Without the bill, state law caps the damages the state could recover at the federal limit, currently $75 million.
The bill also orders that the liability cap on other types of spills be studied. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Jones wants oil spill help
Rep. Walter Jones is leading a bipartisan effort to urge federal officials to prepare for the arrival of the BP spill if it moves up the Atlantic Coast.
Jones and 29 House members sent a letter suggesting the agencies begin working with states and localities to prepare for handling a spill, even though it is not certain that North Carolina will feel the effect.
"We need to know how to prepare for the possibility of oil on our beaches," said Jones, a Farmville Republican. "There must be a plan to make sure our residents are safe and our tourism and fishing industries can survive."
The letter was sent to the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.
Marshall seeks funds
New Democratic Senate nominee Elaine Marshall didn't waste any time sending out her first online fundraising missive.
Fresh from her primary victory Tuesday night, her campaign put out a fundraising letter asking for money for her campaign against Republican Sen. Richard Burr.
"Burr has a six-year head start and a $10 million war chest," she wrote. "Help us raise $75,000 online by July 1 by giving $5 or more today."
Fireworks bill passes
The Senate gave final approval to a bill meant to ensure that a new requirement to license pyrotechnics operators doesn't hold up Fourth of July fireworks displays.
Last year, the legislature required the licensing in response to a fatal explosion in 2009 as workers were preparing for a display on Ocracoke Island. Sen. Don Davis, a Snow Hill Democrat, said some communities were not sure whether they would be able to have displays because of the requirement.
The bill, which now goes to the governor to be signed into law, allows a temporary license to be issued to pyrotechnics operators who have proven experience and who promise to take the licensing test before October.
By staff writers Benjamin Niolet and Rob Christensen
