PAY UP: A bill that would require adult-care homes to pay outstanding fines before transferring ownership passed the House on Wednesday. Bob England, a Democrat from Ellenboro, said the provision covering adult-care homes was designed to prevent operators charged with violations from simply changing ownership to the name of a relative or associate. The bill, which England said originated in the state Health and Human Services Department, would also allow county departments of social service 60 days, instead of the current 30, to investigate violations at adult-care homes that affect patient care or patient safety. Other sections would allow the secretary of health and human services to suspend admissions in specific parts of hospitals' operations; and waive state rules at hospitals to let them shelter people during declared disasters or emergencies.

FINAL GIFT: The little red heart on a driver's license would serve as legally sufficient notice of the holder's consent to be an organ donor, under a bill that won support from representatives who told how organ donation had touched their lives. The House approved the bill 117-1 and sent it to the Senate.

LEFT ON RED: A bill to allow left turns at red lights cleared a House committee despite concerns that it would endanger disabled pedestrians. The House Transportation Committee approved the bill to allow drivers to turn left from a one-way street to another one-way street after stopping at the light. The bill now goes to the Judiciary I committee.

MARRIAGE AMENDMENT: House Republicans say they will attempt a procedural maneuver to bring up a proposed constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage. The bill, which has more than 60 co-sponsors, has been sitting in the House Rules Committee for months. House rules say 72 of the 120 members would have to agree to take up the measure to pull the bill out of the committee and onto the floor. A similar three-fifths majority of the members in the House and the Senate would be required to put the amendment on the ballot for the November election.

QUICK HITS

IN THE HOUSE:

* H183, to ban public school bus drivers from using a mobile phone, digital camera or other technology while driving. Approved 119-0. Next: To the Senate.

* H99, to make the state pay attorneys' fees and other costs to a taxpayer who wins a tax case in court or administrative appeal, if a panel or court determines the state wasn't substantially justified in maintaining its position against the taxpayer. Approved 119-0. Next: To the Senate.

IN COMMITTEES:

* H1249, to allow airport authorities in North Carolina's most-populated counties to declare their buildings smoke-free. Approved by House Ways and Means. Next: House Judiciary II.

* H1735, to order the State Board of Elections to keep secret any investigations that don't end in a public hearing, and any advisory opinions it issues to candidates, publishing them at least once a year with the candidates' identities obscured. Approved 7-5 by House Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform. Next: House Judiciary II.

NOTEWORTHY

* Lawmakers and staff donned hats and bow ties for the legislature's traditional "brims and bows" day. A bevy of female legislators and employees posed for pictures on the Legislative Building's red-carpeted main staircase, wearing hats that ranged from tasteful straw skimmers to feather-bedecked cloches. They were joined by one male colleague in a bowler hat, while bow-tied men awaited their turn before the camera.

ON THE AGENDA

TODAY: The House Education Committee again will try to agree on a bill that would require schools to adopt a statewide policy against bullying. Debate on the measure stalled Tuesday over objections to the inclusion of homosexual students -- or those perceived as gay -- on a list of potential targets for harassment or abuse. The committee's agenda also includes a statewide ban on corporal punishment, and one of several bills that would raise the compulsory attendance age.

OVERHEARD

"This is a great day in the General Assembly. After 14 years, I've finally found a bill of Representative Luebke's that I can support."

-- Rep. Joe Kiser, R-Lincoln, who voted for a bill on campaign contribution disclosures co-sponsored by Rep. Paul Luebke, D-Durham.