Legislative Briefs

LONG TRUCKS: A bill to allow long trailers on more North Carolina roads advanced out of the state Senate Commerce Committee. The plan would allow 53-foot trailers on all primary highway routes. State law currently allows the large trucks on interstates and designated highways; 48-foot trailers are not limited by those restrictions. N.C. Trucking Association President Charlie Diehl said the changes will bring the state's "antiquated" law up to date by accommodating trucks that have become the industry standard. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Clark Jenkins, D-Edgecombe, said he will amend the plan with a list of specific routes and locations where the Department of Transportation thinks it would be unsafe for such long trailers to operate.

ANTI-GANG PROPOSAL: The state House rejected the Senate's changes to an anti-gang bill, voting unanimously to send the plan to a conference committee to try to resolve the chambers' differences. The plan would increase penalties gang members could receive for some crimes. The Senate last week removed provisions that would prevent gang members younger than 16 from facing the new penalties and allow some former gang members to have nonviolent offenses removed from their records.

QUICK HITS

BILLS INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE:

* H2604, to increase pay for teachers who hold two master's degrees. Sponsor: Rep. Jim Harrell, D-Surry.

* H2592, to instruct the Department of Public Instruction to collect data on child obesity. Sponsors: Reps. Larry Bell, D-Sampson, and Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland.

BILLS INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE:

* S1965, to allocate $16 million for stem cell research at universities. Sponsor: Sen. Walter Dalton, D-Rutherford.

* S1988, to prohibit the burning of a cross or hanging of a noose to intimidate a person. Sponsor: Sen. Doug Berger, D-Franklin.

* S2019, to prohibit illegal immigrants from attending state community colleges. Sponsor: Sen. Philip Berger, R-Rockingham.

* S2028, to forbid teachers' and state employees' health insurance plans to cover abortions. Sponsor: Sen. Andrew Brock, R-Davie.

BILLS INTRODUCED IN BOTH CHAMBERS:

* H2605 and S1944, to establish a sales tax holiday for Energy Star products sold during the first weekend in November. Various sponsors

* H2653 and S2087, to instruct the Legislative Services Commission to study the feasibility of televising General Assembly sessions and meetings. Sponsors: Rep. Richard Killian, R- Mecklenburg, and Sen. Eddie Goodall, R-Union.

ON THE AGENDA

TODAY: The House Democratic Caucus will hold a news conference to lay out its agenda for the rest of the session. House Democrats held similar events to articulate their goals in both of the past two years.