Legislative Briefing

LANDFILL BILL: With only two weeks left before a moratorium on new landfills expires, lawmakers expressed concern and some confusion with a revamped bill to set tighter rules on building, permitting and inspecting dumps across North Carolina. More than 300 people crowded into a Senate committee hearing on the measure, which won praise from environmental groups but complaints from local governments and the waste industry. Committee head Sen. Charlie Albertson, D-Duplin, said stakeholders remain at odds over a $2.50 per ton tipping fee and a patchwork of buffer zones around environmentally sensitive areas, where landfills would be barred.

QUICK HITS

IN THE HOUSE:

* H367, to increase penalties for theft of metals including copper and aluminum, and beef up record-keeping requirements for metals recyclers. Voted 107-0 to concur with Senate changes. Next: To Gov. Mike Easley for his signature.

* S1218, to require candidates for public office to disclose whether they have been convicted of a felony. Approved 105-2 on second reading, final vote delayed on objection of Rep. Haire, D-Jackson. Next: Final vote, Wednesday.

* S758, to allow for limited driving for work, medical care and household needs by a person whose license has been revoked, not including those whose offense involves impaired driving. Approved 97-10 on second reading. Next: Final vote, Wednesday.

IN THE SENATE:

* S1068, to distribute more money from the telecommunications and video programming service sales tax to local governments and earmark a portion for grants for broadband connectivity and public access channels. Approved 49-0. Next: To the Senate.

* H1402, to require state departments to consult with lawmakers before starting new welcome center construction but permit work to proceed on visitor center buildings underway in Randolph and Wilkes counties. Approved 48-0. Next: Return to House for concurrence motion.

ON THE AGENDA

Today: A bill to ban hog lagoons and sprayfields, replacing them with more environmentally friendly methods of managing swine waste, goes before the House Agriculture Committee. The proposal, already unanimously approved by the Senate, includes a cost-sharing program for the first hog farms that convert to a new method. A moratorium on new hog lagoons expires Sept. 1.

(Associated Press writers Gary D. Roberston and Margaret Lillard)