Pair of bills advancing in North Carolina budget's shadow

Pair of bills advancing in North Carolina budget's shadow

While the state budget is sucking up most of the air in the General Assembly this week, some other consequential pieces of legislation are advancing quickly.

Why it matters: A newly fast-tracked bill rewrites North Carolina's homeless policy to align with Trump administration priorities, and a House proposal would eliminate sales taxes on period products, baby wipes and diapers.

⛺️ Banning public camping

Both chambers passed legislation that bans camping on public property unless it's done in a recreational context.

  • Residents and business owners could sue local governments that don't follow the new rules.

    • Zoom in: Republicans argued House Bill 437 is necessary to ensure money doesn't stop flowing from the federal government.

  • They cited President Trump's executive order on "Ending Crime and Disorder of America's Streets." It instructs federal agencies β€” including the Department of Housing and Urban Development β€” to prioritize awarding grants to states that enforce public camping bans.

    • State of play: The legislation was filed over a year ago, but picked up speed last week. A final vote was held Tuesday in the House.

    What's next: The bill is now on Gov. Josh Stein's desk.

  • Several Democrats and unaffiliated House members voted with Republicans, meaning a veto by Stein could likely be overridden.

    • 🚺 Eliminating diaper, baby wipe, tampon taxes

    Wake County Republican Rep. Mike Schietzelt filed House Bill 1200 this spring, saying it would put "approximately $75 million back in the pockets of women and families."

  • The legislation would lift sales taxes on diapers, baby wipes and period products, effective April 1.

    • The latest: The House unanimously passed the bill Tuesday a few hours after its first committee hearing, an unusually quick turnaround.

    Yes, but: Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters Wednesday that it was notable the bill wasn't in the budget, meaning its passage could be merely symbolic.

  • The Senate hasn't yet calendared the bill.

    • State of play: North Carolina is one of 18 states that tax menstrual products, per Period Law tracking.

  • 23 states tax diapers, according to the National Diaper Bank Network.

    • πŸ’° Final budget votes

    The budget sailed through initial votes in both chambers Wednesday with some bipartisan support.

  • Final passage is slated for Thursday.