By Sen. Tom McInnis
Legislative Report
It has been a very busy week here in Raleigh with bills being written, filed, and passed. On top of that we had NC Agriculture Awareness Day, NC League of Municipalities Day, and NC Electric Cooperatives Day.
The members and lobbyists from all the associations descended on the General Assembly and we had a productive week of meetings. I saw farmers from Richmond and Anson County along with members of Farm Bureau throughout the district. I was fortunate enough to see members of the Electric Membership Cooperatives including Pee Dee Electric. I met with members of the Richmond and Anson County Extension Service. Mayor Antonio Blue of Dobbins Heights was kind enough to stop in for a visit. It was wonderful to see so many constituents from District 25 make the trip to Raleigh and share valuable input and advice.
In between all the meetings, I also attended committee meetings on Commerce, Finance, Appropriations on Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Economic Development. In Session, I introduced four bills and co-sponsored seven bills. On Wednesday, I introduced Senate Bill 298 School Bus and Cameras/Civil Penalties, one of the most important bills relating to the safety of our children who travel to school by bus. This bill will allow school bus camera photos to be used to charge a civil penalty for anyone who illegally passes a stopped school bus. Many school buses are already equipped with stop-arm cameras, but the courts have not allowed the pictures to be used for criminal prosecution. This bill allows the pictures to be used and a $500 fine to be issued which will go to the local schools budget after the deduction of any cost or fees. If you want to read more about the bills please visit the NC General Assembly website.www.ncleg.net
We had a productive legislative week and it is great to receive updates from so many constituents. I look forward to many more weeks similar to this one. I will follow up next week additional information on bills I sponsor or co-sponsor in the NC Senate. Please feel free to contact my Senate office in Raleigh.
Sen. Tom McInnis serves in the North Carolina General Assembly, working for District 25, which includes Anson, Richmond, Rowan, Scotland and Stanly counties.
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