NOTE: Reminder that IIANC members interested in hearing an update on what’s happened so far during the current Session of the NC General Assembly, and what’s likely to be the course of legislative action going forward, should click HERE to register for a free webinar at 12 noon on May 20^th hosted by IIANC lobbyist Joe Stewart (CE credit has been applied for).

The crush of legislation winding its way through the committee process and onto the calendar of the full House or Senate this week that is the usual occurrence leading up to the Crossover deadline (which was Thursday, May 8^th, the date by which all non-appropriations bill had to pass in one of the two chambers to remain eligible for the rest of the Session) did make for some long days, but it was a fairly orderly process.

One of the most common expressions used by legislators during this week was, ‘this bill needs some more work, but we need to pass it anyway to meet the deadline.’

And, there were a few items in the ‘needs some more work’ category that IIANC is monitoring:

• HB 188 that tightens restrictions on automatically renewing contracts passed the House this week. Banks, credit unions and trusts were excluded from the legislative changes, but not insurers. IIANC is working with insurance carriers and NC DOI to get entities subject to regulations under Chapter 58 of the NC General Statutes exempt when the bill is taken up in the Senate.
• HB 737 to eliminate the instructional component (but not the exam itself) of the state’s pre-licensing requirement passed the House. The language of this bill is likely to be folded into an insurance omnibus bill when taken up in the Senate, which will include other items on the IIANC legislative priorities list, including SB 298 that would require anyone subject to the inexperienced operator surcharge (IOS) maintain continuous coverage throughout the entire duration of IOS.
• Among traffic safety legislation passed by the House was HB 789 to allow those charged with impairment-related traffic offenses to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle for the period prior to their court date, and have that duration count as ‘time served’ if convicted. IIANC lobbyist Joe Stewart is a member of a Governor’s Highway Safety Program task force that includes representatives of law enforcement, district attorneys, the NC DMV, criminal defense attorneys and traffic safety advocates that proposed this idea to the legislature.
• The House (HB 163) and Senate (SB 479) have passed differing versions of new regulations governing the operation of pharmacy benefit management (PBM) companies relative to independent pharmacies. The two chambers will now work to see if a final compromise version of a PBM bill can be agreed to.

Other items of interest

For any IIANC members who do business with homeowners associations (HOA), there is legislation this Session in both the House and Senate making changes to the powers of HOAs.

Click HERE for a summary of the Senate legislation, SB 378. There is also a House bill, HB 444, which did not meet the Crossover deadline, but it’s likely the House rejects the Senate bill, and a final compromise version will come about if an agreement can be reached between the two chambers.

And, legislation to regulate e-bikes (SB 576) advanced as well, as the General Assembly seeks to have North Carolina join the other 23 states that have already established state law relative to this increasingly popular form of transportation.

And finally …

Republican candidate for the state Supreme Court Jefferson Griffin finally conceded to Democrat Allison Riggs, concluding the nation’s last unresolved statewide race from the 2024 election.

Congratulations goes out to John Snipes of Snipes Insurance Service in Dunn, who IIANC Vice President of Governmental Affairs Joe Stewart recently presented with an IIANC Plott Hound Award.

On hand for the presentation were IIANC member legislators Rep. Chris Humphrey, Sen. Todd Johnson and Sen. Vickie Sawyer.

The award’s namesake is the official state dog of North Carolina, a breed known for its intelligence, tenacity and loyalty – the very qualities necessary to be an effective advocate on behalf of the independent insurance agents of this state.

Snipes is a member of the IIANC Board, and attended the recent Big “I” Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, along with his father, Dal, (a former IIANC Board chair) and son, Jack, who is a high school senior.

Earlier this year John led a very successful effort to encourage his entire agency to support IIANC’s state political action committee, iPAC.