NC Senate overrides five of Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes

The state Senate voted on Monday to override five of Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes of bills covering a range of issues from building codes to digital currency. 

All 27 Senate Republicans attending the session voted to override Cooper’s vetoes, while all 17 Democrats present were opposed. A three-fifths vote is required to override a veto. Three of those bills now become law because the House took its successful override votes on July 31.

Cooper vetoed a total of 27 bills last year and this year. 

These are the new laws:

House Bill 155 authorizes the state Division of Motor Vehicles to issue titles to all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles, and modified utility vehicles. Cooper said in his veto message that it is dangerous to allow vehicles without traditional safety features on four-lane highways. 

House Bill 556 prohibits cities and counties from passing or enforcing local ordinances that prevent landlords from refusing to lease property to people who use federal housing assistance programs to help pay their rent. 

In his veto message, Cooper said the bill would make it harder for people with low incomes, elderly people, and people with disabilities to find affordable rentals because it blocks local governments from acting to prevent rent discrimination. 

House Bill 690 prevents state agencies from accepting central bank digital currency and from participating in any Federal Reserve test of central bank digital currency.  

The Federal Reserve has been examining the pros and cons of central digital bank currency. Cooper said in his veto message that the bill was “premature, vague, and reactionary and proposes an end result on important monetary decisions that haven’t even been made yet.”

Two vetoed bills the Senate took up for overrides need votes in the House before they become law. 

Senate Bill 166, which would change building codes and the building code council membership, was the only bill that generated any debate. 

Sen. Steve Jarvis, a Davidson County Republican, said the legislation cuts unnecessary regulation and streamlines the building code process, which will put more affordable housing on the market. 

Sen. Natasha Marcus, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, said the bill weakens building codes and “poses significant dangers.”

In reshaping the Building Code Council, the bill gets rid of two seats filled by architects. 

“It’s irresponsible to remove the architects and we should not allow politics to be more important than the public’s safety,” said Marcus, who is running for state Insurance Commissioner. 

A section of Senate Bill 445 makes it illegal for people to fraudulently rent property or advertise property for sale that they don’t have the authority to sell. 

The bill also requires written findings of indigency for people who want to appeal small claims court judgments but can’t afford the court costs. 

Cooper’s veto statement said the bill creates legal ambiguity regarding eviction orders and may make it harder for low-income individuals to appeal as indigent in small claims court.