Senators hold the cards on three veto overrides

(The Center Square) – Including a bill supported by 148 of 157 lawmakers, three vetoes from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper are in the process of being tested by the override process.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday sent all three pieces of legislations to the Senate. The governor’s 102 vetoes are a state record, as is the 45-for-45 mark by the General Assembly trying to overturn them when Republicans have three-fifths majorities or more in each chamber – the threshold for overrides.

A date for senators to vote on the override is not set. The chamber could return early, or on Sept. 9 as the NCLeg.gov calendar lists.

Biggest change of Democrats’ voting habits was on the digital currency legislation, also known as House Bill 690, or No Centrl Bank Digital Currency Pmts to State. The veto override was 73-41 in the House.

At passage on June 26, it was 109-4. The Senate favored it 39-5 a day earlier.

Legislation passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on currency regulation is yet to move in the Senate, though waiting for it or another bill is preferred by Cooper. He said North Carolina’s bill is “premature, vague and reactionary” and responds to decisions that “haven’t even been made yet.”

On May 22, the U.S. House passed changes for regulation of the cryptocurrency industry in a bill colloquially known as FIT21. The legislation is opposed by the White House. The Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, approved 279-136, had support of 71 Democrats.

The state proposal follows up on language in General Statute 147-86.11(a) that directs the state’s controller, treasurer, budget officer and auditor to “develop, implement and amend as necessary a uniform statewide plan to carry out the cash management policy” for all state agencies.

Titles for Off-Road Veh./Low Speed Veh. Insp., as House Bill 155 is known, was overturned by the House 73-41. Passage in the chamber on June 20 was 92-12. The Senate on June 18 favored it 33-16.

This bill pertains to the Division of Motor Vehicles regulation of all-terrain vehicles and utility vehicles on streets and highways.

And, Tenancy in Com./E-Notary/SmallClaims Changes, as House Bill 556 is known, was overturned 74-40 by House representatives. Passage in the chamber on June 26 was 74-39. The Senate on June 20 favored it 36-6.

This bill is a recommendation by the North Carolina Bar Association, has a request from the secretary of state, and relates to landlords’ refusal to rent to low-income tenants getting federal housing assistance.

There are two other Cooper vetoes that have not been challenged.

Recording of Court-Filed Documents, as Senate Bill 445 is known, was favored by 157 of 158 lawmakers voting. The 2024 Building Code Regulatory Reform, as SB166 is known, was closer on party lines with House members approving 77-28 and senators 34-10.