(The Center Square) – Increased oversight by the North Carolina Legislature of state agencies making rules with significant costs has been rejected in a veto by first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.
Limit Rules With Substantial Financial Costs, known also as House Bill 402 with companion Senate Bill 290, is the companion to what was previously called the NC REINS Act, or Senate Bill 290. The latter name is derived from the quest to rein in government oversight.
“This bill would make it harder for the state to keep people’s drinking water clean from PFAS and other dangerous chemicals, their air free from toxic pollutants, and their health care facilities providing high quality care,” Stein said in his message. “It would impose red tape, including an unworkable unanimity requirement, that would hamstring the decision-making of agencies, boards, and commissions, making them less effective at protecting people’s health, safety and welfare.”
PFAS, an acronym for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. Studies vary on their harmful effects; more is known about their impact on animals than on humans. PFAS, the Environmental Protection Agency says, “are found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation” and throughout the world.
The conservative-leaning John Locke Foundation favored the legislation. CEO Donald Bryson said voters should have a say on regulations.
“Unelected bureaucrats shouldn’t impose million-dollar regulations in the dark – but Governor Stein’s veto of the REINS Act protects that very overreach. By rejecting this commonsense reform, the governor has chosen bureaucratic power over democratic accountability.
“The REINS Act would have required legislative approval for regulations with price tags exceeding $20 million – rules that can reshape our economy, burden small businesses, and raise costs for families. If a regulation impacts your wallet, your vote should matter.”
Passage in the House of Representatives was 70-44 with no Republicans against and Democratic Reps. Cecil Brockman of Guilford County, Carla Cunningham of Mecklenburg County and Shelly Willingham of Edgecombe County for it. Senate passage (26-17) was in party divide.
Should lawmakers seek to override the veto, three-fifths majority of those voting is needed. Republican majorities are 30-20 in the Senate and 71-49 in the House.
