North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper recently signed four bills into law, which cover a range of topics including the establishment of a new registry for vaping products and numerous updates to transportation laws and regulations for the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In addition to signing these bills, Cooper vetoed two other pieces of legislation ahead of a scheduled meeting with President Joe Biden alongside other Democratic governors.
One of the bills signed by Governor Cooper focuses on the creation of a registry for certified vapor products and nicotine-containing consumables, which will be required for manufacturers looking to sell these products in North Carolina starting at the end of this year. The law outlines penalties for sellers and manufacturers who fail to comply with the new regulations, including fees and potential misdemeanor charges for manufacturers.
Another bill that was approved involves various changes to transportation laws in the state. These changes include the introduction of digital driver’s licenses that can be displayed on mobile devices, the on-demand printing of temporary registration plates, the implementation of a work zone safety course, and heightened penalties for littering offenses.
The third bill signed by Governor Cooper pertains to the state’s annual Farm Act, which includes exemptions for agricultural areas from stormwater fees, and the introduction of a tax credit for certain land conservation-related donations, among other amendments.
The final bill signed into law by Cooper brings about several modifications to insurance laws within the state. Meanwhile, two bills were vetoed by the governor—one concerning title certification for all-terrain and utility vehicles, and another addressing tenancy and landlord issues, with specific concerns raised over limitations on cities in passing ordinances related to federal housing assistance programs.
Despite the General Assembly adjourning, there are scheduled dates for lawmakers to reconvene for further actions, including the possibility of veto overrides. The next potential date for reconvening is July 10th. Governor Cooper’s decisions on these bills coincided with his participation in a virtual meeting with President Biden and other Democratic governors, following a challenging week for the Biden campaign, with calls from some quarters for the President to withdraw from the presidential race. Cooper had previously shown support for Biden during a rally in Raleigh, expressing the belief that securing North Carolina could lead to winning the presidency.
