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Roots of Ethiopia: New website promotes responsible tourism throughout Ethiopia - Capital Ethiopia Newspaper
Home News Local News Roots of Ethiopia: New website promotes responsible tourism throughout Ethiopia
Roots of Ethiopia, a new website which showcases and promotes a wide range of community and sustainable tourism opportunities in Ethiopia was launched on Thursday April 5th 2012 at Radisson Blu Hotel. The website will serve as a clearinghouse, linking many community tourism destinations throughout Ethiopia so people can find various community tourism options in one place. It also offers basic information about traveling to and within Ethiopia including facts on history, culture, food and language in order to give tourists a taste of the country.
Community tourism attempts to benefit local communities by giving them ownership over touring programs.
Indigenous people could host tourists in their village or the community could run the operation together and share in the profits. There are several types of community tourism projects, including many in which local people work with commercial tour operators. The goal of ‘community based tourism’ is to give local people a fair share of the benefits/profits and a say in deciding how incoming tourism is managed.
“Ethiopia is blessed with many tourist attractions, some of which are world recognized. UNESCO has recognized nine sites in Ethiopia as world heritage sites making the country the leading one in the continent. We are working to make Ethiopia one of the top five destinations in Africa by the year 2020. We are certain that this website will contribute to this effort,” Tadelech Dalacho, State Minister of Tourism said.
The website, www.rootsofethiopia.com provides information about the weather, food, language and culture as well as describing the activities people can participate in. It also includes accommodations both with the community and self-lodging. It describes emerging tourist destinations that have not yet reached the guidebooks. Some tours will begin at the end of April and beginning of May.
At the launch of the website, representatives from USAID, Ethiopian Sustainable tourism Alliance (EATA), Ethiopian tour agencies and State Minister of Tourism, Tadelech Dalacho were present.
“A negative image of Ethiopia still prevails in different countries and in the minds of potential tourists. We hope that this website will provide accurate and useful information and contribute to the closing of the information gap,” said Bedilu Shegen, Chief of Party of the Ethiopian Sustainable Tourism Alliance (ESTA).
Those involved in the process of developing the website also explained at the launch that community tourism is an important element of creating successful tourism destinations since it provides meaningful and authentic experiences for both the tourist and the communities. During a community tourism experience, tourists have the opportunity to interact with community members in a genuine manner.
Tourism provides alternative livelihoods for communities, providing direct employment and an important source of income. When the community receives money from tourists, it gives them an incentive to protect the natural and cultural resource that tourists come to see.
“The Internet is a key place to find information. Last year about 75 million people were estimated to have gone on the Internet to get information about their holiday destination in order to plan their vacation. A website like this will need to be updated constantly to be sustainable, tourism is a very competitive business, and there are a lot of websites that do the same thing as the roots of Ethiopia website. The key is to maintain the update of new information as fast as possible,” Mark Carrato, representative from USAID said.
The website initiative has been led by the Ethiopian Sustainable Tourism Alliance (ESTA) a five year USAID-funded project in partnership with two other organizations working towards community development: Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) and Tourism in Ethiopia for Sustainable Future Alternative (Tesfa).
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The House will come to order, members will take their seats, visitors will retire from the chambers. The sergeant at arms will close the doors. Members and visitors are asked to silence all electronic devices. Members, today's prayer is going to be offered by Representative Ralph Johnson, members and all visitors in the gallery are asked to stand during the prayer and to remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. Representative Johnson. Speaker Change: Thank you Mr. Speaker. This is the day that the Lord has made, we must rejoice and be glad in it. Let us pray. Father, we thank you for this day. It's a day that we are grateful to have, one that we have never seen before. We thank you for life, health, and strength, for family and friends, the opportunity to serve and to do your will in service of your people. We remain grateful to you and acknowledge that you have provided the opportunity to serve in leadership positions for all of us, not because of anything that any one of us has done, but only because of your goodness and mercy. We thank you for your mercy. Lord, your words are true and you credit righteousness to all those who trust in you. Guide us back, too, when we fall down into disobedience and teach us how to examine our ways. You have said that, in your words, that obedience is better than sacrifice. Help us always to know the difference. Help us to always know the difference. Lord we are meeting today to conduct the business of your people. Guide our hearts and our minds and our spirits of fairness, right thought and speech. Impart your supreme wisdom upon our activities so our affairs may reach a successful conclusion. Help us to remember Galatians 6:10, which says: As we have opportunity, we should do good to all people. All people, especially to those who belong to the family of faith. Thank you for being our source of guidance today and the days to come. We ask all these things in your precious name of your son. Amen. Speaker Change: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Speaker Change: The gentleman from Harnett, Representative Lewis is recognized for a motion. Speaker Change: Mr. Speaker, the journal for March 10th has been examined and found to be correct. I move that it stand approved as written. Speaker Change: Representative Lewis moves the journal for March 10th be approved as written. Those in favor will say, "Aye." Those opposed will say, "No." The ayes have it and the journal is approved as written. Members, our doctor of the day is Dr. Ward Adcock from Gastonia, North Carolina, who's also accompanied by his son, Davis. Dr. Adcock, we're glad to have you here with us today. Thank you for being here. Representative Blust and Jordan are recognized to send forth a series of committee reports, the clerk will read. Speaker Change: Representative Blust and Jordan, Judiciary 2 committee report, House Bill 79, "Allow Civil and Criminal Contempt, 50(c) Violation" Favorable committee substitute, unfavorable original bill. Speaker Change: Calendar, and without objection, today's calendar is there an objection to this bill being added . . . if the gentleman from Durham wants to know, it's the, the bill title is "Allow Civil and Criminal Contempt, a 50(c) Violation." Speaker Change: Thank you, no objection. Speaker Change: Without objection, added to today's calendar. Original bill was placed on the unfavorable calendar. Speaker Change: House Bill 134, "Soliciting Prostitution, Immunity for Minors." Speaker Change: The bill calendar, and if no objection, today's calendar. Is there objection? Hear none, added to today's calendar. Original bill on the unfavorable calendar. Speaker Change: House Bill 113, "Protect our Student Act," favorable committee substitute, unfavorable original bill, and we referred.
JSHUKS [0:00:00.0] …To finance, regional bills placed on the unfavorable calendar, Committee Substitutes refer to the Committee on Finance. Representative Louis, the Chairman of Committee on rules got an operation recognized to send forward the committee report, the clerk will read. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Louis, Rules Calendar an operation of the House Committee report, House Bill 157: Amend Environmental Laws, Favorable Committee Substitute #2 and Unfavorable Committee Substitute #1. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Original Bill in favorable calendar, the Committee Substitute without objection today. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Objection. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Objection heard, the gentleman from Harnett is recognized for a motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Mr. Speaker, I would move that the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 157 be added to today’s calendar not with standing the objection. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the lady from Guildford, Representative Harrison raise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To speak to the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The lady is recognized to debate the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Ladies and Gentlemen and House is full like ground hot day, last week we considered a provision in this bill that dealt with Fracking that way their requirement the Environmental Management Commission would have to adopt rules relating to emissions, I’m not gonna get into the subsets of that but I do wanna go into the recedes and this is a very controversial issue, Fracking has got significant air quality issues associated with it and there is just been a lack of public notice about this consideration of this bill that’s gonna remove their requirement that this EMC adopt these rules. So I just as a service to my constituents and the constituents out there who are going to be affected by natural gas exploration I think they need to have a little bit notice so they can get and touch with us about how they feel about their requirement the way air quality rules and I feel very strongly about that and I encourage you to vote no on this motion, thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Cumberland, Representative Glazier raise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To debate the motion Mr. Speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman has the floor to debate the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you Mr. Speaker, I want to follow Representative Harrison’s comment and I think it’s helpful just to put it in a little bit respective and I know we are trying to clear things for the next two days and I understand that completely but when the bill as it emerged initially in committee did not appear to have much of controversy and it seemed to have been work through and did it well and it sounds to me at least from reports that a provision was added in committee which was controversial and which was controversial the other evening, and which to some degree was defeated the other evening on the floor so there maybe very substantive and procedural debates on that issue which will come up. And it strikes me that given the nature of the matter and how controversial it was that it’s the wrong thing to do to put something on the floor without any notice here even though there was a committee hearing and I fully understand that but we are adding something on a major substantive topic Fracking of which the population in this body have disagreed, we are adding it without real notice to the public and what we have noticed here they don’t and I think that given the history of this provision and that’s unfair, there are other portions of the bill that maybe very time sensitive and I understand that but it was a decision to add that in the committee and so we are stuck with it in the bill. And people will make up their minds but I don’t think this early in the session it’s appropriate for us to be doing this and probably we doesn’t set the precedent that up to now had been one and complete, and open transparency in my view and very good collegiality between the majority and the minority on what goes on the calendar and what doesn’t, it strikes me that this breaks that protocol and that’s a little disappointing, thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Rutherford, Representative Hager raise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To speak on the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman has the floor to debate the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you Mr. Speaker, we talked last week it’s been eight days now since we have first brought the subject forward and the public has time to way in I have got folks waiting sending me emails, I think some of you others have also, again it’s been a week and a day we were asked if that just through a committee what we agreed upon last week, we evaded through Environment Committee with I think two or three an opposition I don’t remember 25 members overwhelmingly voted yes, four has evaded through the committee and it was put on the correct bill and Environmental Mains Bill, it’s in the ??, it’s remained to the bill, it’s been evaded through committee, it’s laid around for eight days, I think it’s time to hear this and let the folks hear this bill, hear this amendment. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the lady from Carteret, Representative McElraft raise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To speak on the objection. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The lady has the floor to debate the motion to add the bill to today’s calendar. [SPEAKER CHANGES] I just want to let you know that we did thoroughly that this an environment and even though it was add as amendment in environment to the environmental amends bill, Representative Harrison who, definitely been against this… [0:05:00.3] [End of file…]
Asked me the day before, if Representative Hager was going to be added to the bill, and I told her yes. So there was ample opportunity for the public to get in touch with each of the environment committee meetings, because I know Representative Harrison let them know that was going to be added. There is nothing trying to be hidden here. This bill could’ve come from the Senate and we would have had to concur on it. So we’re not trying to hide anything. We’re trying to take this through the process. And we have debated on it today. We had debated on the environment, and I would hope you will vote yes on this motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Durham, Representative Luebke rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To see if Representative Hager would yield for a question. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Does the gentleman from Rutherford yield to the gentleman from Durham? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Always. [SPEAKER CHANGES] He yields. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Representative Hager. My question has to do with process and the public’s knowledge that this bill would be on the calendar today. And so my question is: to what committee was the bill referred as we heard it as members of the Finance Committee and as members of the public. To what committee was it referred yesterday? From environment? [SPEAKER CHANGES] I’m sorry, repeat the question, Representative Luebke. [SPEAKER CHANGES] My question, Representative Hager, is to which committee was the bill referred at the end of the Environment Committee that the motion having been made by the committee? The question is simply to which committee was it referred? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Mr. Speaker, point of order? [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman from Harnett, Representative Lewis is recognized as to a point of order. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman from Durham is asking a procedural question. I would respectfully ask that the gentleman direct his inquiry to the chairman of the rules calendar and operation of the House committee. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Point is taken. Does the gentleman from Durham wish to direct his question to the Rules chair? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Yes sir. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Luebke, thank you for the inquiry. [SPEAKER CHANGES] You’re asking me if I could—I’ll ask you a question. [SPEAKER CHANGES] In the interests of time, I assume you’d want the answer to the question that you’ve asked the gentleman from Rutherford, is that not the question you’d like to have answered? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Well, I thought I had the floor, Mr. Speaker and Mr. Chairman, and I just wanted to ask you a question. I’m happy to ask you the question. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Does the gentleman from Harnett yield to an inquiry from the gentleman from Durham? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Yes, sir I yield. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Speaker, and Representative Lewis. To which committee was this bill referred in the environment committee? [SPEAKER CHANGES] The motion that prevailed in the committee on the environment was that the proposed committee substitute for House Bill 157 be given a favorable report and re-referred to the committee on finance. Yesterday, the referral to finance was stricken and the committee was re-referred, I mean the proposed committee substitute was re-referred to the committee on rules, because the provisions that involved the Committee on Finance were removed. [SPEAKER CHANGES] A follow up? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Does the gentleman from Hart yield to an additional question? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Yes sir I yield. [SPEAKER CHANGES] So it is accurate to say that the members of the committee, and more importantly, the public, presumed from the motion in the House Environment Committee was going to the House Finance Committee? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative, thank you for the question. I think it would be fair to assume that the members of the public and members of the Chamber were expecting the bill that contained finance provisions to go to the Finance Committee. I would respectfully point out in response to your question, that the provisions that were relating to finance were removed in the House Committee substitute that was adopted in the Rules Committee this morning. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Well, my question is simply Representative Lewis— [SPEAKER CHANGES] Does the gentleman wish to state an additional inquiry? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Yes. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Does the gentleman from Hart yield? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Yes sir, I yield. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Lewis, do you think it’s good procedure from the standpoint and good policy because of what’s in the bill, to make a re-referral from Finance to Rules? At some point when the public is really not paying attention, it’s simply being done as routine business up here, and we the members of the Chamber, and the public, can’t possibly know that a referral like that happened in the detail of messages and re-referrals, etc. that it’s really impossible to follow every one of these. Would you not acknowledge that’s true?
Rep. Luebke, thank you for the question. I want to reflect a moment on the gentleman from Cumberland earlier. We have made a valiant effort I think in this chamber this session to have as much transparency in the transaction of the business that we possibly can. Do I think that adding this bill to today’s calendar is the ideal solution? I don’t, I wish that we did not have to do that. However, there is a part of this bill and you have served with distinction much longer than I have, and you understand that there are time sensitive provisions that require the general assembly to act from time to time. And this bill contains a time sensitive provision and we felt the most efficient way to have this issue dealt with was to remove the questions that the finance committee would have had to resolve, place those in another bill, and to the point that Rep. Hager made, and Rep. McElraft have made, the issues that have largely been aired to go ahead and bring those forward today...again, because I would reiterate that this is a time-sensitive matter. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The chair is gonna intervene in this matter and would consider part of the questions proposed by the gentleman from Durham to be a parliamentary inquiry. Pursuant such, the chair has made inquiry with the court; a notice did go out at 6:01 yesterday. The notice was fully compliant with our rules, and the bill would be fully appropriate before this body pursuant to our rules. Does the gentleman wish to ask an additional question or debate the motion? [SPEAKER CHANGES] I wish to debate the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman is recognized to debate the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Members, we heard that the bill went out, the notice went out at 6:01, that the bill was being referred from finance to rules and therefore, would be in the rules committee calendar. I respect very much the comments of the rules chair, but I think all of us know referring a bill at 6:01PM from finance to rules is not an action that the membership and especially the public can know anything about. And I very much would request that people vote yes on the objection because of the process. This can wait, the senate can rush anything through that it wants. We know about the senate, they can do it in 30 minutes and we should not debate this today; we should wait until Monday so that there is an opportunity for the public to weigh in. So I urge the support of the objection. I’m sorry, I urge support, I urge support of the motion of Rep. Lewis, apologies, so that bill is not on the calendar today. Thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For explanation purposes [SPEAKER CHANGES] Vote no on the motion, thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] So Rep. Luebke was before it before he was against it, is that how this is? For what, I’m just giving you a hard time. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Mr. Speaker, thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Rutherford?, Rep. Hager rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To see if I can help with the parliamentary inquiry to the rules chair. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Does the gentleman from Harnett yield? [SPEAKER CHANGES] I yield. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Rep. Lewis. If, let’s assume, the bill went to finance. This may be a question for Rep. Saine, Chairman Saine at this point, if it had gone to finance, would this particular amendment piece of the bill be heard since it had no finance piece to it? [SPEAKER CHANGES] That’s actually a very good question. Since this provision that was removed--that dealt with finance--was removed from the bill, the finance committee really wouldn’t have had any jurisdiction, if you will, on this particular bill, which is why the decision was made to re-refer the bill to rules. [SPEAKER CHANGES] A little more detail, Mr. Chairman? [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman is recognized to state the additional question and the gentleman from Harnett yields to the question. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Let me refine that a little bit more. Let’s assume the piece would have stayed in that had finance, which was not in the provision we’re talking about right now. And Rep. Saine may want to weigh in on this, Mr. Speaker. If this particular piece that I put in yesterday in finance had no finance provision in it at all, would it have allowed to be discussed in finance? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Mr. Speaker and Rep., thank you for the inquiry. I would need to respond to that just by saying that the rules would not have required it have been referred to finance, and finance would have had no reason to have reviewed the bill. Of course, they may have asked for it to have been referred. They may have, but it would not have had a finance component.
So it would not have been a part of the normal course of business that it would’ve gone to finance without a finance component. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Wake, Representative Pendleton rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] I’d like to speak on this bill if I could. [SPEAKER CHANGES] On the, it’s a motion to add the bill to today’s calendar. Does the gentleman wish to debate the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Not on that. I wanted to talk about the subject. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the lady from Carterette, Representative McElraft rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To speak second time on the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The lady has the floor to speak to the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The part that would’ve gone to finance was one little paragraph in 16 pages. Had that not been in the bill it would’ve come straight from environment, straight to this floor, so taking that out, that one little paragraph that had to do with flight goods and taxes. We took that out. It would’ve followed the same path as it would had it not been in there. It came straight to the floor from environment and that’s the way it should have come. Thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Lincoln, Representative Saine rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To speak on the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman has the floor to debate the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the conversation’s been had all around, yesterday I talked with the bill sponsor and knowing that this piece would not be in there I decided that it did not indeed need to come to finance and therefore that’s why we’re at today. Thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Harnett, Representative Lewis rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To debate the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman has the floor to debate the motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Speaker and ladies and gentlemen of the House. I wanna start by saying that I greatly appreciate and respect all of the concerns that have been raised today. I think that all the members of the chamber would acknowledge that our chamber has taken great strides forward in trying to be as transparent as we can to seek input as we can. I would not normally ask or have any problem with the bill rolling over for a few days, but the facts are this, they’re all, there is a provision in this bill that is time sensitive. We need to address the bill and once the bill’s added to the calendar all the members are certainly free and able to speak against the bill, to debate the bill, to vote no against the bill. All I’m asking is that this chamber have the opportunity to address this time sensitive issue, therefore I would respectfully ask that on the question to add it to the calendar that the members vote aye. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Further discussion, further debate? If not the question before the House is the motion of Representative Lewis that the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 157 be added to today’s calendar for consideration. So many favoring the motion will vote aye, those opposed will vote no. The clerk will open the vote. The clerk will lock the machine and record the vote. 75 having voted in the affirmative and 40 in the negative, the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 157 will be added to today’s calendar. Members we’re now gonna go to introductions of bills and resolutions. That will take a few minutes. There are a number of those and then once we come back we will move into the calendar. The, on today’s calendar you’ll see the bills that were on the printed calendar plus the three bills that were just added today and it would appear if we dispose of these bills that we may not require a voting session tomorrow. Introductions of bills and resolutions, the clerk will read. [SPEAKER CHANGES] House Bill 182, Representatives [??], Lewis and Hager, Property insurance fairness. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Insurance. The clerk will suspend just a moment. On motion of Representative Dave Lewis from Harnett County the chair is happy to extend the courtesies of the gallery to Tracy Sternberg and the Girl Scouts who are here from all across North Carolina. If you all will please stand so that we can welcome you today. [applause] And also on behalf of Representative Stineburg the chair, I believe these folks are in the same group, but I believe Troop 4305 and Troop 25 from Pasquotank County and Troop 2504 from Currituck County is here. Again we’re glad to have you here. The gentleman from Harnett, Representative Lewis is recognized to rise to a point of personal privilege. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Ladies and gentlemen of the House today is a very special day. We have quite a few very special guests in our gallery and I wanted to pause at the start of this session and acknowledge that on March 12, 1912 in Savannah, GA Juliette Gordon Lowe organized what would become the Girl Scouts of the USA. I have some prepared remarks, but in the interest of time I just want to let you all know what a tremendous organization this is. How it builds and empowers our young people. I’m very proud of the fact that my daughter is an active member of her, of our girl scout group and the things that they teach, the things that we strive for every day up here, inclusion, the ability for all to participate, the ability for all to excel and when you excel to be acknowledged, to be rewarded, these are the things that the girl scouts are taught every day by their adult volunteers and also by the girls themselves as a team. They are a tremendous asset in building our society and in building our community and in setting a positive example for all to follow. I will just go back again, you don’t have to go any farther than the girl scouts to see an example of a group that truly is focused on its mission of educating and improving all people, regardless of where you came from, where you started, there’s a home for you if you have the interest and the willingness to invest your time. I’m very, very proud of the many contributions that the girl scouts continue to make every day. Obviously I was not qualified to be a member of the girl scouts, but I’m not sure that I would’ve been smart enough or would’ve been able to excel to the point that many of these girls and young ladies have done. I just think it is important that we pause from time to time and they’ve got the chance today to see sort of what we do up here, but I think it is important that we pause from time to time to acknowledge the good works that go on in our community and in our state and later on today I will ask that the clerk include a statement that Representative Carney and Representative Gill and I are going to ask to be spread upon the journal. There will be a copy distributed to all of your desks as well and of course one sent to the girl scouts, to their main office, but again I know that with the Speaker’s indulgence there are another member or two probably more qualified than I am to pay tribute to this great group, but I did just want to voice my support and more importantly my appreciation for all the good works that you do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The Chair would also inquire, is Lindsey Denning in the chamber. If you are, would you please stand. Lindsey, your aunt, Denise Weeks wanted me to make sure I specifically recognized you, so we’re glad to have you here also today. [applause] On motion of the members of Guilford County, Representatives Blust, Hardister, Harrison, Faircloth, Brockman and Johnson, the chair is happy to extend the courtesies of the gallery to Hank Henning, Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and Nancy Vaughn, Mayor of Greensboro. We’re glad to have you here also today. [applause] Mayor, we’re glad you didn’t bring Don with you today. For what purpose does the lady from Mecklenberg, Representative Carney rise. [SPEAKER CHANGES] To speak for a moment on the issue before us, it’s not a resolution but the Girl Scout Day. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The lady is recognized for a moment of personal privilege. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen of the House, 103 years ago this fine organization that was started by Juliette Gordon Lowe was
formed around a meeting room with 18 girls and an idea. We opened our session this year, if you recall, with an incredible tribute to the Boy Scouts of America. So I'm asking my colleagues today in the Chamber to please give that same due diligence of respect and listening to what we're talking about today. We have young ladies in our gallery that may some day be on this floor, or the Senate floor, or indeed Congress. Because throughout the years, from those 18 girls sitting with Miss Lowe, it has grown to 59 million plus within the world. I'm wearing today my pins, with honor. A world pin that I earned as a Brownie. And moving on to Girl Scouts, my Girl Scout pin. And then a Service Bar pin from being a Scout leader. I wear them proudly today, standing in this Chamber as a member of the House of Representatives. Building on those foundations that Juliette Lowe gave to those 18 young women that day 103 years ago. Many of you, the men in this Chamber in particular, have wives, or grandmothers, or aunts, or grandchildren, nieces, neighbors, that have paved the way for other young ladies in this incredible service organization. So I ask you today to join with us in North Carolina in honoring 103 years of this organization for our young women. I have a granddaughter, a second grader, in Middle Tennessee. She's in Brownie Troop 200705 in Middle Tennessee, Service Unit 172. She sent me that text to remind me of her numbers. And she wears them proudly. But today, on a lighter note, what many of you equate Girl Scouts with is those wonderful cookies. They've grown over the years from the Tagalongs, the Thin Mints, and the Samoas. This year they added a new one. As you can imagine, having received one in your office compliments of myself and my granddaughter, they have a new one called Rah Rah Raisins. Many of you know that my grandchildren call me Rah Rah. Well, when that came out, I immediately got the phone call, and the email, and a text from my granddaughter. They named a cookie after you. Obviously they did not, it's Rah Rah for raisins and healthy cookies. So that is probably a good tribute, too. i also want to point out that we have another Rah Rah in this chamber, and that is Representative Sarah Stevens. Again, this is an important day. It has made an impact on so many lives. I thank you for your attention through these comments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the lady from Wake, Representative Gill, rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] A moment of special privilege. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Lady is recognized to speak to a moment of personal privilege. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I never was a Girl Scout per se, because I grew up on the farm in Apex, North Carolina. But when my daughters started school they saw the little girls in green and brown uniforms, and they wanted to be a member of that group. So that enticed me to become a Girl Scout leader. I went through the process of the training to be a Girl Scout leader. And I think my first troop was 60 members. I had a total of 60 girls who joined my first troop. The Pines of Carolina was so intrigued by what we were doing as the 60 members in the group, they asked me to become a trainer of Girl Scout leaders for Southeast Raleigh. I did train quite a few leaders. But one of the things that I did as a part of my job as a leader was to make sure that I empowered the girls by teaching values such as honesty,
Fairness, courage, compassion, character, sisterhood, confidence, and citizenship through activities which include camping, community service, learning first aid, and earning badges by acquiring practical skills. Girl scouts have the same ranking somewhat as boy scouts, but our rankings were a little bit different, and they were based on special awards. We had girl scouts bronze, silver, and gold awards. It's amazing to think that girl scouts became an organization long before women were able to vote, and that is unique because I think back and wonder what the leaders were telling the girls about the fact, why they couldn't vote. But starting from 18 members as the previous speakers have spoken, today we have 2.3 million girl scouts in the United States alone, and of that, 890,000 adults are working with them. Most girl scout units in the early years were segregated based on race according to the statutes, and locals, laws, and customs. The first African American troop was founded in 1917. That's pretty good. And then the first Southern African American troop was founded in 1932. Now, the girl scouts have unusual programs, and I'm gonna tell you about two. One is called the girl scouts beyond bars. How many of you have heard of that? Well what the girl scouts beyond bars do is they help daughters of incarcerated mothers to connect with their children and have the mothers participate in girl scouts, so the mothers are taught those same traits, characteristics. The other one is called girl scouting in detention centers, and what this will do is allow young girls who are incarcerated to become, to participate in girl scouts, and they are taught just like the regular girl scouts. I think Representative Carney and I know well the motto. Would you like to stand up and together we will say the motto, the promise, and the slogan. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Well, the chair will recognize Representative Carney and Representative Gill to recite the motto. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Well, are there other, mister speaker, of inquiry? [SPEAKER CHANGES] And if there are other, any other girl scouts or former girl scouts who would like to recite, in fact, the girl scouts in the gallery are invited to join in with the recitation of the motto. Representative Jeter, if you'd like to recite the motto, you can too. The ladies and any gentlemen who would like to recite the motto are recognized for said purpose. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Let's start with the motto. The motto is be prepared. Our slogan is do a good turn daily. And the girl scout promise, and we all can say that together, girl scouts, on my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people all times, and to live by the girl scout law. Thank you very much. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Mecklenburg, Representative Jeter rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To speak to this lack of resolution resolution. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman is recognized to speak to a moment of personal privilege. [SPEAKER CHANGES] I did not know the girl scout code, I apologize. As a father of daughters, you never know what to expect in life. I don't know what goes through your head. I don't know why you have emotional swings. I don't know why the way I just looked at you made you mad. I know when I do it to Josh, why he gets mad. Different discussion. I have two daughters, I have a 14 year old and an 11 year old. And my 14 year old was a daughter who came by life easy. We used to say she had the Midas touch
Ash a similar my money on our Miami game everything seemed to be difficult in Tennessee Town of roseanne's an ideal way to smile on your old daughter to one of more than life itself blossom and are really just a move by not she found a home she found apartments when my mother passed away in October by mother and my daughter Eleanor van De Klerk's where she's our comfort was with several scouts sisters if not for the girl scouts in the organization will bodies a brainy and the mentalities that define shoot everything a blind to the table my daughter Wendy is happy content and final minute and (SPEAKER CHANGES)she is now and I'm guessing I speak for a lot of fathers and daughters like that when I tell you how sincerely grateful I am teaching every one of you out there to some degree for giving me my daughter taking them would have acted and then do this chaos and family members again run anywhere this today, you do wonders of your presence and please notify the members of this body prescient specter working doing and where we're grateful you they're doing it again thanks for being with us today we have echoed indexes of those resolutions as to the house bill 182 at the ceiling, finances vehemently that on the road, where , before the size of the Jonathan richman rescinded and runs a mistake not have the most acclaimed house bill 157, to the fore, yes, the java report is meant for purposes of java house version one LS display the bottom of the change them into tonight on it, though (167)-822-8282 to change to a man to enough to have a john Deere has anybody know unless your DB resolution before the raid has been one and three versions of brown, and never more appeal than that transportation available from its cost and women for revisions are round to move forward on Chinese Dept calls resources process from turned over to transportation 50 cents plus revisions will learn to vote for the right to appeal the problem, resources, from the commission's ruling which rolls down operations and acts as the one and six runs is traveling so major country of more resources and respect and bad as the one and several revisions to measure for software rating stopping barge in two years, since he decided to house when the revisions greater trust employment isothermal community college education committee called his ouster one and nine versions Jones, where Rockingham, school board elections after 1 minute version from some state of play and modifications state personnel available for Russians has 3191 revisions Fresno center of attention license, and three visit one of them are 40 meters them if they woven as has been 192 versions of you for a call for immigration compliance for cross the street to notify them of them as custom one and three versions are more common form of a few of my are designed under discussion of the following CD through one of a bowl of nations has been one and forwards in grade school, (SPEAKER CHANGES)flexibility and records as they seek a 12-1 and five of the dollar this morning, never allow sufficient down someone's nose has been one and six mergers dollar and 50, Ventura slices processed Foods Insurance 1001 and seven runs and options and comforts of routed 2014 to 15 education paid 12,000 women may revision to call home review which Erickson Rollins conveyance for ...............
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Vehicle to be included under the definition of all terrain vehicle, so it could be subject to this statute. The problem that they have in Wilmington and other areas is the fact that since these vehicles cannot be used on the public highway at this point, they have to be loaded on a trailer and taken there, and there's a practical problem of what you do with the trailer once you get it there. And if they have to take the trailer back to the police or fire department, then they have to come back and get it when they're through using it. So this would be something that would help that situation. The, and this would apply statewide. Mister speaker and members of the House, as to section two, the original bill was to add the city of Wilmington and the city of Enfield to allow the all, the utility vehicles which would now be under the definition of all terrain vehicles to be used by municipalities in the counties that were listed in the statute, but I had had requests from other representatives to include their counties and towns that they represent, so I thought it would just be a whole lot easier and they agreed, if I could make this statewide, and I do have an amendment that has been prepared. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Davis, if you would sign the amendment and while it's getting up here and being posted on the dashboard, you can explain it. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you sir. What the amendment would do would be to remove on line three from the title of the bill to eliminate the word certain. It would also amend the bill on line 35, which is in the title section two, to remove the word listed. And then on page two of the bill, lines 18 through 24 it would remove those, so it would apply statewide. Mister speaker, I'd be happy to answer any questions that anybody may have. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Let's, the clerk will read. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Davis moves to amend the bill on page one, line three by deleting the word certain. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Stay right there. Do you have further explanation of the amendment? [SPEAKER CHANGES] No sir, I'll just ask for the House to please vote in favor of it at the request of other representatives so that this could be statewide. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Brawley, do you want to speak on the amendment? [SPEAKER CHANGES] I do, thank you mister speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] You are recognized. [SPEAKER CHANGES] I would like to thank the gentleman for bringing forth this amendment. Representative Boles and I had discussed with him doing this and he had agreed to allow Representative Boles and in Representative Boles' absence, Representative Davis saw the need and went ahead and handled the amendment, and I want to thank the gentleman for it in his inclusion here. This does not mean these things will happen everywhere, but it will allow the towns to do it, and interestingly enough, it turns out there's several towns that are doing it not realizing that it's illegal for town employees to drive these vehicles. Police, fire, and rescue have always been allowed. There is a limitation to roads with a maximum speed limit of 35 miles an hour. DOT has been consulted on this, they are completely in agreement and see no problems with this change to the law. I ask for your support of the amendment and the bill. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Further question, further debate on the amendment? If not, the question before the, Representative Davis, do you wanna speak? [SPEAKER CHANGES] If I may just add, mister speaker, thank you. The North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police endorse this as do the State Farmers Association and as Representative Brawley stated, the Department of Transportation has no objection. Thank you, mister speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Okay. Further discussion or debate on the amendment? If not, the question is the adoption of the amendment by Representative Davis. All those in favor will vote aye. All those opposed will vote no. The clerk will open the vote. The clerk will lock the machine and record the vote. The ayes are 112. The nos are two. The amendment is adopted. The bill is back before us on second reading as amended. Does Representative. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Mister Speaker? I was in the chamber. I would like to be recorded as voting yes. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman will be so recorded. Did, Representative Fisher, same thing? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Likewise. [SPEAKER CHANGES] You will be recorded as voting which way? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Yes. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Yes. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Okay, further discussion or debate on the bill as amended? If not, the question before the House is the passage of House bill 102 as amended on its second reading. All those in favor will vote aye. All those opposed will vote no. The clerk will open the machine.
Six, five, Representative Conrad, do you want to vote. The clerk will lock the machine and record the vote. The ayes are 114, the nos are 1, the bill has passed its second reading. The amendment changes the title so it would lie on the calendar. Without objection we’ll move that to Monday, Monday March 16th for third reading. By agreement as I understand it the House Bill 157 will be considered last. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Mr. Speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Yes, Representative Conrad. [SPEAKER CHANGES] I need to change my vote. [SPEAKER CHANGES] From which way to which way. [SPEAKER CHANGES] To yes, sir. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentlelady will be so recorded. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The intention is to take up 157 last on the calendar so the next one is House Bill 79, the clerk will read. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representatives Glazier, Stevens, Zachary and Davis, House Bill 79, a bill to be entitled an act amending the law pertaining to civil no contact order to clarify that a knowing violation of a civil no contact order is punishable by civil or criminal contempt and clarify the scope, stay and the proceeding when the case is on appeal. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Glazier is recognized to explain the bill. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, members. This is a bill that passed unanimously through Judiciary 2 yesterday. I’ll explaining the first provision and Representative Jordan will be explaining the second provision. The first provision deals with an attempt to clean up the issue of contempt in civil no contact orders. Very briefly under chapter 50c there is a provision for which the court an issue civil no contact orders for people who are stalking or otherwise engaging in non-consensual conduct with a person. The judge in those cases can order a bunch of relief including no contact. Orders can be temporary or they can be permanent and if a person violates that order it’s punishable by contempt. Up until very recently all the courts thought they had both criminal and civil contempt power. Civil contempt power is an attempt to get someone, to coerce them into comply with a court’s judgment, usually by imprisoning them until such time as they do. Criminal contempt is where they are disobeying a court order and often a fine can be assessed for the punishment for that disobedience. When someone violates a no contact order it can be either criminal or civil, judges just have to choose. The court of appeals in a very recent opinion said well, our statute’s just not clear. It’s clear that civil contempt is available but it’s not real clear that criminal contempt is available which judges had traditionally for decades been using. This simply clears it up and says judges in these cases can use both civil or criminal contempt in their discretion as the circumstances warrant. It’s been approved by the bar. There’s no opposition to this provision in the bill, and with that Mr. Speaker I would turn section 2 of the bill over to Representative Jordan. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Jordan is recognized to debate the bill. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the primary sponsors on this bill allowing us to add section 2 which is also brought to us by the Bar Association and supported by the Bar and add it as a legal procedure to their current bill. Basically what you can imagine in a lawsuit things can be appealed and you don’t have to appeal the entire lawsuit. You can appeal part of a suit and part of it can go up and be appealed and the court can deal with the rest of it at the same time down at the lower court, but it can get very, very convoluted and inefficient and pieces of it can be on appeal and other pieces not. All this does is if you look at the language, our Supreme Court writes the rules of appellate procedure, this gives them the authority to write it so that these appeals can be handled more efficiently and that’s all it does. Thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Further discussion or debate? If not the question before the House is the passage of House Bill 79 on its second reading. All those in favor will vote aye, all those opposed will vote no, the clerk will open the vote. Representative Haines, do you care to vote. The clerk will open the machine and record the vote. The ayes are 114, the nos are 0. The bill has passed its second reading and will without objection be read a third time. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The General Assembly of North Carolina Enacts. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Is there
Further discussion or debate? If not, the question for the House is passage of House Bill 79 on its third reading. Also those in favor will say aye. Those opposed will say no. The ayes have it. The bill has passed its third reading and will be passed to the Senate. House Bill 134, the clerk will read. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representatives Glazier, Davis, Hamilton, and McGrady. House Bill 134, a bill to be ?? act provide that a minor who is soliciting a prostitute is immune from prosecution for the offense of solicitation and prostitution. General Assembly will now kindly ?? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Glazier is recognized. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you Mr. Speaker. Members, this is a bill that passed with one descending vote yesterday from the Judiciary 2 Committee. Ill briefly explain the background. Rep Davis, Rep Hamilton, and Rep McGrady are other on the bill, and may if there’s any question, have comments. But you all who were here will remember that we passed the most comprehensive human trafficking bill in the country last session. That took a tremendous rewrite. It was a bill by Representative Davis, Representative Hamilton, and Senator Goulsby. There were a number of rewrites, including a very large conference committee report. The provision you’re looking at was in the bill, it’s been passed and passed into law, so we already put this substantively into law. But we put it effectively in the wrong place. There are four grades of sort of offenses: solicitation for prostitution, the lowest, then prostitution, then essentially, for lack of a better way, we have a provision that deals with the pimps, and then we have a provision that deals with human traffickers, each having higher grades of punishment. One of the policy decision we made in the House by a vote of 110-0 at the time as part of the bill was that for kids who are young boys and girls ages up to the end of their time as 16 and 17 year olds, are often in this as a matter of life-and-death, or security reasons, or safety reasons. And we, instead of charging them, want to treat them as victims when they are being soliciting, and get them into DSS for referral for neglect and abuse, and follow the New York model, and the model that New Hanover county has put in play, that was recommended by the bar association and judges across the country. We did that, but we put this immunity provision in with the prostitution section that is the higher offense, we didn’t put it in a immunity provision in the lowest offense, the solicitation charge, so that kind of made no sense, and that was just a drafting error and I take full responsibility because I was involved in the conference report. This fixes that at the request of the district judges, and puts the same immunity provision into law for the higher charge, for the lower charge for these kids. I’ll be glad to answer any questions but I think that’s all this does and I know other than Representative Stam, and I need to say this other than his concern over the policy which we debated last year, I know of no opposition to this provision. Thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Further discussion or debate? If not, the question before the House is the passage of House Bill 134 in its second reading. All those in favor will vote aye, all those opposed will vote no. The clerk will open the vote. The clerk will open the vote, and record the vote. The ayes are 115, the no’s are 0. The bill has passed its second reading, and will without objection, be read a third time. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The General Assembly will now kindly annex. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Further discussion or debate? If not, the question before the House, is the passage House Bill 134 in its third reading. All those in favor will say aye. Those opposed will say no. The ayes have it. The bill is passed in its third reading, and will be sent to the Senate. House Bill 157, the clerk will read. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representatives McElraft, Catlin, House Bill 157, an action in various environmental laws. The General assembly will now kindly annex. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative McElraft is recognized to explain the bill. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you Mr. Speaker. House Bill 157 is our amended environmental laws. It’s our amends bill that we do every year, and part one is the interstate mining compact clarification and it allows the Governor to send an official from ?? to act on the Governor’s behalf on that interstate compact commission.
Was part two is recycled and recovered materials. It would exclude steel slag and that is a product of the electric arc furnace steel making process and it excludes it from the definition of solid waste. Representative Hunter has new coarse steel in his area, and I think he has a bill that actually is requesting that same legislation. Section 2B would clarify the requirements for recovered materials under the statutes governing the management of solid waste. And under current law, if a material qualifies as recovered material, it is not subject to regulation as solid waste. Section three is technical corrections for coal ash management. It clarifies the implementing agencies. The coal ash management act of 2014 is implemented by several different state agencies, including the coal ash management commission, the environmental management commission, and the utilities commission. So that just clarifies what each of their duties are, what they're responsible for implementing. And the technical corrections, 3.2 would correct an incorrect statutory cross reference, 3.3 would repeal unnecessary reporting deadlines. There is a structural fill moratorium in the coal ash management act and it was placed on there in section 3.4 would make a correction to the exceptions in the structural fill moratorium to clarify all of the listed requirements. Section 3.4 would make a technical correction of the effective date of the moratorium on the use of coal combustion products and structural fill. Section 3.4 A and B would be retroactively effective to September 20, 2014 and apply to the use of coal combustion products as structural fill contracted on or after that date. Then we have section 3.5 would clarify certain responsibilities related to corrective action under the authority of the secretary of environment and natural resources. And then we have part 4, which, all it does is change the name of the echo enhancement program to the division of mitigation services. Part 5, the energy policy council amendments. It would provide that the secretary of DENR and natural resources, and secretary of commerce and the lieutenant governor may appoint designees to represent them on the energy policy council. And section 5 would also provide that a member of the energy policy council will be automatically removed if he or she fails to attend three successive meetings without just cause and would allow the Governor to remove any member of the council for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance. And then part 6 is, this would clarify the EMC, this is the part we discussed earlier. Would clarified the EMC, that they would only be required to adopt additional rules to our air toxics from drilling operations if it was determined that by the EMC and DENR that the state's current air toxics program and applicable federal regulations adopted by the state were inadequate. And that's, that's it, and I'll be happy to answer any questions. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman from Rutherford, Representative Hager is recognized. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Debate the bill, mister speaker. Much has been made of this amendment that we put on the bill in environment. We've had a couple votes on it. We had the amendment last week, so everybody's full well I think of what the amendment does, but I want to point out something to you guys. The other side will say well, this does away with the mandate that we told them we were gonna do for the energy exploration rules. But look at the last page guys, section six, I think it's line one. Let me read it to you in case you don't have it in front of you. The environmental management commission, the EMC, then it words, uses the word shall. Now to me, that sounds like the mandate's still there. It says it shall do these things. It says it shall look at the state and federal guidelines, and if they aren't stringent enough, they will adopt their own. It says shall. It doesn't say may, it doesn't say if it's raining on Tuesday, it doesn't say if the sun shines. It says it shall do that. Now this is a time sensitive piece. We have to have this adopted by the seventeenth. That's why the other side's trying to stop this. There's some issues going on there, some behind the scenes issues. But let me point out, you have not said that the mandate will not exist. It says shall, guys, remember that
IWRHEO [0:00:00.0] Now, when you speak or when you talk to folks or when folks explained this to you then may say shout so please push me for this bill. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Reives is recognized to send forward an amendment. If that’s what you care to be recognized for. [SPEAKER CHANGES] That is Mr. Speaker and thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The clerk will read. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Reives moves to amend the bill on page 15, line 49 through page 16, line 18 by deleting those lines. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Reives is recognized to explain the amendment. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the house I would just say that I would have to respectfully disagree as to whether or not one this is a clarification and then two as to what mandate this now puts on the Environmental Measuring Commission, if you will remember back from SPA20 when this is originally brought up there was a determination made by the General Assembly at that time that there need to be a special attention made to air pollution that may come from oil and gas industry that was passed, that was part of the mandate and that’s proceeded on up until this time, what it appears to me that this section we are asking to delete and we do with at that this point in time will tell the Environmental Measuring Commission I agree with Representative Hager that the word shell is in there but then if you proceed on it gives them the option to say, “If you feel the State and Federal regulations are fine then you don’t have to do anything.” Therefore, there is no mandate for them to do anything, there was a mandate for them to look and see if the state regulations are fine. What we would ask you to do at this point in time is to strike that language in the bill because again what we are saying is—we believe that the original intent of SPA20 and I don’t know of anything about any ulterior motives or anything about the 17, I live in a district where if there is Fracking I have been told they are going to frack and so I would like for them to have a mandate to pay attention to our air pollution rules, to pay attention to the air quality and then make a determination on their own since the General Assembly said in 2012 that there did seem to be a reason we had to treat oil and gas differently for them to make that determination and for them not to be given it out to say that, “It’s okay, what we have already got with the State and Federal regulations.” So I would ask you to support this amendment please. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Mr. Speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Millis for what purpose you rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To see if the amendment sponsor would yell to a question? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Reives, do you yell to a question? Representative Reives, do you yell to a question? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Yes, Sir. [SPEAKER CHANGES] He yells. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you Representative Reives, I definitely hear your intent with this amendment, I just wanna ask you a question, in your dialogue I see you are explaining it, it was actually stated that the EMC wouldn’t have the mandate in order to make sure that we have adequate regulations to protect public health in our environment, would you please answer the question reading the bill it says that the commission that’s charged the EMC shall deem if X, Y, and Z are inadequate. Therefore, they have a legislative mandate to make the determination of whether there needs to be our own written air toxic quality rules or whether they deem that what is actually out there now is inadequate. So I’m confused about the term or the statement that you made is that—the very commission that we have charged to make sure that we have public health protection as well as our environmental protection, if this is not a mandate to make sure that they do their job and to make sure that our public in our environment is protected. [SPEAKER CHANGES] I will try to be more clear and I apologize I’m an Attorney and sometimes we are not clear and I apologize for that. What this seems to read to me is saying what the original language was is that the EMC shall adopt rules which means they are mandate at that time is to make rules, what this section now says is that they shall make sure that the rules are adequate which gives them the right to say, “Well, if the State and Federal rules are inadequate then they have to do something but if the State and Federal rules are adequate then the EMC has no mandate whatsoever to create any new rules.” And what I’m saying is, it seems to me that the original Senate Bill, the General Assembly at some point in time must have fell that special rules need to made for oil and gas because they put that in there I mean they had that option at the time they have made the original bill, they had the option at that time to say, “Hey, if you guys have got State and Federal regulations and think they are okay that’s fine but what they seem to imply with the legislative…” [0:05:00.4] [End of file…]
Seasonal city pays me think that with letting everyone has special challenges higher quality is available only will the EMC to specifically made loans regarding Oleg assets to raise its own to meet with key to the spirit of the original Indians games and until then we now have the halos and is now done nothing to say that they have else who is in our view the state will deliver the state regulations right now determine if you're at it with the wrath of all his Sony and there's no mandates to do anything is that have made a determination with another thing that would we would like to see them having made a steal that they create a new set of loans of this city of Nis have I mean, it's a short questions and shorty answers for purposes represented the state, some analysts for the purpose of you must become human body are began to recognize some wheels first welcome back here said Collins for cure few runs today did you recognize all five senators around here that the use of almost a scientist and some of them bought for many of them just people who are experts in this out to make this decision I would want to folks like those in the styles most of us to move very worrying about this topic a certain number of about , as many of the offer from either of Islam , not just a very bright correctly that what we're done with this memo is allowing those who were charged with, making sure the public key sites was to start this process were given them an alternative looking at those sites are rules model levels, is among the strictest article on rules of the country and say whether and when the dog is is is this debate was much more expertise than we are says that those rules and would not go along with him run gave us trying to tell the audience a nonleague water job is that how to do their job outside a note of your job is nothing but does not have their jobs if you believe like added in dealing with some sense out the knowledge rather blow to politicians do not want to ask you about maleness members of one of(SPEAKER CHANGES) Mrs. Harrison is recognized by teaming up with our taxes to speak. (SPEAKER CHANGES)I have been seven enticing of this mess of Gas Exploration and I think if they can be done in a way that protects a National Resources are state and on top of the citizens then we see going inside Thailand in a way to stem and sizes and 10¢ on an acting as saying that's not really what this is all done on back only authorized on sacking way and that hasn't even as if it's active in the season state and the Federal government says it might affect the operations from any Federal oversight so it was necessary that we have a free marketplace to the title of health and make sure that we did this as a resource in the process of this new technology satellite time in nine days as a medicine of the season, said honestly and at this from a seven night and has an answer that minimum requirements and used specifically as a specific areas - on shortcomings and can't get the audience and sign when there is significant in Viacom's associated with backing from Disneyland's business of them came into effect Tuesday night of the¢ innocence about an operations can construct a Wells and only has a map has seen a man from any of the undercuts it happens in compressors are further out the outbreak line citizen weakness in the file was a mess of the valley is among some guys same as in, and(SPEAKER CHANGES) I and medicine says saint Helens summit of 65 innings of the death of his program eyes and Semitism, Maffei Mrs. Amazingly consistent, why doesn't promise and an accessory impact if ranking, its place in seven of the time when I and I say is an offensive affected in a mistake and this Indians that isn't a need to set aside 2013 and determined to some other states are doing things the city planning can identify me something, if we didn't have anything in the sun was a stand on this season, the net in landing in this is a minute I have a significant threat of races and at this time and money was deposited on a process in fact, said the new messages and his strategy for us to have a body and mandate of the doubt it done was to decide how to Michael and is in as anonymous as president taking place as any and activism and some not have as a citizen that Is a missile testing as a citizen of Indiana Sciences have rising and non ..........................
To speak energy in the bigger companies we’re probably gonna have those wild counters and we need to make sure that we have the strongest state rules possible because we just don’t have the federal protections we need. So I don’t wanna go into the procedure of this. I appreciate Representative Lewis and the Speaker giving us a heads up on this and I don’t wanna get into all that but I do think there’s a procedural issue here as well, but I do think on the substance, I think it’s really important that we not remove the mandate that North Carolina, that the body is charged with protecting the quality of assistance to the state. That we do not remove the mandate that they adopt rules to protect the citizens of this state, so I strongly urge support of this amendment. Thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman from Rutherford, Representative Hager is recognized to debate the amendment. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask Representative Reives a question and then debate the bill after that if you don’t mind. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Reives do you yield for a question? [SPEAKER CHANGES] I do. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Representative, for yielding to a question. Are you aware, you talked about the intent of Senate Bill 820 . You’re aware that I was one of the original developers of that bill working with the Senate and as such you’re aware that I would be able to decide the intent of the bill? [SPEAKER CHANGES] I would say that I expected that there were several people here that worked on that bill and I have not gone through to see who all those people are. No sir. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Follow up, Mr. Speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Do you yield, Representative Reives, to the follow up? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Yes I do. [SPEAKER CHANGES] He yields. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Do you realize that yesterday in Environment that the DNR representative stood up and said that we agree with this process? Were you aware of that Representative Reives? [SPEAKER CHANGES] No, sir, I was not. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Follow up, Mr. Speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Do you yield for a follow up? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Last one, I promise. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Do you yield for a follow up. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Yes, Mr. Speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] He does, he yields. [SPEAKER CHANGES] And as such with the DNR standing up and saying this, EMC saying the same thing, would you point to another body in this state or in this legislature, in the governors or in wherever that would be more adequate to decide the rules rather than DNR or EMC in this state? [SPEAKER CHANGES] I’m not aware of one but at the appropriate time I would like to ask a question of Mr. Hager. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Reives. [SPEAKER CHANGES] We’ll come back to you, Representative Reives. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Speak on the bill, Mr. Speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Hager is recognized to debate the amendment. [SPEAKER CHANGES] If you can, guys, just go back to the amendment. It’s a simple amendment. It says shall, and read this, it says the Environmental Management Commission shall adopt rules. Representative Harrison indicated that they weren’t gonna adopt any rules. It said they shall adopt rules if they find the state and federals are inadequate. So it gives them the choice, look at the state and federal, if they’re not adequate then don’t adopt them, adopt your own, so it gives you the choice to look at them first. That’s all this does. It doesn’t say not to adopt rules. It doesn’t say that you’re not gonna fulfill the mandate of 820, the intent of which I’m, most of you that served in that time know I was intimately involved with, so don’t think that the EMC is not going to adopt rules, it just allows them to first look at the federal and state guidelines. Very simple. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Gentleman from Cumberland, Representative Glazier is recognized. [SPEAKER CHANGES] First to see if Representative Reives would yield for a question and then for a comment. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Reives, will you yield for a question? [SPEAKER CHANGES] I’d be happy to yield for a question. [SPEAKER CHANGES] He yields. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Representative. Your argument earlier on this, I wanna see if I can summarize so I’m clear about it, is your argument at what this, the effect of this amendment does is to in fact restrict EMC’s capacity to develop rules based on best practices because of the term adequacy which suggests that if they determine that the current existing federal/state combination regime is simply adequate they’re without authority to go beyond that. Would that be a summary of your view? [SPEAKER CHANGES] That’s one good part of it. Thank you, now. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Glazier’s recognized to debate the amendment. [SPEAKER CHANGES] And it seems to me that’s the problem here. I agree with Representative Hager actually that on its face there’s not, if it were read exactly as Representative Hager reads it to be I see less of a problem than others might. the problem I have is not what, how it reads currently but how it’s gonna be interpreted in the future and how I see this playing out is even if EMC determines in their scientific capacity as the best, and I agree here, is the best source of where we’re gonna be going that the regime between the feds when they put something substantive truly in place and the state program, when they determine that that is adequate, yes, but that there are better practices out there that they wanna incorporate the term adequacy will be used by folks arguing who oppose any increased burden or rule that EMC is without jurisdiction and authority to create rules above the minimum, and that’s where I think is the problem
I don’t think that there’s a problem, that there’s going to have to be a minimum. I think the amendment does take care of that. The problem is, I think it sets the minimum as both the floor and the ceiling at the same time. And that’s the problem, and I think that’s exactly where we’re headed here, and that’s why I opposed the amendment, not because it doesn’t set a floor, I think it does, but because it now sets the floor as the ceiling as well. Thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, the Chair intends to recognize Representative Reives in support of the amendment, and then Representative McElraft , the bills sponsor and opposition. Rep Reeves, you’re recognized. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did just have one question of Representative Hager to follow up. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Does Representative Hager yield? [SPEAKER CHANGES] I do. Yes sir, I yield to all questions Mr. Speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] And again, reading this, Representative Hager, if the amendment were to pass, is there anything with the way 820 was written, that would keep the EMC from looking at the state and federal regulations, and then writing their own rules, but basically cut and pasting and adopting all those rules? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Reives, I can just answer this way. I can only answer what’s in the amendment and knowing what the intent of what, me as a sponsor carry the Senate Bill 820 through this Chamber. It says if they find them inadequate, then they can write their rules. That’s what the amendment says. That’s what the amendment that I put in says. If they look at state and federal guidelines and they say, “these are not good enough to cover” as Representative Harrison says, methane. So we’re not going to adopt those, or we’re going to adopt those and write our own, on the methane issue.” That’s what this amendment says. That’s what you’re amendment would take out, their ability to do that. [SPEAKER CHANGES] I now intend to recognize first Representative Harrison in support of the amendment, and then Representative McElraft, the bill’s sponsor and opposition. Representative Harrison, you’re recognized. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you. Actually, Mr. Speaker, I have a very quick question of Representative Hager. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Does Representative Hager yield? [SPEAKER CHANGES] I do. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you. Representative Hager, I’m trying to figure out how this will play out. So the deadline here says permits can start to be issued and applications can be effective March 17. If we have the permit applicant files and we don’t have any error rules in place, and maybe a year hence, the EMC does adopt strong error rules, are those permit applications going to be grandfathered into the earlier, weaker, rules? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Harris, I think that’s a question for the experts in the EMC, but if you asked me personally, I think we have a set of guidelines that if we find out the federal and state are good enough, then I think that solves the issue. This gives them the ability to do that with the EMC and Mine Energy Commission involved and also I think that’s a question more situated to ?? folks. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, and to speak to the bill. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The lady from Guilford is recognized to debate. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, I just don’t want to beat this up too much, but I do want to remind folks that all the promises we made to the citizens of North Carolina back when we initially adopted Senate Bill 820 with all those requirements, we adopt these rules. We told the state we were not going to move until we had the strongest regulations in place, and I believe this goes back on that additional promise. We did it last summer, on a quick vote, and now we’re doing it today on another quick vote. In the Mining and Energy Committee has a sub-committee looking at these air quality rules, and I think they are unlikely to move. I think what this does is it sends a signal from the legislature to the EMC that they can just ignore the EMC’s requests. I just think it sends the wrong signal. I think we had a strong mandate. Adopt these rules, protect the public health, and now we’re saying, okay, it’s optional. I strongly urge you to vote yes on the amendment. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the lady from Carteret, Representative McElraft rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To speak on the motion on the amendment. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The lady has the floor to speak on the amendment. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Folks, I have a statement from the Deputy Director of the Department of Air Quality. He’s been attending our meetings, and he said, “at this time a regulatory framework is in place and sufficient for covering air emission sources at Shell gas development and production facilities.” Okay, they continue to look at what other states are doing, and at this point they have found no other states that are doing anything really more than what we are, but if they do find that, they can go ahead and make a rule. This does not keep them from making rules. These are the people we have put in these positions. These environmental positions, scientists, our Department of Environment and Natural Resources. These are the folks that we trust. The people that have the knowledge. That is exactly the people we need to be making this decision. They are putting a baseline monitoring station up in Lee County, the anticipated next--
They didn't have to do that. Their charge in GS 143 215.107 is to make sure that our air quality standards are at the their top. They're not going to let anything happen in this state and we need to trust them, that they are not going to let anything happen that will infringe on our air quality standards which are the best in the Southeast. Thank you. Vote no on this amendment. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Further discussion, further debate on the amendment offered by Representative Reeves, to the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 157. If not, so many favoring adoption of the Reeves amendment will vote aye. Those opposed will vote no. The clerk will open the vote. [PAUSE] The clerk will lock the machine and record the vote. 46 having voted in the affirmative and 70 in the negative, the amendment fails. We're now back on discussion of the main bill, for what purpose does the lady from Mecklenberg, Representative Cunningham, rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Mr. Speaker I apologize but I need to change my vote on House Bill, the Davis Amendment, to yes. Thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The lady will be recorded as having voted yes on House Bill 102. Further discussion, further debate on the bill? If not, the question before the House is the passage of the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 157 on its second reading. So many favoring passage of the bill will vote Aye. Those opposed will vote No. The clerk will open the vote. [PAUSE] The clerk will lock the machine and record the vote. 76 having voted in the affirmative and 40 in the negative, the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 157 passes its second reading and will, without objection, be read a third time. [SPEAKER CHANGES] General Assembly of North Carolina enacts. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Further discussion, further debate. If not, the question before the House is the passage of the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 157 on its third reading. So many favoring passage of the bill will say Aye. Those opposed will say No. The ayes have it and the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 157 passes its third reading and will be sent to the Senate by special messenger. For what purpose does the gentlemen from Randolph, Representative McNeil rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] I apologize, but I'd like to be recorded as voting “yes” on the amendment. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman wishes to be recorded as voting yes on the Reeves amendment too? [SPEAKER CHANGES] I apologize. Leave my vote where it is. [SPEAKER CHANGES] So the gentleman wishes to be recorded as voting “no” on the amendment? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Yeah, I'm sorry. I was somewhere else in the chamber, talking, and I guess lost track of what was going on. [SPEAKER CHANGES] All right. Very well. [PAUSE] Notices and announcements. By the way, I believe we, I'm not sure if our nurse of the day was introduced. Desiree Dupree of Winterville is with us as the nurse of the day. We're glad to have you here with us today, ma'am. [APPLAUSE] For what purpose does the gentleman from Gaston, Representative Hastings, rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] For an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman is recognized for an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The House Finance Committee will meet tomorrow at 9AM in room 544, Mr. Speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the lady from Carteret, Representative McElraft, rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To make an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The lady is recognized for an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Environment Committee that was scheduled for 10:00 tomorrow will be canceled again, for the fourth time. Thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] And for members' planning purposes, it does not appear there will be recorded votes tomorrow, so the session would be a very short session, if there are committee chairs who want to have a meeting. The clerk has an announcement? The clerk is recognized to read the announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] House Committee on Aging will meet on Wednesday March 11 at 2PM in room 423 LOB. The House Committee on
Will meet Thursday, March 12th at 9AM in room 544 LOV. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Mecklenberg, Representative Brawley rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] For an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman is recognized for an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request that the House conferees for Senate Bill 20 meet in room 534 at 3 o’clock preparatory to a meeting with their Senate counterparts in room 328 at 3:30. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Rutherford, Representative Hager rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] For an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman is recognized for an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Republicans will caucus at 1 o’clock. Short caucus at 1 o’clock in 1228. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Transylvania, Representative Whitmire rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Mr. Speaker, for two announcements. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman is recognized to state both announcements. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Okay, first of all the Homeland Security, Military Veterans Committee will meet tomorrow. Keep an eye on your emails for precision on the timing but as for now we will plan to meet in our normally scheduled room at 10:15 and we’ll make sure we steer clear of session. The speaker tomorrow will brief our major military installations to include active guard and reserve units, missions, their economic impact and their brack vulnerability so anyone who would like to attend is welcome and please note your committee announcements for fine tuning on the time. A little bit of a dynamic schedule. The second thing so please keep the family and friends of 11 service members who are presumed dead from a helicopter crash this morning in the Florida panhandle, Gulf of Mexico area and it’s part of keeping our nation free, but things like that do happen. Thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Randolph, Representative McNeill rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] For an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman is recognized for an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] I’d like to announce the House Committee on Education, Community College will meet next Tuesday, March the 17th at 11 AM in 643. We’ll be taking up House Bill 129. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Lincoln, Representative Saine rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] For an announcement, Mr. Speaker. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman is recognized for an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There will be a meeting at 4:30 PM in the legislative auditorium for the International Business and Trade Caucus. Love to have you there. We’re gonna have Secretary of Commerce John Skavala and Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Trotsler. That’s at 4:30 in the legislative auditorium. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the lady from Randolph, Representative Hurley rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To make an announcement clarifying. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The lady has the floor for an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Okay, the Committee on Aging will meet at 2PM in room 423. Thank you. [SPEAKER CHANGES] And that meeting is today for the committee? [SPEAKER CHANGES] Today. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Today at 2. Okay. [SPEAKER CHANGES] For what purpose does the gentleman from Rockingham, Representative Jones rise? [SPEAKER CHANGES] To make an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] The gentleman is recognized for an announcement. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Actually 2 announcements if I may, Mr. Speaker. The House Committee on Health will meet at 12:30 today in 643 and the monthly prayer breakfast for the capital commission will meet tomorrow morning at 7:30 in the member’s dining room in the cafeteria. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Further notices and announcements? If not, the gentleman from Harnett, Representative Lewis rise is recognized for a motion. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker I move that subject to messages from the Senate, re-referral of bills and resolution, appointment of conferees and the reading of representative statements that the House now adjourn to reconvene on Thursday, March 12th at 10:00 AM. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative Lewis moves, seconded by Representative Bumgardner, that the House adjourn subject to messages from the Senate, re-referral of bills and resolutions and appointment of conferees and the reading of representative statements to reconvene Thursday, March 12, 2015 at 10:00 PM. So many in favor of the motion will say aye. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Aye. [SPEAKER CHANGES] Those opposed will say no. The ayes have it. We stand adjourned. [gavel bangs] [blank audio] [SPEAKER CHANGES] Representative statement honoring the Girl Scouts of the USA. Whereas the first Girl Scout group was organized by Juliette Gordon Lowe on March 12, 1912 in Savannah, GA and chartered by the US Congress on March 16, 1950 and whereas the mission of Girl Scouts of the USA is to build girls of courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place and whereas Girl Scouts is open to girls of all ethnic, racial and economic background from kindergarten through the 12th grade and whereas girl scouts provide girls with a variety of
Experiences including community service projects culture changes environmental stewardship, field trips and sport skill building clinics. And where as girl scouts also provide opportunities for girls to gather together and have fun an develop friendship and recognize that they can accomplish a group wan where as the girl scout scouting experiences and activities girls learn to develop their individual potential relate to others around them develop personal values to help them make decisions throughout their lifetime and to contribute to society through their abilities and skills. And where as girl scouts of America can count more than fifty nine million women in the US who enjoy girl scouts in their childhood include fifty three percent of all women business owners sixty percent of female members of the US hose of representatives and fifty nine percent of the female members of the US senate. And where as girl scouts of America have one hundred and twelve charters nation wide and where as today girl scouts of the USA have two point eight million members including two million girl and eight hundred thousand adult members working primarily as volunteers and were as in partnership of tens of thousands of adult volunteers girl scouts of twenty four North Carolina's serve at least sixty thousand girl members and all one hundred North Carolina counties and where as girl scouts of the USA is an American institution that has for over a hundred years has empowered girls to develop their skills and abilities in ways that enrich their lives and their communities. Now therefore the house of representatives honors the memory of Juliet Gordon Lowe for her role in founding the girl scouts of the USA and expresses it's appreciation the organization and it's members are committed to building girls of courage, confidence, and character to make the world a better place. In witness thereof and under signed certifies that the foregoing statement was read in the house and placed upon the journal on the eleventh day of March 2015.