Legislative Report February 15, 2021

The state’s recently released revenue forecast shows that North Carolina has fared relatively well economically throughout the pandemic. The two-year forecast’s expected revenue collections surpass the expectations of May 2020’s forecast by $4.1 billion. The forecast explains this surplus was heavily impacted by an increase in sales tax collections and delayed tax payments; it also suggests that the economic state of North Carolina will continue to improve over the coming years. However, there are still segments of the state’s workforce who are underemployed or unemployed due to this pandemic. Gov. Cooper responded in a statement that “while state revenue is strong, people across our state are still hurting and we must use these funds to help them recover from this pandemic.” Read the full report.

Legislative Report February 9, 2021

The General Assembly got down to business this week, and as promised, legislators prioritized getting their first round of COVID-19 relief funding off to the Governor’s desk. Other bills began to gain traction at the legislature this week, including a bill to reopen schools and a bill to give bar owners a reprieve on their ABC permits. See below for an update on this week at the legislature. Read the full report.

Legislative Report February 1, 2021

Legislators returned to Raleigh on January 27th to officially get started with the 2021 "long" session. Wednesday marked the first day bills were allowed to be filed in either chambers, and thus far a total of 35 bills have been filed in the House and 28 in the Senate. During the previous biennium session, the chambers saw 1,236 and 873 bills filed, respectively. This session's bills are beginning to be referred to policy committees as well, another sign things are truly getting underway. Despite the uptick in action, don’t expect too many floor votes on bills just yet. Speaker Moore doesn’t expect to hold any voting sessions until Wednesday and Thursday of next week. On those days, leadership anticipates mostly taking up time-sensitive, priority legislation, such as a COVID-19 technical funding bill. Read the full report.

Legislative Report January 18, 2021

The General Assembly kicked off the 2021-2022 biennial session on Wednesday, January 13th with opening day speeches, organizing and the approval of the rules that will be used throughout the session. Just like everything else in our world, this day was unlike previous first days as family and friends were not present and the usual celebratory mood was muted. The legislative complex is open to the public, but social distancing rules are in effect and temperature checks are required before entering the building. Masks are not required but were more common among legislators than in the spring and it appears that the leadership of both chambers are highly encouraging members to wear them.  Read the full report

Election Update

The 2020 election in North Carolina was destined to be dramatic, with races that would help decide the Presidency, control of the U.S. Senate and every major office in the state up for grabs. By the end of Election Day, however, the results had defied every poll, and surprised even the most experienced observers.  Read the full report

2020 Final Legislative Report

Frankly, I have run out of words to describe what is happening in our country and our state –

unprecedented, extraordinary, once in a lifetime, shocking, unbelievable. Yet here we

are in circumstances that no one could have predicted even back in January. Just like

every other business, industry and person, the Legislature was impacted by COVID-19, and the

topic and its repercussions took over all discussions, plans and legislation. Read the full report

September 4, 2020

The General Assembly dealt with its work quickly this week, passing the Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 with bipartisan support and sending it to Governor Cooper. The $1 billion bill allocates federal funds for coronavirus response that must be spent by the end of the year. The centerpiece is the Extra Credit Grant Program, which will send $335 to households with at least one qualifying child (just one check per household regardless of the number of children).

Read the full report

Alarm Systems Licensing Board Emergency Rule Amendment

An Emergency rule amendment was adopted by the Alarm Systems Licensing Board at its May 21, 2020 meeting to address the concerns of license applicants in light of the various Executive Orders issued by the Governor and certain counties in response to the current COVID-19 Crisis.  The intent is to ease a restriction on applications for licensure and is effective June 9, 2020.

In order to make this amendment a permanent change to its administrative rules the Board is simultaneously starting the Temporary rulemaking process.  In keeping with that statutory procedure, there is a 15-day Public Comment period which begins runs through June 30 , 2020. You may contact Director Paul Sherwin at the Board’s office with any written public comment. The Board will adopt this rule amendment as a Temporary rule at its July 16, 2020 Board meeting. Read the full report

June 15, 2020 

Saturday, May 2, 2020, the General Assembly passed two COVID-19 relief bills.  Senate Bill 704 addresses policy changes related to the pandemic, and House Bill 1043 addresses funding.  The new laws became effective immediately.  The whole process was marked with bi-partisan cooperation which we have not seen in Raleigh in many years. Read the Full Report from the Kochanek Law Group.

June 10, 2020

Legislators were faced with the stark reality of the budget hole that they are looking at as a result of COVID-19 with the revised consensus revenue forecast, which predicted a total net drop in expected collections of $5 billion for the current budget biennium.  Read the full report

June 4, 2020 

The General Assembly returned last week to continue its business for the 2020 short session. Read the full report

NCSLVA is committed to representing your interests during this challenging time. The rapid government response through executive action, regulatory changes, and legislation at the local, state, and federal levels to the COVID-19 virus is unprecedented. NCESA stands together with other industry associations to assure all members, consumers, and other stakeholders that this industry will continue to remain on the front lines as a vital partner in public safety.

Steps Dealers Can Take to Minimize COVID-19 Spread

Recently published guidelines from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provide strategic guidance to state and local jurisdictions toward the unified effort to maintain the Nation’s critical infrastructure during COVID-19 response. The list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” identified by the CISA pamphlet and important to you include:

• Workers supporting communications systems and information technology used by law enforcement, public safety, medical, energy, and other critical industries;

• Maintenance of communications infrastructure – including privately owned and maintained communication systems supported by technicians, operators, call-centers, wireline and wireless providers, cable service providers, satellite operations, undersea cable landing stations, Internet Exchange Points, and manufacturers and distributors of communications equipment;

• Installation, maintenance, and repair technicians that establish, support, or repair service as needed;

• Workers who support command centers, including, but not limited to Network Operations Command Centers, Broadcast Operations Control Centers, and Security Operations Command Centers;

• Data center operators, including system administrators, HVAC and electrical engineers, security personnel, IT managers, data transfer solutions engineers, software and hardware engineers, and database administrators;

• Dispatchers involved with service repair and restoration.

This is a template of a letter you may customize for use by your essential employees. In addition to a letter, we also recommend that employees carry their professional state licenses and an employee ID.

Thank you for the work you do to protect property and lives. NCSLVA is here to help you, your company, and the essential critical infrastructure services you provide.

NCSLVA MEMBERSHIP

Now, more than ever, membership in NCSLVA is a valuable tool for your business

As a business leader in North Carolina’s electronic security industry, membership in the North Carolina Security and Low Voltage Association (NCSLVA)* just makes sense.  NCSLVA provides you with current legislative updates, COVID-19 preparedness information, technician training, and connections in the industry.  Join NOW!

 Join as a REGULAR Member 

Join as an ASSOCIATE Member

The return on your investment in NCSLVA membership includes:

• Networking with like-minded leaders in commercial and residential life safety, security and integrated systems.

• Member-discounted professional development and National Training School (NTS) that meet North Carolina Alarm Systems Licensing Board’s requirements.

• Advocacy and monitoring of legislation that could threaten the electronic security industry – and your bottom line – in North Carolina.

• Industry news critical to your long-term success including updates on COVID-19 measures for the industry.  

• Partnership with the Electronic Security Association in the areas of National Training School training, Youth Scholarship Program, as well as national advocacy and public policy.

NCSLVA is dedicated to representing, promoting, and supporting you and your business.

Click here to learn more!

*Please note that the Electronic Security Association (ESA) has elected to sunset its chapter program. Beginning in 2020, NCESA and ESA memberships will be independent of one another and dues payments will be collected separately by each organization.