A New Year NCESA has changed its name and is now the North Carolina Security and Low Voltage Association (NCSLVA), effective January 1, 2021. | ![]() |
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES 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, 2021The 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 UpdateThe 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). 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 | We know this is an extraordinary time for your family and business and we hope that you are healthy and doing well. The North Carolina Security and Low Voltage Association continues to work for you and the other members of the Association by providing training, working at the legislature to make sure your business is not taxed or burdened unnecessarily, and providing a voice for the industry to the Alarm Systems Licensing Board and other regulatory agencies. But your help is needed. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the North Carolina Security and Low Voltage Association is unable to have our annual convention (our most significant funding source), and attendance for our training events is also down significantly. This pandemic has had a substantial impact on our cash flow as we continue to work on our members behalf. While we have worked for our members and helped to lessen regulation and save money on your bottom line, we now need help from you as members. We ask that you contribute to NCSLVA to help us make up this year’s shortfall. If you have not renewed your membership please do so now! Your contribution and/or membership will help us to continue to advance the electronic security profession in North Carolina. Please consider making a minimum contribution of $500 or more as you are able. Anything you can contribute will help ensure NCSLVA's future viability and will be greatly appreciated Or contact info@nc-esa.org for an invoice Alan Yancey, NCESA President Charlie Atkinson, ACE-HTI, NCESA Past President George Bish, Ring Protect Inc., NCESA Past President Courtney Brown, Security Central, NCESA Past President Don Childers, Security Central, NCESA Past President Dom D’Ascoli, SMS Integration, NCESA Past President Dick Harpster, Central Security Systems, NCESA Past President Dean Harris, Carolina Phone and Alarms, NCESA Past President Ron Jackson, Holmes Security Systems, NCESA Past President James Lee, Alarmguard Security, NCESA Past President Chris Lohr, Protection Systems, NCESA Past President EJ Mashburn, Asheville Security Systems, NCESA Past President Roger Parks, Select Security, NCESA Past President Jay Stone, ACE-HTI, NCESA Past President Stephen Wheeler, Holmes Electric Security Systems, NCESA Past President
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:
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 MEMBERSHIPNow, 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!
The return on your investment in NCSLVA membership includes:
NCSLVA is dedicated to representing, promoting, and supporting you and your business. *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. |