Press Releases

Raleigh: Governor

Governor Roy Cooper today signed into law Senate Bill 445, a law that reduces the wait time for criminal record expungement for first-time, non-violent offenders.

Today, Governor Cooper vetoed House Bill 140, An Act to Apply Disclosure and Notification Requirements Related to Insurer Fee Schedules, Claims Submission, and Reimbursement Policies to Stand Alone Dental Insurance.

The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development will provide an additional $31.86 million in disaster relief funding for communities still recovering from Hurricane Matthew. HUD had previously allocated just $6.1 million under the 2017 appropriations omnibus but revisited its assessment at North Carolina’s request. Governor Cooper is working with bipartisan members of the state’s congressional delegation, including Senator Thom Tillis, Representative Dave Price and Representative David Rouzer, to secure additional funding.

Governor Roy Cooper has signed a State of Emergency declaration and waived weight and hours of service restrictions due to a major power outage on Hatteras Island in Dare County and Ocracoke Island in Hyde County. The power outage was caused when a transmission line was cut while construction work was being carried out on the Bonner Bridge.

Governor Cooper today signed House Bill 589, a substantial portion of which is necessary and comprehensive energy legislation that secures a booming North Carolina solar energy industry that leads the nation. Immediately after signing it, Cooper signed Executive Order No. 11, aimed at promoting wind energy and mitigating the effects of a wind energy moratorium that he opposes.

Governor Roy Cooper today announced ten more appointments and elections to North Carolina commissions and boards, including the North Carolina State Commission for Public Health, the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, and the Coastal Resources Commission.

Reaffirming that all North Carolina children have the right to a sound basic education, Governor Roy Cooper today announced a new commission of experts to improve North Carolina public schools and identify the resources they need to succeed.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper signed into law Senate Bill 55 to help protect students from unsafe drivers and give parents and teachers added peace of mind when sending children to the school bus. 

Today, Governor Cooper signed into law House Bill 128, a law that makes it illegal to fly a drone over or near prisons and jails, where drones can be used to deliver contraband like drugs, weapons and cell phones to inmates.