GA Update: Weekly Executive and Legislative Session Recap and Related News

What’s happening in the North Carolina General Assembly and around state government? Here’s a recap of activity and how your business will be impacted.
 
Last week, Senate Bill 462: CON/Threshold Amds. & Certificate Expirations passed both the House and the Senate and is currently awaiting the Governor’s consideration. Senate Bill 462 would increase the dollar threshold on diagnostic center equipment, major medical equipment, and capital expenditures for new institutional health services must exceed before they are subject to certificate of need review. It would also require projects subject to a certificate of need to initiate construction within a specified timeframe. This bill has three sections, and more information can be found below.
 
Section 1 of the bill would increase the dollar threshold various types of healthcare equipment and facilities must exceed before becoming subject to Certificate of Need review:

• For diagnostic centers, the aggregate dollar value of equipment with an individual value over $10,000 would be increased to $1,500,000. The current threshold is $500,000.
• For major medical equipment, the threshold would be increased to $2,000,000. The current threshold is $750,000.
• For capital expenditures for new institutional health services, the threshold would be increased to $4,000,000. The current threshold is $2,000,000.

 
Section 2 of the bill would require certificate of need holders to initiate construction on projects withing a specified timeframe. If the project is not initiated by the deadline, the certificate of need would expire. These projects include the following:

• Projects costing over $50,000,000 would have to initiate construction within 4 years of the certificate of need becoming final.
• Projects costing $50,000,000 would have to initiate construction within 4 years of the certificate of need becoming final.
• Projects that already have a certificate and a deadline for completion would have to be completed by that deadline.

 
Section 3 of the bill is a severability clause. We will keep you updated on further action from the Governor.
 
Additionally, House Bill 320: Modernize Remote Business Access moved forward last week and received approval from the Senate Commerce Committee. House Bill 320 would: authorize remote meetings of corporation shareholders, nonprofit corporation members, and mutual insurance company policy holders; authorize nonprofit corporations to conduct all business electronically; and make technical and conforming changes. House Bill 320 has been re-referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further review. We will keep you updated on further action as this bill continues to make its way through the General Assembly.
 
To learn more about our GA priorities, track legislative bills, or to read our blog posts, you can visit our webpage or follow us on Twitter @RcgaJ, @tierra_rcga, or @raleighchamber.