Governor Cooper Vetoes HB 576, Signs Bills into Law

Press Release

Today, Governor Cooper vetoed House Bill 576, An Act to (1) Require the Department of Environmental Quality to Approve Aerosolization of Leachate and Wastewater from a Lined Sanitary Landfill for the Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste Landfill, in Certain Circumstances; (2) Allow the Department to Approve Aerosolization of Leachate or Wastewater that Results in a Zero-Liquid Discharge and is Not a Significant Air Contamination Source Does Not Constitute a Source that Requires Certain Permits.

Gov. Cooper included the following veto message:

"In this bill, the legislature exempts particular technologies that could potentially better ensure the health and safety of people and the environment. Scientists, not the legislature, should decide whether a patented technology can safely dispose of contaminated liquids from landfills. With use of the word "shall," the legislature mandates a technology winner, limiting future advancements that may provide better protection."

Gov. Cooper also signed five bills into law:

House Bill 98: An Act to Create the Criminal Offense of Injuring, Destroying, Removing, Vandalizing, or Tampering with Any of the Following: Firefighting Machinery, Firefighting Equipment, an Ambulance, a Rescue Squad Emergency Medical Services Vehicle, or Emergency Medical Services Equipment
Senate Bill 155: An Act to Make Various Changes to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission Laws
Senate Bill 169: An Act to Expand Teaching Excellence Bonuses for Certain Teachers Who Would Have Received a Bonus
Senate Bill 448: An Act to Authorize Local Boards of Education to Employ Higher Education Faculty Members to Serve as Adjunct Instructors for Core Academic Subjects
Senate Bill 578: An Act to Require the Office of the Secretary of State to Annually Compile Information About the Number of Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and to Provide This Information to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

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