Category: Past Alerts

SITUATION:

We’re working to SUPPORT House Bill 14: Reconstitute Various Boards and Commissions.

As you may recall, these two boards, along with four others, were the subject of litigation, which was only recently resolved.  However, there is still some ongoing uncertainty regarding the appointments to these two boards. Legislation is needed to bring the boards into compliance with those court decisions.

SOLUTION:

Our request is that House members hear the bill to fix these boards as soon as possible.  The language in House Bill 14 would provide an immediate fix to these boards and would allow CWMTF and PARTF to continue their important work.

SAMPLE EMAIL:

Dear Representative,

I write to ask for your support for House Bill 14, which permanently fixes the constitutional defects in the Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). As you know, these trust funds are critical to the work our organization does in our region of the state, and currently our highest priority is getting these boards fixed to resolve any ongoing uncertainty.

As you may recall, these two boards, along with four others, were the subject of litigation, which was only recently resolved.  However, there is still some ongoing uncertainty regarding the appointments to these two boards. Legislation is needed to bring the boards into compliance with those court decisions.

House Bill 14, which is cosponsored by Representatives McGrady, Torbett, Ross, and Harrison, would fix all six boards in question, including CWMTF and PARTF.  The bill has been referred to Judiciary and State/Local Government, however the bill hasn’t been calendared for a hearing yet. I would appreciate you reaching out to the Judiciary Committee Chairs, Rep. Davis and Rep. Stevens, to let them know you support this bill, and to ask them to hear the bill as soon as possible.

Thank you for your ongoing support for local parks and recreation, state parks, and land and water conservation.

SAMPLE SOCIAL:

• #NCGA please SUPPORT HB 14 so the #CWMTF and #PARTF boards can be fixed. This bill provides the solution we need to protect North Carolina’s beautiful spaces, clean water and clean air.#ncpol
• #NCGA please support House Bill 14 to provide a fix to the conservation trust fund boards that would allow these funds to continue their important work. #ncpol

SITUATION:

We’re working to OPPOSE Senate Bill 821 (Sunset Unconstitutional Boards and Commissions). This bill is damaging to the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund because:

• While the six boards and commissions listed in the bill were recently found unconstitutional, this bill does not fix the problem.
• Conservation groups will be hesitant to start new conservation projects without knowing that there will be boards in place next year,
• The appropriations committees will be reluctant to appropriate funds to these trust funds with this cloud of uncertainty hanging over them.

SOLUTION:

Our request is that legislators fix these boards as soon as possible.  The language in House Bill 1120 (Reconstitute Various Boards and Commissions) would provide an immediate fix to these boards and would allow CWMTF and PARTF to continue their important work.

SAMPLE EMAIL:

Dear Representative,

I’m reaching back out to you regarding the various pieces of legislation that would sunset six different boards and commissions, including the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.  As you know, those two trust funds are absolutely critical to the work that we do in our part of the state.  These trust funds have enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support over the last few legislative sessions, and have in fact received increases almost every year for the last six years thanks to support from members like you.

It is my understanding that Senate Bill 821 (Sunset Unconstitutional Boards and Commissions) is currently being considered by the North Carolina House of Representatives.  I respectfully request that you oppose this piece of legislation.  While the six boards and commissions listed in the bill were recently found unconstitutional, this bill does not fix the problem, and instead it kicks the can down the road.  I’m concerned that not fixing these boards now will create a chilling effect on the important work of these trust funds.  Conservation groups like ours will be hesitant to start new conservation projects without knowing that there will be boards in place next year, and I’m concerned that your appropriations committees will be reluctant to appropriate funds to these trust funds with this cloud of uncertainty hanging over them.  For those reasons, I would request that you fix these boards as soon as possible.  The language in House Bill 1120 (Reconstitute Various Boards and Commissions) would provide an immediate fix to these boards and would allow CWMTF and PARTF to continue their important work.

I appreciate your ongoing support for conservation, and for the reasons stated above, I hope that you will oppose S821, and instead pass the language in H1120 so that the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and Parks and Recreation Trust Fund can continue their important conservation work across our state.

SAMPLE SOCIAL:

• #NCGA please OPPOSE NCSB 821 — Sunset Unconstitutional Boards and Commissions. This bill is damaging to the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund that protect North Carolina’s beautiful spaces, clean water and clean air.#ncpol
• #NCGA please support House Bill 1120 — Reconstitute Various Boards and Commissions —  to immediate fix to the conservation trust boards and would these funds to continue their important work. #ncpol