Raleigh – On the first day of the new state legislative session, state Sen. Kevin Corbin introduced a bill that would allow Tri-County Community College to offer in-state tuition to some residents of Georgia.
The law would establish a four-year pilot program that allows residents of Fannin, Rabun, Towns and Union counties to pay in-state tuition at the community college in Peachtree. Corbin’s previous version of the bill died in the House of Representatives.
“No out-of-state student eligible for in-state tuition due to this pilot program shall displace a North Carolina resident eligible for in-state tuition who is seeking to enroll in a program offered by Tri-County Community College,” the bill states.
The legislation requires the State Board of Community Colleges to document and report the results of the pilot program. The report shall include:
* the number of out-of-state students who enrolled at the in-state tuition rate;
* the programs the students chose;
* any programs unavailable to the students due to potential displacement of North Carolina residents;
* any indicators of increased economic development as a result of this program.
If the pilot program is successful, lawmakers may test it in counties throughout North Carolina that border neighboring states.
On Jan. 27, Corbin introduced another bill that previously died in the House.
The Hands-Free N.C. bill would prohibit motorists from using wireless communication devices while driving. Violators could be fined up to $200 and receive insurance points, depending on how many infractions they commit within a three-year period.
“Things take a certain amount of time and a certain procedure, and we just ran out of time,” Corbin (R-Franklin) said regarding the bills that died in the House. “I think [the hands-free bill] will be heard [in the Senate], and if so, it will pass. It will save hundreds of lives in North Carolina every year, and it will prevent thousands of automobile accidents.”
Corbin also introduced a bill that allows the Graham County Board of Commissioners to levy a 3 percent room occupancy tax within a new taxing district that will be established as part of the legislation. The county’s Tourism Development Authority will be required to spend at least two-thirds of the funds to promote travel and tourism in the new taxing district, with the rest authorized for use on tourism-related expenditures in the district.
“The tax proceeds may be used only for the direct benefit of the jurisdiction of Graham County District G,” the bill states. “None of the proceeds may be used for promotion or expenditures in areas within Graham County that are outside of the district.”
Corbin plans to introduce a similar occupancy tax bill for the Town of Murphy.
In addition to being the primary sponsor on those three bills, Corbin co-sponsors two other pieces of legislation that were introduced last week. The bills head to committees, which will consider the legislation and recommend further action.
Corbin sits on two different committees that will consider a couple of the bills introduced last week, as well as others he may introduce this term. He was assigned to a total of four Senate committees: Appropriations on Education/Higher Education, Commerce & Insurance, Education/Higher Education, plus State & Local Government.
“I specifically asked for those four committees,” Corbin said. “It’s a little easier to get your bills through if you’re on the committee.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Franklin), who filled Corbin’s shoes in the lower chamber, was assigned to five state House committees: Appropriations for Education, Agriculture, Appropriations, Federal Relations & American Indian Affairs, plus Wildlife Resources.
At the federal level, U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) received two committee assignments: Education & Labor Committee and the Veteran Affairs Committee. Cawthorn said these assignments will allow him to champion policy issues such as rural broadband access, reopening schools, government overreach in the classroom, vocational and technical education, plus veterans health-care issues.
In a Facebook post Friday, one week after National Sanctity of Life Day, Cawthorn said he remains committed to fulfilling a campaign promise.
“The right to life should never be based on the arbitrary criterion of locale,” the congressman wrote. “I have signed, and co-sponsored, eight bills and initiatives protecting the right to life.”