General Assembly

The North Carolina Senate has formally backed a regulatory framework to legalize marijuana for medical use. The chamber voted Thursday for legislation that would allow people with one of more than a dozen “debilitating medical conditions” to get their doctor's prescription to receive cannabis or cannabis-infused products.

North Carolina lawmakers have given final approval to a bill that prohibits local governments from banning natural gas for heaters and other appliances. It still needs the governor's signature.

The North Carolina state budget signed by the governor Thursday spends $800 million over the next two years on disaster recovery, flood prevention and other needs related to more intense storms and climate change.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper says he'll sign the legislature’s final two-year budget bill into law once it reaches his desk. He made the announcement on Tuesday as the Senate prepared for floor debate on the budget plans. He says the good items contained inside the Republican-penned bill outweighed the bad.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has signed into law a major energy reform bill designed to promote cleaner energy and change the way electric utilities are regulated. Cooper signed the bill even though business, environmental and consumer groups say it doesn't go far enough and could lead to big price increases.

A bipartisan bill to overhaul North Carolina's electric power system to deal with climate change passed both chambers of the state legislature this week, and now awaits the governor's signature. It took a lot of haggling between Republicans and Democrats to get it there. WFAE climate reporter David Boraks talked with WFAE Weekend Edition host Nick de la Canal about the final deal and what it means.

Energy reform legislation that offers a path to meeting the state's climate change goals is headed to Gov. Roy Cooper. The bill also will change how electric rates are set.

Republicans at the North Carolina legislature have turned back efforts to repeal a new law that requires school districts to vote regularly on face masks. Critics say the law has contributed to recent raucous board meetings.

The North Carolina General Assembly has wrapped up internal negotiations towards fashioning a two-year state budget. Now heavy lifting begins to see if acceptable changes for all can be made so Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper will sign a final proposal.

State lawmakers will closely follow 2019 criteria for the drawing of new district maps based on 2020 census data.