The Joint Committee on Regulatory Reform, chaired by Senators Harry Brown (R-Jones) and David Rouzer (R-Johnston) and Representatives Marilyn Avila (R-Wake) and Pat McElraft (R- Carteret), recently announced that it is launching a statewide listening tour to receive feedback from the public on burdensome state regulations.

The committee is tasked with scrutinizing all state regulations on the private sector and targeting outdated rules and regulations that should be eliminated.  It is comprised of nine Senators and nine Representatives, appointed by Senate President Pro-Tem Berger and Speaker Tillis, respectively.

Farmers are asked to attend these meetings and express their concerns about the impact of overregulation on their farm operations.  Specific examples of how state overregulation and regulatory overreach have hurt farmers are requested.  The Committee chairs would also like an idea of the cost of state regulations on the private sector.  While Committee chairs expect many of the public comments to focus on environmental regulations, they are also asking for examples where other types of regulations (e.g., transportation, labor) have negatively impacted the private sector.

Meetings will be open to the public and the media. Those interested in making a brief (1-2 minutes) statement to the committee are encouraged to arrive at 12:30 in order to sign up in advance.  It is very important that farmers arrive early in order to sign up to make comments.  Only those signing up to speak will be allowed to do so.  All meetings will begin at 1:00 pm and end promptly at 3:00 pm.

A website for the committee has been launched at www.ncleg.net/regreform.  The website will house a web-based submittal form as a tool for collecting public input, as well as an email address for those that cannot attend meetings but would still like to submit comments (or for those who do attend and want to submit additional comments or materials).  The public email address isregreform@ncleg.net.

Charlotte - Monday, March 21
Central Piedmont Community College - West Campus
Harris Conference Center
3216 CPCC Harris Campus Drive
Charlotte, N.C.
Signup to make a two minute statement: 12:30 p.m.
Meeting: 1 to 3 p.m.

Triad - Monday. March 28
Guilford Technical Community College - Jamestown Campus
Koury Hospitality Careers Center Auditorium
601 High Point Road
Jamestown, N.C.
Signup to make a two minute statement: 12:30 p.m.
Meeting: 1 to 3 p.m.

Eastern N.C. - Monday, April 4
Pitt Community College
Goess Building, Rooms 137-139
1986 Pitt Tech Road
Winterville, N.C.
Signup to make a two minute statement: 12:30 p.m.
Meeting: 1 to 3 p.m.

Western N.C.  - Friday, April 15
Blue Ridge Community College
Thomas Auditorium
180 West Campus Drive
Flat Rock, N.C.
Signup to make a two minute statement: 12:30 p.m.
Meeting: 1 to 3 p.m.

Raleigh - Thursday, April 21
Legislative Building Auditorium (3rd Floor)
16 W. Jones Street
Raleigh, N.C.
Signup to make a two minute statement: 12:30 p.m.
Meeting: 1 to 3 p.m.