Taking the Pulse, A Health Care and Life Sciences Video Podcast | Episode 240: Independent Practice In Dermatology with Dr. Darragh and Dr. Shuler of Carolina Dermatology
Project Catalyst: An Economic Development Podcast | Episode 14: Shaping North Carolina’s Economic Future with Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley
Legislators left Raleigh on Wednesday after passing an appropriations bill and overriding a number of vetoes by Gov. Josh Stein. New Appropriations Bill Both houses this week adopted H 125, which provides various...more
The North Carolina General Assembly is considering various alcohol bills during the long 2025 session. Proposed changes include legalizing happy hour, authorizing Sunday sales by ABC stores, clarifying special one-time...more
At Ward and Smith, we are closely monitoring these developments to help our clients with the potential impacts on their businesses. Below is an overview of what stakeholders in the hemp industry need to know about this...more
House Bill 47 ("H47") was signed into law (Session Law 2025-2) by Governor Stein on March 20. The bill's official name is the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025–Part I, but it is more commonly known as the Hurricane Helene...more
Legislators considered dozens of bills over the last two weeks as they faced the “crossover” deadline of May 8. Under legislative rules, bills other than tax and appropriations bills must pass one chamber by that date to...more
House Bill 569 has been submitted to the General Assembly of North Carolina which is styled: AN ACT TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF NORTH CAROLINA FROM DRINKING WATER CONTAMINATED BY GENX AND OTHER PFAS COMPOUNDS....more
Senate Budget bill - The North Carolina Senate on Thursday approved its version of the 2025 Appropriations Act by a vote of 30 to 15. Four Democrats joined twenty-six Republicans in supporting the bill. Fourteen Democrats...more
Just a week from North Carlina Senators proposing Senate Bill 491, which seeks to create an act to license, examine, and regulate debt settlement services, North Carolina House Representatives Howard (R), Setzer (R), B. Jones...more
On March 25, 2025, North Carolina Senators Johnson (R), Overcash (R), and Jackson (R) as primary sponsors introduced Senate Bill 491 (“S.B. 491” or the “Bill”), which seeks to license, examine, and regulate debt settlement...more
Governor’s Budget Recommendations - Gov. Josh Stein this week unveiled his state budget recommendations for the next two fiscal years. Entitled “North Carolina Strong,” it details a number of themes: improving public...more
In November 2023, we pondered whether 2024 might be “the year” for medical marijuana legalization in North Carolina. Well, it wasn’t. Why, you ask? How can a state whose population has expressed overwhelming bipartisan...more
Gov.-elect Josh Stein this week announced nominees for eleven Cabinet positions and two senior administration officials. The North Carolina Senate will consider the Cabinet nominations when it begins meeting in January....more
The 2024 North Carolina General Assembly session ended last Friday after members overrode a veto, proposed a change to the state constitution, and supported a constitutional convention to set term limits for members of the US...more
Legislators returned to Raleigh this week and acted on a number of bills, including storm recovery. In addition, Republicans selected their nominees for leadership in the next session. New Leadership - Republican...more
Legislators returned to Raleigh on Thursday and unanimously passed a second Disaster Recovery bill (S 743). The bill appropriates $644 million and makes various policy changes to facilitate storm recovery. Gov. Roy Cooper is...more
Legislators returned to Raleigh this week and passed a bill that among other things, adjusts the budget law enacted in October 2023. They also voted to override four vetoes by Gov. Roy Cooper. Budget Adjustment Bill - ...more
The lazy, hazy days of summer are definitely not lazy or hazy when it comes to health planning in North Carolina. At this point in the year, the draft State Medical Facilities Plan (SMFP) has been published, and the summer...more
After a busy week, legislators left Raleigh on Thursday for the foreseeable future. Although they did not pass a new 2024 budget bill, they did appropriate funds for certain purposes and are authorized to return later this...more
The House and the Senate considered significantly different budget bills this week and legislators discussed bills on a variety of other topics....more
During the 2023 Long Session, the General Assembly enacted a two-year budget to carry the state through June 30, 2025. While that budget remains in place, it is standard practice for the General Assembly to enact a budget...more
Ohio Adopts Sweeping Foreign National Ban, Covering Lawful Permanent Residents - On June 2, 2024, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law H.B. 1, enacting a sweeping foreign national ban on political contributions and...more
In what was ostensibly a bill to impose restrictions on intoxicating hemp products, the North Carolina legislature has revived its previous efforts to authorize medical marijuana consumption and sales within the state....more
While legislators continue to discuss a new state budget bill, the North Carolina General Assembly this week considered bills on a variety of topics. Budget Work- Legislators are working on a budget bill for FY 25,...more
The North Carolina General Assembly on Wednesday started its 2024 session with legislators focused on adjusting the second year of the biennial budget adopted last year and considering bills on other topics....more
Welcome to the first issue of The Academic Advisor for 2024. In this edition, we examine the following topics of import for schools, institutions of higher education, and other education-focused organizations: -...more