Agenda - 01-21-2025 ; 6-d - Orange County’s Proposed 2025 Priority Legislative Issues

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5 GENERAL GOVERNMENT Racial Equity in Criminal Justice — Support continued consideration and implementation, where practicable, of the recommendations of the North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice (TREC), including: • Legislation to legalize the possession and use of marijuana and permit licensed businesses to engage in retail sales to adults, as this decriminalization will in turn broaden the agricultural economy and jobs as well as enhance revenue for governments with taxes, licenses, and other associated revenues that can be utilized to address opioid and other drug-related problems and other needs; • Policing reforms to address use of force, community oversight and law enforcement training on crisis intervention; • Funding at the county level to expand access to diversion and restorative justice programs; • The reduction of fines, fees and costs in criminal court, noting that such fines, fees and costs disproportionately impact people of color and people of low income; and • End automatic driver's license revocation for failure to appear in court and failure to pay court fines and fees and ensure this statutory change is retroactive, with notice to drivers and without requiring the payment of restoration fees. Concealed Weapons in Parks and Red Flag Law — Support legislation authorizing counties to regulate the carrying of concealed weapons on county-owned playgrounds and in county-owned parklands, and allowing courts to prevent access to firearms for individuals who show signs of being a danger to themselves or to others. Mental illness, escalating threats, substance abuse and domestic violence are among the circumstances in which a judge should have the authority to order weapon restrictions or surrender. Non-Partisan Redistricting Process for Elections — Support legislation to establish a process for an independent, non-partisan redistricting process after each United States Census for the election of representatives from North Carolina to the United States House of Representatives, the North Carolina House, and the North Carolina Senate. Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Funding — Support legislation to remove the restriction on State funding for stand-alone bicycle and pedestrian projects imposed by the North Carolina Strategic Transportation Investment Law. The restriction limits the development of infrastructure for bicyclists, pedestrians, and users of personal mobility devices. Broadband Expansion — Support efforts to encourage the North Carolina Department of Information Technology, Division of Broadband and Digital Equity, and private providers to expedite the allocation of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding for projects in eligible areas of Orange County to deliver essential broadband access to residents.