Pet stores would be safe from city bans after NC lawmakers sneak provision into squatter bill

Pet stores, including those supplied by suspected puppy mills, could soon enjoy broad legal protections throughout North Carolina. State lawmakers snuck a provision into an unrelated bill Thursday without the opportunity for the public to comment on the proposal — or even to know that it was happening before the vote.

The language now sits on Gov. Josh Stein’s desk, awaiting his approval or rejection. It would forbid every city or county in the state from passing rules banning or regulating pet shops.

It comes after activists hounded a downtown Raleigh pet shop, accusing it of operating as a front for alleged puppy mills, and then began pressuring the city council for a broader ban on similar businesses. Cities in other states have passed similar bans.

The deal that led to the addition is representative of the kinds of agreements that happen this time of year — as lawmakers race to pass legislation ahead of summer break.

The new legislative change was tacked onto House Bill 96, intended to make it easier to evict squatters. Senate Republican leaders indicated they’d only support the squatter bill in exchange for the pet shop protections. In the House, several Democratic lawmakers urged their Republican colleagues not to accept the last-minute deal. They lost that fight in a 76-32 vote.

“A research project done by the Humane Society recently investigated these stores in at least six different states,” Rep. Deb Butler, D-New Hanover, said. “When they got there, puppies were sick. They were born with defects, suffering from respiratory issues, parasites, overcrowded cages, improper veterinary care.”

Nearly all supporters of the bill were silent on the pet shop provision during legislative debate. No one offered any explanation defending the changes. Only one supporter spoke, saying the protections against squatters were worth making the deal.

“I love my dog, but this is part of the squatters bill, and I’d rather live in my house,” Rep. Carla Cunningham, D-Mecklenburg, said. “This is about people coming in, taking over your property, staying in your property for months at a time, and you can’t get them out. So I’m going to vote for this bill, and I’ll worry about the pets later.”

That anti-squatter bill had passed the House with broad support months ago but had been held up in the Senate ever since. It went nowhere until Thursday. That same day, the legislature adjourned for the summer after rushing a flurry of bills back and forth in backroom deals between the two chambers that happened out of public view, and often with no public explanation even after the fact.

Legislative dealmaking

The backroom deal on the pet store changes was possible in part because lawmakers were wheeling and dealing on dozens of bills this week, sending new proposals back and forth between the House and Senate ahead of their adjournment Thursday for what’s likely to be much of the rest of the summer.

GOP leaders failed to reach a budget agreement, even though the new budget year starts July 1, but they made progress on a number of other issues.

Some bills, including half a dozen touching on various issues — from diversity, equity and inclusion programs to transgender rights and a massive overhaul of rules governing Duke Energy — received attention when they were up for a vote.

Others flew under the radar because of the fast pace of the final days of the legislative session, and a lack of debate amid the rush to pass so many bills.

Some of the dozens of bills now on Stein’s desk include:

House Bill 193: Allow private school leaders to authorize teachers, parent volunteers and others to carry guns on campus instead of hiring security guards.

House Bill 568: Bans state labor department inspectors from being asked to testify in court in many circumstances, a change critics say will make it easier for business owners to avoid legal repercussions when their employees are hurt or killed on the job. It’s backed by State Labor Commissioner Luke Farley, a Republican, who says it will improve efficiency in his department.

House Bill 549: Expand the powers of Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek to investigate private individuals, businesses and charities that receive state funds, and exempt his office from some of the oversight on spending decisions that other state agencies face.

House Bill 412: Allow child care businesses to enroll more kids, as long as they have enough teachers to adhere to the proper staff:child ratios for different age groups.

House Bill 357: A total overhaul of the state regulations for continuing care retirement communities, the type of facilities that let residents transition in one place from independent living to assisted living as well as more intensive care.

House Bill 67 and 763: Make it easier for architects, engineers, veterinarians and many other professionals — including a large number of heath care industry jobs — to work in North Carolina even if they’re only licensed to work in a different state.

House Bill 378: Exempt college athletes’ NIL contracts from state public record laws, keep better records of how much it’s costing the state to replace broken laptops and other devices for K-12 students, and institute a variety of other semi-related education and tax rules.