Latest news with #Bill50
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Stein signs six bills, including changes to state's investment fund
North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner (left) and Gov. Josh Stein at a bill signing ceremony at the governor's mansion in Raleigh on June 13, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) Gov. Josh Stein signed a bundle of bills into law Friday, including one that overhauls how the state's investments are managed. Under House Bill 506, a five-person board of appointees would oversee North Carolina's $127 billion pension fund. It is currently the sole responsibility of the treasurer. The new law comes after Brad Briner, the new Republican treasurer, said he wanted to see the fund deliver better returns for state retirees. 'While I trust that Treasurer Briner would do an excellent job if he kept this authority to himself, he and I share a belief that this process will be stronger when more voices are involved,' Stein said Friday at a bill signing ceremony in the governor's mansion. Briner's predecessor, former Republican Treasurer Dale Folwell, was often criticized for keeping an unusually large portion of the state pension funds sitting in cash. Briner pledged to move North Carolina away from that sole-fiduciary governance model. Briner, who also spoke Friday, said the state had 'fallen short on the investment side,' which was 'coming at a cost to our retirees.' 'This legislation allows us to face that problem,' he said. Four of the five members of the new board will be appointees. Two will be appointed by the heads of the House and Senate, both Republicans. Stein and Briner will both appoint one member each, subject to the legislature's approval. Those members will serve staggered six-year terms; they must have expert knowledge and a decade of relevant experience. Stein also signed several other bills into law Friday: House Bill 50, which changes how state law enforcement officers' separation allowance is paid out. House Bill 231, which makes it easier for social workers to transfer their licenses to North Carolina. House Bill 477, which makes changes to the Death Benefits Plan in state retirement plans. Senate Bill 248, which makes birth certificates for adopted persons similar to those not adopted. Senate Bill 477, which makes changes to the Department of Natural Resources, including about public access to confidential information on rare species and sensitive habitats. Stein has yet to issue a veto, but that could change soon. Several controversial Republican-led bills sit on the Democrat's desk, including multiple proposals to crack down on immigration enforcement, and a bill allowing permit-less carry of handguns. The governor has ten days to either sign or veto a bill before it automatically becomes law. If Stein does issue vetoes, the path for a GOP override could be challenging — Republicans are one vote short of a veto-proof majority in the House.
CBC
17-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Political parties enter Edmonton's municipal election
Campaigning is underway ahead of Edmonton's municipal election, and voters are starting to see the impacts of the legislative changes made by Bill 20 and 50.
Edmonton Journal
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Keith Gerein: Alberta government unwise to abolish conduct rules for city councillors
Article content Right from the start, the codes have engendered controversy. While some critics suggest the codes are toothless, others say they are too easily weaponized. While some want to see them strengthened, others wish to see them abolished. For reasons that remain a bit of a head-scratcher, the UCP government has decided to go with the second option. Under Bill 50, not only will codes of conduct no longer be mandatory, they won't even be optional. Civic councils will be prohibited from maintaining their own policies. Any code complaints still in the works — and not before the courts — will stop.
CBC
09-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Alberta government moves to eliminate municipal codes of conduct
Social Sharing Alberta Municipal Affairs minister Ric McIver introduced a new bill Tuesday that would automatically repeal all municipal codes of conduct as soon as it is proclaimed into law. Bill 50, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, proposes changes to three existing laws: Local Authorities Election Act, the Municipal Government Act, and the New Home Buyer Protection Act. Amendments to the Municipal Government Act in early 2015 compelled municipal councils across Alberta to pass codes of conduct by 2018. But McIver said they have since become a tool for councillors to target other members of council. "Most municipalities get along just fine and behave well and serve their citizens without a whole bunch of interpersonal drama," he said at a news conference Tuesday. "But there's been more than enough instances of people using the bylaws as weapons, weaponizing them, if you will, and they're trying to silence people that disagree with them that are on council." McIver is proposing an external third party, like an ethics or integrity commissioner, become the arbiter of breaches but he wants to consult with municipalities first. Such a change would also relieve the chief administrative officers of municipalities of the responsibility of having to resolve disputes. McIver said the current situation puts these officials in an awkward position because they are hired, evaluated and can be fired by councillors. "It's not a fair position to put them in," he said. "So we're going to try to fix that too." Other measures in the bill include a change that would allow municipal political parties to share campaign funding with their candidates and compel them to disclose their donors before election day in October. The bill also proposes a temporary measure to allow Jasper residents to vote or run in the municipal election even while they are displaced by last summer's wildfire. The government plans to keep these amendments in place for the fall municipal election and through 2026 just in case there is a byelection. The provision is to expire by Dec. 31, 2026. Political donation disclosure The proposal to eliminate municipal codes of conduct follows some high-profile cases where councillors used the rules against another council member. Last year, Linnsie Clark, the mayor of Medicine Hat, was stripped of some of her powers and given a pay cut for failing to treat the city manager with "courtesy, dignity and respect" at a council meeting in 2023. A Court of King's Bench judge later ruled that the sanctions were not in proportion to her code of conduct breaches and reversed most of them. Last year, members of Alberta Municipalities passed a resolution moved by the Town of Rocky Mountain House to set up an independent office of integrity to investigate code of conduct breaches. Edmonton Coun. Andrew Knack is concerned that there will be a period of time between the repeal of the codes of conduct and the enactment of what replaces them. "I don't want to be closed-minded to it," he said. "If they have a good system that has clear standards across the province, then that might actually be a really good thing. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt on this particular issue." Knack is more concerned with the rules for candidate donation disclosures. While Bill 50 will require political parties to disclose their donations before the election, there isn't a similar provision for individual candidates or third-party advertisers. Knack said the new system imposed by the province hurts candidates who choose to run independently. He says political parties can still get more donations from corporations and numbered companies.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blangiardi signs bill to streamline rules for street festivals, parades
Mayor Rick Blangiardi has signed a bill meant to refine regulations for street festivals and parades in order to reduce traffic congestion and increase pedestrian safety in Waikiki. Bill 50 also is supposed to encourage more festivals to take place in neighborhoods across Oahu. To that end, the new law is expected to streamline the city's permitting process, reduce the frequency of street closures in Waikiki, and promote cultural and community events in areas such as Kakaako, Downtown / Chinatown and Kapolei, city officials say. Bill 50 updates existing ordinances governing parades and street events to ensure they serve a public purpose while minimizing disruptions. The legislation took effect immediately upon the mayor's signing Wednesday, with the new Waikiki festival limits beginning in 2026, the city said. 'Waikiki has long been a hub for festivals, but we recognize the need for balance, ' Blangiardi said in a statement. 'This legislation ensures we minimize disruptions for residents, businesses, and visitors in Waikiki while creating opportunities for more community-driven events in neighborhoods eager to host them. 'I am very pleased to make this happen—this is long overdue and has been too big a burden on the Waikiki community, ' the mayor added. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. He said the new law is also about 'equity and opportunity.' 'We love our festivals and want to see them thrive—not just in Waikiki, but in neighborhoods across our island that are eager to showcase their unique identities and bring people together.' Under the new law, the number of street festivals in Waikiki will be reduced from 12 to six per year starting in 2026. To better manage street closures, permits will be limited to two festivals per four-month period. These changes aim to improve traffic flow, support local businesses and enhance accessibility for first responders and individuals with disabilities, city officials said. But the new regulations do not affect so-called 'legacy events ' such as the Hono lulu Marathon, the Aloha Festivals' Waikiki Ho 'o lau le 'a and Toys for Tots, the city said. At the same time, the city said it's committed to fostering cultural and economic opportunities by supporting festivals in other parts of the island that have expressed interest in hosting more events that celebrate local food, arts and culture. By strategically balancing Waikiki's festival schedule, the city said it encourages organizers to plan future events in communities that can benefit from increased foot traffic and economic activity. Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters, whose Council District 4 includes Waikiki, introduced the measure in August. 'I want to thank Mayor Blangiardi for signing Bill 50, which provides relief to residents and businesses in Waikiki from the seemingly constant timetable of street closures to accommodate festivals, parades and other activities along the area's main artery, Kalakaua Avenue, ' Waters said in a statement. 'This community represents the very heart of tourism in Hawaii, and while we do value the cultural and civic celebrations that are so vital to us here in Hawaii, this measure offers a thoughtful approach to managing these activities and maintaining Waikiki as a safe, welcoming and vibrant space for both residents and visitors alike.' Others, like Bob Finley, a 30-year Waikiki resident and chair of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board, believes the legislation seeks to end traffic congestion along major area thoroughfares such as Kuhio and Kalakaua avenues. 'If you came home from work at 5 p.m., you might add another 20 minutes of driving time just to get to your condo or house, ' he told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 'If you decide to go somewhere, add another 20 to 25 minutes to getting out of Waikiki and back in later.' He claimed that traffic jams and the inability for pedestrians to cross streets have been dangerous problems in Waikiki during festivals dating back to at least the 1990s. 'Events would start at Seaside (Avenue ) on Kala kaua, ' he said. 'Traffic would back up on Kalakaua, all the way down to the intersection with Kalakaua and Ala Wai Boulevard. And it wouldn't help if you came in on McCully … you'd still be backed up. 'During these events, we'd just have a solid wall of cars, ' he added. 'And it makes it a little bit more difficult for the EMS and fire trucks to get around in Waikiki. Although they have a plan, it's still difficult for them to get in.' However, he stressed that he's not against Waikiki-based events or their producers. 'That's not what I'm talking about, ' Finley said. 'I'm just talking about the impact on the residents.' There are other changes with the new city law. Among them, he said the law 'reduces 10 of the event dates that interfere with things like Mother's Day weekend, when everybody on Oahu rushes to Waikiki.'
