House passes several measures as session winds down

DAILY MAIL CAPITOL REPORTER

The House passed a bill that would hold members of theConsolidated Public Retirement Board responsible for its fiscalactions if members act with negligence.

The bill says "board members are personally liable for ... acts inviolation of the laws ... or for gross negligence."

Last year the board approved a pension switch for State Troopersthat would have cost the state $75 million over 23 years. Later theboard reversed its decision.

The bill also calls for board members to be paid the same amountlawmakers get per day for expenses, which is $115 a day.

The bill passed 98-0 Friday with two members absent.

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The House also approved a bill Friday that would give a tax breakto tree growing, or silviculture, companies.

Delegate Don Perdue, D-Wayne, said he knew of only one companythat would be exempt from business franchise taxes because of thebill, but didn't know the name of the company.

"We're going to grant retroactive relief to an out-of-statecorporation," Perdue said. "Philosophically, I don't agree withthat."

The bill passed 78-20 with two members absent.

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The House passed a bill that will allow teachers to see thecriminal records of students. Both enrolled students who are arrestedand students with a criminal record who transfer would have theircriminal records shown to the schools so "we can have safe schools,"said House Education Chair Jerry Mezzatesta.

The bill passed 98-0 with two members absent.

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The House approved a bill that would allow people in hospitals toadmit up to three non-relatives for visitation.

The bill passed 91-7 with two members absent.

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The House changed a proposed bill dealing with carnival safetybefore passing it.

The bill, which some feared would have gutted previous safetyprovisions about fair rides, retains the state's power to revoke acarnival license if owners knew or should have known about unsafepractices.

The bill will also allow ride operators to refuse admission topeople who are intoxicated, act unsafely or don't meet height orweight requirements.

The bill passed 98-0 with two members absent.

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The House passed a bill that allows Magistrate Court to be heldoutside of county courthouses.

The bill would allow court proceedings to continue in the event ofemergencies like floods, but is also intended to be a learningexperience.

Magistrate Court can also be held at high schools under the bill.

The bill passed 98-0 with two members absent.

Writer Deanna Wrenn can be reached at 348-1796 or by e-mail atdwrenn@dailymail.com.