“MEGA” Bill Passes First Reading in NC House

House Bill 559, also named “Make Elevators Great Again (MEGA),” was filed in the North Carolina House on March 27, CBS 17 reports. The bill aims to adjust fees higher for inspections on elevators and “amusement devices” and is sponsored by seven Republican representatives. The bill would also give the Commissioner of Labor the power to waive or amend the American National Safety Standards in relation to the qualifications of inspectors if the Commissioner sets “alternative standards that are reasonably equivalent.” Authors of HB 559 have stated that they believe these changes will empower the North Carolina Department of Labor (DoL) to reduce the inspection backlog and raise inspector pay to market rates. If passed, HB 559 would create new general statutes that would allow the DoL to adjust fees each year based on the year’s consumer price index starting July 1.