NC S734

Eliminates eight obsolete state boards and commissions including the Small Business Contractor Authority, Committee on Dropout Prevention, State Education Commission, National Heritage Area Designation Commission, Governor's Management Council, Board of Directors of the North Carolina Center for Nursing, and Board of Corrections.

Streamlines administrative and regulatory processes by clarifying rule readoption procedures, allowing electronic filing in administrative hearings, authorizing licensing boards to adopt professional corporation rules, and enabling businesses to be represented by nonattorney representatives in contested cases.

Expands permit applicant flexibility by allowing permit applicants to choose which version of rules or ordinances applies when regulations change between application submission and permit decision, and establishes "capstone permitting" for multiple license requirements.

Modifies occupational licensing requirements including locksmith merchant exemptions, well contractor electrical work authorization, and allows community colleges to operate brewing and fermentation programs with alcohol sales privileges.

Makes numerous environmental and coastal regulation changes including modifications to stormwater standards, oyster transplanting rules, wetland impact thresholds, floodplain ordinance enforcement, and clarifications on air quality permitting and open burning exemptions.