S453 - Regulatory Reform Act of 2015

• Repeals two obsolete statutes: G.S. 14-197 (profane language on public highways) and G.S. 14-401.8 (refusing to relinquish party telephone line in emergency).

• Shifts burden of proof in contested cases: petitioners must prove facts by preponderance of evidence, except state agencies must prove civil fines/penalties and employers must prove employee terminations for just cause.

• Expands legislative appointment procedures to make third-party recommendations discretionary rather than binding, with 60-day advance notice requirement or automatic waiver of opportunity.

• Creates environmental audit privilege protecting confidential audit reports from discovery and admission in civil/administrative proceedings, while providing limited immunity from penalties for voluntarily disclosed violations discovered through audits.

• Eliminates Sedimentation Control Commission by transferring erosion control duties to Environmental Management Commission and repeals multiple outdated environmental reporting requirements for state agencies and manufacturers.