RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of legislation limiting monetary damages in civil lawsuits filed by neighbors of hog and poultry operations over their smells could soon be canceled.
Enough House members voted Wednesday to agree to override the measure, which still needs a Senate vote before it would become law despite Cooper’s objection. The bill restricts compensatory damages against farming and forestry operations sued by residents complaining about animal waste and other odors to the value of lost property or the rental value of properties.
Cooper vetoed the bill last week, saying it improperly gave special protection for one industry and opened the door to weaken civil actions in other nuisance matters. Bill sponsor Rep. Jimmy Dixon of Duplin County disagreed with Cooper and said Wednesday the measure promotes livestock agriculture.
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