RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - More North Carolina state legislators are trying to get more spectators at school sporting events or college graduations this spring that are beyond what Gov. Roy Cooper’s COVID-19 recent executive order allows.
The House voted on Wednesday for two bills that attempt to raise the capacity of venues from Cooper’s 30% limit to as high as 50%.
One bill would apply statewide to indoor and outdoor events put on by public and private schools, community colleges and University of North Carolina system campuses. These venues would have the option to host crowds from no less than 30% of capacity to no more than 50%.
Another bill would apply a 50% cap to outdoor sporting events at public and private K-12 schools in 14 identified counties. Limiting the number of counties would prevent Cooper from using his veto stamp on the measure because it’s still considered a “local bill.”
Several Democrats joined all Republicans voting in approving both bills. They now go to the Senate. Senators passed separate measures earlier this week designed to increase spectator capacity at high school outdoor sporting events.
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