RALEIGH — Of all the legislation enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly this year, none is more significant than House Bill 402, which strengthens legislative oversight of state regulations. Passed by both chambers in June, it drew opposition from Gov. Josh Stein. In July, lawmakers overrode his veto to make it the law of the land.

From now on, if an executive agency proposes a rule with projected compliance costs of at least $20 million over five years, it must return to the General Assembly for approval before it can be issued and enforced. The bill also raises the legal thresholds for boards, councils, and commissions to impose major regulations. If the projected costs are at least $1 million over five years, that will require a supermajority of two-thirds of panel members. If

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