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Burke County commissioners oppose state bills they say could weaken local control and strain first responders
Summary
The board adopted two resolutions opposing House Bill 675 (EMS certification requirement) and House Bill 765 (preemption of local planning and zoning authority). During public comment a resident urged the board to strengthen countywide zoning and noise rules to address concerns about cryptocurrency-mining operations.
The Burke County Board of Commissioners adopted two resolutions opposing certain provisions of pending state legislation that county officials said could burden volunteer first responders and curtail local planning authority. Both resolutions passed unanimously (5-0).
Commissioner Burns introduced a resolution opposing specific provisions of House Bill 675, which staff summarized as a proposal that would require all emergency medical personnel — including volunteers affiliated with local fire departments — to obtain National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification beginning Jan. 1, 2026. The resolution (recorded as resolution number 2025Dash18 in meeting materials) called on the General Assembly to provide exemptions or alternate pathways to avoid adverse impacts on rural volunteer EMS coverage.
Commissioner Bluntz presented a separate resolution opposing House Bill 765, which the county described as containing multiple changes to planning and zoning procedures and as a bill that could preempt local land-use authority; the board adopted resolution number 2025Dash19 5-0. Staff told the board many counties across the state are passing similar resolutions to oppose HB 765 in its current form.
During informal public comments earlier in the meeting, resident Anne Moncrief raised concerns about cryptocurrency-mining operations and urged the commissioners to “consider strengthening countywide zoning and noise ordinances to protect citizens and the environment.” Moncrief referenced several state-level measures in her remarks, including a House bill she identified as "House Bill 920" and Senate proposals (she mentioned Senate Bill 774 and Senate Bill 382) and asked the board to retain local authority to restrict or regulate mining operations that produce persistent noise and heavy electricity demand.
The board took the staff-recommended motions to adopt both resolutions; both votes were unanimous. Commissioners and staff noted they will continue to monitor state legislation and that the county association of commissioners is tracking bills that would change the distribution of sales-tax revenues or other state actions affecting county finances and authority.
