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Burke County adopts resolutions opposing two state bills it says would harm local services
Summary
The Board unanimously adopted resolutions opposing House Bill 675 (training/certification requirements for volunteer EMS) and House Bill 765 (preemption of local planning and zoning authority), citing potential negative effects on rural emergency services and local land-use control.
The Burke County Board of Commissioners on Monday adopted two separate resolutions opposing proposed state legislation the board said would harm local emergency services and restrict county planning authority.
Commissioner Burns presented a resolution opposing select provisions of House Bill 675. He told the board that HB 675 “would require all emergency services, EMS personnel, including volunteer emergency medical responders affiliated with local fire departments to obtain a national registry of medical technicians certification beginning 01/01/2026.” The board said the change could impose burdens on rural volunteer first responders and negatively affect rural EMS coverage. The resolution asks the legislature to provide exemptions or alternate pathways to mitigate burdens on rural providers. The motion passed 5-0 (resolution 2025-18).
The board also adopted a resolution opposing House Bill 765, which commissioners said would include elements that preempt local planning and zoning. Staff explained the bill contains multiple provisions that would alter how planning and zoning are carried out statewide. The board voted 5-0 to add Burke County to other communities formally opposing the bill in its current form (resolution 2025-19).
Why it matters: Both resolutions register the county’s formal opposition and are intended as local government advocacy to the General Assembly. Commissioners said the board wanted to document concerns—even if bills are amended or folded into other legislation—because changes at the state level could have direct operational and fiscal consequences for rural counties’ public safety and land-use tools.
