Senate gives its final OK for 3 constitutional amendments

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – Legislation proposing three constitutional amendments on North Carolina’s fall ballot has cleared the North Carolina Senate.

The Senate gave its final approval Tuesday to the measure, which would let voters decide whether to alter the state constitution in several ways. The bill received tentative approval Monday.

One amendment would cap the state’s individual income tax rate at 5.5 percent and mandate lawmakers set aside money annually for emergencies. A second would reinforce limits on state and local government taking private property through eminent domain for “public use” only. The third would protect the right of people to hunt and fish.

The bill Tuesday received 31 votes, just above the 30 that constitutional proposals require. It how goes to the House, which has sought the eminent domain amendment for years.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)