Jenkins' Bill

Jenkins' Bill

Sen. Clark Jenkins, the primary sponsor of a bill that would allow wider boats on North Carolina highways, is an owner of a marina near Nags Head that claims on its Web site to be the fastest-growing new fishing marina in the state. But Jenkins, D-Edgecombe, said he didn't disclose his interest in Broad Creek Fishing Center & Marina when he shepherded his bill through two Senate committees because it wasn't necessary. "I don't have a conflict of interest, in my opinion," Jenkins said in an interview Tuesday. He said that's because the entire sportfishing industry would benefit from his bill, not just his marina. He also said he had consulted with an attorney who works for the General Assembly who told him he had no conflict. Senate leader Marc Basnight said he agrees with Jenkins and added: "I don't see how it benefits him. It benefits the person pulling the boat."
Jenkins' bill sailed through the Senate last week 47-0 and is scheduled to be heard at 11 a.m. today by the House Committee on Transportation. The legislation would eliminate the need for a permit to pull a boat-trailer combination that's between 8.5 and 10 feet wide, and would drop a prohibition against pulling one on Sundays and holidays, when beach traffic is heavier. The measure would also allow longer and heavier trucks on state highways. State law says that no legislator shall participate in a legislative action if they conclude "that an actual economic interest does exist which would impair the legislator's independence of judgment." It also says that it's OK if the benefit to that legislator is no greater than the benefit to owners of other similar businesses. Jenkins did not vote on his bill when the Senate approved it last week. He said he was out of town on business.
State Highway Patrol officials say the longer trucks and wider boats that the bill would allow on state highways would endanger other motorists. DOT Secretary Lyndo Tippett said in an interview Tuesday that he also opposes the bill, agreeing with the patrol on the danger issue. (Pat Stith, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 6/25/08).