Burlington Reporter

The North Carolina House and Senate approved legislation to allow bars and restaurants to expand outdoor seating to 50% of the total occupancy, one of the bill's cosponsors posted to his Facebook page on May 28. 

However, the bill faces hurdles after Gov. Roy Cooper rejected the House's version on June 5, the governor's office said. 

Co-sponsor Sen. Rick Gunn (R-Guilford) posted before Cooper's veto, that “I want to thank my Senate colleagues for the overwhelming bipartisan of this critically important bill that could very well be the economic ventilator that gives these businesses a breath of hope for success for years to come." 

The bill passed both chambers with strong support, according to the post that Gunn shared on his Facebook page. The Senate approved the legislation 42-5 and the House adopted it 65-53. 

In vetoing the House version, Cooper suggested it stymied quick reaction. 

“State and local government leaders must be able to act quickly during the COVID-19 emergency to prevent a surge in cases that could overwhelm hospitals and harm the public,” Cooper said in a statement about vetoing the bill. “House Bill 536 would limit the ability of leaders to respond quickly to COVID-19 and hamper the health and safety of every North Carolinian.