RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina lawmakers moved closer to passing legislation that would add a broad definition of antisemitism to state law.
The SHALOM Act easily passed the House in early May, but the Senate has not acted up on the bill, sponsored by House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland.
But with lawmakers eager to conclude most business by the end of the week, the Senate's state and local government committee passed the measure Wednesday morning. The bill adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism.
Chairman Carl Ford, R-Rowan, called it "one of the best bills I've ever seen" in his 12 years in the state legislature.
Critics on both sides of the aisle have raised concerns about House Bill 942, citing worries about free speech., particularly when delivering criticism of the state of Israel.
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