The elevators of North Carolina are on track to becoming "great again" thanks to a new piece of legislation. Governor Josh Stein has put his signature on House Bill 559, also known as the "Make Elevators Great Again" (MEGA) Act—a move that's been met with appreciation from key figures in the state, according to the NC Department of Labor.
Labor Commissioner Luke Farley, the architect behind the MEGA plan, gave his nod to the new law. "I appreciate that Governor Stein has signed the Make Elevators Great Again Act – my plan to enhance public safety on elevators & amusement rides and restore trust in government services," Farley stated in a press release issued by the NC Department of Labor. This legislation is intended to equip the Department of Labor with the necessary resources to address the elevator inspection backlog and bolster safety measures.
According to Commissioner Farley, the legislation was crafted without imposing new costs on taxpayers—a detail that emphasizes the bill's efficiency. "This bipartisan law is a model for government efficiency, giving the NC Department of Labor the tools we need to eliminate the elevator inspection backlog, strengthen rider safety, and deliver faster, more reliable service to the people of North Carolina — all without costing taxpayers a dime," he explained, as per the NC Department of Labor.
The General Assembly's overwhelming support for the bill did not go unnoticed by Farley, whose ambition to see the act transform into law was realized just months into his first term. "I also want to thank the General Assembly for their overwhelming support of our MEGA bill. This was my top legislative priority, and I’m proud to see it signed into law just months into my first term as Labor Commissioner," Farley said. With the MEGA Act in place, Farley's department is set to reinforce the recruitment of more inspectors, cut through the red tape of delays, and elevate the standards of safety in North Carolina, the NC Department of Labor noted.
