RALEIGH (AP) ó Lawmakers are answering Gov. Mike Easleyís call to give the stateís chief executive more power to respond to a drought.
The House on Friday gave final approval to a plan that gives North Carolina governors additional authority to ensure local governments and water systems reduce water usage during shortages.
Easley called on the General Assembly earlier this year to act as a widespread drought affected the entire state.
Lawmakers altered the governorís proposal to protect local water systems that had already submitted emergency plans to the state. Lawmakers changed the proposal to protect private wells from the regulations.
The 68-36 vote on whatís scheduled to be the final day of the two-month session sends the bill to Easley for his signature.