North Carolina § 66-405 - Legislative finding.

§ 66-405. Legislative finding.

The General Assembly finds and declares that precious metal businesses in North Carolina vitally affect the general economy of the State and the public interest and public welfare, and in the exercise of its police power, it is necessary to regulate such businesses, in order to prevent thefts, disposal of stolen property, and other abuses upon its citizens. History (1981, c. 956, s. 1; 2012-46, s. 15.) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2012-46, s. 15, recodified former Article 25 (G.S. 66-163 through 66-173) as Part 2 of Article 45 of Chapter 66 (G.S. 66-405 through G.S. 66-414). Historical citations and annotations to former sections have been set out in the new sections where appropriate. Session Laws 1981, c. 956, which enacted this Article, provided in s. 3: "All general or local laws governing precious metals businesses in counties or towns are repealed." Former G.S. 66-163 was recodified as this section by Session Laws 2012-46, s. 15, effective October 1, 2012, and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date. Session Laws 2012-46, s. 32, provides: "Pawnbroker licenses and permits to engage as a dealer in the business of purchasing precious metals that are valid on the effective date of this act shall continue in force until the natural expiration thereof, unless otherwise revoked or suspended in accordance with applicable law." Session Laws 2012-46, s. 33, provides, in part, that prosecutions for offenses committed before October 1, 2012 are not abated or affected by Session Laws 2012-46, and the statutes that would be applicable but for that act remain applicable to those prosecutions.