Gov. Beverly Perdue has signed 59 of 108 bills on her desk as of this morning.

Perdue has 49 more bills to go, reports Gerry Cohen, the legsislature's bill drafting director on his Drafting Musings blog. The legislature left the pile of bills for Perdue, who by law, has 30 days to sign or veto them. The state has no pocket veto, so if the bills aren't signed by Sept. 11, they become law.

Cohen is keeping a running tab of bills signed. 

The new laws increase state oversight for fireworks display operators, establish tougher rules for using handicapped parking placards, ensure sex offenders can't drive a school bus and allow magistrates to carry a gun in a courthouse.

Still to be signed are bills that would make online bullying a misdemeanor, ban recreational use of an hallicinogenic herb, and ban smoking and cell phones in prisons. 

As the legislative session neared its finale, the House worked through a lengthy calendar of bills Thursday evening. Notable bills that received favorable votes included:

SB 563: Establishes new regulations for fireworks displays. Operators would have to have permits issued by the state and pass minimum standards of competency. The bill needs one more vote in the Senate. The bill is in response to a fatal accident July 4 in which four men were killed and a fifth injured on Ocracoke Island.

HB 473: Allows magistrates who have concealed carry permits to carry firearms in court. The bill now goes to the governor.

SB 203: Requires that handicapped placards to have a clearly visible expiration date. The bill is meant to help ensure that only people who need the cards can park in handicap spaces. The bill goes back to the Senate.

The Senate gave overwhelming support Monday night to a bill that would require a permit from the State Fire Marshall to issue a permit for fireworks displays.

The bill is in response to a fatal accident July 4 in which four men were killed and a fifth injured on Ocracoke Island.

"It is imperative for us to reflect and see how we can learn from tragedies," said Sen. Don Davis, a Snow Hill Democrat. "There is a need for us to bring more clarity."

Davis said current law allows a county commission to authorize an "expert" to run fireworks displays.

"When we look at the word 'expert,' I think that becomes the matter of much subjectivity," Davis said.

More after the jump.

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