Sen. Julia Boseman announced she will not run for reelection to the state Senate.

A Wilmington Democrat in her third term, Boseman is the state's first openly gay state legislator. Her decision not to run again leaves a swing-district seat without an incumbent. 

In a statement, Boseman said her greatest accomplishment "was doing what I could to help the vulnerable: protecting victims of domestic violence, protecting our children from sexual predators, and protecting kids—all kids—from bullying."

Boseman was out front in the successful effort this year to recognize gay students as potential targets for school bullies in an anti-bullying law. 

Boseman and her former domestic partner, Melissa Jarrell, were involved in a bitter break up and custody battle over their son that led to the state Appeals Court. 

A three-judge panel in August upheld Boseman's 2005 adoption of Jarrell's son, entitling Boseman to joint custody. 

Lawyers for state Sen. Julia Boseman's former partner have asked the state Supreme Court to reconsider a Court of Appeals ruling in the couple's adoption custody case.

Boseman, a Wilmington Democrat, and Melissa Jarrell, were in court over whether Boseman's adoptoin of Jarrell's child was legal. Jarrell, a former softball coach at UNC-Wilmington, had claimed that the adoption was invalid because gays and lesbians should not be permitted to adopt in North Carolina.

A three-judge panel unanimously ruled that Boseman's adoption was legal. Jarrell's lawyers have asked the state's high court to reconsider on several grounds. Because the appeals court was unanimous, Jarrell has not right to appeal and must convince the Supreme Court to hear the case. Such petitions are rarely granted.

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Sens. Julia Boseman and R.C. Soles Jr. spent the most of any competitive legislative candidate to win their seats.

Boseman, a Wilmington Democrat, spent $871,500 in her race and Soles, a Columbus County Democrat, spent $839,500, according to an analysis of campaign spending by the Program on Public Life at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The list of top spenders did not include candidates who ran unopposed and therefore excludes spending by Senate Leader Marc Basnight, $1.3 million, or House Speaker Joe Hackney, $744,000.

The top spenders in the House were Randy Stewart, a Nash County Democrat ($382,000) and House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman, a Lexington Democrat ($354,000).

Democrats control the House and Senate and have powerful fundraising machines in place. On the Republican side in the House, top spenders were Rep. David Lewis, a Dunn Republican ($232,000) and House Republican Leader Paul Stam, an Apex Republican ($196,000).

Among Senate Republicans, top campaign spenders were Sen. Neal Hunt, a Wake County Republican ($813,000) and Richard Gunn, an Alamance County Republican, who spent $386,000, but lost the race to Sen. Tony Foriest, a Democrat.

The state Court of Appeals has upheld Sen. Julia Boseman's adoption of her former domestic partner's child.

A three-judge panel of the court unanimously agreed that Boseman's 2005 adoption of Melissa Jarrell's child cannot be undone. State law creates a nearly impossible hurdle for reversing completed adoptions, and to nullify the adoption and deny Boseman joint custody, Jarrell had challenged whether state law even allowed gay or lesbian parents to adopt.

"While [state law] does not specifically address same-sex adoptions, these statutes do make clear that a wide range of adoptions are contemplated and permitted, so long as they protect the minor’s 'needs, interests, and rights,'" Judge Wanda Bryant wrote in the opinion.

Bryant wrote that the court would have reached the same conclusion if the couple in question were heterosexual.

State law governing adoption does not specifically mention adoption by same-sex couples. Jim Lea, a domestic law specialist in Wilmington and one of Boseman's attorneys said that such adoptions have already been occurring. But the court opinion affirms the right of gay and lesbian couples to adopt.

"Now I think it's very clear that if a couple chooses to go out and adopt the child and execute the necessary waivers, that homosexual couples can adopt children," Lea said. "To say that a couple should not be able to adopt a child because they're gay, on that reason alone is just plain wrong."

Efforts to reach Jarrell's attorney Tuesday failed.

A House committee approved a controversial anti-bullying bill Tuesday morning that provides protection for gay students among several groups.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Julia Boseman of Wilmington, and other Democrats have argued that identifying specific groups is more effective in ensuring they are protected, Kevin Kiley reports.

Rep. Paul Stam, an Apex Republican and the House minority leader, argued that the bill was too vague and that similar provisions have been used to support gay marriage in court cases in other states.

"Who knows how this thing can be interpreted," he said.

Republicans have attempted to amend the bill to forbid bullying against any student, regardless of who the victim is, but the proposal was shot down.

The bill, which already cleared the Senate, passed the committee by a 9 to 5, party line vote. The bill now goes before the full House.

The legislature passed a resolution today honoring former U.S. Senator Jesse Helms.

Helms, a five-term U.S. senator from North Carolina and icon of the conservative movement that helped propel Ronald Regan to the presidency in 1980, died last July.

A half-dozen members of the House black caucus sat outside the chamber while the resolution was debated, Kevin Kiley reports. Many didn't vote. One senator, Julia Boseman of New Hanover County, voted against the resolution.

Democrats and Republicans in both chambers spoke about Helms' legacy, notably his devotion to constiuients.

"His personal commitment to serving constituient needs is legendary," said Sen. Eddie Goodall, a Weddington Republican.

They also spoke on the senator's steadfast adherence to conservative principles.

"He always lived his beliefs," said Mike Morris, the Senate Chaplain.

Prosecutors in North Carolina could pack heat in a courthouse under a bill approved by the Senate Wednesday.

The legislation, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Julia Boseman of Wilmington, would allow district attorneys and assistant district attorneys to carry concealed weapons in a courthouse if they have a permit and have completed firearms training. The firearm also must be locked up when they're not carrying it.

Concealed weapons are prohibited in courthouses except for law enforcement officers and judges.

The state Senate overwhelmingly approved a proposal that would allow jetties to be built along the coast.

The bill passed, without debate, on a 37-10 vote, Lynn Bonner reports.

Some coastal communities want to loosen the state ban on jetties to protect property and beaches from erosion. The bill's supporters refer to these structures as "terminal groins."

Sen. Julia Boseman, a New Hanover Democrat and the bill's sponsor, said communities want another way to control erosion on beaches, "the economic engine" of the region.

Scientists from around the country, the state environmental agency, and environmental groups oppose the bill. Building walls to hold sand on one side causes erosion on the other side, they said, and tampers with the ecology of the seashore.

State senators who represent coastal counties are trying again to loosen the ban on sea walls.

Senate Bill 832, which a slew of scientists, environmental groups, and the state environmental agency oppose, would allow seawalls along the shoreline, with the Coastal Resources Commission's okay, Lynn Bonner reports.

Some towns and homeowners want the walls, called terminal groins, near inlets to prevent erosion.

The Senate tried two years ago to pass a similar law, but the House did not discuss the issue.

Sen. Julia Boseman, a Democrat from New Hanover, said the bill had support from Democratic and Republican senators, including Senate leader Marc Basnight, a Democrat from Manteo.

The Senate committee on the environment discussed the measure, but did not vote.

More after the jump.

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The legislature will consider whether to allow hunting and liquor sales on Sundays.

A bill, filed by Democratic Sen. Julia Boseman, would remove a prohibition set into law in the 19th century, presumably to keep the traditional Christian Sabbath holy. Another bill would allow alcohol sales.

As a Southern state within the Bible Belt, North Carolina has more than a few so-called blue laws that restrict activities on Sundays: 

ALCOHOL SALES: It is illegal to sell alcoholic beverages before noon, and counties may further restrict rural sales until 7 a.m. Monday.

ABC STORES: No state-run alcohol store can be open on Sunday, New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day or Christmas day.

COURT SUMMONS: Sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement officers may not deliver court summons on Sundays.

SCHOOL: No public school classes can be held on Sunday.

LOCAL OPTION: With proper public notice, local government can regulate or prohibit other types of business on Sundays.

In addition, the N.C. Department of Correction is required to offer religious services to prisoners on Sundays "and at such other times as may be deemed appropriate."