A bill would make it harder for prisoners to change their names.

Rep. Ray Warren, an Alexander County Democrat, said he filed the bill after hearing from several Superior Court clerks about problems with inmates changing their names.

"It creates a problem with tracking, with paperwork and with record-keeping," he said. "This bill is meant to curtail that somewhat."

The bill would not ban name changes outright, but it would "reverse the burden of proof" from the clerk to the prisoner, Warren said. Prisoners who wanted to change their name for religious reasons, for example, could still do so if they showed a good reason.

He said the problem is particularly pronounced in counties with large prisons. 

Three of Warren's co-sponsors, Reps. Pat Hurley, Shirley Randleman and Timothy Spear, are former Superior Court clerks. 

Under state law, sex offenders are already barred from changing their names. 

A bill would let magistrates carry guns into courthouses.

Rep. Pat Hurley, a Randolph County Republican, said she filed the bill to help magistrates, the lowest-level of judge in North Carolina.

Among other things, magistrates handle bail, often working late hours in rural areas.

"Some of them work in remote offices that are not staffed by bailiffs or law enforcement security," Hurley said. "They have been accosted by people who are intoxicated, emotional or agitated." 

She said the proposal would give magistrates the same permission given to other state judges in a 2007 bill.

That bill allowed District Court and Superior Court judges in North Carolina who have concealed handgun permits to bring guns into a courthouse. 

The N.C. Magistrates Association supports the bill. 

Recent House bills of note:

H.B. 338: Stimulus Funds/Contractors Must Use E-Verify, Rep. Pat McElraft

H.B. 339: Taxpayer Transparency Act, Reps. McElraft, Pat Hurley, Curtis Blackwood and Hugh Blackwell

H.B. 344: Employers Must Use E-Verify Program, Reps. Wil Neumann and George Cleveland

H.B. 351: Party Change During Early Voting, Rep. Cary Allred

H.B. 361: Defense of Marriage, Reps. David Lewis, James Crawford, Pearl Burris-Floyd and Dewey Hill

H.B. 362: Access to Higher Education, Rep. Pricey Harrison, Paul Luebke, Rick Glazier and Verla Insko

More bills were filed this morning in the House:

H.B. 7: Victory Junction Gang Camp License Plate, Reps. Harold Brubaker, Pat Hurley

H.B. 8: Prohibit Cell Phones in Prison, Rep. Garland Pierce

H.B. 9: No Texting While Driving, Pierce

H.B. 10: Garnish Wages to Satisfy a Judgement, Reps. Tim Moore, Laura Wiley

H.B. 11: Regulation of Golf Carts in Grover, Moore

H.B. 12: Bioptic Lenses/Drivers License Tests

H.B. 13: Horn in the West Funds, Rep. Cullie Tarleton

H.B. 14: Chiropractic Services/Insurance, Tarleton

H.B. 15: Military Family Assistance Centers/Funds, Tarleton

Rep. Pat Hurley threw a curve to House budget writers Tuesday when she sought to cut the salaries of top state lottery officials, particularly that of Executive Director Tom Shaheen, who makes $246,000 a year.

"There are four people who make more money than our governor, and I think we should look at this," said Hurley, an Asheboro Republican, during a budget committee meeting.

Gov. Mike Easley makes $135,854 a year. Executive deputies Lou Ann Russell, Robin Diehl and Alice Garland are each paid between $142,120 and $144,120.

Hurley also found it unfair that state employees are looking at a raise that's far less than the 5 percent increase the Lottery Commission approved for staff.

House leaders sought to discourage her amendment. House Rules Chairman Bill Owens, an Elizabeth City Democrat, said if the amendment passed, Shaheen would be leaving for another state offering a much more lucrative salary.

That's when Rep. Cary Allred, a barb-tongued Alamance County Republican, joined in. He took Hurley's side.

"When I voted for the lottery, I didn't mean for the director to be the winner of the lottery," Allred said. "And if he wants to leave then don't let the screen door hit you in the behind on the way out."

In the end, committee members agreed to order a study of state salaries.