RALEIGH, NC – Governor Josh Stein has signed House Bill 559, known as the “Make Elevators Great Again” (MEGA) Act, into law, marking a significant victory for North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley’s public safety agenda.
Commissioner Praises Bipartisan Support
Labor Commissioner Luke Farley praised the governor’s decision to sign the legislation, calling it a crucial step toward improving elevator and amusement ride safety across the state.
“I appreciate that Governor Stein has signed the Make Elevators Great Again Act – my plan to enhance public safety on elevators & amusement rides and restore trust in government services,” Farley said in a statement released today.
The commissioner emphasized that the new law represents “a model for government efficiency,” providing the North Carolina Department of Labor with enhanced tools to address longstanding safety concerns.
Addressing the Inspection Backlog
The MEGA Act is designed to tackle the state’s elevator inspection backlog while strengthening rider safety protocols. According to Farley, the legislation will enable the department to “eliminate the elevator inspection backlog, strengthen rider safety, and deliver faster, more reliable service to the people of North Carolina.”
Notably, the commissioner stressed that these improvements will be achieved “without costing taxpayers a dime.”
Legislative Achievement
The legislation received overwhelming support from the General Assembly, reflecting broad bipartisan consensus on the need for elevator safety reform. For Commissioner Farley, who is serving his first term, the bill’s passage represents a significant early accomplishment.
“This was my top legislative priority, and I’m proud to see it signed into law just months into my first term as Labor Commissioner,” Farley stated. “I also want to thank the General Assembly for their overwhelming support of our MEGA bill.”
Implementation Begins Immediately
The North Carolina Department of Labor announced it will begin immediate implementation of the new law. The department’s priorities under the MEGA Act include recruiting additional inspectors, reducing processing delays, and establishing higher safety standards throughout the state.
“With this law in place, we’re ready to go to work — recruiting more inspectors, reducing delays, and raising the bar for safety across North Carolina,” Commissioner Farley concluded.
The legislation represents a significant step forward in North Carolina’s efforts to modernize its elevator safety oversight and restore public confidence in government services.
