Report to the Legislative Leadership
Report to the Legislative Leadership
It is highly recommended that you contact the Legislative Leadership.
Speaker of the House: The leader of the NC House of Representatives.
https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/H/719
President Pro Tempore: The leader of the NC Senate.
https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/s/64
Also report to your own legislative representatives.
Go here: https://www.ncleg.gov/findyourlegislators and find your NC house and NC senate state reps.
When a state board like the NCVMB is accused of misconduct, the North Carolina Legislative Leadership (the leaders of the House and Senate) is the highest level of accountability you can reach.
State boards are not independent islands; they are "creature of statute," meaning the State Legislature created them, wrote the laws they must follow, and has the power to change or dissolve them. If a board is mismanaging its duties or acting unethically, the Legislative Leadership acts as the ultimate "boss" with the authority to:
Launch Investigations: They can order formal oversight hearings or audits to uncover the truth.
Change the Law: If a board is abusing its power, the Legislature can rewrite the "Practice Act" to strip that power away or add stricter rules.
Replace Leadership: They have the influence to change who sits on these boards and who runs them.
Control the Budget: They can restrict a board's funding or resources if the board is failing to protect the public.
In short: You are reporting to the people who hold the "keys" to the board’s existence. While other offices might investigate specific rules, only the Legislative Leadership has the power to fix a broken system from the top down.
[Date]
The Honorable [Leader’s Name] [Speaker of the House / President Pro Tempore] North Carolina General Assembly Raleigh, NC 27601
RE: Formal Complaint and Request for Oversight of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board (NCVMB)
Dear [Speaker Hall / Senator Berger],
I am writing to you today as a constituent and a concerned [pet owner / veterinary professional / citizen] to bring to your attention significant issues regarding the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board (NCVMB).
State licensing boards are entrusted with protecting the public and ensuring ethical standards. However, my recent experience suggests that the NCVMB is failing in its mission due to [choose one or more: a lack of transparency, administrative overreach, failure to investigate valid complaints, or inconsistent enforcement of the Practice Act].
Specifically, I would like to highlight the following issue: [Briefly describe your situation. For example: "The Board dismissed a clear case of malpractice without an adequate explanation," or "The Board's current fee structure/investigation timeline is creating an undue burden on local businesses."]
This matter is not just an isolated incident; it points to a broader need for legislative oversight of the NCVMB’s operations. As the leadership of the General Assembly, you have the authority to ensure that executive agencies and occupational boards remain accountable to the citizens of North Carolina.
I respectfully request that your office:
Review the current administrative protocols of the NCVMB.
Inquire into the Board’s [specific process, e.g., complaint resolution or appointment structure].
Consider legislative reforms to the North Carolina Veterinary Practice Act to increase Board accountability.
Thank you for your time and for your dedication to the people of North Carolina. I look forward to your response regarding how the General Assembly might address these concerns.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email]
Keep it Brief: Legislative offices receive hundreds of emails daily. Aim for one page or less.
The "Why": Since you are writing to the Speaker, emphasize that the board is ignoring the laws the Legislature wrote. That is the strongest "hook" to get their attention.
Include Documentation: If you have emails from the board or a final decision letter that proves they broke a rule, mention that you have attached it.
Format: If sending via email, it is often best to attach this as a PDF so it remains formatted correctly.
Copy Your Local Representatives: It is often helpful to send a copy of this letter to your specific District Representative and Senator so they are aware of the issue.
North Carolina General Assembly lookup/search
https://www.ncleg.gov/About/Webservices
Search text: NCVMB
Search text: Veterinary Medical Board