Welcome
The Legislative Drafting Division of the North Carolina General Assembly provides assistance to legislators in the preparation of bill drafts and bill introductions. In addition to the Director, this Division is staffed by legal analysts (primarily attorneys) and clerical staff. The enrolling, proofreading, and bill typing sections are located administratively within the Legislative Drafting Division.
Please visit The Drafting Process to learn more about our Division. Visit the Staff Directory to see who works in our Division.
Also, you will find Links to websites that we find helpful in our Division.
09-09-2008
Bill Drafting Requests Up from Previous Biennial Sessions
The tables below compare total bill requests for the 2007-2008 biennial session and preceding biennial sessions. These figures do not include blank bill requests, the number of which dropped dramatically once the House rules banned them and the Senate limited each member to two of them. Staff workload is up 6% from 2005, up 61% from 2003, and up 67% from 2001.
Total drafting requests for each biennial session, excluding blank bills:
|
2007-2008 |
2005-2006 |
2003-2004 |
2001-2002 |
| Bill Drafting Division |
4986 |
4687 |
2920 |
3103 |
| Research Division |
707 |
680 |
613 |
298 |
| Total |
5693 |
5367 |
3533 |
3401 |
Percentage increase and decrease from one bienneial session to another:
|
2005 to 2007 |
2003 to 2007 |
2001 to 2007 |
| Bill Drafting Division |
+6.4% |
+70.8% |
+60.7% |
| Research Division |
+4.0% |
+15.3% |
+137.2% |
| Total |
+6.1% |
+61.1% |
+67.4% |
09-09-2008
Bill Drafting Requests Up 78% from 2002
The chart below compares bill drafting requests from the past four short sessions. While our workload was up 78% comparing 2008 with 2002 and up 35% comparing 2008 with 2004, it was off 30% from 2006, which was a welcome relief.
The table below compares end of short session total requests:
|
2008 |
2006 |
2004 |
2002 |
| Bill Drafting Division |
1274 |
1927 |
889 |
714 |
| Research Division |
273 |
269 |
258 |
154 |
| Total Draft Requests |
1547 |
2196 |
1147 |
868 |
The table below displays percentage increases and decreases from one session to another:
|
2006 to 2008 |
2004 to 2008 |
2002 to 2008 |
| Bill Drafting Division |
-33.9% |
+43.3% |
+78.4% |
| Research Division |
+1.5% |
+5.8% |
+77.3% |
| Total |
-29.6% |
+34.9% |
+78.2% |
08-28-2008
Veto of House Bill 2167 Overridden
By a 93-7 vote in the House and 39-0 in the Senate, Governor Easley's veto of House Bill 2167 was overridden yesterday.
In accordance with G.S. 120-29.1, the bill was certified as a law by Senate Principal Clerk Janet Pruitt. The relevant portion of 120-29.1(c) provides:
"When any such bill becomes law after reconsideration of the two houses, the principal clerk of the second house to act shall, below the objections of the Governor, sign the following certificate: "Became law notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, ________.m. this ________ day of ________, ________". The principal clerk of the second house to act shall fill in the time. The enrolling clerk shall deposit the measure with the Secretary of State."
This is the first gubernatorial veto ever overridden in North Carolina (see this). Veto power was first granted to the Governor by a constitutional amendment in 1996. While the Governor could veto bills in colonial times, such vetoes could not be overridden.
08-26-2008
General Assembly to Reconvene to Consider Veto of House Bill 2167
Governor Easley has called the General Assembly back into session to reconsider H2167 ("Towing of Recreational Boats/Exemption"), which the Governor vetoed. The session will take place at 11:00am on Wednesday, August 27, 2008. The Governor's proclamation is available here.
The relevant sections of the North Carolina Constitution are Article III, Section 5(11) (regarding the Governor's duty to reconvene the General Assembly to reconsider a vetoed bill), Article II, Section 22(7), (regarding the consequences of a veto generally), and Article II, Section 22(1) (requiring three-fifths of members present and voting to override veto).
08-18-2008
Governor Easley Signs Final Four Bills
On Sunday, August 17, 2008, Governor Easley signed the final four bills on his desk:
| S.L. # |
Bill # |
Short Title |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-225 |
S1697 |
Toll Enforcement Authority Changes |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-226 |
H2623 |
Emergency Foreclosure Reduction Program |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-227 |
H2188 |
Earlier Notification of Mortgage Servicer Fee |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-228 |
H2463 |
Regulate Mortgage Servicers |
HTML |
PDF |
This concludes action on all bills from the 2007 Regular Session, other than the gubernatorial veto of House Bill 2167.
08-18-2008
Governor Easley Vetoes House Bill 2167
Governor Easley vetoed H2167 ("Towing of Recreational Boats/Exemption") on August 17. The Governor's objections and veto message are available here. His veto signature is available here.
Other vetoes since 1997 are listed here.
Under Article II, Section 22 of the North Carolina Constitution, if a bill is vetoed, the Governor must reconvene the session to consider an override, unless a majority of the members of each house sign a statement that a reconvened session is not necessary. The session can be held at any time after the veto, but it must convene not later than Wednesday, August 27, 2008, the 40th day after adjournment.
Here are the applicable constitutional provisions:
Article II, Section 22(7) of the North Carolina Constitution states in pertinent part that if the Governor vetoes a bill after adjournment:
“When the General Assembly has adjourned sine die … Governor shall reconvene that session … for reconsideration of the bill, and if the Governor does not reconvene the session, the bill shall become law on the fortieth day after such adjournment. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the Governor prior to reconvening the session receives written requests dated no earlier than 30 days after such adjournment, signed by a majority of the members of each house that a reconvened session to reconsider vetoed legislation is unnecessary, the Governor shall not reconvene the session for that purpose and any legislation vetoed in accordance with this section after adjournment shall not become law.”
Article III, Section 5(11) of the North Carolina Constitution states in pertinent part:
(11) Reconvened sessions … At such reconvened session, the General Assembly may only consider such bills as were returned by the Governor to that reconvened session for reconsideration. Such reconvened session shall begin on a date set by the Governor, but no later than 40 days after the General Assembly adjourned… sine die”
08-18-2008
Governor Signs 13 More Bills Since Monday, August 11
Governor Easley has signed 13 bills since Monday, August 11. The new laws are as follows.
Bill signed on Monday, August 11:
| S.L. # |
Bill # |
Short Title |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-212 |
S847 |
Prevent Agricultural Pesticide Exposure |
HTML |
PDF |
Bills signed on Friday, August 15:
| S.L. # |
Bill # |
Short Title |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-213 |
H2542 |
Clarify Ethics and Lobbying Laws |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-214 |
H274 |
Street Gang Prevention Act |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-215 |
S1875 |
Clarify Auditor Hotline Authority/Sec |
HTML |
PDF |
Bills signed on Saturday, August 16:
| S.L. # |
Bill # |
Short Title |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-216 |
H2340 |
Transporting Children in Open Bed of Vehicle |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-217 |
H2487 |
Change Format of Drivers Licenses/Under 21 |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-218
| S132 |
Protect Children From Sexual Predators Act |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-219 |
S1924 |
Require Carbon Monoxide Detectors |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-220 |
S1736 |
Sex Offender/Register E-Mail Address |
HTML |
PDF |
Bills signed on Sunday, August 17:
| S.L. # |
Bill # |
Short Title |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-221 |
S1695 |
Vehicle Size and Weight Changes |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-222 |
S1339 |
Gasoline and Fuel Alcohol Blending |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-223 |
S942 |
Prohibit Restricting Newspaper Distribution |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-224 |
S1314 |
Amend Massage & Bodywork Therapy Act |
HTML |
PDF |
Under Article II, Section 22 of the North Carolina Constitution, the Governor has 30 days after adjournment to act on all pending bills, with July 19 being day one. The 30-day period concludes at midnight, Sunday, August 17, 2008. Any bills not acted on by the deadline become law on Monday, August 18, 2008. Bills sent to the Governor prior to adjournment where the 10-day limit had not run out at adjournment have a new 30-day clock.
2008 laws enacted are listed here in order of becoming law, and here in order of bill number. These links are normally updated within a few business hours of action being taken.
08-12-2008
Governor Signs 27 More Bills Since Thursday
Governor Easley has signed 27 bills since Thursday. The new laws are as follows.
Bills signed on Thursday, August 7:
| S.L. # |
Bill # |
Short Title |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-185 |
S1541 |
Interstate Compact/Educ. of Military Children |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-186 |
H2785 |
State Take Cape Fear Locks/DAMS 1,2, and 3 |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-187 |
S1632 |
2008 Technical Corrections Act |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-188 |
S1627 |
Certified Retirement Community Program |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-189 |
S1214 |
Amend Interstate Compact/Adult Offenders.-AB |
HTML |
PDF |
Bills signed on Friday, August 8:
| S.L. # |
Bill # |
Short Title |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-190 |
S1787 |
Vehicle Registration/Inspection Changes.-AB |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-191 |
S1860 |
Amend Child Abuse/Child Fatality Task Force |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-192 |
S2015 |
School of Arts/Name Change |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-193 |
S2056 |
Court Fee Exemption |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-194 |
H545 |
Clarify and Amend Various Provisions |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-195 |
H2498 |
Underground Storage Tank Pgrm Amends-2008 |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-196 |
S1652 |
Prog. Eval. Div./Technical Amendments |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-197 |
S685 |
UP Penalties Cross Burn/Illeg. to Hang Noose |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-198 |
S845 |
Amend Env. Laws/Env. Tech. Corrections 2008 |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-199 |
S1955 |
Limited Release from Prison for Deportation |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-200 |
S1766 |
Liability Protection for Private Entities |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-201 |
S1797 |
State Tire Contract |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-202 |
S1799 |
DMV Record Checks and License Changes |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-203 |
S1946 |
Codify Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-204 |
S1925 |
UNC Nonapp. Cap. Projects/Airport Authority |
HTML |
PDF |
Bills signed on Saturday, August 9:
| S.L. # |
Bill # |
Short Title |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-205 |
H2768 |
Orange/Hunting on Private Property |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-206 |
H2558 |
Home Inspector Privilege License |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-207 |
H2530 |
Solid Waste Tax Changes/Unsalable OTP Refund |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-208 |
H819 |
Electronic Recycling Amends/Add TVs |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-209 |
H15 |
Some Personal Leave Time/No Penalty |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-210 |
S2081 |
NICS Reporting/Restoration |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-211 |
S1967 |
Improve Coastal Stormwater Management |
HTML |
PDF |
18 bills remain pending on the Governor's desk as of Monday morning, August 11, 2008. The list is available here.
08-07-2008
45 Bills Remain Pending on the Governor's Desk
At the close of business yesterday, there were 45 bills pending on the Governor's desk. These bills are:
| Bill # |
Short Title |
Pres. to Gov. |
| H15 |
Some Personal Leave Time/No Penalty |
07/14/2008 |
| H274 |
Street Gang Prevention Act |
07/16/2008 |
| H545 (=S613) |
Clarify and Amend Various Provisions |
07/14/2008 |
| H819 (=S844) |
Electronic Recycling Amends/Add TVs |
07/17/2008 |
| H2167 |
Towing of Recreational Boats/Exemption |
07/17/2008 |
| H2188 |
Earlier Notification of Mortgage Servicer Fee |
07/10/2008 |
| H2340 |
Transporting Children in Open Bed of Vehicle |
07/18/2008 |
| H2463 |
Regulate Mortgage Servicers |
07/09/2008 |
| H2487 (=S1891) |
Change Format of Drivers Licenses/Under 21 |
07/09/2008 |
| H2498 (=S1936) |
Underground Storage Tank Pgrm Amends-2008 |
07/17/2008 |
| H2530 |
Solid Waste Tax Changes/Unsalable OTP Refund |
07/17/2008 |
| H2542 (=S1874) |
Clarify Ethics and Lobbying Laws |
07/18/2008 |
| H2558 |
Home Inspector Privilege License |
07/18/2008 |
| H2623 |
Emergency Foreclosure Reduction Program |
07/17/2008 |
| H2768 |
Orange/Hunting on Private Property |
07/15/2008 |
| H2785 (=S2157) |
State Take Cape Fear Locks/DAMS 1, 2, and 3 |
07/16/2008 |
| S132 |
Protect Children From Sexual Predators Act |
07/18/2008 |
| S685 =(H690) |
UP Penalties Cross Burn/Illeg. to Hang Noose |
07/18/2008 |
| S845 (=H820) |
Amend Env. Laws/Env. Tech. Corrections 2008 |
07/18/2008 |
| S847 (=H822) |
Prevent Agricultural Pesticide Exposure |
07/10/2008 |
| S942 |
Prohibit Restricting Newspaper Distribution |
07/16/2008 |
| S1214 |
Amend Interstate Compact/Adult Offenders.-AB |
07/17/2008 |
| S1314 (=H1426) |
Amend Massage & Bodywork Therapy Act |
07/15/2008 |
| S1339 |
Gasoline and Fuel Alcohol Blending |
07/14/2008 |
| S1541 |
Interstate Compact/Educ. of Military Children |
07/10/2008 |
| S1627 (=H2269) |
Certified Retirement Community Program |
07/18/2008 |
| S1632 (=H2177) |
2008 Technical Corrections Act |
07/18/2008 |
| S1652 (=H2100) |
Prog. Eval. Div./Technical Amendments |
07/17/2008 |
| S1695 (=H2408) |
Vehicle Size and Weight Changes |
07/17/2008 |
| S1697 |
Toll Enforcement Authority Changes |
07/18/2008 |
| S1736 (=H2341) |
Sex Offender/Register E-Mail Address |
07/15/2008 |
| S1766 (=H2407) |
Liability Protection for Private Entities |
07/14/2008 |
| S1787 (=H2310) |
Vehicle Registration/Inspection Changes.-AB |
07/15/2008 |
| S1797 (=H2309) |
State Tire Contract |
07/18/2008 |
| S1799 (=H2319) |
DMV Record Checks and License Changes |
07/17/2008 |
| S1860 (=H2339) |
Amend Child Abuse/Child Fatality Task Force |
07/15/2008 |
| S1875 (=H2544) |
Clarify Auditor Hotline Authority/Sec. |
07/18/2008 |
| S1924 (=H2471) |
Require Carbon Monoxide Detectors |
07/14/2008 |
| S1925 |
UNC Nonapp. Cap. Projects/Airport Authority |
07/18/2008 |
| S1946 (=H2532) |
Codify Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings |
07/14/2008 |
| S1955 |
Limited Release from Prison for Deportation |
07/09/2008 |
| S1967 (=H2138) |
Improve Coastal Stormwater Management |
07/15/2008 |
| S2015 (=H2721) |
School of Arts/Name Change |
07/14/2008 |
| S2056 |
Court Fee Exemption |
07/17/2008 |
| S2081 (=H2747) |
NICS Reporting/Restoration |
07/18/2008 |
08-07-2008
Day 19 of 30: One Bill Signed
Governor Easley signed one bill into law on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008, day 19 of 30 for gubernatorial action. This leaves 45 bills pending on the Governors' desk.
The new law is:
| S.L. # |
Bill # |
Short Title |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-184 |
S1796 |
Special Assistance/Income Disregard |
HTML |
PDF |
Under Article II, Section 22 of the North Carolina Constitution, the Governor has 30 days after adjournment to act on all pending bills, with July 19 being day one. The 30-day period concludes at midnight, Sunday, August 17, 2008. Any bills not acted on by the deadline become law on Monday, August 18, 2008. Bills sent to the Governor prior to adjournment where the 10-day limit had not run out at adjournment have a new 30-day clock.
2008 laws enacted are listed here in order of becoming law, and here in order of bill number. These links are normally updated within a few business hours of action being taken.
08-06-2008
Governor Easley Signs 16 More Bills
Governor Easley signed 16 more bills into law Monday, August 5, 2008, leaving 46 pending.
The 16 new laws are:
| S.L. # |
Bill # |
Short Title |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-168 |
H2443 |
State Health Plan |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-169 |
H2492 |
Amend Release of Juvenile Escape Info |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-170 |
H1113 |
State Tort Claims/Public Duty Doctrine |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-171 |
H1889 |
Wildlife Land Property Tax Changes |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-172 |
H2265 |
School Bus Exempt from Duplicate Inspection |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-173 |
H2105 |
Compensation for Erroenously Convicted |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-174 |
H2306 |
Children W/ Disab. in Resid. Tratemtn Prog. |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-175 |
H2308 |
CDL/Federal Compliance.-AB |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-176 |
H2313 |
Permitting and Building Code Changes |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-177 |
H2353 |
Irrigation Contractors Licensure/Fees |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-178 |
H2341 |
Child Passenger Safety Technician Liability |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-179 |
H2338 |
Hospital Report Child Injuries |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-180 |
H2314 |
Voluntary County Participation/DOT.-AB |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-181 |
H2431 |
Studies Act of 2008 |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-182 |
H2391 |
No Auto. Revoke/Driv. Lic./Incompetent Person |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-183 |
H2397 |
Nurs. Home Admin Crim. Hist. |
HTML |
PDF |
08-05-2008
Governor Easley Signs 24 More Bills
Governor Easley signed 24 more bills over the weekend, leaving 62 still pending.
The 24 new laws are:
Today, August 5th, is Day 17 of 30 for gubernatorial action.
07-29-2008
Day 10 of 30: Governor Easley Signs 26 Bills
Governor Easley signed 26 bills into law on Monday, July 28, 2008, day ten of 30 days for gubernatorial action. This leaves 87 bills pending on the Governor’s desk.
The 26 new laws are:
| S.L. # |
Bill # |
Short Title |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-117 |
H933 |
Jessica Lunsford Act for NC |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-118 |
H2438 |
2008 Budget Technical Corrections |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-119 |
S4 |
Report Race and Ethnicity Data-Public Health |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-120 |
S175 |
Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-121 |
H93 |
Transport of Indiv. in Wheelchair Study |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-122 |
S180 |
Prohibit Certain Game Promotion |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-123 |
H685 |
Allow Smart Start to Retain Unexpended Funds |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-124 |
H738 |
Insurance Changes |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-125 |
H821 |
Specify Out-of-State Areas For IBT Notice |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-126 |
S212 |
Local Park and Rec Participant Records |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-127 |
H964 |
Expand Definition of Home Care Services |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-128 |
S944 |
Change Penalty for Hit and Run Violations |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-129 |
H1003 |
Probation Violation Changes |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-130 |
S2117 |
Amend Substance Abuse Professionals Act |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-131 |
S1770 |
Expand Medical Examiner Jurisdiction/Funds |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-132 |
H2728 |
Supplemental Retirement Bd Trustees/Inv Emp |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-133 |
H1624 |
Frequency of Parole Reviews |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-134 |
S1704 |
Rev Laws Tech., Clarifying, & Admin Changes |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-135 |
H1076 |
Fee Waiver/UNC & Community Colleges |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-136 |
H1134 |
Cleanup of Abandoned Manufactured Homes |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-137 |
S1046 |
Yadkin Project Study |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-138 |
H1549 |
Amend Appt. Process for Auctioneers Comm/n |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-139 |
H1284 |
Breach/Construction Contract Accrual Date |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-140 |
S1259 |
Public Water Service Warranties |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-141 |
S1340 |
Sale of Blocks of Ten-Day CRFLs |
HTML |
PDF |
| 2008-142 |
S1100 |
SHP Funeral Expenses |
HTML |
PDF |
Under Article II, Section 22 of the Constitution, the Governor has 30 days after adjournment to act on all pending bills, with July 19 being day one. The 30-day period concludes at midnight, Sunday, August 17, 2008. Any bills not acted on by the deadline become law on Monday, August 18, 2008. Bills sent to the Governor prior to adjournment where the 10-day limit had not run out at adjournment have a new 30-day clock.
2008 laws enacted are listed here in order of becoming law, and here in order of bill number. These links are normally updated within a few business hours of action being taken.
07-27-2008
2008 Short Session Adjournment Earlier Than the Norm
The 2008 short session of the General Assembly adjourned sine die on July 18, 2008. This is the third earliest adjournment of the last 10 short sessions, and the 40 legislative days the second fewest in two decades. Here are the short session adjournment dates for the last 20 years, compiled by the Legislative Library:
| Short Session |
Adjournment |
| 2008 |
July 18 |
| 2006 |
July 28 |
| 2004 |
July 18 |
| 2002 |
October 4 |
| 2000 |
July 13 |
| 1998 |
October 29 |
| 1996 |
August 3 |
| 1994 |
July 17 |
| 1992 |
July 25 |
| 1990 |
July 28 |
07-25-2008
Day 6 of 30: Zero of 113 Bills Signed
As of close of business Thursday, July 24, 2008, day six of 30 days for gubernatorial action, none of the 113 bills pending on the Governor’s desk at adjournment of the 2007 Regular Session on July 18, 2008 had been signed.
Under Article II, Section 22 of the North Carolina Constitution, the Governor has 30 days after adjournment to act on all pending bills, with July 19 being day one. The 30-day period concludes at midnight, Sunday, August 17, 2008. Any bills not acted on by the deadline become law on Monday, August 18, 2008. Bills sent to the Governor prior to adjournment where the 10-day limit had not run out at adjournment have a new 30-day clock.
2008 laws enacted are listed here in order of becoming law, and here in order of bill number.
07-23-2008
2007 Regular Session Ends
The 2007 Regular Session of the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned sine die ("without date") at 4:50pm on Friday, July 18, 2008. 229 bills received final action in the General Assembly in 2008, with 116 already law and 113 pending on the Governor's desk. 31 joint resolutions were also ratified.
By way of comparison, the 2006 Short Session saw 264 bills enacted and 24 joint resolutions ratified.
Under Article II, Section 22 of the North Carolina Constitution, the Governor has 30 days after adjournment to act on all pending bills, with July 19 being day one of this period. The 30-day period concludes at midnight on Sunday, August 17, 2008. Any bills not acted on by the deadline become law on Monday, August 18, 2008. Bills sent to the Governor prior to adjournment for which the 10-day limit had not run out at adjournment have a new 30-day clock.
As of the close of business Tuesday, July 22, 2008, day four of 30 days for gubernatorial action, none of the 113 bills pending on the Governor's desk at adjournment had been signed.
Laws enacted in 2008 are listed here in order of becoming law, and here in order of bill number.
06-27-2008
Tracking Bills as the Legislative Pace Picks Up
As the 2008 Regular Session of the North Carolina General Assembly speeds up, there are a few bill tracking features on this website worth pointing out:
- Bill and joint resolutions that have been enacted in 2008, arranged by enactment date, or by bill number.
- Public bills signed by the Governor, covering both 2007 and 2008, arranged by bill number.
- Bills acted on during the 2008 short session.
- Bills pending on the Governor's Desk.
- Bills scheduled to be ratified. Bills in this category have all parliamentary stages excpet signature by the presiding officers in the House and Senate. Ratification is the step before public bills go to the Governor or local bills become law.
- Bills in conference.
- General Statutes amended by bills enacted in 2008.
- Additional reports are available on our Bill reports page.
Most of these are current within a day, but some actions on Thursday evenings, Fridays, and weekends by the Governor are often not shown until Monday afternoon.
06-05-2008
Gerry Cohen to Receive Carter-Hellard Staff Excellence Award
The following email was sent to legislators and staff by Legislative Services Officer George Hall on June 3:
I am pleased to announce that Gerry Cohen, Director of Bill Drafting, was selected among his peers at the SLC Legislative Service Agency Directors Meeting in Lexington, KY to receive the Carter-Hellard Staff Excellence Award. Gerry will receive the award at the Southern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City in July.
Each year the LSA Directors present the Carter/Hellard Staff Excellence Award to a legislative staff member in the South who has demonstrated distinguished service to their state's legislature. Among the criteria for selection is a staff member who "has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to the legislative institution and a clear vision and understanding of the role of legislative staffing in representative government; participated in the provision of staff work resulting in systemic public policy reform or institutional improvement, and constistently approached his/her legislative work with grace and good humor under pressure." We feel the criteria set forth for this award perfectly describes Gerry.
Congratulations Gerry!
05-29-2008
Biennium Bill Requests Highest Since 1913
With filings today, the 4,962 total bills and 2,164 Senate bills filed in 2007-2008 are the highest since the 1913 Session of the North Carolina General Assembly saw 5,627 and 2,660 respectively. The House total of 2,798 bills filed in 2007-2008 was exceeded in the past century only by 2,967 in 1913 and 2,895 in 2005. The 2007-2008 totals include a total of 10 House bills and four Senate bills for the two extra sessions.
Totals for each biennial session appear below (regular sessions have been held each year since 1973). The totals include special sessions. The high totals in the 1911 session promted then Governor W.W. Kitchin to send a special message to the General Assembly, stating that "Special legislation is the greatest scourge of government." The 1913 session, while considering the record 5,627 bills, passed a constitutional amendment to greatly restrict local and special legislation. That amendment was rejected by the voters, but a revised version was passed again in 1915 and approved by the voters in 1916, which banned 26 categories of bills. Bill filings gradually trailed off through 1943, when they began to climb again. The lowest total bills in the past century occurred in 1943 when 1,223 bills were filed.
| Session |
House |
Senate |
Total |
| 2007** |
2,798 |
2,164 |
4,962 |
| 2005 |
2,895 |
2,066 |
4,961 |
| 2003** |
1,826 |
1,455 |
3,281 |
| 2001* |
1,831 |
1,489 |
3,320 |
| 1999 |
1,873 |
1,564 |
3,437 |
| 1997* |
1,770 |
1,608 |
3,378 |
| 1995** |
1,542 |
1,547 |
3,089 |
| 1993* |
2,366 |
1,905 |
4,271 |
| 1991* |
1,705 |
1,285 |
2,990 |
| 1989* |
2,415 |
1,638 |
4,053 |
| 1987 |
2,659 |
1,869 |
4,528 |
| 1985* |
2,151 |
1,312 |
3,463 |
| 1983* |
1,813 |
905 |
2,718 |
| 1981** |
1,690 |
877 |
2,567 |
| 1979 |
1,775 |
1,107 |
2,882 |
| 1977 |
1,696 |
1,030 |
2,726 |
| 1975 |
1,341 |
970 |
2,311 |
| 1973 |
2,193 |
1,508 |
3,701 |
| 1971*** |
1,610 |
1,011 |
2,621 |
| 1969 |
1,437 |
910 |
2,347 |
| 1967 |
1,433 |
750 |
2,183 |
| 1965** |
1,206 |
626 |
1,832 |
| 1963* |
1,405 |
709 |
2,114 |
| 1961 |
1,263 |
512 |
1,775 |
| 1959 |
1,363 |
517 |
1,880 |
| 1957 |
1,452 |
534 |
1,986 |
| 1955* |
1,422 |
607 |
2,029 |
| 1953 |
1,336 |
489 |
1,825 |
| 1951 |
1,237 |
623 |
1,860 |
| 1949 |
1,343 |
491 |
1,834 |
| 1947 |
1,129 |
481 |
1,610 |
| 1945 |
1,000 |
445 |
1,445 |
| 1943 |
858 |
365 |
1,223 |
| 1941 |
966 |
353 |
1,319 |
| 1939* |
1,187 |
509 |
1,696 |
| 1937**** |
1,326 |
512 |
1,838 |
| 1935 |
1,511 |
649 |
2,160 |
| 1933 |
1,711 |
758 |
2,469 |
| 1931 |
1,495 |
660 |
2,155 |
| 1929 |
1,697 |
1,487 |
3,184 |
| 1927 |
1,742 |
1,620 |
3,362 |
| 1925 |
1,808 |
1,566 |
3,374 |
| 1923* |
2,224 |
2,044 |
4,187 |
| 1921 |
1,565 |
1,382 |
2,947 |
| 1919* |
2,143 |
2,044 |
4,187 |
| 1917 |
1,943 |
1,738 |
3,681 |
| 1915 |
2,150 |
1,954 |
4,104 |
| 1913* |
2,967 |
2,660 |
5,627 |
| 1911 |
2,195 |
1,959 |
4,154 |
| 1909 |
2,075 |
1,875 |
3,950 |
*one extra session in biennium
**two extra sessions in biennium
***1971 regular session reconvened in October after July recess
****two extra sessions in biennium, one just after election in 1936 under old constitutional provision that terms of members started upon election.
05-28-2008
Remaining Categories of Eligible Bills in the Short Session
With the passing of today's 4:00 pm deadline for local and pension bills, only the following categories of bills and resolutions remain eligible for introduction in the 2008 short session under the adjournment resolution. There is no deadline on any of these other than (12). note that bills under category (7) can not be filed until an authorizing resolution has passed each house by a 2/3 vote.
.....
(2) Bills amending the Constitution of North Carolina
.....
(6) Selection, appointment, or confirmation of members of State boards and commissions as required by law, including the filling of vacancies of positions for which the appointees were elected by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, or President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(7) Any matter authorized by joint resolution passed during the 2008 Regular Session by a two-thirds majority of the members of the House of Representatives present and voting and by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Senate present and voting. A bill or resolution filed in either house under the provisions of this subdivision shall have a copy of the ratified enabling resolution attached to the jacket before filing for introduction in the Senate or introduction in the House of Representatives.
(8) A joint resolution authorizing the introduction of a bill pursuant to subdivision (7) of this section.
.....
(10) Joint Resolutions, House resolutions, and Senate resolutions authorized for introduction under Senate Rule 40(b) or House Rule 31.
(11) A joint resolution adjourning the 2007 Regular Session, sine die.
(12) Bills to disapprove rules under G.S. 150B-21.3.
Notes: Resolutions under category (10) might include those honoring the memory of a deceased former member, authorize a study of a subject by the Legislative Research Commission, or deal with some matter internal to the procedures of either house or the General Assembly. bills in category (12) must be filed by the end of the 30th legislative day, which is Wednesday, July 2, assuming sessions only on Monday-Thursday prior to that date.
05-23-2008
Short Session Bill Requests Down from 2006 Short Session
All bill request deadlines for the 2008 Short Session have now passed, and while the overall number of requests was up from 2002 and 2004, the number was considerably less than it was in the last Short Session in 2006. The chart below displays the number of bill requests received by each division during the last four Short Sessions.
| Division |
2008 |
2006 |
2004 |
2002 |
| Bill Drafting Division |
1189 |
1875 |
889 |
714 |
| Research Division |
251 |
256 |
258 |
154 |
| Total Requests |
1440 |
2131 |
1147 |
868 |
The chart below displays the increase or decrease in the number of bill requests received this Short Session compared to previous Short Sessions in the form of a percentage.
| Division |
2006 to 2008 |
2004 to 2008 |
2002 to 2008 |
| Bill Drafting Division |
-36.6% |
33.7% |
66.5 |
| Research Division |
-2.0% |
-2.7% |
63.0% |
| Total Requests |
-32.4% |
25.5% |
65.9% |
Note: all comparisons are to the eleventh (11th) legislative day.
05-20-2008
2008 House/Senate Deadlines
| Drafts |
To Bill Drafting By 4:00 PM |
Filed in House/Senate By 4:00 PM |
| Study Bills |
Wednesday, May 14 |
Wednesday, May 21 |
| Bills Affecting 2007-2008 Budget |
Friday, May 16 |
Tuesday, May 27 |
| Local Bills |
Wednesday, May 21 |
Wednesday, May 28 |
| Bills Affecting Pension or Retirement Systems |
Wednesday, May 21 |
Wednesday, May 28 |
Eligible but no deadlines:
(1) Appointments to and confirmation of members of State boards and commissions
(2) State Constitutional amendments
(3) Resolutions honoring deceased persons
(4) Resolutions authorizing other bills (two-thirds vote of both houses required)
Eligible with deadline:
Bills disapproving administrative rules (30th legislative day)
05-12-2008
Legislative Drafting Division's Website Now Online
The Legislative Drafting Division's website is now online! This site will be updated on a regular basis.
|
|
|
|
