CONST AMEND: LEGISLATIVE TERMS/COMPENSATION.

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View NCGA Bill Details(link is external)2025-2026 Session
Senate Bill 462 (Public) Filed Monday, March 24, 2025
AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF NORTH CAROLINA TO MODIFY THE LENGTH OF TERMS OF MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND THE LENGTH OF THE SESSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Intro. by Burgin.

Status: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate action) (Mar 25 2025)
S 462

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Mar 25 2025 - View Summary

    Subject to voter approval at the November 3, 2026, general election, makes the following changes to Article II of the N.C. Constitution.

    Amends Section 16 to set the compensation of legislators equal to the average annual salary of public school teachers paid from State funds, as determined by the National Education Association, beginning on July 1 of each fiscal year. Provides for legislators to receive per diem, subsistence, and travel reimbursement consistent with similar allowances for State employees. Maintains that compensation and allowances for NCGA officers who are not legislators are as prescribed by law (previously, the same applied for legislators). Eliminates the provision postponing the effective date of any increase in the compensation or allowances of legislators to the next regular session following the session in which it was enacted. 

    Adds new Section 25 to limit consecutive years of service by members of the House of Representatives and members of the Senate to 16 per chamber. Bars a House or Senate member disqualified from election to the next succeeding term from filling a vacancy in their respective chamber during that term. Excludes terms of office beginning before January 1, 2027. 

    Amends Section 11(1) to limit regular sessions of the NCGA during odd-numbered years to 120 calendar days. Excludes the period of adjournment of more than 10 calendar days following the intimal convening of the regular session for no more than two consecutive calendar days. Limits regular sessions of the NCGA meeting in even-numbered years to 90 calendar days. Allows extending session once during sessions meeting in both odd- and even-numbered years by joint resolution for up to 10 calendar days. Excludes from the calculations reconvened sessions under Section 5 of Article III and sessions required in response to court orders in which only matters responding to the court order. Makes legislative actions taken in a regular session after the prescribed time limits have expired, other than adjournment resolutions, invalid.

    Provides ballot language for the constitutional amendments and directives for the State Board of Elections and Secretary of State regarding certification and enrollment. Deems the amendments effective upon certification.