Enacts GS 1-77.1, requiring an action in which punitive damages are in the prayer for relief to be tried in the county where the party from whom punitive damages are sought resides or has its principal office. However, requires the action to be tried in the county where the cause of action arose if (1) punitive damages are sought from more than one party and those parties have different county residences/principal offices or (2) both the plaintiff and defendant are seeking punitive damages. Applies to actions commenced on or after October 1, 2019.