Senate committee substitute to the 3rd edition makes the following changes.

Repeals SL 1981-551 (pertaining to membership, nonpartisan elections of and governance of the Pamlico County Board of Education [Pamlico Board]). Amends Section 8 of SL 1987-939 to specify that the seven members of the Pamlico Board will be elected on a partisan basis at the time of the general election in each even-numbered year. Specifies that the candidates will be nominated at the same time and manner as other county officers. Provides for staggered four-year terms. Specifies that members will take office on the first Monday in December following the election, with the terms of their predecessors expiring at the same time. Specifies that members will serve until a successor has been elected and qualified.  Specifies that elections will be GS conducted in accordance with GS Chapters 115C and 163 except as otherwise provided.  Requires that any Pamlico Board vacancies be filled in accordance with GS 115C-37.1 (pertaining to vacancies in certain county boards of education elected on a partisan basis).

Repeals Sections 10, 11, and 13 of SL 1987-939, as amended (providing for certain staggered terms of the members of the Pamlico Board, specifying Pamlico Board members are elected on a nonpartisan basis, and containing outdated language).

Specifies the following schedule for staggered terms. Starting in 2024, one member will be elected from Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5 to serve four-year terms. Beginning in 2026, one member will be elected from District 4 and two members will be elected from the county at large to serve four-year terms. Specifies that the act does not affect the terms of any person elected to the Pamlico Board in 2020 or 2022. Provides for vacancies of those members to be filled by the remaining Pamlico Board members. Specifies any members elected in 2020 or 2022, along with any individuals appointed to fill a vacancy created by those members, will serve until a successor has been elected and qualified.

Changes the effective date that would make conforming changes to GS 115C-37.1(d) (listing counties where vacancy process applies) so that the effective date for the inclusion of the Hickory and Newton-Conover City Boards of Education is also December 1, 2024. Further amends GS 115C-37.1(d) by adding Pamlico County to the list of counties to which the law applies.  

Makes technical changes. Makes conforming changes to the act’s long and short titles.