Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

Makes a clarifying change to GS 35A-1231 (pertaining to required bonds before letters of guardianship are issued), giving only the clerk the ability to approve the bond.

Makes conforming change to GS 29-30 (election of surviving spouse to take a life interest in lieu of intestate share) to reflect change from jury to commission. 

Adds the following new content.

Expands the proceedings where statements and conduct occurring during settlement proceedings are admissible under GS 7A-38.1(l) (designating settlement negotiations in mediated settlement conferences in superior court and other settlement proceedings inadmissible), GS 7A-38.4A(j) (same-district court), GS 7A-38.3B (same-clerk of superior court), and GS 7A-38.3D(k) (same-district criminal courts) to include proceedings of abuse, neglect, or dependence of a juvenile under GS Chapter 7B or for an adult under Articles 6 or 6A of Chapter 108A. Makes clarifying changes. Clarifies that nothing in any of the above listed statutes should be construed as permitting an individual to obtain immunity from prosecution for criminal conduct or excusing an individual from reporting requirements under the General Statutes, including those specified.

Makes clarifying change to GS 1A-1, Rule 63 so that it is clear that the senior resident superior court judge for the district may take over a trial or other proceeding if the presiding judge is unavailable, as specified.

Requires, in GS 20-79.6, a special license plate, as described, be issued to a senior resident superior court judge serving in the listed districts. Removes provisions pertaining to district groupings having the same numeric designations, that have more than one regular resident superior court judge, and provisions pertaining to when “A” plates are issued in districts with two or more regular resident superior court judges.

Allows the chief district court judge and senior resident superior court judge of their respective districts to establish rules to allow for the court’s manual signature of orders, judgments, decrees, or other documents to be filed by the court if one or more of the parties to a proceeding requests the manual signature. Sets out additional requirements for rules on the manual signature. Specifies that this does not apply to criminal judgments.

Expands the disciplinary authority of the State bar under GS 84-28 to include discipline of attorneys admitted for limited practice or attorneys not licensed to practice law in the state but who render or who offer to render legal services in the state. Makes conforming changes.

Enacts new GS 9-33 requiring the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to prescribe rules governing any training or educational materials provided to jurors, including grand jurors, to try any case. Prohibits the court from giving jurors training or educational material not otherwise allowed under rules prescribed by AOC. Requires AOC to adopt rules consistent with this section and allows using the procedure in GS 150B-21.1 to adopt the rules. Applies to training or educational material provided on or after December 1, 2025.

Amends GS 7A-95 by adding that if digital recording equipment is used to record a trial then the records must be kept in the custody of the clerk. Adds that except for original stenomask audio files and audio files of digital recording technicians, audio records created by court reporters are not public record and must be disclosed to the parties and public only to the extent allowed by a court order for good cause after notice to all parties.

Removes the proposed changes to GS 7A-105, concerning suspension, removal, and reinstatement of a clerk of superior court.