NORTH CAROLINA -- With the North Carolina General Assembly back in session, here are some quick facts to understand how legislation works in North Carolina:

 

  • What’s the structure of the North Carolina General Assembly?

North Carolina’s laws, which are called statutes, are made by North Carolina’s legislature, also known as the General Assembly. It is bicameral, which means it is made up of two houses – the Senate (50 members) and the House of Representatives (120 members), whose members represent a Senate or House district.

  • Who are the leaders?

A speaker, elected from the membership of the House of Representatives, presides over the House. The lieutenant governor of North Carolina is the person who presides over the Senate and has no vote other than breaking a tie.

  • When is the North Carolina General Assembly in session?

The General Assembly meets over periods of two years. The regular session (referred to as “the long session") begins in the January of the odd number year of the two years and lasts about six months. The General Assembly adjourns for the summer and then in the even-numbered year, they return in the spring (referred to as “the short session”) for just a few months. The governor may call a special session after the General Assembly has adjourned for the year. 

  • When do they meet?

When they are in session, legislators meet on Monday evenings and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the day in each chamber. When they are not meeting in chambers, committee meetings are held in the morning and afternoons.

  • Do NC legislators have other jobs? How do they get paid?

North Carolina is one of the states in which legislators are part-time and this isn’t their full-time job as they are not in session most of the year. Because of this, most legislators have a day job. Regular General Assembly members are paid $13,951 each year.

  • When are legislators elected?

Legislator seats in both houses are up for election/re-election on even-numbered years. If somehow a seat is vacated prior to an election, special elections are not held and local leaders for the vacating legislator's political party nominate a person, who has to be accepted by the governor and appointed. 

  • Where does the General Assembly convene?

They meet in the Legislative Building. The building is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and it is open to the public year-round, except on state holidays. Members of the public are welcome to attend sessions from the public galleries. Seating is on a first-come basis.

 

(All information courtesy of the North Carolina General Assembly and offices of respective NC legislators)