A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to amend the north carolina constitution to limit the length of LEGISLATIVE sessions.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Section 11(1) of Article II of the North Carolina Constitution reads as rewritten:
"(1)	Regular sessions. The General Assembly shall meet in regular session in 2005 and every two years thereafter on the tenth day of January (or the next business day thereafter if the tenth day of January is Saturday or Sunday). Beginning with the regular session in 2005, during an odd-numbered year the General Assembly shall remain in regular session for no more than 150 calendar days, except that this period may be extended by joint resolution not more than twice per regular session for not more than 10 days for each extension. If the regular session meets in even-numbered years, the General Assembly shall remain in regular session for no more than 90 calendar days, except that this period may be extended by joint resolution not more than twice per regular session for not more than 10 days for each extension. Any reconvened session called under Section 5 of Article III of this Constitution shall be excluded from the calculations of this section. Neither house shall proceed upon public business unless a majority of all of its members are actually present. No valid action, other than a resolution of adjournment, may be taken by that regular session of the General Assembly after the time limits prescribed in this section have expired."SECTION 2.  The amendment set out in Section 1 of this act shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the State at the next statewide election, primary or otherwise, which election shall be conducted under the laws then governing elections in the State.  Ballots, voting systems, or both may be used in accordance with Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.  The question to be used in the voting systems and ballots shall be:
"[ ] FOR    [ ] AGAINST
Constitutional amendment limiting the length of the legislative session and making a conforming amendment concerning convening date."
SECTION 3.  If a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor of the amendment set out in Section 1 of this act, the State Board of Elections shall certify the amendments to the Secretary of State whereupon the amendment shall become effective. The Secretary of State shall enroll the amendment so certified among the permanent records of that office.
SECTION 4.  G.S. 120‑11.1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 120‑11.1.  Time of meeting.
The regular session of the Senate and House of Representatives shall be held biennially beginning at 12:00 noon on the tenth day of January next after their election, except if the tenth day of January is Saturday or Sunday in which case it shall convene on the next business day."
SECTION 5. Section 4 of this act shall take effect only upon approval of the voters of the constitutional amendment set forth in Section 1 of this act. If the constitutional amendment proposed in Section 1 of this act are approved by the voters, Section 4 of this act shall become effective at the same time as the constitutional amendments.
SECTION 6.  This act is effective when it becomes law.