A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to order the north carolina state bar council to revise its rules to create an exemption from north carolina state bar continuing legal education requirements for full‑time employees of the north carolina general assembly.
Whereas, licensed attorneys who are full‑time employees of the North Carolina General Assembly draft the laws of this State, regularly conducting extensive legal research upon a variety of legal topics; and
Whereas, licensed attorneys who are full‑time judicial law clerks serving in this State receive an exemption from continuing legal education requirements for legal research and writing conducted on behalf of the judicial branch; and
Whereas, licensed attorneys who are full‑time professors of law receive an exemption from continuing legal education requirements for legal research, writing, and study; and
Whereas, licensed attorneys who are members of the North Carolina General Assembly, who collaborate with licensed attorneys who are full‑time employees of the North Carolina General Assembly in order to complete the work of this State's legislative branch, receive an exemption from continuing legal education requirements.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  Definitions. – "North Carolina General Assembly Exemption Rule" means 27 NCAC 01D .1517 (Exemptions) for purposes of this section and its implementation.
SECTION 1.(b)  North Carolina General Assembly Exemption Rule. – Until the effective date of the revised permanent rule that the North Carolina State Bar Council is required to adopt pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the Council shall implement the North Carolina General Assembly Exemption Rule as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
SECTION 1.(c)  Implementation. – With respect to continuing legal education requirements of the North Carolina State Bar, the North Carolina General Assembly Exemption Rule shall be implemented to provide that members and full‑time employees of the North Carolina General Assembly who are licensed attorneys are exempt from all continuing legal education requirements.
SECTION 1.(d)  Additional rule‑making authority. – The Council shall adopt a rule to amend the North Carolina General Assembly Exemption Rule consistent with subsection (c) of this section. Notwithstanding G.S. 150B‑19(4), the rule adopted by the Council pursuant to this section shall be substantively identical to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are not subject to Part 3 of Article 2A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. The Council may adopt temporary rules under 150B‑21.1 to comply with this act.
SECTION 1.(e)  Sunset. – This section expires when permanent rules adopted as required by subsection (d) of this section become effective.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.