North Carolina General Assembly
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| North Carolina General Assembly | |
|---|---|
| Name | North Carolina General Assembly |
| Legislature | North Carolina State Legislature |
| House type | Bicameral |
| Houses | Senate, House of Representatives |
| Leader1 type | Senate President |
| Leader1 | Mark Robinson |
| Election1 | 2021 |
| Leader2 type | House Speaker |
| Leader2 | Tim Moore |
| Election2 | 2015 |
| Members | 170, 50 Senators, 120 Representatives |
| House1 | North Carolina Senate |
| House2 | North Carolina House of Representatives |
| Meeting place | North Carolina State Legislative Building, Raleigh |
North Carolina General Assembly. The North Carolina General Assembly is the bicameral legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina, exercising the legislative power of the state government. It consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Its members are elected from districts across the state and convene in the North Carolina State Legislative Building in the capital city of Raleigh.
History
The origins of the General Assembly trace back to the Province of North Carolina and its first assembly convened under the Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina in Albemarle Sound. Following the American Revolution, the North Carolina Constitution of 1776 formally established the legislature. Key historical sessions include the Convention of 1788 which initially rejected the United States Constitution, and the Convention of 1789 which finally ratified it. The body was central to debates during the American Civil War, the Reconstruction era, and the state's Jim Crow period, with its structure evolving through subsequent constitutions like the North Carolina Constitution of 1868 and North Carolina Constitution of 1971.
Structure and composition
The General Assembly is a bicameral body composed of the 50-member North Carolina Senate and the 120-member North Carolina House of Representatives. Members of both chambers are elected from single-member districts defined by the legislature itself following each United States census. The Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina serves as the President of the North Carolina Senate, while the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives presides over the lower chamber. The current partisan control is held by the Republican Party.
Powers and responsibilities
The Assembly holds broad legislative powers, including the authority to enact state law, levy taxes, and appropriate funds for the state government. It is responsible for drawing congressional and its own legislative districts, a process often subject to litigation such as in Harper v. Hall. Other powers include the ability to propose amendments to the North Carolina Constitution, override gubernatorial vetoes with a three-fifths vote, and confirm major appointments by the governor.
Legislative process
Bills may be introduced in either chamber, except for revenue bills which must originate in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Legislation is referred to Senate or House committees for review. After passage in one chamber, a bill moves to the other for consideration. If versions differ, a Conference committee may be convened. Once both chambers agree, the bill is sent to the Governor of North Carolina, who may sign it, allow it to become law without a signature, or veto it. The Assembly typically meets in regular session beginning in January of each year.
Current leadership and membership
As of the 2023-2024 session, the President of the North Carolina Senate is Mark Robinson. The President pro tempore of the North Carolina Senate is Phil Berger. The Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives is Tim Moore, with Sarah Stevens serving as Speaker pro tempore. The Republican Party holds a majority in both chambers. Notable members include Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue and House Minority Leader Robert T. Reives II.
Recent sessions and notable legislation
Recent sessions have been marked by debates over the North Carolina state budget, education funding, and electoral law. Notable legislation includes the 2016 House Bill 2 (the "bathroom bill"), which was partially repealed in 2017. Other significant acts include the 2021 Senate Bill 105 outlining COVID-19 recovery measures, the 2023 Senate Bill 20 which enacted new abortion restrictions, and the 2023 House Bill 259 concerning LGBTQ+ rights in schools. These sessions have often involved negotiations with Governor Roy Cooper and legal challenges heard by the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Category:North Carolina General Assembly Category:State legislatures of the United States