North Carolina General Assembly

The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly makes the laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes.

The General Assembly is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the North Carolina House of Representatives (formerly the North Carolina House of Commons) and the North Carolina Senate. The House has 120 members, while the Senate has 50.

Legislators in either chamber serve two-year terms. Starting with the 2002 election, each legislator represents a single-member House or Senatorial district; prior to 2002, some districts elected multiple legislators.

The General Assembly meets in the state capital of Raleigh (except for special occasions, when legislators might decide to hold a ceremonial session in some other city). It met in the Capitol building until 1963, when the legislature relocated to the new North Carolina State Legislative Building.

NC Senate

The 50-member Senate is sometimes called the "upper" house, but its prerogatives and powers are no greater than those of the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are far larger than those of their colleagues in the other body. The President of the Senate is the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, but the Lt. Governor has very limited powers and only votes to break a tie. Before the office of Lt. Governor was created in 1868, the Senate was presided over by a "Speaker." Since 1989, more power has shifted from the Lt. Governor to the senator who is elected President pro tempore. The President pro tempore appoints members to standing committees of the Senate, and holds great sway over bills. Marc Basnight is the current President pro tempore and has held the office longer than anyone in history. As of 2006, the Democratic Party holds a comfortable majority of seats in the Senate.

The qualifications to be a senator are found in the state Constitution: "Each Senator, at the time of his election, shall be not less than 25 years of age, shall be a qualified voter of the State, and shall have resided in the State as a citizen for two years and in the district for which he is chosen for one year immediately preceding his election."

See also: :Category:North Carolina State Senators

External link

Official site of the North Carolina Senate

NC House of Representatives

The House is led by a Speaker. James B. Black is the current Speaker. Including almost two years when Speaker Black held the office as one of two co-Speakers (with Richard T. Morgan), he is tied with Liston Ramsey for longest tenure in the office.

As of 2006, the Democratic Party holds a 63-57 majority over the Republican Party in the House.

The qualifications to be a member of the House are found in the state Constitution: "Each Representative, at the time of his election, shall be a qualified voter of the State, and shall have resided in the district for which he is chosen for one year immediately preceding his election." Elsewhere, the constitution specifies that no elected official shall be under twenty-one years of age.

See also: :Category:Members of the North Carolina State House

External link

Official site of the North Carolina House

History

Sessions

The General Assembly meets in regular session beginning in January of each odd-numbered year, and adjourns to reconvene the following even-numbered year for what is called the "Short Session," though there is no limit on the length of any session.

According to the state-published North Carolina Manual (no longer online), "Prior to 1957, the General Assembly convened in January at a time fixed by the Constitution of North Carolina. From 1957 through 1967, sessions convened in February at a time fixed by the Constitution. The 1969 General Assembly was the first to convene on a date fixed by law after elimination of theconstitutionally fixed date. The assembly now convenes on the third Wednesday after the second Monday in January after the November election."
* North Carolina General Assembly of 1777
* North Carolina General Assembly of 1778
* North Carolina General Assembly of 1779
* North Carolina General Assembly of 2001-2002
* North Carolina General Assembly of 2003-2004

Elections

Elections for all seats in both houses are held in each even-numbered year. If a seat should become vacant between elections, there are no by-elections or special elections. Rather, the local leaders of the political party of the person who vacated the seat nominate a replacement, to serve until the next election. The Governor, ordinarily, accepts the nomination, and appoints that person.
* North Carolina General Assembly election, 2002
* North Carolina General Assembly election, 2004

Note that until 1982, a legislator's term in office was said to begin immediately upon his or her election. Since then, however, terms begin on January 1 after a legislator's election.

External links

*Official North Carolina General Assembly Website
*North Carolina Constitution Article 2, describing legislative power

Reference