A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide for more fiscal responsibility by treating salary adjustments for the governor, council of state, and judiciary the same as for other officers and employees of the state.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Section 9 of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 9. Compensation and allowances.
The officers whose offices are established by this Article shall at stated periods receive the compensation and allowances prescribed by  law."
SECTION 2.  Section 21 of Article IV of the North Carolina Constitution reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 21. Fees, salaries, and emoluments.
The General Assembly shall prescribe and regulate the fees, salaries, and emoluments of all officers provided for in this Article. In no case shall the compensation of any Judge or Magistrate be dependent upon his decision or upon the collection of costs.
SECTION 3.  The amendments set out in Sections 1 and 2 of this act shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the State at a statewide election to be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November of 2002, 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 amendments treating salary adjustments for the Governor, Council of State, and judges the same as for other State officers and employees."
SECTION 4.  If a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor of the amendments set out in Sections 1 and 2 of this act, the State Board of Elections shall certify the amendments to the Secretary of State.  The constitutional amendments shall become effective upon certification. The Secretary of State shall enroll the amendments so certified among the permanent records of that office.
SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law.