A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO amend the north carolina constitution to limit the length of legislative sessions to 180 days for the long session and 90 days for the short session.
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 1973 and every two years thereafter on the day prescribed by law. Beginning with the regular session in 2003, during an odd-numbered year the General Assembly shall remain in regular session for no more than 180 calendar days, except that this period may be extended by joint resolution once per regular session for not more than 10 calendar days. If the regular session meets in even-numbered years, the General Assembly shall remain in session for no more than 90 calendar days, except that this period may be extended by joint resolution once per regular session for not more than 10 calendar days. Any reconvened session called under Section 5 of Article III of this Constitution shall be excluded from the time limits provided in 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 general election, 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."
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 amendment to the Secretary of State whereupon the amendments shall become effective. The Secretary of State shall enroll the amendments so certified among the permanent records of that office.
SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.