Just like the old wrestler “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, the NC General Assembly once again flexed their supermajority muscles this week by overriding several gubernatorial vetoes. Notably, these overrides were not directly related to K-12 education; nevertheless, local school board members should pay attention to SB 749, as it addresses the structure of local election boards.
SB749: No Partisan Advantage In Elections (primary sponsors Senators Warren Daniel, R-Burke; Paul Newton, R-Cabarrus; Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell)
- Effective January 1, 2024, increase the number of members of the State Board of Elections from 5 to 8, with all 8 members being appointed by the General Assembly (was the NC Governor).
- Effective January 1, 2024, decrease the number of members of each of the 100 county boards of elections from 5 to 4, with all 4 members being appointed by the General Assembly.
- Click here for a bill summary
Local Bills Sent to Conference Committee
SB 68: Various Local Changes (primary sponsor: Senator Tim Moffitt, R-Henderson)
- Senate voted NOT to concur by 49-0 vote
- Includes a provision that outlines new boundaries for the Whiteville City Schools Administrative Unit
NCSBA Legislative Summary
Each legislative session, the NCSBA Governmental Relations Team compiles a comprehensive Legislative Summary, encompassing all K-12 education-related bills that have successfully passed into law, in addition to the K-12 education components of the state budget. The session summary was highlighted in last week’s update, and we have updated the document again this week. This invaluable resource condenses all essential legislative information that local school boards need into one place:
Click here to the view the NCSBA Legislative Summary.
Winding Down
The majority of business for the 2023 legislative long session is wrapping up. However, the NC General Assembly isn’t quite done yet. There are no votes scheduled next week, but the legislature is expected to vote on newly drawn electoral districts for both Congress and the NC General Assembly the week of October 23rd. Indications are that the session will adjourn the following week of October 30, but if this session has taught us anything, it’s to believe it when you see it, and not a moment before.
As the session winds down, the Legislative Update will revert back to monthly publication. We will of course keep you apprised of any legislative happenings between issues should the need arise. The monthly edition will continue to cover State Board of Education meetings, as well as the federal update from the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA).
