Did you know our state has adopted three constitutions in its history? That’s roughly one every hundred years!
You can learn other cool constitutional facts from this guide on the library website. It links to a digital version of each constitution, along with info about the amendment process and other resources.
Questions? Contact us here.
Who are my state legislators?
Where do I look up bills?
How do I find a statute relevant to my situation?
These are a few of the questions that can be answered by our new online tutorials. These short videos walk you step-by-step through some of the vast content on our General Assembly website.
Questions? Feel free to contact us at library@ncleg.gov.
It’s time for another legislative Throwback Thursday! Check out this 1991 General Assembly documentary, The Voice of the People, by former Raleigh journalist Grady Jefferys.
We’ve added new photos, documents, and other curiosities to our web page commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Legislative Building.
Check out the web page here!
On May 4, 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly passed S.B. 20, the Care for Women, Children, and Families Act, which outlaws abortion in North Carolina after 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Governor Cooper vetoed the bill, and on May 16, the General Assembly overrode the veto. S.B. 20 is now law in North Carolina.
Videos of the override sessions, including floor debate and votes, are available here:
On May 4, 2023, the North Carolina Senate debated and passed S.B. 20, the Care for Women, Children, and Families Act, which outlaws abortion in North Carolina after 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Video of the May 4 Senate session is available here.
The House of Representatives voted on this bill the day before, May 3. Audio of that session is available here.
After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in last year’s Dobbs v. Jackson case, many observers wondered whether non-surgical abortions–i.e., abortions caused by certain medications–would become illegal.
There are now two competing court decisions about this issue.
This Texas-based decision, issued on April 7, ordered the Food and Drug Administration to withdraw its approval of the abortion pill mifepristone.
On the same day, another federal court ordered the FDA not to withdraw mifepristone approval in the following states:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
The Texas decision is currently stayed (i.e., not in effect) for seven days to allow for appeals.
Because two federal courts have disagreed, it is likely that the U.S. Supreme Court will issue a ruling to settle the matter. When such a ruling might happen is unknown.
Do you need committee minutes? Old North Carolina statutes? Study reports?
These sorts of documents and more are available on our Legislative Publications page. Here are the highlights:
- Constitutions – Copies of the 1776, 1868, and 1971 North Carolina Constitutions. Also links to a list of all amendments to the 1971 Constitution, which the Legislative Library maintains.
- Superseded statutes – Scanned images of North Carolina statutes from 1821-1983. This is a work in progress, courtesy of the State Library of North Carolina.
- Committee meeting minutes – Scanned full text of standing (1997-2016) and non-standing (1963-1987, 1997-2017) committee minutes.
- Agency reports – Full text of reports submitted to the General Assembly by North Carolina administrative agencies. Most are from 2010 forward.
Looking for something that you can’t find on our website? Contact the Legislative Library at 919-733-9390 or library@ncleg.gov.
Paralegals are professionals who assist attorneys with research, document drafting, case management, trial preparation–pretty much every aspect of legal practice.
Some paralegal programs result in a two-year associate’s degree. Others last only a few months and are intended for people who already have a four-year degree.
Below are some helpful resources.
- Paralegal schools in North Carolina – This list doesn’t include Wake Technical Community College, which launched its paralegal program in 2022.
- Certification – Paralegals can be certified by the North Carolina State Bar.
- North Carolina Paralegal Association
- National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
Homeowner associations (HOAs) are organizations that oversee and enforce the rules for living in certain houses, condominiums, or other homes. You join an HOA and agree to its terms and fees when you buy a home in a community governed by one.
In North Carolina, HOAs are governed by a few statutes:
- North Carolina Planned Community Act
- North Carolina Condominium Act
- North Carolina Unit Ownership Act
- North Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act (because every HOA must be incorporated as a nonprofit)
HOAs are not regulated by any state or federal government office, so if you have a dispute with your HOA, the best thing to do is consult with an attorney.
If you simply want more information about how HOAs operate, here are some resources that may help:
- Homeowners Protection Bureau – A nonprofit organization that answers HOA questions
- NC Real Estate Commission
- North Carolina chapter of the Community Associations Institute
- HOA FAQs – An extensive list of HOA-related questions and answers
Finally, according to the North Carolina Secretary of State, “sometimes there are local government ordinances that may apply to HOAs.” Thus, you could try contacting your mayor and/or city or county commissioner to discuss your concern.