Last September, we wrote that the State Archives was working on digitizing NC Senate recordings from 1993-2005 and making the audio available online.

The audio is now available! Next up: audio for the 1979-1980 biennium.

Want to know more about this project? Click here!

You’ve seen this picture, right?

It’s the zebra cobra, indigenous to Africa but belonging to a Raleigh resident, that’s now loose in the Oak City.

You may be wondering if it’s legal to own a venomous snake in North Carolina. The answer is yes, but there’s a lot you have to do for it. N.C.G.S. Chapter 14, Article 55 governs the regulation of reptiles, including snakes.

There are a number of snake species in North Carolina. Which ones are deadly? What should you do if you see one? The NC Wildlife Resources Commission has answers.

• Snake information page
• Coexist with Snakes
• What to do when you see a snake outdoors

Some of NC’s snake species are endangered, meaning they are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act. You need a permit from the Commission to own one of these species.

Maybe you have a friend who is into snake handling and you’d like to know more. Read up on its history here and its NC history here.

Finally, are you a trial lawyer looking for a new, can’t-miss approach to winning cases? Check out Don Keenan and David Ball’s reptile revolution.

Watch our maintenance crew take apart the original library reference desk (c. 1983). Our new one should be installed next week!

Good news! The General Statutes online are now updated through July 13, 2020. This includes all 2019-2020 legislation passed by the General Assembly except:

• H.B. 1105, Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0
• H.B. 807, Championship NC Act
• S.B. 872, Additional 2020 Appointments

Questions? Contact the Legislative Library at 919-733-9390 or library@ncleg.gov.

It’s 2021. We have a new president. New legislators. New ways to combat COVID-19.

And, of course, a new look to the NC Legislative Library! This includes

• New, more vibrant shelf labels
• More prominent seating
• A relocated microfilm station
• A take a book/leave a book area

We’ve also added an email address, library@ncleg.gov, as an alternate way to ask us questions–especially those that require a little digging on our part.

More changes are coming, so keep an eye on our web site. Or pay us a visit the next time you’re in Raleigh. What are our hours?

Mon 8am-5pm
Tue 8am-5pm
Wed 8am-5pm
Thurs 8am-5pm
Fri 8am-5pm

See you soon!

The Summaries of Substantive Ratified Legislation 2020 is now available!

It contains summaries of all substantive legislation of general applicability and certain local legislation having general import from the 2020 Regular Session. It does not include most local acts or significant appropriations matters.

The summaries are organized alphabetically by subject areas. Summaries for each bill or provision may be selected individually, rolled up into one document by subject area, or combined into one file that incorporates all of the summaries of substantive ratified legislation for the 2020 Session. 

When a bill becomes law in North Carolina, it is passed by both legislative chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Before that occurs, however, the bill is written and rewritten and re-rewritten in legislative committees. The official records, or minutes, of these committees are held by the library on microfilm, a durable medium that can be difficult to use.

Wouldn’t it be cool if these minutes were available online?

Now they are! Well, they will be–from 1997 forward, anyway. It’s a work in progress, which you can check out here.

The Washington Post just unveiled an excellent guide to voting procedures in all 50 states.

Just select your state, then answer whether you are registered to vote and how you plan to vote (by mail or in person). Here, for example, is what happens when you select voting by mail in North Carolina.

Scrolling down the page reveals these instructions.

You can scroll back to the top at any time to change your state or voting type.

Cool, huh?

Ever wanted to listen to NC Senate floor debates from the 1990s but couldn’t because it wasn’t online?

You’re about to have your chance!

The State Archives is working on digitizing Senate recordings from 1993-2005 and making the audio available online by May 2021.

Read the exciting details here!

As Election Day draws nearer, you might be wondering

• How does the Electoral College work?
• What are the constitutional requirements for being president?
• How does a person run for president?

You can find these answers and more at the Presidential Election Process page of USA.gov. It’s comprehensive and easy to read. Check it out!