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!

Recently, the NC General Assembly passed SL 2020-30, which waives the road test requirement for people age 16 or 17 to get a level two limited driver license.

What about those who are 18 or over?

Starting July 23, NC DMV will have the following rules:

• Drivers who currently hold a Level I permit, have turned 18 years old and meet all requirements to obtain the Level II Limited Provisional License, including no motor vehicle moving violation convictions, seat belt infractions or unlawful use of a mobile phone.
• Drivers who have received training and passed a driving course from a DMV certified North Carolina driving school within the previous 12 months and have not been convicted of a motor vehicle moving violation, seat belt infraction or unlawful use of a mobile phone.
• Drivers who previously held an NC driver’s license, and the license has not been expired more than one renewal cycle and was in good standing at the time of expiration.
  • Drivers 18 years old and less than 66 years old –not expired more than 8 years.
  • Drivers 66 years or older – not expired more than 5 years.
• Drivers from another state, district or territory that has reciprocity with North Carolina. Drivers must provide their most recent license held and a certified 5-year driving record from that jurisdiction. License cannot be expired more than 5 years and must have been in good standing at the time of expiration.

Road test requirements for these drivers will be suspended and the driver will be issued a driver license with the appropriate expiration. Unlike the Level II waiver, these drivers will not be required to return later to take a road test. There may be very limited circumstances outside of those outlined above where DMV may be able to waive a road test.

The new rules take effect July 23, 2020. All DMV services will continue to be by appointment only. You can make an appointment here.

Questions? Contact the NC DMV here.

Recently, we wrote about the issue of wearing masks while also carrying a concealed weapon in North Carolina. We said that

“Section 4.3 of S.L. 2020-3 allows masks worn ‘for the purpose of ensuring the physical health or safety of the wearer or others.’ This exception expires on August 1, 2020, unless the General Assembly extends it.”

This exception has now been extended by S.L. 2020-93. Thus, until a new law is passed, you can wear a mask for health purposes and carry a concealed weapon (unless you are also committing acts prohibited by G.S. 14-12.13).

With many businesses requiring customers to be masked, and now a statewide order from Governor Cooper requiring it, the question naturally arises: Is it illegal to carry a concealed weapon while wearing a mask?

There is no law specifically prohibiting a person with a concealed handgun permit from lawfully carrying a handgun concealed while wearing a mask. However, it is illegal to wear a mask for any reason, according to these statutes:

• G.S. 14-12.7 – Wearing of masks, hoods, etc. on public ways – Class 1 misdemeanor
• G.S. 14-12.8 – Wearing masks, hoods, etc. on public property – Class 1 misdemeanor
• G.S. 14-12.9 – Entry, etc. upon premises of another while wearing mask, hood or other disguise – Class 1 misdemeanor
• G.S. 14-12.10 – Holding meetings or demonstrations while wearing masks, hoods, etc. – Class 1 misdemeanor
• G.S. 14-12.13 – Placing exhibit with intention of intimidating, etc, another (applies whether masked or unmasked) – Class H felony
• G.S. 14-12.14 – Placing exhibit while wearing mask, hood, or other disguise – Class H felony

G.S. 14-12.11 provides some exceptions. The exceptions apply to all of the offenses listed above except for G.S. 14-12.13. Also, Section 4.3 of S.L. 2020-3 allows masks worn “for the purpose of ensuring the physical health or safety of the wearer or others.” This exception expires on August 1, 2020, unless the General Assembly extends it.

Bottom line: At least until August 1, 2020, you can wear a mask for health purposes and carry a concealed weapon (unless you are also committing acts prohibited by G.S. 14-12.13). If/when this exception expires, it is illegal to wear a mask for any reason other than the exceptions listed in G.S. 14-12.11.

Want to tour our library but can’t make the trip to Raleigh? Check out the welcome video on our home page! You’ll see our collection, hear our policies, and learn all the ways we can assist you. Enjoy!