North Carolina House Bill 761 proposes constitutional amendment to cap legislative session lengths

Original title: Limit Session Length.

Last action · April 7, 2025: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action)Sponsors: Donny Lambeth and 10 others

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Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Would Do

House Bill 761 proposes amending the North Carolina Constitution to limit regular legislative sessions to 90 in odd-numbered years and 45 legislative days in even-numbered years, subject to voter approval in November 2026.

Why it matters

Changes the operational timeline of the state legislature and gives voters direct authority to approve or reject the session length limits at the 2026 general election ballot.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

General Assembly of North Carolina

Must conclude regular business within 90 days in odd-numbered years and 45 days in even-numbered years.

Directly affected

qualified voters of the State

Will vote on whether to approve or reject the constitutional amendment at the November 3, 2026 general election.

Key Facts

Regular sessions in odd-numbered years are restricted to a maximum of 90 legislative days.
Regular sessions in even-numbered years are restricted to a maximum of 45 legislative days.
Reconvened and extra sessions called under specific constitutional provisions are excluded from session day calculations.
No valid action other than a resolution of adjournment may be taken after the prescribed time limits expire.

Show all 6 facts

The constitutional amendment is submitted to qualified voters at the statewide general election on November 3, 2026.
The amendment becomes effective upon certification if a majority of votes cast are in favor.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will voters decide on this constitutional amendment?

Voters will consider the amendment at the statewide general election held on November 3, 2026.

What happens if the amendment passes?

Regular legislative sessions will be capped at 90 days in odd years and 45 days in even years, starting with sessions beginning upon certification.

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

3 actions

Apr 7, 2025House
Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
Apr 7, 2025House
Passed 1st Reading
Apr 2, 2025HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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