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General Assembly

The North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) is the legislative branch of state government.

This body makes laws for the state. Like the United States Congress, the NCGA is divided into two parts:

• House of Representatives
• Senate

In the House of Representatives, 120 members serve 2-year terms. The House is presided by the Speaker, elected by the members. In 2010, Mecklenburg County has 10 House district representatives.

In the Senate, 50 members serve 2-year terms. The Senate is presided by the Lieutenant Governor, who is elected by NC citizens for a4-year term. He/she has no vote in the Senate, except to break a tie. The Senate also elects members to serve as officers, including the Senate Pro-Tem. In 2010, Mecklenburg County has 5 Senate representatives.

The General Assembly meets in January of each odd-numbered year, and reconvenes in each even-numbered year for a short session.

How does a bill become a law?

• Both the Senate and the House leadership elects committees among its members to cover important topics such as appropriations, education, public safety and transportation.
• The committees develop bills – sometimes with the assistance of public citizens. Each bill has one or more primary sponsor, and often one or more co-sponsors. A House bill will have House sponsors, and a Senate bill will have Senate sponsors. The sponsor introduces the bill on a day when the NCGA is in session.
• From there, the bill continues in committee where it is reviewed, discussed and modified. A House bill is matched with a similar Senate bill, and vice-versa, to ensure support of both bodies. If the bill involves money, it is sent to the Appropriations Committee.
• After a bill is reviewed, discussed and finalized, it may be approved into law. If it is not approved into law, the bill is dead and if the sponsor wishes to see it become approved into law, he or she may try again in another year.

More information about the General Assembly