GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

 

SESSION 1989

 

H                                                                                                                                                       1

 

HOUSE BILL 210

 

 

 

 

Short Title:  Open Meetings/General Assembly.                                                             (Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Pope; Wood and Stam.

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Referred to:  Rules.

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February 14, 1989

 

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT TO END THE EXEMPTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  G.S. 143-318.11(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      General Assembly Committees and Subcommittees. - Except as provided in G.S. 143-318.17, subsection (a) of this section, a committee or subcommittee of the General Assembly has the inherent right to hold an executive session when it determines that it is absolutely necessary to have such a session in order to prevent personal embarrassment or when it is in the best interest of the State. may meet and take action only in an open meeting.  A committee or subcommittee may take final action only in an open meeting."

Sec. 2.  G.S. 143-318.18 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143-318.18. Exceptions.

This Article does not apply to:

(1)       Grand and petit juries.

(2)       Any public body that is specifically authorized or directed by law to meet in executive or confidential session, to the extent of the authorization or direction.

(3)       The Judicial Standards Commission.

(4)       The Legislative Services Commission.

(5)       Law enforcement agencies.

(6)       A public body authorized to investigate, examine, or determine the character and other qualifications of applicants for professional or occupational licenses or certificates or to take disciplinary actions against persons holding such licenses or certificates, (i) while preparing, approving, administering, or grading examinations or (ii) while meeting with respect to an individual applicant for or holder of such a license or certificate. This exception does not amend, repeal, or supercede any other statute that requires a public hearing or other practice and procedure in a proceeding before such a public body.

(7)       Any public body subject to the Executive Budget Act (G.S. 143-1 et seq.) and exercising quasi-judicial functions, during a meeting or session held solely for the purpose of making a decision in an adjudicatory action or proceeding.

(8)       The boards of trustees of endowment funds authorized by G.S. 116-36 or G.S. 116-238.

(9)       The Council of State.

(10)     The Board of Awards.

(11)     The General Court of Justice."

Sec. 3. This act is effective upon ratification.