NC lawmakers trying to get bills in under deadline

RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly is working overtime to clear out its files of hundreds of bills before a self-imposed deadline.

The House and Senate scheduled what are expected to be marathon floor sessions Wednesday so that lawmakers can get legislation considered. Legislative leaders require bills unrelated to spending or taxes to pass one chamber by Thursday. Otherwise, the ideas are probably dead until 2011.

Legislation still trying to get in under the wire include one to allow death-row inmates to challenge whether race was a factor in their punishment. Another would allow schools to start classes two weeks earlier than currently allowed. A third would back limits on scorned spouses suing and collecting damages for stolen affection and adultery.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)