NC Senate wants lawmakers to change schedule

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – There’s a move afoot again in the Senate to adjust the North Carolina General Assembly’s schedule in the name of efficiency.

The Senate agreed Wednesday to an amendment inserted into a “technical corrections” bill to create a one-day meeting of the Legislature in early January in odd-numbered years. The Legislature would convene that day to elect House and Senate leaders and adopt operating rules for the coming two-year session. Lawmakers would return later in January to begin work on legislation.

Sen. Fletcher Hartsell of Concord offered the amendment. He said many lawmakers feel the current method of gathering in late January to pick leaders and begin work leads to wasted time.

The Senate has passed a similar idea before. Hartsell said he believes there’s House support for it this year.

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