House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.
Specifies that the requirements for the election of the members of the Columbus County Board of Education (Board) are notwithstanding GS 115C-35 (was, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary). Specifies that manners in which vacancies can occur. No longer requires that elections be conducted in accordance with applicable provisions of GS Chapters 115C and 163. Removes references to members of the Board elected in 2022, instead just referring to those elected in 2024.
Provides that all laws and clauses of law that conflict with the act are repealed, not just the provisions listed. Amends the provisions that are explicitly repealed as follows. Repeals all of SL 1953-717, not just Section 1; repeals Section 1, instead of Section 2 of SL 1969-1053; repeals only Section 3 (was, Sections 1, 2, and 3) of SL 1981-192; adds the repeal of SL 1961-754 and Section 2 of SL 1983-234; and no longer repeals SL 1961-216, SL 1969-1, and SL 1973-836. Removes the December 1, 2026 effective date for these repeals.
Makes additional technical, organizational, and clarifying changes. Amends the act's titles.
Changes the effective date of the entire act from when the act becomes law to the first Monday in December 2026, with elections in 2026 conducted accordingly.
Bill Summaries: H116 (2025-2026 Session)
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Bill H 116 (2025-2026)Summary date: Mar 4 2025 - View summary
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Bill H 116 (2025-2026)Summary date: Feb 12 2025 - View summary
Directs that, notwithstanding any provision of law to the Contrary, the Columbus County Board of Education (Board) consists of five members elected to staggered four-year terms. Directs for members to be elected from five single-member residency districts on a partisan basis at the time of the general election in each even-numbered year as terms expire. Requires that one member be elected from each residency district, excluding the area encompassing the Whiteville School Administrative Unit. Requires candidates to be qualified voters and residents of the district where they seek election. Directs that Board members are to be nominated at the same time and in the same manner as other county officers. Directs members to serve until their successors are elected and qualified. Specifies that all members take office on the first Monday in December after the election.
Specifies that the act does not affect the term of any person elected in 2022 or 2024 to the Board. Provides that vacancies of these persons will be filled by the remaining members of the Board until the next election. Specifies that any person appointed to fill a vacancy has to be a resident of the district where the vacancy occurs. Directs that each member of the Board elected in 2022 or 2024, or any member appointed to fill a vacancy for a member elected in 2022 or 2024, will serve until a successor has been elected and qualified.
Requires vacancies to be filled using the process set forth in GS 115C-37.1. Makes conforming change to GS 115C-37.1 to reflect its applicability to Columbus County. Applies to elections held on or after December 1, 2026.
Repeals the following conflicting session law chapters and provisions:
- Section 1 of SL 1953-717.
- SL 1961-114.
- SL 1961-216.
- SL 1961-327.
- SL 1963-295.
- SL 1969-1.
- Section 2 of SL 1969-1053.
- SL 1973-836.
- Sections 1, 2, and 3 of SL 1981-192.