Repeals Section 27.7 [except subsection (d)] of SL 2023-134, which made a number of changes concerning legislative confidentiality, including: (1) making each legislator, while in office and after leaving office, the custodian of all documents, supporting documents, drafting requests, and information requests that they made or received and prohibited requiring legislators to reveal or consent to the reveal of those same items; (2) making public a letter or other written communication appointing an individual to serve on a board, commission, or other position in accordance with this Chapter and making public administrative documents prepared by legislative employees, in accordance with policies adopted by the Legislative Services Commission. Repeals Section 27.9 of SL 2023-134, which required the custodian of any General Assembly record to determine whether a record is a public record and whether to turn the records over to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, or retain, destroy, sell, loan, or otherwise dispose of, the records.
Amends GS 120-130, specifically prohibiting a legislative employee from revealing the identity of a legislator who has made a drafting or information request, nor revealing the existence of the request, to any person who is not a legislative employee without the consent of the legislator. Eliminates the provisions that deemed drafting or information requests or supporting documents to not be public records under GS Chapter 132. Makes identical changes to existing provisions of GS 120-131 regarding the confidentiality of documents prepared by legislative employees at the request of a legislator. Similarly eliminates the provisions that deemed documents prepared by legislative employees at the request of a legislator that do not become available to the public not public records under GS Chapter 132.
Expands GS 120-132 to prohibit present and former legislative employees from disclosing documents, in addition to information, that the individual acquired while employed or retained by the State in the described contexts, unless disclosure reflects official public records or otherwise publicly disseminated information or documents. Authorizes a judge to compel disclosure of documents acquired by a legislative employee (currently limited to information) if necessary to the administration of justice, subject to legislative privilege and immunity laws.
Bill Summaries: S331 (2025-2026 Session)
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Bill S 331 (2025-2026)Summary date: Mar 19 2025 - View summary