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Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2026-04-23

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would require North Carolina voters to approve a measure preventing state legislators from receiving their salary and allowances after June 30 if the General Assembly has not passed a comprehensive budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The forfeiture would continue until either a budget is ratified or the legislative session ends, whichever comes first. Voters would decide on this amendment at the November 2026 general election.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this creates financial incentive for legislators to pass a budget on time, promoting fiscal discipline and preventing delays that can disrupt state operations.
• •They contend that if regular workers must meet deadlines to receive paychecks, elected officials should face similar accountability.
• •Proponents believe this mechanism encourages cooperation across party lines to complete essential budget work before the fiscal year begins.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents worry this could pressure legislators into approving poorly-crafted budgets just to meet the deadline and restore their pay, potentially leading to hasty fiscal decisions.
• •They argue it may disproportionately harm lower-paid legislative staff and create unequal hardship since wealthier lawmakers could absorb lost income more easily.
• •Critics also note that budget delays often stem from legitimate policy disagreements that shouldn't be resolved by financial coercion, and the measure could make legislative service less accessible to working-class candidates.