The North Carolina General Assembly reconvened this week to formally kick off the 2023-24 legislative biennium. Lawmakers and their families were in Raleigh on Wednesday to move into their new offices and stand alongside their colleagues as they were officially sworn in. No business will be conducted until at least January 25 when legislators return to Raleigh.

Legislative Session Begins

The 2023-24 legislative session officially began this week as all 170 members of the North Carolina General Assembly took the oath of office shortly after noon on Wednesday and the leaders of both chambers were subsequently elected. Senator Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) was unanimously re-elected to a seventh term as President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Senator Berger has served as leader of the chamber for thirteen years, becoming the longest-serving state legislative leader in the country. Representative Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) was re-elected to a fifth term as Speaker of the House of Representatives, making him the longest-serving Speaker in North Carolina history.

Senator Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) was again elected to serve as Deputy President Pro Tempore of the Senate and Representative Sarah Stevens (R-Surry) was re-elected as Deputy Speaker of the House.

In the November election last year, Republicans gained two additional seats in the House and two more in the Senate. Republicans go into this new legislative biennium with a supermajority in the Senate, and one seat away from a supermajority in the House. Providing that all members are present and vote along party lines, a supermajority allows the Senate to override any potential vetoes by Democratic Governor Roy Cooper. If all members are present in the House, Republicans would need to flip at least one Democrat to override a veto.

“North Carolina voters returned a Republican supermajority to the state Senate, and we plan on honoring that endorsement of Republican governance,” said Senator Berger in prepared remarks after being sworn in. “Bills that did not cross the finish line, whether stalled in the legislative process or vetoed by the Governor, could certainly come up again. I know issues included voter ID, parental rights in schools, and tax cuts are on the minds of our members.”

During the previous two legislative sessions Republicans attempted to override vetoes on bills dealing with pandemic restrictions, regulatory reform, abortion access, and gun legislation, but were unsuccessful due to Democratic opposition in both chambers.

In his remarks, Senator Berger also pledged to revisit Medicaid expansion. “I support expanding Medicaid in North Carolina,” said Senator Berger. “However, we must recognize that it is not a silver bullet. North Carolinians are saddled with some of the highest healthcare costs in the country. We need to eliminate regulatory red tape and other bureaucratic barriers that impede access to care and unnecessarily increase medical costs.”

Additionally, Senator Berger spoke about education, which has been one of his top priorities in recent sessions, pledging to continue the legislature’s bipartisan work on increasing rates of reading comprehension in public schools while also taking a jab at the now-former Democratic-controlled Supreme Court’s order to fund the Comprehensive Remedial Plan to a tune of $1.75 billion. “We must disabuse ourselves of the notion that more money alone buys positive outcomes for our students,” Berger said, “success in education policy is about more than hitting some arbitrary funding goal.”

House Speaker Moore also spoke after his re-election and talked about his commitment to bridging the economic disparity gap between urban and rural communities. “Some of you represent communities where the population is going gangbusters, but others represent areas that are not seeing so much growth,” said Moore. “Some of our challenges, as we move forward this year and enact policies, we will do all we can to make sure that the North Carolina dream of growing and moving forward is one that is enjoyed by everyone around this state.”

The swearing in of members and adoption of rules were the only official business handled by either chamber. Lawmakers will return to Raleigh on Wednesday, January 25 at noon.

Senate Committees

This week, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) announced committee appointments for all Senators for the 2023-24 legislative biennium. Many returning lawmakers will retain their positions on committees, with some exceptions. Senator Jim Perry (R-Lenoir)will no longer serve as chair of the Senate Health Committee and will co-chair the Senate Finance Committee instead of Senator Warren Daniel (R-Burke), who will now chair the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Kevin Corbin (R-Macon) will take Senator Perry’s place as co-chair of Senate Health. Additionally, Senator Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) will serve as co-chair of the Senate Appropriations and Base Budget Committee, replacing former Senator Kathy Harrington who did not seek re-election last year. Lastly, a new vice chair position has been created for Senator Warren Daniel on the powerful Senate Rules Committee.

Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) has not yet announced the committee assignments in the House.

The Senate committee assignments are:

Agriculture, Energy, and Environment:

Chairs: Sens.Brent Jackson, Norman W. Sanderson, Lisa S. Barnes
Members: Sens.Jim Burgin, David W. Craven, Jr., Michael Garrett, Lisa Grafstein, Bobby Hanig, Rachel Hunt, Steve Jarvis, Tom McInnis, Natalie S. Murdock, E.S. “Buck” Newton, Paul Newton, Dean Proctor, Bill Rabon, DeAndrea Salvador, Eddie Settle, Kandie D. Smith, Mike Woodard

Appropriations/Base Budget:

Chairs: Sens.Brent Jackson, Ralph Hise, Michael V. Lee
Members: Sens.W. Ted Alexander, Lisa S. Barnes, Dan Blue, Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Jim Burgin, Jay J. Chaudhuri, Warren Daniel, Carl Ford, Amy S. Galey, Todd Johnson, Joyce Krawiec, Paul A. Lowe, Jr., Natasha R. Marcus, Tom McInnis, Mujtaba A. Mohammed, Bill Rabon, Gladys A. Robinson, DeAndrea Salvador, Norman W. Sanderson, Vickie Sawyer, Joyce Waddell, Mike Woodard

Commerce and Insurance:

Chairs: Sens. Todd Johnson, David W. Craven, Jr., Dean Proctor
Members: Sens. Gale Adcock, W. Ted Alexander, Val Applewhite, Sydney Batch, Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Kevin Corbin, Michael Garrett, Brent Jackson, Steve Jarvis, Paul A. Lowe, Jr., Natasha R. Marcus, Tom McInnis, Timothy D. Moffitt, Paul Newton, Brad Overcash, Jim Perry, Gladys A. Robinson, DeAndrea Salvador, Vickie Sawyer

Education/Higher Education:

Chairs: Sens. Michael V. Lee, Amy S. Galey
Members: Sens. Lisa S. Barnes, Jay J. Chaudhuri, Kevin Corbin, David W. Craven, Jr., Michael Garrett, Bobby Hanig, Michael A. Lazzara, Natasha R. Marcus, Julie Mayfield, Tom McInnis, Natalie S. Murdock, E.S. “Buck” Newton, Brad Overcash, Gladys A. Robinson, Norman W. Sanderson, Benton G. Sawrey, Joyce Waddell

Finance:

Chairs: Sens. Bill Rabon, Paul Newton, Jim Perry
Members: Sens. W. Ted Alexander, Sydney Batch, Dan Blue, Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Jim Burgin, Jay J. Chaudhuri, David W. Craven, Jr., Warren Daniel, Carl Ford, Ralph Hise, Brent Jackson, Todd Johnson, Joyce Krawiec, Michael A. Lazzara, Michael V. Lee, Paul A. Lowe, Jr., Natalie S. Murdock, Gladys A. Robinson, DeAndrea Salvador, Vickie Sawyer, Joyce Waddell, Mike Woodard

Health Care:

Chairs: Sens. Joyce Krawiec, Jim Burgin, Kevin Corbin
Members: Sens. Gale Adcock, Lisa S. Barnes, Sydney Batch, Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Amy S. Galey, Ralph Hise, Steve Jarvis, Julie Mayfield, Mujtaba A. Mohammed, Jim Perry, Gladys A. Robinson, Benton G. Sawrey, Mike Woodard

Judiciary:

Chairs: Sens. Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Warren Daniel, E.S. “Buck” Newton
Members: Sens. Sydney Batch, Dan Blue, Amy S. Galey, Lisa Grafstein, Rachel Hunt, Michael A. Lazzara, Michael V. Lee, Natasha R. Marcus, Mujtaba A. Mohammed, Paul Newton, Brad Overcash, Norman W. Sanderson, Benton G. Sawrey

Pensions and Retirement and Aging:

Chairs: Sens. Joyce Krawiec, Carl Ford
Members: Sens. W. Ted Alexander, Val Applewhite, Mary Wills Bode, Jim Burgin, Jay J. Chaudhuri, Kevin Corbin, Bobby Hanig, Ralph Hise, Rachel Hunt, Graig Meyer, Timothy D. Moffitt, Brad Overcash, Dean Proctor, Eddie Settle, Joyce Waddell

Redistricting and Elections:

Chairs: Sens. Ralph Hise, Warren Daniel, Paul Newton
Members: Sens. Dan Blue, Carl Ford, Amy S. Galey, Michael Garrett, Brent Jackson, Joyce Krawiec, Paul A. Lowe, Jr., Natasha R. Marcus, Julie Mayfield, Mujtaba A. Mohammed, Jim Perry, Bill Rabon, Norman W. Sanderson

Rules and Operations of the Senate:

Chair: Sen. Bill Rabon
Vice Chair: Sen. Warren Daniel
Members: Sens. Lisa S. Barnes, Dan Blue, Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Jay J. Chaudhuri, Ralph Hise, Brent Jackson, Todd Johnson, Joyce Krawiec, Michael V. Lee, Paul A. Lowe, Jr., Julie Mayfield, Tom McInnis, Mujtaba A. Mohammed, Paul Newton, Jim Perry, Norman W. Sanderson, Vickie Sawyer, Joyce Waddell, Mike Woodard

State and Local Government:

Chairs: Sens. W. Ted Alexander, Carl Ford, Steve Jarvis
Members: Sens. Val Applewhite, Mary Wills Bode, Kevin Corbin, Lisa Grafstein, Bobby Hanig, Michael A. Lazzara, Graig Meyer, Timothy D. Moffitt, Dean Proctor, Gladys A. Robinson, Benton G. Sawrey, Eddie Settle, Kandie D. Smith

Transportation:

Chairs: Sens. Tom McInnis, Vickie Sawyer, Michael A. Lazzara
Members: Sens. Gale Adcock, Mary Wills Bode, David W. Craven, Jr., Warren Daniel, Michael Garrett, Steve Jarvis, Todd Johnson, Graig Meyer, Timothy D. Moffitt, Natalie S. Murdock, E.S. “Buck” Newton, Dean Proctor, Bill Rabon, Eddie Settle, Kandie D. Smith, Mike Woodard

Joint Legislative Committee on Governmental Operations:

Chair: Sen. Phil Berger
Members: Sens. Ralph Hise (Ex Officio), Paul Newton (Ex Officio), W. Ted Alexander, Dan Blue, Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Jim Burgin, David W. Craven, Jr., Warren Daniel, Carl Ford, Michael Garrett, Brent Jackson, Steve Jarvis, Todd Johnson, Joyce Krawiec, Michael V. Lee, Tom McInnis, Jim Perry, Bill Rabon, Gladys A. Robinson, DeAndrea Salvador, Norman W. Sanderson, Vickie Sawyer, Joyce Waddell

Select Committee on Nominations:

Chair: Sen. Bill Rabon
Members: Sens. Dan Blue, Jay J. Chaudhuri, Warren Daniel, Ralph Hise, Brent Jackson, Joyce Krawiec, Paul Newton, Gladys A. Robinson, Norman W. Sanderson, Mike Woodard

Appropriations on Agriculture, Natural, and Economic Resources:

Chairs: Sens. Norman W. Sanderson, Todd Johnson, David W. Craven, Jr.
Members: Sens. Val Applewhite, Lisa S. Barnes, Paul A. Lowe, Jr., Tom McInnis, Timothy D. Moffitt, DeAndrea Salvador, Kandie D. Smith

Appropriations on Education/Higher Education:

Chairs: Sens. Amy S. Galey, Lisa S. Barnes, Dean Proctor
Members: Sens. Jay J. Chaudhuri, Bobby Hanig, Julie Mayfield, Brad Overcash, Joyce Waddell

Appropriations on General Government and Information Technology:

Chairs: Sens. W. Ted Alexander, Carl Ford, Steve Jarvis
Members: Sens. Mary Wills Bode, Rachel Hunt, Graig Meyer, Dean Proctor

Appropriations on Health and Human Services:

Chairs: Sens. Joyce Krawiec, Jim Burgin, Kevin Corbin
Members: Sens. Gale Adcock, Sydney Batch, Dan Blue, Gladys A. Robinson, Benton G. Sawrey, Eddie Settle

Appropriations on Justice and Public Safety:

Chairs: Sens. Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Warren Daniel
Members: Sens. Lisa Grafstein, Natasha R. Marcus, Mujtaba A. Mohammed, E.S. “Buck” Newton, Norman W. Sanderson

Appropriations on Department of Transportation:

Chairs: Sens. Tom McInnis, Vickie Sawyer, Michael A. Lazzara
Members: Sens. Michael Garrett, Natalie S. Murdock, Bill Rabon, Mike Woodard

Operation Polaris 2.0

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt (R) was elected in 2020 in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and has made learning loss recovery one of her top priorities. Superintendent Truitt's vision is in tandem with priorities of both the North Carolina Board of Education, who recently approved the beginnings of a plan to reform how educators are compensated to a performance-based model, and the North Carolina General Assembly, who passed the Excellent Public Schools Act of 2021 that mandates public school instruction be based on the science of reading. In 2021, Superintendent Truitt and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released “Operation Polaris,” with the “north star” of the plan to provide every student with a “highly qualified, excellent teacher in every classroom.”

This week, Truitt announced an update to the plan, “Operation Polaris 2.0” to build on the perceived accomplishments of DPI and state educational leaders since 2020, including expanding the mission of the Office of Learning Recovery and Acceleration (OLR), which Truitt added to DPI and called the plan’s most significant initiative. OLR currently uses a data-driven approach to develop programs to assist local schools and districts to intervene directly with students and address learning recovery. Operation Polaris 2.0 calls for the implementation of effective programs, in addition to designing summer academic and workforce-aligned programs for public schools. The updated plan also calls for statewide adoption of the science of reading, a phonics-based approach to early literacy instruction, as well as providing tailored support for low-performing school districts.