GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2023
SESSION LAW 2023-37
SENATE BILL 248
AN ACT to decrease the size of the Nash Board of education to seven members; to align the districts for the nash board of education with the districts of Nash County Board of commissioners; to provide for the boundaries of the nash school administrative unit to be IDENTICAL to the boundaries of nash county effective July 1, 2024; AND to provide for partisan elections for the members of the catawba county board of education, hickory city board of education, and newton‑conover City BOARD of education.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a) Except as provided in this section, the Nash Board of Education shall consist of seven members elected to staggered four‑year terms.
SECTION 1.(b) Members of the Nash Board of Education shall be elected on a nonpartisan basis at the time of the general election in even‑numbered years as terms expire. The election shall be conducted by the nonpartisan plurality method, and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163‑292. The filing period shall be from noon on the first Friday in July until noon on the third Friday in July of the even‑numbered year. Except as otherwise provided by this act, elections shall be conducted in accordance with Chapters 115C and 163 of the General Statutes.
SECTION 1.(c) Members of the Nash Board of Education shall be elected from seven single‑member electoral districts. The electoral districts shall be the same electoral districts as those for the Nash County Board of Commissioners. No person shall be eligible to file for, be elected to, or serve on the Nash Board of Education unless the person is a qualified voter and resident of the district from which the person seeks to be elected. Candidates shall be voted on by the voters residing in the district from which that candidate seeks election.
SECTION 1.(d) The Nash Board of Education shall organize in accordance with G.S. 115C‑41. Vacancies on the Nash Board of Education shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 115C‑37(f). To be eligible to fill a vacancy, the member shall reside in the district in which the vacating member was elected to serve.
SECTION 1.(e) All members who were elected to the Nash Board of Education in 2022 shall continue to serve on the Nash Board of Education until the end of the elected term. If a Nash Board of Education member elected in 2022 vacates office for any reason prior to the end of the elected term, the vacancy shall not be filled.
SECTION 1.(f) In addition to the members serving on the Nash Board of Education in accordance with subsection (e) of this section, seven members of the Nash Board of Education shall be elected in 2024. In order to implement staggered terms, members shall be elected to the Nash Board of Education as follows:
(1) In 2024, and every four years thereafter, members from Districts 1, 3, and 4 shall be elected to serve a four‑year term.
(2) In 2024, members from Districts 2, 5, 6, and 7 shall be elected to serve a two‑year term. In 2026, and every four years thereafter, members from Districts 2, 5, 6, and 7 shall be elected to serve a four‑year term.
SECTION 1.(g) This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to elections held on or after that date.
SECTION 2.(a) Effective July 1, 2024, the boundaries of the Nash School Administrative Unit shall be identical to the boundaries of Nash County. Any territory that was previously part of the Nash School Administrative Unit that is located outside of the boundaries of Nash County shall be annexed to the school administrative unit of the county in which the territory is located. Any local board of education gaining territory annexed into the school administrative unit under this section shall revise electoral districts in accordance with G.S. 115C‑37(i).
SECTION 2.(b) Effective July 1, 2024, the Nash Board of Education shall operate and administer all of the public schools located in the Nash School Administrative Unit.
SECTION 3.(a) S.L. 2016‑14 is repealed. The "Nash‑Rocky Mount School Administrative Unit" shall continue to be renamed the "Nash School Administrative Unit" and the "Nash‑Rocky Mount Board of Education" shall continue to be renamed the "Nash Board of Education."
SECTION 3.(b) No later than November 15, 2023, the boards of the school administrative units of Nash and Edgecombe, in consultation with the boards of county commissioners of Nash and Edgecombe Counties, shall submit a written plan of transfer to the State Board of Education setting forth the agreement of all four boards as to the transfer of that portion of the Nash School Administrative Unit located in Edgecombe County to the Edgecombe County Public School System. The provisions of the written plan of transfer shall be consistent with the General Statutes and shall contain at least the following:
(1) The power, authority, and duties of the Nash Board of Education and Edgecombe County Board of Education with respect to the employment of personnel, the preparation of budgets, student assignment, and any other related matters relevant to the area to be transferred effective July 1, 2024, not inconsistent with the General Statutes.
(2) Notwithstanding G.S. 115C‑518, the transfer of all funds, contracts, obligations, assets, and liabilities relevant to the area to be transferred effective July 1, 2024, from the Nash Board of Education to the Edgecombe County Board of Education, including consideration of real property, furnishings and improvements, encumbered and unencumbered property, equipment, buses, band and sports equipment, textbooks, other instructional materials, and library resources, computers, and supplies.
(3) Any other appropriate subject or function that may be necessary for the orderly transfer of the portion of the Nash School Administrative Unit located in Edgecombe County to be transferred to the Edgecombe County Public School System effective July 1, 2024.
SECTION 3.(c) If a written plan of transfer is not submitted to the State Board of Education pursuant to subsection (b) of this section by November 15, 2023, the State Board of Education shall prepare a written plan of transfer for the July 1, 2024, transition no later than December 31, 2023.
SECTION 3.(d) Unless agreed on by both of the boards of the school administrative units of Nash and Edgecombe and both of the boards of county commissioners of Nash and Edgecombe Counties, the written plan of transfer prepared pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall become final and shall not be modified or amended except by an act of the General Assembly. The written plan of transfer prepared pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section, along with any modifications to that written plan of transfer, shall be placed in the custody of the Nash Board of Education and Edgecombe County Board of Education, and shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
SECTION 3.(e) Except as otherwise provided for in the written plan of transfer prepared pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section and notwithstanding G.S. 115C‑518, the title to and ownership of all property of the Nash Board of Education located in Edgecombe County, both real and personal of every kind and description, shall be vested in the Edgecombe County Board of Education, and both boards of education shall execute all deeds and other instruments of conveyance as may be necessary and appropriate to vest record title to and ownership of any property located in Edgecombe County held by the Nash Board of Education in and to the Edgecombe County Board of Education on the transfer date of July 1, 2024.
SECTION 3.(f) Except as otherwise provided for in the written plan of transfer prepared pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section, the following shall apply:
(1) All claims and demands of every kind related to the public schools of the Nash School Administrative Unit located in Edgecombe County as of July 1, 2024, shall pass and be transferred to the Edgecombe County Public School System, and the Edgecombe County Public School System shall have the same powers and authority to enforce said claims and demands as the Nash School Administrative Unit would have had in the event of the continued control of those public schools.
(2) Any obligations and liabilities related to the public schools of the Nash School Administrative Unit located in Edgecombe County existing as of July 1, 2024, shall become the obligations and liabilities of the Edgecombe County Board of Education as of July 1, 2024, and such obligations and liabilities may be enforced against the Edgecombe County Board of Education thereafter to the same extent that they might have been enforced against the Nash Board of Education prior to the transfer.
SECTION 4.(a) Chapter 391 of the 1991 Session Laws is repealed.
SECTION 4.(b) Section 4 of S.L. 2003‑346 is repealed.
SECTION 4.(c) Section 1 of S.L. 2006‑87 is repealed.
SECTION 4.(d) S.L. 2007‑316 is repealed.
SECTION 4.(e) This section becomes effective July 1, 2024.
SECTION 5.(a) Section 1 of Chapter 874 of the 1969 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 170 of the 1985 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Section 1. The Board of Education of Catawba County Board of
Education shall continue to be constituted with consist of seven
members as its membership, and the present members of the Board of Education
of Catawba County shall continue to hold their offices for the terms of office
now established and until the term of office of each member has expired as
follows:
H.T.
Campbell First Monday in December,
1970
Fred H.
Lytton First Monday in December,
1970
Martin S.
Keisler First Monday in December, 1972
Bruce
Teague First Monday in December,
1972
John
Hunsucker First Monday in December,
1972
and his
successor has been elected and qualified as hereinafter set forth.elected to staggered four‑year terms."
SECTION 5.(b) Section 2 of Chapter 874 of the 1969 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 170 of the 1985 Session Laws and Chapter 132 of the 1995 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 2. In the general
election in 1986, there shall be elected four members of the Board of Education
of Catawba County. In the general election in 1988, there shall be elected
three members of the Board of Education of Catawba County. All members so
elected shall hold their offices for four years, and serve until
their successors are elected and qualified. Beginning in 1996, as vacancies
occur in the membership of Seats on the Catawba County Board
of Education of Catawba County by reason of expiration of terms of office,
they shall be filled by nomination in the primaries and by election
in the general elections according to the number of vacancies to be filled
and according to the procedure set forth in this Act."
SECTION 5.(c) Section 3 of Chapter 874 of the 1969 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 382 of the 1979 Session Laws and Chapter 132 of the 1995 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 3. All persons desiring
to be candidates for membership on said the Catawba County Board
of Education shall file a notice of candidacy with the Board of
Elections of Catawba County not earlier than noon on the first Monday in
June and not later than noon on the first Friday in July in the year of the
election, which at the same time as candidates for other county offices.
The notice shall state the name of each candidate, his age candidate's
name, age, and place of residence, and which shall be accompanied by a
filing fee of ten dollars ($10.00)."
SECTION 5.(d) Section 4 of Chapter 874 of the 1969 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 132 of the 1995 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 4. Notwithstanding the
provisions of G.S. 115C‑37, the Catawba County Board of Education
shall be elected on a nonpartisan basis at the time set by G.S. 163-1 for
the general election in each even-numbered year as terms expire. The election
shall be conducted on a nonpartisan plurality basis, with the results
determined in accordance with G.S. 163-292. The names of the candidates shall
be printed on the ballot without reference to any party affiliations. partisan
basis. Except as provided by this act, the election shall be conducted in
accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapters 115C and 163 of the
General Statutes. Members of the Catawba County Board of Education of
Catawba County shall take office and qualify on the First first Monday
in December following their election."
SECTION 5.(e) Section 5 of Chapter 874 of the 1969 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 132 of the 1995 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 5. All candidates in any primary or general
election held under this Act shall be qualified electors voters of
Catawba County who reside outside the boundaries of the Hickory Administrative
School Unit and the Newton‑Conover Administrative School Unit, and shall
be voted upon at large by the electors voters in Catawba County
who reside outside the boundaries of the Hickory Administrative School Unit and
the Newton‑Conover Administrative School Unit."
SECTION 5.(f) Chapter 874 of the 1969 Session Laws is amended by adding a new section to read:
"Sec. 6.1. Vacancies on the Catawba County Board of Education shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 115C‑37.1."
SECTION 5.(g) This act does not affect the term of office of any member elected in 2020 or 2022 to the Catawba County Board of Education. The members of the Catawba County Board of Education elected in 2020 and 2022, or any member appointed to fill a vacancy for the remainder of an unexpired term for a member elected in 2020 or 2022, shall serve until a successor has been elected and qualified. Any vacancy on the Catawba County Board of Education for a member elected in 2020 and 2022 shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the Board.
SECTION 5.(h) This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to elections held in 2024 and thereafter.
SECTION 6.(a) Section 1 of Chapter 930 of the 1971 Session Laws reads as rewritten:
"Section 1. The Hickory City Board of Education of the
Hickory Administrative School Unit shall continue to consist of
seven (7) members, and the present members of the Board of Education
of the Hickory Administrative School Unit shall continue to hold their offices
for the terms of office hereby established and until the term of office of each
member has expired as follows:
Ward 1 William L. Cauble, Jr. First Monday in Dec.
1973
Ward 2 C. R. Cagle First Monday in Dec. 1973
Ward 3 Gene D. Smith First Monday in Dec. 1973
Ward 4 Sam Dula First Monday in Dec. 1971
Ward 5 Dr. W. E. Leonard First Monday in Dec.
1973
Ward 6 Mrs. J. E. Barringer First Monday in
Dec. 1971
Member-
at-Large Weldon S. Fanjoy First Monday in Dec.
1971
or until
his successor has been elected and qualified as hereinafter provided and
thereafter the term of office of each member of the Board shall be four years.elected to staggered four‑year terms."
SECTION 6.(b) Section 3 of Chapter 930 of the 1971 Session Laws reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 3. One (1) member of the Hickory City Board of
Education shall be elected from each ward by the qualified voters of the
ward, and the member must be a resident of the ward. One (1) member of
the Hickory City Board of Education shall be elected at large by the
qualified voters of the entire unit. The election shall be nonpartisan and
no primary election shall be held. Members shall be elected on a
partisan basis at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered
year as terms expire. Candidates for election to the Hickory City Board of
Education shall be nominated at the same time and manner as county officers. Except
as provided by this act, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the
applicable provisions of Chapters 115C and 163 of the General Statutes. The
election shall be held and conducted by the Catawba County Board of Elections
and the expense of the election shall be paid by Catawba County. Registration
and the election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the laws, rules
and regulations applicable to elections for County offices except as otherwise
provided in this act.Elections."
SECTION 6.(c) Section 4 of Chapter 930 of the 1971 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 382 of the 1979 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 4. Candidates for membership on the Hickory City Board of Education shall file their a notice
of candidacy with the Catawba County Board of Elections, on forms
prescribed by the Board, not later than 5:00 p.m. on the ninth Friday
preceding the election, at the same time as candidates for county
officers, and pay a filing fee of five dollars ($5.00). If more than two
(2) candidates file from a ward, or as an at-large candidate, the person
receiving a plurality of the votes cast shall be declared elected.All
candidates in any primary or general election held under this act shall be
qualified voters of Catawba County who reside within the boundaries of the Hickory
Administrative School Unit and, if filing for a seat representing a ward,
reside within that ward."
SECTION 6.(d) Section 7 of Chapter 930 of the 1971 Session Laws reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 7. Beginning in 1973, except as otherwise specifically
provided herein elections under this act shall be held on the same date as
regular municipal elections in the City of Hickory for the purpose of electing
members to the Board of Education to take the place of the members whose terms
next expire. The members elected shall take office and qualify on
the first Monday in December following their election and shall serve for
terms of four (4) years, and until their successors are elected and
qualified."
SECTION 6.(e) Section 10 of Chapter 930 of the 1971 Session Laws reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 10. All vacancies in the membership of the Hickory City Board
of Education shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the
Board. If a vacancy occurs during the first two years of a term, such
appointment shall be only until the next regular election for seats on the
Board, at which time such vacancy shall be filled by election for the remaining
two years of the term. If a vacancy occurs during the last two years of a term,
such appointment shall be for the remainder of the term.in accordance
with G.S. 115C‑37.1. For the purposes of that section, the Hickory
City Board of Education shall be considered a county board of education."
SECTION 6.(f) Sections 5 and 6 of Chapter 930 of the 1971 Session Laws are repealed.
SECTION 6.(g) No election for the Hickory City Board of Education shall occur in 2023. The terms of office for the three members of the Hickory City Board of Education serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the four members of the Hickory City Board of Education serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular elections for the Hickory City Board of Education shall be conducted in even‑numbered years beginning in 2024.
SECTION 6.(h) The members of the Hickory City Board of Education elected in 2019 and 2021, or any member appointed to fill a vacancy for the remainder of an unexpired term for a member elected in 2019 or 2021, shall serve until a successor has been elected and qualified. Any vacancy on the Hickory City Board of Education for a member elected in 2019 and 2021 shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the Hickory City Board of Education.
SECTION 6.(i) This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to elections held on or after that date.
SECTION 7.(a) Chapter 200 of the Private Laws of 1935, as amended by Chapter 716 of the 1961 Session Laws and Chapter 81 of the 1967 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Section 1. That at the
next municipal election to be held on the first Monday in May, one thousand
nine hundred thirty-five, there shall be elected by the qualified voters
residing in the Newton-Conover City Administrative Unit four members to serve
on the Board of Trustees of said administrative unit, the election to be held
under and subject to the same rules and regulations governing the nominating
and electing of municipal officers of the Town of Newton. Said election to be
held by having two voting places, one in the Town Hall in the Town of Newton,
and all qualified voters residing in the old Newton Graded School District,
viz: within the boundary lines of the Newton Graded School District as of
January first, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-one, shall be allowed to
vote at such an election at the Newton voting precinct, and the other voting
precinct shall be in the school building, or in the Town hall, in the Town of
Conover, North Carolina, and all qualified voters residing in the old Conover
Special Tax School District, viz: within the boundary lines of said old Conover
Special Tax School District as of January first, one thousand nine hundred and
thirty-one, shall be allowed to vote at such an election at the Conover voting
precinct. The Board of Trustees for said administrative unit shall consist of
six members, four of whom shall reside within the limits of the old Newton
Graded School District, and the remaining two shall reside in that territory
formerly known as the Conover Special Tax School District. The terms of office
for said trustees shall be as follows: D. B. Gaither and O. R. Cline shall
continue as members of the Newton-Conover City Administrative Unit until their
present term of office expires on the first Monday in May, one thousand nine
hundred and thirty-six. Two members, one from Newton and one from Conover
District, shall be elected on the first Monday in May, one thousand nine
hundred and thirty-five, for a term of two years. Two members, one from Newton
and one from Conover District, shall be elected on the first Monday in May, one
thousand nine hundred and thirty-five, for a term of three years. On the first
Monday in May in each year thereafter there shall be elected two trustees who
shall hold office for a period of three years to succeed those whose terms
expire.The Newton‑Conover City Board of Education shall consist of
six members. Members shall serve staggered four‑year terms. Three members
shall represent the Newton district. Three members shall represent the Conover
district.
"Sec. 1˝. (a) Qualified voters
residing in the area hereinbefore defined as "Old Conover Special
School Tax District" shall vote for the Trustees members of the
Newton‑Conover City Board of Education residing in that district only
and the qualified voters residing in the area hereinbefore defined as
the "Old Newton Graded School District" shall vote for the Trustees
members of the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education residing
in that district only, so that the Conover representatives shall be elected exclusively
by voters and residents of the Conover district and the Newton representatives
shall be elected exclusively by voters and residents of the Newton district.
At each election herein provided for, the Town of Conover shall provide a
separate ballot to be used in the election of Trustees of the School Unit containing
the names of the Conover candidates only and the City of Newton shall provide a
separate ballot to be used in the election of Trustees of the School Unit containing
the names of the Newton candidates only.
(b) For the purpose of
conducting the elections herein provided for, for members of the
Newton‑Conover City Board of Education, the division and boundary
line separating the said Old Conover Special School Tax District and the
Old Newton Graded School District is hereby established and re‑defined as
follows:
…
"Sec. 2. That the election
officials of the Town of Newton, North Carolina, shall conduct said election,
appoint the registrars, judges, and other poll holders necessary, and do each
and everything necessary in conducting said election, under the rules governing
and controlling regular and special municipal elections, of the voting precinct
located in the Town of Newton. That the election officials of the Town of
Conover, North Carolina, shall conduct the election at the voting precinct in
the Town of Conover in the same manner as herein provided for the Town of
Newton: Provided, that any special election may be called by the
election officials of said Towns meeting in joint session.Members of the
Newton‑Conover City Board of Education shall be elected on a partisan
basis at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year as
terms expire. Candidates for election to the Newton‑Conover City Board of
Education shall be nominated at the same time and manner as county officers. Except
as provided by this act, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the
applicable provisions of Chapters 115C and 163 of the General Statutes.
"Sec. 3. That a special
book shall be provided in each voting place for the registration of voters
residing within the limits of each voting place, or precinct, as set out
herein, who shall register and vote in the precinct in which they reside, and
special boxes shall be provided at each voting place, to wit, in the Town Hall
in Newton, North Carolina, and in the school building or Town Hall in Conover,
North Carolina, in which shall be deposited the votes for said trustees: Provided,
that all legally qualified voters now registered in the Town of Newton or in
the former Newton Graded School District shall be deemed legally registered in
the said Newton precinct and all legally qualified voters now registered in the
Town of Conover or in the old Conover Special Tax District shall be deemed
legally registered in the Conover precinct, and such registered voters shall
not be required to re-register except and unless a new registration shall be
ordered in either or both of said precincts by the election officials of the
Towns of Newton and Conover meeting in joint session.Candidates for
membership on the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education shall file a
notice of candidacy with the Catawba County Board of Elections, on forms
prescribed by the Catawba County Board of Elections, at the same time as
candidates for county officers. All candidates in any primary or general
election held under this act shall be qualified voters of Catawba County who
reside within the boundaries of the Newton‑Conover Administrative School Unit
and who reside in the district for the seat apportioned to that district.
"Sec. 4. That the said
trustees Elected members of the Newton‑Conover City Board of
Education shall take office and qualify and enter upon their duties
as such officers on the first Monday next in December following
the election as herein provided, and shall have all the powers, authorities
and duties conferred and imposed upon the trustees now acting as trustees of
the said Newton-Conover City Administrative Unit and the said trustees now
serving, with the exception of D. B. Gaither and O. R. Cline, shall, when the
four trustees herein provided for have been elected and qualified, be relieved
of all further duties powers and authorities as such trustees.election.
Members shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified.
"Sec. 5. That the said
trustees, as herein provided for, Each year, the members of the Newton‑Conover
City Board of Education shall at their first meeting elect from
their number a chairman, who shall a chair to serve for one year,
and that thereafter at the first meeting after each election they shall elect a
chairman to serve for one year.
"Sec. 6. That the expense
of the election herein provided for as held in the Town of Newton shall be paid
by the Town of Newton from the general funds of said Town. That the expense of
the election herein provided for as held in the Town of Conover shall be paid
by the Town of Conover from the general funds of said Town.The election
shall be held and conducted by the Catawba County Board of Elections.
"Sec. 7. That vacancies
occurring Vacancies on the Newton‑Conover City Board of
trustees Education shall be filled by appointments made by the
remaining members of said Board at the time of such vacancy.in
accordance with G.S. 115C‑37.1. For the purposes of that section,
the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education shall be considered a county
board of education.
…."
SECTION 7.(b) No election for the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education shall occur in 2023. The terms of office for the three members of the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the three members of the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular elections for the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education shall be conducted in even‑numbered years beginning in 2024.
SECTION 7.(c) The members of the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education elected in 2019 and 2021, or any member appointed to fill a vacancy for the remainder of an unexpired term for a member elected in 2019 or 2021, shall serve until a successor has been elected and qualified. Any vacancy on the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education for a member elected in 2019 and 2021 shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education.
SECTION 7.(d) This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to elections held on or after that date.
SECTION 8.(a) G.S. 115C‑37.1(d) reads as rewritten:
"(d) This section shall apply only to the Hickory City Board of Education and the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education and in the following counties: Alleghany, Beaufort, Brunswick, Burke, Caldwell, Carteret, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Craven, Dare, Davie, Graham, Guilford, Harnett, Hyde, Iredell, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Vance, Washington, and Yancey."
SECTION 8.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2024.
SECTION 9. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 12th day of June, 2023.
s/ Phil Berger
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
s/ Erin Paré
Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives