H.B. 685
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Apr 18, 2023
SESSION 2023 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH10352-BK-16
Short Title: Letters of Character Ref and Study. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Harrison.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO CLARIFY WHEN A COVERED PERSON MAY USE THE PUBLIC POSITION
3 WITH RESPECT TO LETTERS OF CHARACTER REFERENCE FOR INDIVIDUALS
4 SEEKING UNPAID WORK AND FOR INDIVIDUALS BEING NOMINATED FOR
5 PUBLIC SERVICE AWARDS FROM THE STATE AND TO REQUIRE THE
6 LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMITTEE AND THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION TO
7 CONDUCT A STUDY OF ETHICAL STANDARDS AND THEIR POWERS, DUTIES,
8 AND FUNCTIONS.
9 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
10 SECTION 1.(a) G.S. 138A-31(b)(7) is amended by adding two sub-subdivisions to
11 read:
12 "e. An individual seeking an internship, externship, fellowship, or any
13 other unpaid volunteer work program, at the request of that individual
14 or in response to the inquiry of an organization offering the position as
15 to the qualifications and character of that individual.
16 f. An individual being nominated for an award recognizing public
17 service to the State or one of its political subdivisions."
18 SECTION 1.(b) This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to letters
19 written on or after that date.
20 SECTION 2.(a) In addition to the requirements of G.S. 120-105, the Legislative
21 Ethics Committee shall study the ethical standards for legislators and the powers, duties, and
22 functions of the Committee. The purpose of the study is to examine if revisions are necessary to
23 provide more effective advice to legislators and enhance the trust of the public. As part of the
24 study, the Legislative Ethics Committee is directed to study all of the following:
25 (1) Whether revisions to the Legislative Ethics Act, Article 14 of Chapter 120 of
26 the General Statutes, are needed.
27 (2) Whether revisions to the State Government Ethics Act, Chapter 138A of the
28 General Statutes, are needed.
29 (3) Whether revisions to the lobbying laws in Chapter 120C of the General
30 Statutes are needed.
31 SECTION 2.(b) The Committee shall report its findings and recommendations to
32 the 2024 Regular Session of the 2023 General Assembly no later than January 15, 2024.
33 SECTION 3.(a) In addition to the requirements of G.S. 138A-10(a)(9) and (a)(11),
34 the State Ethics Commission shall study the ethical standards for legislators and public servants
35 and the powers, duties, and functions of the Commission. The purpose of the study is to examine
36 if revisions are necessary to provide more effective advice to legislators and public servants and
*DRH10352-BK-16*
 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023
1 enhance the trust of the public. As part of the study, the Commission is directed to study whether
2 revisions to the State Government Ethics Act, Chapter 138A of the General Statutes, are needed.
3 SECTION 3.(b) The Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to
4 the 2024 Regular Session of the 2023 General Assembly no later than January 15, 2024.
5 SECTION 4. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes
6 law.
Page 2 DRH10352-BK-16


Statutes affected:
Filed: 138A-31
Edition 1: 138A-31