H.B. 701
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Apr 18, 2023
SESSION 2023 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH40372-MC-91
Short Title: Read the Constitution Mandate. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Riddell.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO READ THE
3 STATE AND FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONS PRIOR TO TAKING THE OATH OF
4 OFFICE.
5 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
6 SECTION 1. G.S. 11-7 reads as rewritten:
7 "§ 11-7. Oath or affirmation to support Constitutions; all officers to take.
8 Every member of the General Assembly and every person elected or appointed to hold any
9 office of trust or profit in the State shall, before taking office or entering upon the execution of
10 the office, (i) read or affirm having read within the past 12 months both the Constitution of the
11 United States and the Constitution of this State and (ii) take and subscribe to the following oath:
12 "I, ___________, do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will support the Constitution of the
13 United States; that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of North Carolina, and
14 to the constitutional powers and authorities which are or may be established for the government
15 thereof; and that I will endeavor to support, maintain and defend the Constitution of said State,
16 not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States, to the best of my knowledge and
17 ability; so help me God.""
18 SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law and applies to oaths
19 administered on or after that date.
*DRH40372-MC-91*


Statutes affected:
Filed: 11-7
Edition 1: 11-7