A new bill filed by State Rep. Harry Warren in the North Carolina House seeks to amend the constitution to set limits on the length of legislative sessions, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 761 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Limit Session Length.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill seeks to amend the North Carolina Constitution to limit the length of legislative sessions. It sets a maximum of 90 legislative days for regular sessions in odd-numbered years and 45 days in even-numbered years. Sessions reconvened under specific constitutional provisions will not count towards these limits and no actions other than adjournment resolutions may occur after the time limits expire. The bill mandates that this amendment be presented to North Carolina voters at the general election on Nov. 3, 2026. If a majority votes in favor, the amendment becomes effective upon certification by the State Board of Elections, applying to future legislative sessions.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Donny Lambeth proposed the most bills (48) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Warren graduated from Kent State University in 1972 with a BA.
Warren, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 76th House district, replacing previous state representative Carl Ford.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Warren, David Willis, Donny Lambeth, and Sam Watford | HB 761 | 04/02/2025 | Limit Session Length. |
| Harry Warren and Dennis Riddell | HB 693 | 04/02/2025 | Interstate Massage Compact. |
| Harry Warren and Stephen M. Ross | HB 694 | 04/02/2025 | Reg’l Water Study/IBT Subbasin/TMDL. |
| Harry Warren, Jennifer Balkcom, Matthew Winslow, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 593 | 03/31/2025 | Local Government Audits. |
| Harry Warren, Cody Huneycutt, Jeff Zenger, and Karl E. Gillespie | HB 381 | 03/12/2025 | On-Site Wastewater System Amendments. |
| Harry Warren, John M. Blust, Mike Schietzelt, and Ted Davis, Jr. | HB 375 | 03/11/2025 | AI/Ban Deceptive Ads. |
| Harry Warren, Jake Johnson, John M. Blust, and Julia C. Howard | HB 154 | 02/18/2025 | Reclaim State Assets from NCInnovation. |
| Harry Warren and Grant L. Campbell, MD | HB 136 | 02/17/2025 | Town of Faith/Even-Yr. Elect./Four-Yr.Terms. |
| Harry Warren, Donny Lambeth, John M. Blust, and Paul Scott | HB 142 | 02/17/2025 | Implement Zero-Based Budgeting. |
| Harry Warren and Dennis Riddell | HB 122 | 02/13/2025 | North Carolina Healing Arts Act. |
| Harry Warren, Brian Echevarria, Donnie Loftis, and Hugh Blackwell | HB 127 | 02/13/2025 | Voter Registration Drive Form. |
| Harry Warren, Dennis Riddell, Mark Brody, and Mary Belk | HB 99 | 02/11/2025 | Reflexologists Right to Work Act. |
| Harry Warren, Donnie Loftis, and Grant L. Campbell, MD | HB 75 | 02/10/2025 | Pharmaceutical Full Disclosure Act. |
| Harry Warren, Diane Wheatley, Jarrod Lowery, and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 79 | 02/10/2025 | North Carolina Work and Save. |
| Harry Warren, Brian Echevarria, Donnie Loftis, and Jonathan L. Almond | HB 81 | 02/10/2025 | Restrict Use of Vehicle Telematics. |
| Harry Warren, Julia C. Howard, Mark Brody, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 48 | 02/04/2025 | Increase UI Max Benefit/2025 UI Tax Credit. |
| Harry Warren, Chris Humphrey, and Paul Scott | HB 53 | 02/04/2025 | Increase Accident Thresholds/Safe Driver Plan. |
| Harry Warren | HB 10 | 01/29/2025 | Study State Travel Allowance Reimbursements. |
| Harry Warren, Allen Chesser, Erin Paré, and John R. Bell, IV | HB 11 | 01/29/2025 | No Tax on Tips, Overtime, Bonus Pay. |
| Harry Warren, David Willis, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and John R. Bell, IV | HB 12 | 01/29/2025 | Observe Standard Time All Year. |
| Harry Warren, Stephen M. Ross, and Steve Tyson | HB 13 | 01/29/2025 | Charges for Credit & Charge Cards. |
| Harry Warren, Howard Penny, Jr., Jay Adams, and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 24 | 01/29/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning Authority. |
| Harry Warren | HB 8 | 01/29/2025 | NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2025. |
