NC S1404

Expands the list of crimes for which investigative grand juries can be convened to include corruption offenses, obstruction of justice, election law violations, perjury, embezzlement, forgery, extortion, and corporate malfeasance in addition to existing drug crime provisions.

Reorganizes the statutory language by creating a new subsection (i) that explicitly lists seven categories of crimes eligible for investigative grand jury convening, replacing the previous reference only to drug violations.

Maintains existing procedural requirements that investigative grand juries can only be convened upon petition by district attorneys or special prosecutors with approval from a three-member district attorney committee and Attorney General concurrence, reviewed by a three-judge panel.

Appropriates $25,000 from the General Fund to the Administrative Office of the Courts for the 2010-2011 fiscal year to cover administrative expenses related to implementing the expanded grand jury provisions.

Effective date of December 1, 2010 for Section 1 (the statutory amendments) and July 1, 2010 for remaining provisions (appropriations).