NC S649

Restricts public records access in North Carolina to residents of the state by replacing "people" or "person" with "residents of this State" throughout the public records statutes.

Modifies G.S. 132-1(b) to establish that public records are property of state residents rather than the general public, maintaining the policy of free or minimal-cost access for those residents.

Creates an exception in G.S. 132-6(a1) allowing clerk of court and register of deeds records to remain accessible to any person regardless of residency, subject to other chapter requirements.

Applies the residency requirement to all public records access provisions including inspection rights, copy requests, fee appeals, and court enforcement actions for denied access.

Takes effect October 1, 2017 and applies to all requests for inspection or copying made on or after that date.