NC H706

Requires majority concurrence of the Council of State (nine officials including Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and others) before the Governor can declare a statewide state of emergency affecting 45 or more counties, with the Council given 120 hours to respond.

Limits statewide emergency declarations to 21 days maximum after Council concurrence is obtained, and prevents the Governor from issuing substantially similar emergency orders during that period.

Requires the General Assembly to convene in extra session if a statewide emergency declaration has existed continuously for 21 days or more, with members voting on a joint resolution to continue or end the emergency.

Exempts the extra session requirement if the General Assembly is already in regular session or scheduled to reconvene within 21 days of the emergency declaration.

Submits a constitutional amendment to voters in November 2022 to formalize the legislative convening requirement for statewide emergencies lasting 21 days or longer.