Senate Bill 410 Summary

• Clarifies that the Council of State is subject to open meetings laws and public records requirements under Article 33C of Chapter 143, with meetings to be documented in journals and minutes posted online by October 1, 2022.

• Prohibits North Carolina government agencies from entering into non-disclosure agreements to restrict access to public records, and requires that any such agreements be disclosed as public records unless confidential under statute.

• Adjusts composition of various state boards to reflect increased congressional apportionment following the 2020 census, changing appointment formulas from fixed numbers to those matching the state's current U.S. House delegation.

• Requires public bodies to inform members during open session that closed session discussions must be limited to permissible purposes cited in the motion, with presiding chairs certifying compliance upon return to open session.

• Establishes effective dates of October 1, 2022 for closed session procedures and January 1, 2023 for Council of State open meetings requirements, with board composition changes effective July 1, 2023.