reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.1 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.1 - Contesting a seat.

 120-10.1. Contesting a seat.Except as otherwise provided by rules of the house, a contest of the qualifications as a candidate or election of a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate under Article II, Section 20 of the Constitution shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Article. (2005-3, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.2 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.2 - Definitions.

 120-10.2. Definitions.As used in this Article, the following terms mean:(1) Clerk. - The Principal Clerk of the house in which the election of the seat is being contested.(2) Committee. - The Committee on Rules of the appropriate house unless, by rule, the house has designated another committee to hear contests.(3) Contest. - A challenge to the apparent election of a member of the General Assembly or a request to determine an undecided election to a seat of the General Assembly in accordance with the provisions of this Article.(4) Contestant. - An unsuccessful candidate in an election to which this Article applies who initiates a contest.(5) Contestee. - A candidate in an election to which this Article applies who is not a contestant.(6) Notice of intent. - The notice required to initiate a contest in accordance with the provisions of this Article.(7) Unsuccessful candidate. - A candidate for an elective office to which this Article applies who has not been issued a certificate of election. (2005-3, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.3 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.3 - Initiating a contest.

 120-10.3. Initiating a contest.(a) Who May Initiate. - A contest may be initiated only by a contestant by the filing of a written notice of the intent to petition for a contest in accordance with this section.(b) When May Initiate. - The notice of intent may be filed no earlier than the date provided in G.S. 163-182.5 for the canvass by the board of elections with jurisdiction for the office under G.S. 163-182.4. The notice of intent must be filed no later than the latter of: (i) 10 days after a certificate of election has been issued, or (ii) 10 days after the conclusion of the election protest procedure under Article 15A of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes, but in no event may a contestant initiate a contest later than 30 days after the convening of a regular or special session of the General Assembly next after the election.(c) Content of Notice. - A notice of intent shall state the grounds for the contest. The grounds shall be either or both of the following:(1) Objections to the eligibility or qualifications of the contestee as a candidate in the election based on specific allegations.(2) Objections to the conduct or results of the election accompanied by specific allegations that if proven true would have a probable impact on the outcome of the election.The notice of intent shall also state that a contestee shall file an answer to the notice of intent in accordance with G.S. 120-10.4. The notice of intent shall be signed by the contestant and shall be verified in accordance with Rule 11(b) of the Rules of Civil Procedure.  (2005-3, s. 2; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, ss. 3.1(a), (b), 6.1.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.4 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.4 - Answering a notice of intent.

 120-10.4. Answering a notice of intent.Within 10 days after service of the notice of intent on a contestee, a contestee shall file a written answer with the clerk. The contestee's answer shall admit or deny the allegations on which the contestant relies, or state that the contestee has no knowledge or information concerning an allegation which shall be deemed denial, and state any other defenses, in law or fact, on which the contestee relies and any different or additional issues the contestee wants considered. The answer shall be signed by the contestee and shall be verified in accordance with Rule 11(b) of the Rules of Civil Procedure. The failure to file an answer shall be deemed to be a general denial of the allegations. (2005-3, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.5 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.5 - Filings and service.

 120-10.5. Filings and service.The notice of intent to contest shall be filed by the contestant with the clerk and copies thereof served by the contestant on the contestee as provided under Rule 4(j)(1) of the Rules of Civil Procedure. Proof of service shall be filed with the clerk in accordance with G.S. 1-75.10. The answer, petition, and any reply and copies thereof shall be filed with the clerk, and copies shall be served on the opposing party or the opposing party's counsel, if any, in the manner prescribed by Rule 5 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. (2005-3, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.6 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.6 - Discovery.

 120-10.6. Discovery.(a) Depositions. - After service of the notice of intent, any party, after five days notice to the other party or parties may take depositions to sustain or invalidate the election. The contestant shall complete the taking of depositions to submit with the contestant's petition at any time within 20 days following the date of service of the notice of intent, and a contestee shall complete the taking of the contestee's depositions within 30 days following the date of service of the notice of intent on the contestee. By written stipulation of the parties, the testimony of any witness may be filed in the form of an affidavit by the witness within the same time limitations prescribed for the taking of depositions. Every deposition shall be taken before a person authorized by law to administer oaths, who shall certify and seal the deposition in the same manner as in judicial civil proceedings and file the same with the clerk.(b) Witnesses. - Subpoenas for witnesses in a contest shall be issued upon the application of either party or upon motion of the committee under the same procedures as under Article 5A of this Chapter and shall be enforced as provided under G.S. 120-19.4. Witnesses shall be entitled to the same allowances and privileges, and be subject to the same penalties, as witnesses summoned to attend the courts. (2005-3, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.7 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.7 - Petitions.

 120-10.7. Petitions.(a) Filing. - A written petition shall be filed by the contestant with the clerk within 40 days following the date of service of the notice of intent. The petition shall set forth the facts and arguments supporting the case of the contestant. A contestee may file a written reply to the petition within five days following its service on the contestee.(b) Affidavits. - No affidavit may be made a part of, or filed in support of, a petition or reply thereto unless the affidavit has previously been filed with the clerk, pursuant to the written stipulation of the parties or their counsel, on or before the date established by G.S. 120-10.6 for the completion of the taking of depositions by the proponent of the affidavit. (2005-3, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.8 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.8 - Referral to committee.

 120-10.8. Referral to committee.(a) Referral. - The clerk shall refer the notice, answer, petition, reply, depositions, and affidavits to the committee, which documents shall constitute part of the record in the contest. The committee shall hear the contest and conduct such investigation as has been directed by resolution of its house.(b) Procedure. - The committee shall set a schedule for taking depositions and receiving affidavits. The committee may consider the contestant's and contestee's recommendations for the procedural schedule. The committee may hold hearings and may compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents in its inquiry in accordance with Article 5A of this Chapter. The committee may accept the filing of briefs. The committee may order the recount of the ballots in the election and may seek and obtain the assistance of the State Board of Elections in the interpretation and counting of ballots.(c) Compel Discovery. - No witness in a contest shall be excused from discovering whether the witness voted in the election that is the subject of the contest or the witness's qualification to vote, except as to the witness's conviction for any offense which would disqualify the witness from voting. If the witness was not a qualified voter, the witness shall be compelled to discover for whom the witness voted; but any witness making such discovery shall not be subject to criminal or penal prosecution for having voted in the election.(d) Report. - The committee shall report its findings as to the law and the facts and make recommendations to the house for its action.  (2005-3, s. 2; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, ss. 3.1(a), (b), 6.1.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.9 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.9 - Basis for decision.

 120-10.9. Basis for decision.(a) Eligibility and Qualification. - If the contest is as to the eligibility or qualifications of the contestee, the house shall determine if the contestee is eligible and qualified. If it determines that the contestee is not eligible or not qualified, it shall order a new election.(b) Conduct or Results of Election. - If the contest is as to the conduct or results of the election, the house shall determine which candidate received the highest number of votes. If it can determine which candidate received the highest number of votes, it shall seat that person as a member of the house. If it cannot determine which candidate received the highest number of votes, it may order a new election, or may order such other relief, as may be necessary and proper. If it determines that two or more candidates shall be equal and highest in votes, the provisions of G.S. 163-182.8 shall apply.  (2005-3, s. 2; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, ss. 3.1(a), (b), 6.1.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.10 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.10 - Jurisdiction.

 120-10.10. Jurisdiction.A contest of any election held at the same time and place as members of the General Assembly are elected shall be considered by the newly elected house. Any other contest shall be heard by the house sitting at the time of the election. (2005-3, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.11 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.11 - Judicial proceedings abated.

 120-10.11. Judicial proceedings abated.Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon the initiation of a contest under this Article, any judicial proceedings involving either the contestant or the contestee encompassing the issues set forth in the notice of intent or an answer thereto concerning the election that is the subject of the contest shall abate. The clerk shall file a copy of the notice of intent and final determination with the court in any judicial proceeding pending prior to the filing of the notice of intent. (2005-3, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.12 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.12 - Determination of house not reviewable.

 120-10.12. Determination of house not reviewable.The decision of one of the houses of the General Assembly in determining a contest pursuant to this Article may not be reviewed by the General Court of Justice. (2005-3, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.13 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.13 - Bad faith costs assessed.

 120-10.13. Bad faith costs assessed.The prevailing party in any contest may recover that party's costs incurred in conjunction with the contest in a civil action, upon a showing that the other party filed, pursued, maintained, or defended the contest in bad faith and without substantial justification. (2005-3, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-10.14 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3 - Contests.|§ 120-10.14 - Applicability.

 120-10.14. Applicability.This Article applies only to a general or special election and does not apply to a primary or any other part of the nominating process. (2005-3, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-11.1 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3A - Sessions; Electronic Voting.|§ 120-11.1 - Time of meeting.

 120-11.1. Time of meeting.The regular session of the Senate and House of Representatives shall be held biennially beginning at 12:00 noon on the second Wednesday in January next after their election, and on that day they shall meet solely to elect officers, adopt rules, and otherwise organize the session. When they adjourn that day, they stand adjourned until 12:00 noon on the third Wednesday after the second Monday in January next after their election.  (1967, c. 1181; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1066, s. 21; 2012-194, s. 66.5(a); 2015-264, s. 68.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-11.2 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 3A - Sessions; Electronic Voting.|§ 120-11.2 - Installation and use of electronic voting apparatus.

 120-11.2. Installation and use of electronic voting apparatus.(a) The General Assembly of North Carolina shall, in accordance with rules adopted by each of the respective bodies, vote by use of electronic voting apparatus. The electronic voting apparatus shall be purchased by and installed under the direct supervision of the Legislative Services Commission as soon as is practicable, but in any event the apparatus shall be installed and fully operational as soon as possible after January 1, 1975.(b) The rules of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall be amended so as to provide for the installation and use of electronic voting apparatus.(c) Working plans for the installation of electronic voting equipment shall be submitted to the Legislative Services Commission for approval to the end that the architectural integrity of the building may be preserved. (1973, c. 488, ss. 1-3.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-12 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 4 - Reports of Officers to General Assembly.|§ 120-12 - Reports from State institutions and departments.

 120-12. Reports from State institutions and departments.It shall be the duty of the chief officer of each department of the State and of the boards of directors of all institutions supported in whole or in part by appropriations from the State, to submit to the General Assembly, with their respective reports, bills providing for the support and management of their respective departments; these reports, with those of the other officers of the executive department, shall be submitted to the Governor, to be transmitted by him with his message to the General Assembly. (1800, c. 557, s. 2, P.R.; Code, s. 2865; Rev., s. 4410; C.S., s. 6099.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-12.1 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 4 - Reports of Officers to General Assembly.|§ 120-12.1 - Reports on vacant positions in the Judicial Department and two other departments.

 120-12.1. Reports on vacant positions in the Judicial Department and two other departments.The Judicial Department, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Public Safety shall each report by February 1 of each year to the Chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the Chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety on all positions within that department that have remained vacant for 12 months or more. The report shall include the original position vacancy dates, the dates of any postings or repostings of the positions, and an explanation for the length of the vacancies.  (1998-212, s. 16.23; 2011-145, s. 19.1(g), (h); 2012-83, s. 42; 2013-410, s. 10.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-14 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 5 - Investigating Committees.|§ 120-14 - Power of committees.

 120-14. Power of committees.Any committee of investigation raised either by joint resolution or resolution of either house of the General Assembly has full power to send for persons and papers, and, if necessary, to compel attendance and production of papers by attachment or otherwise. (1869-70, c. 5, s. 1; Code, s. 2853; Rev., s. 4412; C.S., s. 6100.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-15 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 5 - Investigating Committees.|§ 120-15 - Chairman may administer oaths.

 120-15. Chairman may administer oaths.The chairman of any committee or any person in his presence, and under his direction, shall have power and authority to administer oaths. (1869-70, c. 5, s. 3; Code, s. 2856; Rev., s. 4413; C.S., s. 6101.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-16 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 5 - Investigating Committees.|§ 120-16 - Pay of witnesses.

 120-16. Pay of witnesses.Any witness appearing and giving testimony shall be entitled to receive from the person at whose instance he was summoned ten cents (10 ) for every mile traveling to and from his residence, and ferriage, to be recovered in the district court upon the certificate of the commissioner. (1800, c. 557, s. 2, P.R.; R.C., c. 52, s. 33; Code, s. 2860; Rev., s. 4414; C.S., s. 6102; 1973, c. 108, s. 69.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-17 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 5 - Investigating Committees.|§ 120-17 - Appearance before committee.

 120-17. Appearance before committee.Every person desiring to appear either in person or by attorney to introduce testimony, or to offer argument for or against the passage of an act or resolution, before any committee of either house of the General Assembly, shall first make application to such committee, stating in writing his object, the number and names of his witnesses, and the nature of their testimony. If the committee consider the information likely to be important, or the interest of the applicant to be great, they shall appoint a time and place for hearing the same, with such limitations as may be deemed necessary. (1868-9, c. 270, s. 10; Code, s. 2858; Rev., s. 4415; C.S., s. 6103.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-18 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 5 - Investigating Committees.|§ 120-18 - Appeal from denial of right to be heard.

 120-18. Appeal from denial of right to be heard.If any committee shall refuse to grant the request of any citizen to be heard before it in a matter touching his interests, he may appeal to the house of which the committee is a part; and if he shows good reason for his request the house shall order it to be granted. (1868-9, c. 270, s. 11; Code, s. 2859; Rev., s. 4416; C.S., s. 6104.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-19 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 5 - Investigating Committees.|§ 120-19 - State officers, etc., upon request, to furnish data and information to legislative committees or commissions.

 120-19. State officers, etc., upon request, to furnish data and information to legislative committees or commissions.Except as provided in G.S. 105-259, all officers, agents, agencies and departments of the State are required to give to any committee of either house of the General Assembly, or any committee or commission whose funds are appropriated or transferred to the General Assembly or to the Legislative Services Commission for disbursement, upon request, all information and all data within their possession, or ascertainable from their records. This requirement is mandatory and shall include requests made by any individual member of the General Assembly, one of its standing committees or the chair of a standing committee, or any other legislative panel duly appointed by the President Pro Tempore and/or the Speaker of the House or an agent or employee of such a legislative panel.  (Resolution 19, 1937, p. 927; 1993, c. 485, s. 37; 2001-491, s. 33.1; 2019-80, s. 3.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-19.1 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 5A - Committee Activity.|§ 120-19.1 - Hearings; examination of witnesses; counsel.

 120-19.1. Hearings; examination of witnesses; counsel.(a) Committees of either the House or Senate of the General Assembly of North Carolina may hold separate or joint hearings, call witnesses, and compel testimony relevant to any bill, resolution or other matter properly before the committee.(b) Witnesses may be examined under oath.(c) When any person is examined before a committee, any member wishing to ask a question must address it to the chairman or presiding officer, who repeats the question or directs the witness to answer the member's question. Staff members or counsel employed by the committee may propound questions to the chairman for a witness to answer.(d) Objections to the propriety of a question are directed to the committee as a whole. The committee must determine whether the objection is to be sustained or overruled by majority vote of the committee.(e) When any witness is examined under oath, the proceedings must be taken and transcribed verbatim. Upon request, a witness must be furnished a copy of the transcript of his appearance before the committee.(f) Witnesses may be accompanied by their own counsel for the purpose of advising them concerning their rights. (1973, c. 543.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-19.3 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 5A - Committee Activity.|§ 120-19.3 - Witness fees and expenses.

 120-19.3. Witness fees and expenses.Witnesses subpoenaed to testify before a committee of either house of the General Assembly or a joint committee of the General Assembly shall be entitled to the same fees and expenses as are allowable for witnesses in criminal proceedings in the superior court division of the General Court of Justice. (1973, c. 543.)
NC Gen Stat § 120-19.4 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 120 - General Assembly|Article 5A - Committee Activity.|§ 120-19.4 - Failure to respond to subpoena or refusal to testify punishable as contempt.

 120-19.4. Failure to respond to subpoena or refusal to testify punishable as contempt.(a) Any person who without good cause fails to obey a subpoena which was served upon him, or, fails or refuses to testify shall be deemed to be in contempt of the committee and shall be punished as in the case of a civil contempt under the procedures set out in subsection (b). Any person whose action in the immediate presence of the committee directly tends to disrupt its proceedings may also be punished as in the case of a civil contempt under the procedures set out in subsection (b).(b) If by a majority vote the committee deems that any person is in contempt under the provisions of subsection (a) the committee shall file a complaint signed by the chairman in the General Court of Justice, superior court division, requesting that the court issue an order directing that the person appear within a reasonable time and show good cause why he should not be held in contempt of the committee or its processes. If the person does not establish good cause the court shall punish the person in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 5A-12 or G.S. 5A-21, whichever is applicable. (1973, c. 543; 1977, c. 344, s. 2; 1985, c. 790, s. 5.)