GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 997
Short Title: Certify Reading of NC Constitution. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives Riddell, Turner, Scott, and Brody (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the
House
April 14, 2025
*H997 -v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO REQUIRE EACH MEMBER OF THE GEN ERAL ASSEMBLY TO CER TIFY 2
WHETHER OR NOT THAT MEMBER HAS REVIEWED THE CONTENTS OF THE 3
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION 4
PRIOR TO TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE. 5
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 6
SECTION 1. G.S. 11-7 reads as rewritten: 7
"ยง 11-7. Oath or affirmation to support Constitutions; all officers to take. 8
(a) Every member of the General Assembly and every person elected or appointed to 9
hold any office of trust or profit in the State shall, before taking office or entering upon the 10
execution of the office, take and subscribe to the following oath: 11
"I, ___________, do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will support the Constitution of the 12
United States; that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of North Carolina, and 13
to the constitutional powers and authorities which are or may be established for the government 14
thereof; and that I will endeavor to support, maintain and defend the Constitution of said State, 15
not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States, to the best of my knowledge and 16
ability; so help me God." 17
(b) Prior to taking the oath of office, every member of the General Assembly shall certify 18
to the Principal Clerk of the house for which that member has been elected or appointed whether 19
or not that member has read, listened to, or otherwise reviewed a copy of the Constitutions of the 20
United States and the State of North Carolina within the previous two years." 21
SECTION 2. This act becomes effective January 1, 2027. 22