The seats above the floor in the North Carolina House chamber are reopen to the public again.

The House has voted to amend its operating rules, which keeps in place most of the adjustments it approved in April to protect the health of members and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The seats in the House gallery had been limited to members, reporters and sergeants-at-arms, but with Wednesday’s changes the public can sit there again. The House will continue to televise floor sessions online. The Senate already had reopened its seating gallery when it returned to normal operations in mid-May.

Visitors to the Legislative Building still are subject to temperature checks before going inside.

The House is retaining operating rules for the COVID-19 emergency that allows members to participate in committee by video conference. And representatives who aren’t present — likely due to health concerns — can cast proxy votes on floor matters.

Photo via Travis Long/The News & Observer and AP.

Related Stories
‹
North Carolina Revenue Predictions Fall with Recession Risk
State officials have lowered anticipated revenue collection, largely over rising economic uncertainty and the risks of a U.S. recession.
Meyer: Vouchers Back on Agenda in Raleigh, But Budget Crisis Looms
State Sen. Graig Meyer (D-Orange) discusses lawmakers' return to session in Raleigh to tackle vouchers and other funding matters.
'We Are 49th Out Of 50': Public School Forum of NC
With education at the center of state budget talks, the Public School Forum of NC releases a report on the state of North Carolina's schools.
What to Expect (and Not Expect) in the General Assembly Short Session
Immigration, education, marijuana, childcare, open records: which bills will pass the General Assembly this year? Sen. Graig Meyer weighs in.
2 North Carolina State Legislators Lose Leadership Roles Following Remarks
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON Two North Carolina state House Republicans have lost their caucus leadership positions following recent comments directed at Democratic colleagues questioning their educational attainment and religion. Reps. Keith Kidwell and Jeff McNeely have resigned as deputy majority whips after the GOP leadership team asked them to step down, House Majority Leader […]
Meyer: 'Closest We've Been to Medicaid Expansion Ever'
State Rep. Graig Meyer weighs in on the status of Medicaid expansion, abortion rights, offshore wind development, and more.
UNC Leaders Debate GOP Influence in ‘National Embarrassment’ Decisions
The Coalition for Carolina recently held a panel about university governance at UNC. The group questioned GOP influence within the UNC Board of Governors and UNC Board of Trustees.
Local Athletic Directors React to Bill That Would Have Dissolved NCHSAA
The 2021-22 high school athletics season officially got underway this month with schools across the state kicking off their seasons. But this year started with uncertainty about the future of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, which has governed high school sports in the state since 1913. House Bill 91, originally […]
Bill to Reopen NC Gyms, Bars Sent to Skeptical Governor After Passing House
The North Carolina legislature passed another bill on Wednesday overturning parts of Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order that keep certain businesses closed to discourage the spread of COVID-19. As with previous legislation sent to him seeking to reopen bars, Cooper is also likely to veto the latest measure, which also ends the shuttering of gyms […]
Public Can Watch NC House Floor Debate Again in Person
The seats above the floor in the North Carolina House chamber are reopen to the public again. The House has voted to amend its operating rules, which keeps in place most of the adjustments it approved in April to protect the health of members and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. The seats in the […]
›