S382 - Disaster Relief-3/Budget/Various Law Changes. (SL 2024-57)

• Removes the Attorney General's authority to intervene in matters before the Utilities Commission.
• Provides that the Judicial Department and Council of State agencies are not required to get permission from the Attorney General or the Governor before retaining private counsel.
• Requires the Attorney General to report annually to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on all contracts with private counsel to assist with any of the Attorney General's statutory duties.
• Prohibits the Attorney General from advancing any argument in an action in state or federal court in another state that would result in the invalidation of a North Carolina statute.

• Provides that whenever the General Assembly, through the Speaker and President Pro Tempore, participates in an action involving the validity of an act or the State Constitution, the Attorney General may not take positions that are contrary to the positions of the General Assembly.
• Clarifies that the counsel jointly designated as lead counsel by the President Pro Tempore and Speaker has the final decision‑making authority regarding positions on behalf of the State.

This bill was vetoed by the Governor on November 26, 2024, and the veto was overridden by the General Assembly on December 11, 2024. This section became effective December 11, 2024.