HB 64

Subject to approval by voters at the statewide election on November 3, 2026, amends Section 5(6) of Article III (the Governor’s clemency powers) of the North Carolina Constitution, as follows. Limits the Governor’s clemency power to instances where a person has been convicted and their sentence has commenced (now, the Governor can exercise clemency after conviction). Makes clemency subject to the approval of a majority of each house of the General Assembly (was, subject to regulations relative to applying for pardons). Requires the Governor to reconvene the General Assembly if clemency is granted when it has adjourned sine die or for more than 30 days. Specifies that if the Governor does not reconvene the General Assembly, the grant of clemency fails.