Republican House Caucus Plan of Organization (ADOPTED - February 2009)

This document sets forth the Plan of Organization for the North Carolina Republican House Caucus. I. Members. All Republican members of the North Carolina House of Representatives (House) are members of the Caucus. II. Elected and Appointed Caucus Officers and Caucus Liaisons. Elected Caucus Officers shall consist of (1) Republican Leader and (2) Republican Whip. Appointed Caucus Officers shall consist of (1) Budget Policy Committee Chair; (2) Criminal Justice/Judiciary Policy Committee Chair; (3) Education Policy Committee Chair; (4) Environmental Policy Committee Chair; (5) Healthcare Policy Committee Chair; (6) Jobs/Economic Policy Committee Chair; (7) Liberty Policy Committee Chair, and (8) Transportation Policy Committee Chair. Caucus liaisons shall consist of (1) Republican Joint Caucus Leader and (2) Republican House Freshmen Leader. (Note: the position of "Republican Joint Caucus Leader" is filled only during those Legislative sessions in which the House selects the Joint Caucus Leader). III. Duties of Officers. Caucus Officers shall perform those duties generally associated with the position held together with those duties set forth herein and such other duties delegated by the Republican Leader. (a) Republican Leader. The Republican Leader shall preside over meetings of the Caucus; serve as an ex officio member of each Republican House Policy Committee and the Republican House Campaign Committee; be the official spokesman of the Republican House Caucus; and serve as Republican floor Leader in the House. (b) Republican Whip. The Republican Whip shall work with the Republican Leader, communicate Caucus Positions to the individual members of the Caucus, take such actions as are necessary to insure Caucus members are informed of any Caucus Position. The Republican Whip shall also be responsible for communicating the position of the Republican Leader to Republican members in a timely manner during deliberations on the floor and in connection with additions or changes to the House Calendar. The Republican Whip shall serve as the Chair of the Republican House Campaign Committee and as an ex officio member of each Republican House Policy Committee. (c) If the Republican members have fewer than 60 seats, then unless otherwise directed by the caucus, the Republican Leader will be the Caucus Nominee for Speaker and the Republican Whip will be the Caucus nominee for Speaker Pro Tem. IV. Election of Officers, Vacancies, Removal. Officers shall be elected for a two-year term by a majority of Caucus members present and voting at a caucus meeting called by the previous Republican Leader for the purpose of election of officers after the General Election. This meeting shall be called in conjunction with the post-election Joint Caucus of House and Senate Republicans called by the Republican Joint Caucus Leader. If no meeting is called by the

previous Republican Leader and held by December 1, such a meeting is deemed called for the first Sunday in December after the General Election at 2:00 p.m. at Republican Party Headquarters in Raleigh, N.C. (a) Officers shall serve for the term of the legislative session in which they were elected to serve or until their successors are elected. (b) Vacancies in the office of Republican Leader, Republican Whip, or Republican Joint Caucus Leader shall be filled by election by a majority of Caucus members present and voting at a caucus meeting called for the purpose of filling such vacancy. Such election meeting to be called within two (2) weeks after such vacancy occurs by the Republican Leader, in the case of vacancy in the office of Republican Whip or Republican Joint Caucus leader, or the Republican Whip, in the case of vacancy in the office of Republican Leader. Vacancies in the appointed positions shall be filled by appointment of the Republican Leader within two (2) weeks after such vacancy occurs. (c) Removal of Officers. The Caucus may remove an officer upon the affirmative vote of the majority of Caucus Members; the procedure for such removal shall be as follows: (i) A written motion is submitted (introduced) by a majority of members of the Caucus at any meeting of the Caucus; (ii) The vote on such removal shall not be taken at the same meeting as that at which the motion is submitted; (iii) The meeting at which the vote is taken shall be at least three (3) calendar days after the meeting at which the motion is submitted. V. Committees. The Caucus shall have nine (9) standing Committees as outlined in this section: The Caucus shall have such other temporary Committees as the Republican Leaders or the Caucus shall determine to be necessary or appropriate. (a) Republican House Budget Policy Committee. The Republican House Budget Policy Committee shall provide a forum for the development of strategy, policy, and planning regarding legislation related to the state budget and shall be organized and meet pursuant to direction of the Republican House Budget Policy Committee Chair. There will be five (5) to eight (8) members of the Republican House Budget Policy Committee - the Chair and five (5) to eight (8) members appointed by the Chair in consultation with the Republican Leader. (b) Republican House Criminal Justice/Judiciary Policy Committee. The Republican House Criminal Justice/Judiciary Policy Committee shall provide a forum for the development of strategy, policy, and planning regarding legislation related to matters related to North Carolinas criminal justice system and other matters related to the States judiciary and shall be organized and meet pursuant to direction of the Republican House Criminal Justice/Judiciary Policy Committee Chair. There will be five (5) to eight (8) members of the Republican House Criminal Justice/Judiciary Policy Committee - the Chair and five (5) to eight (8) members appointed by the Chair in consultation with the Republican Leader. (c) Republican House Education Policy Committee. The Republican House Education Policy Committee shall provide a forum for the development of strategy, policy, and planning regarding legislation related to publicly and privately funded education and shall be organized
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and meet pursuant to direction of the Republican House Education Policy Committee Chair. There will be five (5) to eight (8) members of the Republican House Education Policy Committee - the Chair and five (5) to eight (8) members appointed by the Chair in consultation with the Republican Leader. (d) Republican House Environmental Policy Committee. The Republican House Environmental Policy Committee shall provide a forum for the development of strategy, policy, and planning regarding legislation related to environmental matters and shall be organized and meet pursuant to direction of the Republican House Environmental Policy Committee Chair. There will be five (5) to eight (8) members of the Republican House Environmental Policy Committee - the Chair and five (5) to eight (8) members appointed by the Chair in consultation with the Republican Leader. (e) Republican House Healthcare Policy Committee. The Republican House Healthcare Policy Committee shall provide a forum for the development of strategy, policy, and planning regarding legislation related to healthcare and shall be organized and meet pursuant to direction of the Republican House Healthcare Policy Committee Chair. There will be five (5) to eight (8) members of the Republican House Healthcare Policy Committee - the Chair, and five (5) to eight (8) members appointed by the Chair in consultation with the Republican Leader. (f) Republican House Jobs/Economic Development Policy Committee. The Republican House Jobs/Economic Development Policy Committee shall provide a forum for the development of strategy, policy, and planning regarding legislation related to the creation of jobs and a business-friendly environment and shall be organized and meet pursuant to direction of the Republican House Jobs/Economic Development Policy Committee Chair. There will be five (5) to eight (8) members of the Republican House Jobs/Economic Development Policy Committee the Chair and five (5) to eight (8) members appointed by the Chair in consultation with the Republican Leader. (g) Republican House Liberty Policy Committee. The Republican House Liberty Policy Committee shall provide a forum for the development of strategy, policy, and planning regarding legislation related to the social policy and shall be organized and meet pursuant to direction of the Republican House Liberty Policy Committee Chair. There will be five (5) to eight (8) members of the Republican House Liberty Policy Committee - the Chair and five (5) to eight (8) members appointed by the Chair in consultation with the Republican Leader. (h) Republican House Transportation Policy Committee. The Republican House Transportation Policy Committee shall provide a forum for the development of strategy, policy, and planning regarding legislation related to infrastructure and transportation and shall be organized and meet pursuant to direction of the Republican House Transportation Policy Committee Chair. There will be five (5) to eight (8) members of the Republican House Transportation Policy Committee - the Chair and five (5) to eight (8) members appointed by the Chair in consultation with the Republican Leader.

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(i) Republican House Campaign Committee. The Republican House Campaign Committee shall be responsible for future planning, recruiting candidates, and raising funds for use in electing Republicans to the North Carolina House. The Republican House Campaign Committee shall also be responsible for the development and implementation of an outreach and education effort to the public, businesses, and civic and professional groups. Funds raised by the Republican House Campaign Committee will be utilized as determined by the Committee. There will be no limit on the number of members of the Republican House Campaign Committee. Members wishing to be appointed to the Republican House Campaign Committee must satisfy minimum fundraising targets for the long-session legislative year as set forth below: (i) (ii) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) House Republican Member (Freshmen) - $2,000.00; House Republican Freshman Leader - $3,000.00; House Republican Member (All Others) - $5,000.00; Republican Joint Caucus Leader - $15,000.00; House Republican Whip - $25,000.00; House Republican Leader $25,000.00.

The Chair, the Republican Leader, and the Republican Joint Caucus leader (when the House holds the position) are mandatory members of the Republican House Campaign Committee. To continue to be a member in good standing, members must provide proof of having met the minimum obligation for fundraising for caucus activities as set forth above on or before April 1st in the year following the long session. Fundraising obligations must be met by direct contributions made by a member to the Republican House Majority Fund (RHMF). Members who fail to achieve minimum requirements by direct contributions may appeal to the Republican House Campaign Committee for a waiver of the contribution requirement. A member requesting a waiver must show convincing evidence they have influenced direct contributions to the caucus and/or they have provided in-kind support that would equate to a direct contribution. All appeals must be supported by a two thirds vote of the House Campaign Committee members present at a meeting called for the purpose of hearing the appeal. Elected and Appointed Caucus Officers and Caucus Liaisons must meet the contribution requirements stipulated in this section and are not eligible for a grant of waiver. Any member (Except the Republican Leader and Republican Whip) is entitled to a full refund of direct contributions provided for a given election cycle if it is later determined he or she has a challenger in a republican primary election. The Republican Leader and Republican Whip are entitled to a refund of any amounts in excess of the minimum contribution requirements set forth in this section. In order to receive a refund of prior contributions, the member must request the refund on or before the date of the primary election. While membership and active participation in setting investment priorities requires members to meet contribution thresholds set forth in this section, all members are encouraged to actively participate in candidate recruitment and mentoring. The House Republican Caucus recognizes members may choose to make contributions to other Republican organizations and/or directly to Republican candidates for NC House seats. As part of financial reporting of caucus activities, the House Republican Caucus will periodically publish a summary of contributions of members and acknowledge those members who are making contributions to organizations deemed to be in support of the House Republican Caucus objective of providing financial assistance to NC House races.
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VI.

Miscellaneous. The following provisions apply:

(a) Caucus Position. From time to time the Caucus will speak with one voice in connection with a legislative vote or a position regarding pending legislation or policy; in such events, the members will establish a "Caucus Position" in connection with any legislative vote to be taken. In order for a Caucus Position to be taken, the members of the Caucus must make such a decision as follows: (i) A meeting of the caucus must be held; at such a meeting, three fourths (3/4) of all Caucus Members must be present; (ii) Any member of the Caucus may move to take a Caucus Position; (iii) The motion must carry with the affirmative votes of three fourths (3/4) of the entire membership of the Caucus. If a member determines he or she is unable to agree to take a position consistent with a particular Caucus Position, the member shall so inform the Caucus during the meeting in which the vote is taken. In the event that a Caucus Position is taken, the Republican Whip will make best efforts to notify any members who were absent when the Caucus Position vote is taken. If the absent member determines he or she is unable to agree to take a position consistent with the Caucus Position, the member shall inform the Republican Leader or the Republican Whip immediately upon notification. (b) Attendance at Caucus Meetings. Meetings of the Caucus are open to all Members of the Republican House Caucus and the Joint Caucus Leader. Non members may attend upon approval of the Republican Leader; the Leader's decision on attendance may be overruled by a majority of Caucus Members in attendance. Retired former members will be admitted when visiting Raleigh, but not on a repetitive basis. Lobbyists and representatives of interest groups will not be allowed to attend. (c) Attendance at Policy Committee Meetings. Meetings of the House Republican Policy Committees are open to all Members of the Republican House Caucus and the Joint Caucus Leader. Non members may attend upon approval of the Committee Chair; the Chairs decision on attendance may be overruled by a majority of Committee Members in attendance. Lobbyists and representatives of interest groups will be allowed to attend at the discretion of the chair subject to the approval of the Policy Committee members present. (d) Meetings. Caucus meetings are to be held upon call of the Leader or upon the request of fifteen (15) members of the Caucus; notice of such meetings through legislative e-mail is authorized. The Leader may set a schedule for regular meetings during Legislative Sessions; if such a schedule of regular meetings is set, no additional notice is required. Except as otherwise provided, a quorum shall consist of a majority of Caucus Members. (e) Amendment. Once approved, this Plan of Organization may be amended by motion approved by 2/3 of the Members of the Caucus or by a majority vote if (ten) 10 days written notice is given; except that the Plan of Organization may be rewritten, changed, amended or readopted by majority vote of a newly elected Caucus at an organizational meeting of such newly elected Caucus.

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VII. Rules and Procedure. During all meetings and any deliberative assembly of the Caucus or its Committees, the Leader (or Committee Chair, as appropriate) shall preside and regular order shall be maintained under Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised (10th Edition), except where modified by this Plan of Organization or by additional or other Rules adopted by the Caucus or Committee. AS ADOPTED, February 2009 by majority vote.

Plan of Organization

ADOPTED February 2009

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