North Carolina lawmakers are set to reconvene for a final session before Democrats take control of the House in January, giving Republicans a chance to pursue veto overrides and other limited last-minute legislation.

Democrats secured control of the House for the first time since 2010, but Republicans retain their current House majority through December and are projected to keep a narrower 26–24 Senate majority without a veto-proof supermajority.

The session is scheduled for Nov. 16–19 and again beginning Nov. 30, with proceedings potentially lasting through Dec. 18; Republican leaders have not released a detailed agenda.

An adjournment resolution limits what lawmakers can take up, including veto overrides, certain appointments, constitutional amendments, election laws, conference reports and bills awaiting concurrence.

Incoming Democratic House leader Robert Reives urged Republicans to focus on essential cleanup, such as budget matters, warning that contentious or sweeping action could weaken prospects for bipartisan cooperation next year.

Republicans could pursue House overrides of several Gov. Josh Stein vetoes, including measures on election rules, judicial discipline and restrictions on unauthorized camping and drug-free zones; the Senate could also finish overriding a veto of a bill banning state-government DEI programs.

The Senate has already overridden Stein’s veto of a bill allowing most adults to carry concealed handguns without a permit, but the House has not; an override there appears unlikely because Republicans have not previously secured enough votes.

Republicans hold 71 House seats, one short of the 72 votes normally needed for an override if every member votes, leaving attendance or cross-party support potentially decisive; two Democrats who previously helped override vetoes will not return in January.

Lawmakers may make further changes to the roughly $34 billion state budget, with about $1 billion in unappropriated General Fund money reported as of Sept. 30 and possible uses including the North Carolina Children’s Hospital, a proposed Raleigh baseball stadium and Hurricane Helene recovery.

A voter-approved constitutional amendment requires limits on local property-tax levy increases but leaves the formula and exceptions to lawmakers, who could establish a framework before January or leave the incoming Democratic House majority to pursue a less restrictive approach or delay action.

Other unfinished business includes restrictions on intoxicating hemp products, a requirement that large data centers shoulder more electricity costs, and conference proposals covering Medicaid oversight, education licensure, health care access and criminal justice.

Republicans have reportedly discussed shifting public-corruption prosecutions away from the Wake County district attorney’s office, which Wiley Nickel will take over in January, but no bill or confirmed plan exists; the office is investigating former state Rep. Jason Saine, who was indicted and denies wrongdoing.