This invention reduces power consumed during CAM search operations in a CAM/RAM structure utilizing a segmented match line structure. This device is useful when it is known that a portion or portions of the compare data inputs vary infrequently. The apparatus sometimes may be referred to as local match line hold latch, and is a device that stores the value of a local match line comparison result the first time that a search operation occurs, and will stay at that value until the value of the compare data in of the local match line changes.