H1030 - 2016 Appropriations Act. (SL 2016-94)

Overview: Sec. 14.22 of S.L. 2016-94 directs three new beach nourishment studies, as follows:

• The first study requires the Division of Coastal Resources in the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to study the benefits of out-of-state coastal storm damage reduction and beach nourishment projects to public infrastructure, public and private property, small business, and tourism in the State. The Division must report its results to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources (ANER Oversight Committee) by November 1, 2016.
• The second study requires each County Tax Office in Brunswick, Carteret, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender counties to compile information on the ownership and mailing addresses for the property in the county and any other mailing addresses associated with the property outside of those coastal counties. Each County Tax Office must submit an electronic list of the property addresses to DEQ and the ANER Oversight Committee by November 1, 2016.
• The third study requires the Department of Commerce to compile readily available economic data that quantifies the contribution of the coastal economy to the State's economy as a whole and directs the Department of Commerce to report its results of the study to DEQ and the ANER Oversight Committee by November 1, 2016.

In addition, this section directs DEQ to include these studies as appendices to the Beach and Inlet Management Plan required by the 2015 Appropriations Act (Sec. 14.6(b)(4) of S.L. 2015-241).

This section became effective July 1, 2016.