H168 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Agency Bill. (SL 2023-70)

Overview: Section 7 of S.L. 2023-70 amends the North Carolina Zoological Park statutes in the following ways:

• Provides that the North Carolina Zoological Park Council (Council) can advise the Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources (Secretary) on concepts for the North Carolina Zoological Park (Zoo) and recommend admission fees for approval by the Secretary.
• Specifies that the Secretary can approve the use of the North Carolina Zoo Fund under certain circumstances without the recommendation of the Council.
• Allows the Council and the Secretary to receive gifts for the Zoo.
• Provides that the Secretary can receive and expend funds for the operation and maintenance of the Zoo.
• Provides that the Secretary can set admission fees as recommended by the Council.
• Authorizes the Secretary to donate any exhibit, exhibit component, or object from the collections of the Zoo.
• Provides that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, not the Council, has powers regarding fee negotiations, contracts, and capital improvements.

This section became effective June 30, 2023.