GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1945

Short Title:  Water Resources Planning Commission.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Payne; and Bowman.
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Referred to:  Rules.
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May 10, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO CREATE A LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION ON PLANNING AND FINANCING OF WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
Whereas, water resources development projects are essential to the economic welfare and environmental quality of North Carolina; and
Whereas, the federal Water Resources Development Act of 1986 now requires larger nonfederal financial contributions to water resources development projects; and
Whereas, federal law now requires nonfederal cost sharing for water resources development project feasibility studies; and
Whereas, federal water resources development projects allow North Carolina to take advantage of federal planning expertise and federal financial assistance for water management; and
Whereas, the present State administrative and budget process for planning and financial water resources development projects may not be suited to the new conditions created by the federal Water Resources Development Act of 1986; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1. The Water Resources Development Planning and Financing Study Commission is created.  The Commission shall consist of 12 members:  four Senators appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, four Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and four nonlegislative members appointed by the Governor.  All initial appointments shall be made by August 1, 1989.  Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as initial appointments.
Sec. 2.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one Senator as cochairman and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one Representative as cochairman. 
Sec. 3.  The Commission shall study the following:
(1)	The need for water resources development projects in North Carolina;
(2)	The federal planning and budgeting process for water resources development projects;
(3)	State procedures for participating in planning and financing water resources development projects; and
(4)	Local government participation in planning and financing projects.
The Commission shall make recommendations on improvements in State and local government planning, administrative, and financing procedures to allow North Carolina to take full advantage of federal water resources development projects and to provide better coordination among the local, State, and federal participants in water projects.
Sec. 4.  The Commission shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on or before the first day of the 1991 Session of the General Assembly by filing the report with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Commission may report to the 1990 Session of the 1989 General Assembly.  Upon filing its final report, the Commission shall terminate.
Sec. 5.  The Commission, while in the discharge of official duties, may exercise all the powers provided for under the provisions of G.S. 120-19, and G.S. 120-19.1 through G.S. 120-19.4.  The Commission may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairmen.  The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
Sec. 6. Members of the Commission shall receive subsistence and travel expenses as follows:
(1)	Commission members who are members of the General Assembly, at the rates set forth in G.S. 120-3.1.
(2)	Commission members who are also officials or employees of the State, at the rates set forth in G.S. 138-6.
(3)	All other Commission members, at the rates set forth in G.S. 138-5.
Sec. 7. The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120-32.02.  The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Administrative Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist in the work of the Commission. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Supervisor of Clerks shall assign clerical staff to the Commission, upon the direction of the Legislative Services Commission.  The expenses relating to clerical employees shall be borne by the Commission.
Sec. 8. The Commission may request staff support from the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development and from the Office of State Budget and Management in carrying out the Commission's responsibilities.
Sec. 9.  All State departments and agencies and local governments and their subdivisions shall furnish the Commission with any information in their possession or available to them.
Sec. 10. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly $25,000 for the 1989-90 fiscal year and $25,000 for the 1990-91 fiscal year to be used for the expenses of the Commission.
Sec. 11. This act shall become effective July 1, 1989.