GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 2001

Short Title:  Space Facility Study/Funds.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Redwine; R. Hunter and J. Crawford.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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May 11, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR A STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY OF A COMMERCIAL SPACE FACILITY IN NORTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, in testimony before the Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Application, United States House of Representatives, NASA stated that it is fully committed to encouraging and supporting expanded private sector investment in space; and
Whereas, such a facility would be available for use by private firms to launch communications satellites and research vehicles and for use by the federal government for launching of defense missions; and
Whereas, it is estimated that the business of launching communications satellites will be worth about five billion dollars ($5,000,000,000) over the next eight years and that the largest industrial sector in the twenty-first century will be space related industries which would result in high-paying factory or technical jobs; and
Whereas, North Carolina seems to be a good location for such a launch facility because of its good year-round weather, good work force, availability of land, and proximity to military bases, and because the State is highly respected in the business world; and
Whereas, the states of Florida, Virginia, and Hawaii are studying the feasibility of such a facility and Florida has recently disclosed plans to commit ten million dollars ($10,000,000) toward the financing of a private space launch facility; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The Legislative Study Commission on the Feasibility of a Commercial Space Facility in North Carolina is created.  The Commission shall consist of 12 members:  six Senators appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and six Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
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 feasibility of a commercial space facility in North Carolina.
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.  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 at the rates set forth in G.S. 120-3.1.
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 Supervisors of Clerks shall assign clerical staff to the Commission or committee, upon the direction of the Legislative Services Commission.  The expenses relating to clerical employees shall be borne by the Commission.
Sec. 8.  When a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Commission the vacancy shall be filled by the same appointing officer who made the initial appointment.
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 $50,000 for the 1989-90 fiscal year for the Legislative Study Commission on the Feasibility of a Commercial Space Facility in North Carolina.
Sec. 11.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1989.