GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 2139

Short Title:  Veterans Home Study.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Hurley; Anderson, Beard, Craven, N. Crawford, DeVane, Edwards, B. Ethridge, Flaherty, Gibson, Greenwood, Jeralds, Mercer, Perdue, Redwine, Warner, and Wood.
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Referred to:  Government.
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May 25, 1990

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT CREATING A VETERANS HOME STUDY COMMISSION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE STUDY.
Whereas, North Carolina is one of 12 states that does not have a veterans home; and
Whereas, federal funds are available to assist the states in constructing veterans homes and the federal government is strongly encouraging those states that do not have veterans homes to establish them; and 
Whereas, the construction of a veterans home involves complicated and difficult questions such as defining the need, the location, the size, and the design, which require careful study and consideration; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The Veterans Home Study Commission is created.  The Commission shall consist of 10 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each appoint one member from their respective body of the legislature and from the North Carolina American Legion, the North Carolina Veterans of Foreign Wars, the North Carolina Disabled American Veterans, and the North Carolina American Veterans of World War II (AMVETS) from a list submitted to each of them from the governing body of each organization containing three recommendations for Commission membership.  These lists of proposed members shall be submitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate on or before July 15, 1990, and the appointments to the Commission shall be made on or before August 1, 1990.
Sec. 2.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one member of the Commission as cochairman and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one member as cochairman.  The cochairmen shall call the initial meeting of the Commission. 
Sec. 3. (a)	The Commission shall study the construction of a State veterans home, the identification of a site for the home, and the operation, management and ongoing costs for a State veterans home.
(b)	The Commission may assist the State in making an application to secure federal grant matching funds for the construction of a State veterans home.
(c)	The Commission may visit veterans homes in other states, and may contract with consultants, architects, engineers, contractors and other experts in the field of veteran home construction.
(d)	The Commission shall formulate funding recommendations to the General Assembly that will fully implement a State veterans home program to adequately serve the veterans in North Carolina.
Sec. 4.  The Commission shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the 1991 General Assembly.
Sec. 5.  Upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional staff to assist in the work of the Commission.  Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of House and Senate Supervisors of Clerks.  The expenses of employment of the clerical staff shall be paid by the Commission.  The Commission may employ professional staff as necessary to perform its duties.  The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building, upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission.
Sec. 6.  Members of the Commission shall be paid subsistence and travel allowances as follows:
(1) 	Commission members who are also General Assembly members at the rate established in G.S. 120-3.1;
(2)	Commission members, if any, who are also officials or employees of the State at the rate established in G.S. 138-6;
(3) 	All other Commission members at the rate established in G.S. 138-5.
Sec. 7.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Legislative Services Commission the sum of $50,000 for fiscal year 1990-91 for the work of the Veterans Home Study Commission.
Sec. 8.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1990.