GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 284*

Short Title:  State Construction Process Study.	(Public)
─────────────────────────────────────── 
Sponsors: Representatives Bowen, Edwards, Huffman, and Tallent.
─────────────────────────────────────── 
Referred to:  Rules.
─────────────────────────────────────── 

February 20, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION TO STUDY THE STATE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS.
Whereas, in June of 1982 the Office of State Budget and Management developed a report dealing with rules, regulations, and procedures affecting the capital construction process for construction of North Carolina State Government buildings; and
Whereas, that report identified some 40 reviews and/or permits that may be required for State construction projects, spread over 17 State agencies; and
Whereas, this complex procedural maze is in addition to any additional requirements imposed by cities, counties, and the federal government; and
Whereas, there is confusion as to how to proceed, and little coordination of effort required to complete the process; and
Whereas, it may make sense for one agency to administer all building code related issues, but that the diversity of rules and their intended purposes of protection of the public health, public safety, the environment, natural resources and cultural resources almost precludes consolidation of all these functions; and
Whereas, from 1957 through 1971 a statutorily established Interdepartmental Building Regulations Committee provided some coordination, but this committee has been abolished; and
Whereas, it is just as costly for a project to be delayed during the design phase as during the construction phase; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The State Construction Process Study Commission 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.
Sec. 2.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one Senator as cochairman and the Speaker of the House shall designate one Representative as cochairman. 
Sec. 3.  The Commission shall:
(1)	Study the process for approval of State construction projects;
(2)	Study the feasibility of consolidating some of the permitting processes required for construction of State buildings; and
(3)	Study the feasibility of a clearinghouse approach for approval of State construction 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 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 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. 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 for fiscal year 1989-90 the sum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) and for fiscal year 1990-91 the sum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for the expenses of the Commission.
Sec. 11.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1989.