GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

S	2 

SENATE BILL 1269
Appropriations Committee Substitute Adopted 7/20/90

Short Title:  Public Attorneys Educ Assist Study.	(Public)
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Sponsors:
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Referred to:  
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May 11, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION TO STUDY THE DESIRABILITY AND FEASIBILITY OF PROVIDING STATE ASSISTANCE FOR THE LAW SCHOOL LOANS OF ATTORNEYS WHO GRADUATE FROM LAW SCHOOL IN NORTH CAROLINA AND WHO ARE EMPLOYED BY THE STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The Legislative Research Commission shall study the desirability and the feasibility of establishing a program whereby the State assists in the repayment of law school loans owed by attorneys who graduate from law school in North Carolina and who are employed by the State or local government.  The Commission may also consider other means of encouraging the most capable attorneys to seek legal employment in the public sector.  The Commission shall consider educational assistance programs for public attorneys in other states.  Issues to be addressed by the Commission shall include, among others:
(1)	Whether to limit eligibility to participate in a loan repayment program to those attorneys who are employed as attorneys for the State or local government;
(2)	Whether to limit eligibility to those attorneys who are licensed to practice law in North Carolina;
(3)	Whether to exclude from eligibility those attorneys who are research assistants or law clerks in any court of the General Court of Justice;
(3)	Whether to limit reimbursement to the costs of tuition and other educational expenses or to extend reimbursement to include the costs of living expenses during law school;
(4)	Whether the State Education Assistance Authority should administer such a loan repayment program, and, if not, what body should administer such a program;
(5)	Whether applicants should receive priority consideration for participation in such a program for:
a.	Residence in the State;
b.	Recent graduation from law school; 
c.	Employment that provides legal services to low income residents of the State; or
d.	Any other factors;
(6)	What procedure and schedule for repayment of part or all of the law school loan should be established; and
(7)	What total income level, including any additional sources of income, should be considered the maximum income level any applicant can receive to be eligible for participation in such a program.
Sec. 2.  The Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the 1991 Session of the General Assembly.  The report shall include any proposed legislation necessary to implement the commission's recommendations.
Sec. 3.  The Legislative Research Commission shall use funds appropriated to it for the 1990-91 fiscal year to fund the study authorized in Section 1 of this act.
Sec. 4.  This act is effective upon ratification.