GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1237

Short Title:  Study Local Fiscal Info. Act.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives H. Hunter; Bowman, Brawley, Ethridge, Fletcher, and Lilley.
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Referred to:  Rules, Appointments and Calendar.
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May 10, 1991

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT STUDY COMMISSION TO STUDY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FISCAL INFORMATION ACT.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The Local Government Fiscal Information Act Study Commission is created.  The Commission shall consist of 16 members: five Senators appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; five Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; two representatives of county government, one being an elected county commissioner appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one being a county manager or finance officer appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; two representatives of municipal government, one being an elected official appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one being a municipal manager or finance officer appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; and two representatives of local school administrative units, one being an elected school board member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one being a school superintendent or finance officer appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
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:
(1)	Evaluate the effectiveness of the Local Government Fiscal Information Act, Article 6D of Chapter 120 of the General Statutes;
(2)	Identify mechanisms that would assure full and accurate compliance with the act and determine which State agencies, through legislation, rules or regulations, have a significant impact on local government budget decisions;
(3)	Identify ways to improve coordination between the requirements of the Local Government Fiscal Information Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Executive Budget Act;
(4)	Identify ways to improve the ability of local governments to obtain information about State budget and rule making that will assist local government officials in local government budget deliberations; and
(5)	Consult with State agency officials, particularly representatives of the State Budget Office, State Controller's Office, and the State Department of Public Instruction Controller's Office regarding the issues to be studied by the Commission.
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 1993 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 Supervisor 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 for fiscal year 1991-92 the sum of $25,000 and for fiscal year 1992-93 the sum of $25,000 for the expenses of the Commission.
Sec. 11.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1991.