GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 154

Short Title:  Licensing Boards Study.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Holmes; and Bowman.
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Referred to:  Rules, Appointments & Calendar.
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February 25, 1991

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO CREATE A STUDY COMMISSION TO STUDY OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING BOARDS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is created the Study Commission on Occupational and Professional Licensing Boards, to be composed of 12 members.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each appoint six members to the Board.  At least one of the President Pro Tempore's appointments and at least one of the Speaker's appointments shall be a member or officer of a State occupational or professional licensing board.
If a vacancy occurs in the membership, the appointing authority shall appoint another person to serve the balance of the unexpired term in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
Sec. 2.  The Study Commission may study the following issues concerning occupational and professional licensing boards:
(1)	The relationship between licensing boards and State departmental agencies;
(2)	Whether the Executive Budget Act, State Personnel Act, the State purchasing and contract laws, and related laws and regulations generally applicable to State agencies should apply to licensing boards;
(3)	Whether the State retirement system, State health plan, and other State employee benefits should be available to officers and employees of licensing boards;
(4)	The feasibility of creating an instructional and/or orientation program for licensing board members and employees at the Institute of Government or other appropriate forum;
(5)	The need for requiring all licensing boards to adopt the State's fiscal year to enable the State Controller to report boards' funds in the State's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report;
(6)	The need for additional oversight of licensing boards by the State Auditor;
(7)	The need for a new administrative agency with direct oversight over all licensing boards; and
(8)	Related matters affecting the functions, duties, activities, and performance of licensing boards.
Sec. 3.  The President Pro Tempore and the Speaker shall each select a cochair for the Commission from their respective appointments.  Either cochair may preside at any meetings of the Commission.
Sec. 4.  Members, officers, and employees of the State's occupational and professional licensing boards (including certification and registration boards) shall cooperate with the Commission and shall provide such information relating to the Commission's work as requested by the Commission.  The Commission may subpoena records and documents in the possession of occupational and professional licensing boards and may compel testimony of the boards' officers, employees, and members.  The provisions of G.S. 120-19.1 through G.S. 120-19.4 shall apply to the proceedings of the Commission as if it were a joint committee of the General Assembly.  In addition to the other signatures required for the issuance of a subpoena under this section, the subpoena shall also be signed by the cochairs of the Commission.
Sec. 5.  The Commission shall submit an interim report or written progress report to the 1991 Session (1992 Reg. Sess.) by filing copies of the report on or before May 15, 1992, with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The Commission shall submit a final report, containing any recommendations and recommended legislation, to the 1993 General Assembly by filing copies of the report on or before January 15, 1993, with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report.
Sec. 6.  The Legislative Services Commission or its authorized agents shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist the Commission in its work.  Members of the Commission shall be reimbursed as follows:
(1)	State legislators shall receive subsistence and travel allowances as provided in G.S. 120-3.1.
(2)	State officers and employees shall receive subsistence and travel allowances as provided by G.S. 138-6.
(3)	All other members shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances as provided by G.S. 138-5.
The Commission is authorized to conduct its meetings in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building with the approval of the Legislative Services Commission.
Sec. 7.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.
Sec. 8.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1991.