GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

S	1 

SENATE BILL 736

Short Title:  Partnership for Quality Growth.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senators Sherron, Blackmon; and Carpenter.
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Referred to:  Rules and Operation of the Senate.
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April 8, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE NORTH CAROLINA PARTNERSHIP FOR QUALITY GROWTH.
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes that in order to facilitate quality growth and development of the State for the benefit of all of its citizens, the State of North Carolina must develop a viable strategy to foster quality growth across the State; and,
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes that the development of viable growth initiatives will require comprehensive planning on the local, regional, and State levels, and that meaningful citizen participation and a partnership between the local, regional, and State governments and the citizens of North Carolina is necessary for statewide quality growth; and,
Whereas, the General Assembly also recognizes that the development of viable growth initiatives will require involvement and participation from the Governor of the State of North Carolina in shaping statewide quality growth in cooperation with the General Assembly; and,
Whereas, the General Assembly welcomes and encourages the Governor's involvement and participation in a partnership for quality growth; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The North Carolina Partnership for Quality Growth is established.  For the purposes of this act, the term "Partnership" means the North Carolina Partnership for Quality Growth.  The Partnership is deemed to be a Committee of the General Assembly pursuant to Article 5A of Chapter 120 of the General Statutes; provided, however, that the provisions of this act shall supercede any section of Article 5A that is in conflict with the provisions of this act.
Sec. 2.  (a)	The Partnership shall study growth and development issues and develop appropriate initiatives to promote comprehensive and coordinated planning on the local, regional, and State levels which guides growth and land use, fosters economic development, protects and preserves natural and cultural resources, promotes efficient infrastructure development, transportation systems, affordable housing, and enhances the quality of life for the citizens of North Carolina.   The Partnership may address all issues deemed necessary to the development and implementation of statewide quality growth, but shall study and evaluate:
(1)	The present and anticipated consequences of population growth and patterns of development on the vitality of the State's economy, environment, land uses, natural and cultural resources, infrastructure, transportation systems, and housing needs;
(2)	Comprehensive planning goals and methods that will accommodate the State's growth and development needs and best serve all of the diverse interests and geographic regions of the State, including consideration of the appropriate State, regional, and local responsibilities, coordination and enforcement of those responsibilities, implementation;
(3)	Funding requirements of comprehensive planning and alternatives for meeting those requirements, including consideration of the appropriate State, regional, and local responsibilities therefor.
(b)	The Partnership shall make an interim report of its findings and recommendations to the 1994 Regular Session of the 1993 General Assembly.  The Partnership shall make its final report, including legislative proposals to enact and implement statewide comprehensive planning for quality growth, to the 1995 General Assembly and to the Governor of North Carolina, by the first day of the 1995 Session of the General Assembly.
Sec. 3.  (a)	The Partnership shall consist of 30 members who shall represent, insofar as practicable, the diverse interests and geographic regions of the State.  The membership shall include at least one representative from each of the State's 12 congressional districts to be appointed as follows:
(1)	The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint eight members of the Partnership:  four members of the Senate, one member who is an advocate of agriculture, one member who is an advocate of rural economic development, one member who represents the utilities industry, and one member of the public at large.  Of these eight members, four shall reside respectively in the  first, fourth, seventh, and tenth congressional districts;
(2)	The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint eight members of the Partnership:  four members of the House of Representatives, one member who is an advocate of environmental protection, one member who is an advocate of affordable housing, one member who represents the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association, and one member of the public at large.  Of these eight members, four shall reside respectively in  the second, fifth, eighth, and eleventh congressional districts; and
(3)	The Governor shall appoint 14 members of the Partnership:  one member who represents business and industry, one member who represents the North Carolina League of Municipalities, Inc., one member who represents the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, Inc., one member who represents the North Carolina Association of Regional Council Directors, one member who represents the transportation industry, one member who represents financial institutions, one member who represents homebuilders or real estate developers and seven members of the public at large.  Of these 14 members, four shall reside respectively in the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth congressional districts.
(b)	Appointment of the members of the Partnership shall be completed by the appointing authorities not later than 30 days after the ratification of this act.  Vacancies occurring on the Partnership shall be filled by the original appointing authority using the same criteria as provided in this section.
Sec. 4.  The Partnership members shall receive no compensation for serving on the Partnership.  All members shall receive necessary subsistence and travel expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 120-3.1.
Sec. 5.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one Senator as cochair of the Partnership and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one Representative as cochair of the Partnership.  The cochairs shall call the initial meeting of the Partnership not more than 30 days after the appointment of the last member of the Partnership.  The Partnership shall subsequently meet upon such notice and in such manner as may be determined by the Partnership.  A majority of the members of the Partnership shall constitute a quorum.
Sec. 6.  (a)	The Partnership shall establish subcommittees to study, evaluate, and address the following issues:
(1)	Changing Population;
(2)	Economic Development;
(3)	Environmental Protection and Preservation;
(4)	Infrastructure and Transportation;
(5)	Housing and Quality of Life;
(6)	Growth Partnerships Among State, County, Municipal, and Regional Governments and the Private Sector; and,
(7)	Governance and Economies of Scale in Planning Across Political Boundaries.
(b)	The cochairs shall appoint members of the Partnership and other knowledgeable persons or experts to serve on the subcommittees.  The subcommittees shall meet and conduct themselves in such manner as shall be determined by the Partnership.  The Partnership may establish such other subcommittees deemed necessary to assist in the performance of its duties.
Sec. 7.  The Partnership shall have the authority to appoint Technical Advisory Boards as appropriate to assist the Partnership in the performance of its duties.  The Technical Advisory Boards shall advise on matters within their technical expertise.
Sec. 8.  The Partnership shall establish a process of citizen participation that assures the citizens of North Carolina of the opportunity to be informed of and contribute to the work of the Partnership.
Sec. 9.  (a)	The Partnership shall employ an Executive Director who shall report to the Partnership and serve at its pleasure.  The Executive Director shall be nominated by the cochairs and appointed upon majority vote of the Partnership; provided that, if an Executive Director is not appointed upon the nomination of the cochairs within 30 days of the first meeting of the Partnership, then the Governor shall appoint the Executive Director.  The Executive Director shall be the chief administrative officer of the Partnership and shall be supervised by the cochairs.
(b)	The Executive Director shall employ additional employees and contract for services, subject to the approval of the Partnership, as appropriate to assist the Partnership in the performance of its duties.
Sec. 10.  Subject to the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the professional and clerical staff of the Legislative Services Office shall be available to the Partnership, and the Partnership may meet in the State Legislative Building or Legislative Office Building.
Sec. 11.  The Partnership may call upon any department, agency, institution, or officer of the State or of any political subdivision thereof for such facilities, data, and other assistance as may be available.  Upon request of the Partnership, all such departments, agencies, institutions, and officers shall cooperate with the Partnership to the fullest extent possible.
Sec. 12.  The Partnership may apply for, receive, and accept grants of non-State funds, or receive and accept contributions from any source of money, property, labor, or any other thing of value as appropriate to assist the Partnership in the performance of its duties.  Any funds received shall be held in a separate account and used solely in furtherance of the Partnership's work.
Sec. 13.  The Partnership shall terminate upon filing its final report to the General Assembly, unless extended by an act of the General Assembly.
Sec. 14.  This act is effective upon ratification.