GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	2 

SENATE BILL 982
Judiciary II/Election Laws Committee Substitute Adopted 6/13/95

Short Title:  Campaign Reform/Election Study.	(Public)

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Sponsors:

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Referred to:  Appropriations

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May 4, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE CAMPAIGN REFORM AND ELECTION LAWS REVIEW COMMISSION.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  (a)	There is created a Campaign Reform and Election Laws Review Commission to be composed of 18 members appointed as follows:
(1)	The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint six members; 
(2)	The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint six members; and
(3)	The Governor shall appoint six members.
As used in this act and unless otherwise clearly indicated, "Commission" shall refer to the Campaign Reform and Election Laws Review Commission.
(b)	The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each designate a cochair of the Commission from their appointees.  Either cochair may call the first meeting of the Commission.
(c)	Members shall serve until the termination of the Commission or, in the case of a State legislator member, until the member either does not file for reelection to the General Assembly or is not reelected, whichever occurs first.  Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made.
Sec. 2.  (a)	The Commission may study thoroughly:
(1)	The regulation of campaigns, including the financing of campaigns and the conduct of campaigns, the appropriateness of sanctions for violations, and the appropriate handling and disposition of campaign contributions;
(2)	The possibility of alternative voting methods, such as limited voting, cumulative voting, and preference voting, to help solve some of the problems of designing fair and practical modes of election for representative offices, particularly in local government, that will comply with federal law;
(3)	In general, the election laws, policies, and procedures of the State; 
(4)	The administration of those laws, policies, and procedures at the State and local levels and the responsibilities of those administrating these laws; and
(5)	Federal and State case rulings impinging on these laws, policies, and practices.
(b)	The Commission may recommend changes to the law that will:
(1)	Address the problems of money in politics and the decline of civility in politics;
(2)	Take the proper approach toward alternative voting methods;
(3)	Clarify the present election laws by removing inconsistencies and outdated provisions, including those of dubious constitutionality;
(4)	Incorporate in the law any desirable uncodified procedures, practices, and rulings of a general nature that have been implemented by the State Board of Elections and its Executive Secretary-Director;
(5)	Conform the law to State and federal case law and to any requirements of federal statutory law and regulation;
(6)	Ensure the efficient and effective administration of elections in this State;
(7)	Continue the impartial, professional administration of elections, which the citizens of the State expect and demand; and 
(8)	Recodify the election laws, as necessary, to produce a comprehensive current statement of law and practice of elections in North Carolina.
Sec. 3.  With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Administrative Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Election Laws Review Commission.  Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the Offices of the House of Representatives and Senate Supervisors of Clerks.  The expenses of employment of the clerical staff shall be borne by the Commission.  With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Election Laws Review Commission may hold its meetings in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
Sec. 4.  The Commission shall submit a final written report of its findings and recommendations on or before the convening of the 1997 General Assembly. The Commission may submit a written report to the 1996 Regular Session of the 1995 General Assembly.  All reports shall be filed with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Principal Clerks of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the Legislative Librarian.  Upon filing its final report, the Commission shall terminate.
Sec. 5.  Members of the Commission shall be paid per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances as follows:
(1)	Commission members who are also members of the General Assembly at the rate established in G.S. 120-3.1;
(2)	Commission members who are officials or employees of the State or local government agencies at the rate established in G.S. 138-6;
(3)	All other Commission members at the rate established in G.S. 138-5.
Sec. 6.  The State Board of Elections and its Executive Secretary-Director, local boards of elections, all other State departments and agencies, and local governments and their subdivisions shall cooperate with the Commission and, upon request, shall furnish to the Commission and its staff any information in their possession or available to them.
Sec. 7.  From the appropriations to the General Assembly for studies, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate funds to conduct the work of the Election Laws Review Commission.
Sec. 8.  This act is effective upon ratification.