GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1021

Short Title:  Study Septic Tank Standards/Process.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Hardy, Reynolds; and Watson.

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Referred to:  Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House.

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April 21, 1997

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE WASTEWATER SYSTEMS PERMITS STUDY COMMISSION.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The Wastewater Systems Permits Study Commission is created.  The Commission shall consist of 10 members.  Five members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two of whom shall be members of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be a soil scientist, one of whom shall be a professional engineer under Chapter 89 of the General Statutes, and one of whom shall be a representative from the septic tank industry.  Five members shall be appointed by the the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, two of whom shall be members of the Senate, one of whom shall be a soil scientist, one of whom shall be a professional engineer under Chapter 89C of the General Statutes, and one of whom shall be a representative of the septic tank industry.  One ex officio member shall be appointed by the State Health Director.
Section 2.  The Wastewater Systems Permits Study Commission shall study the process and the standards whereby improvement permits and authorizations for wastewater system construction are issued by local health departments pursuant to Article 11 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes.  The Commission shall also review the appeals process that is available to applicants whose permits are denied.  The Commission may consider any other issues it deems relevant to the subjects it is required to study under this section.  The Commission shall report its findings and conclusions, including any legislative proposals, to the General Assembly no later than May 1, 1998, by filing the report with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  Upon filing its report, the Commission shall terminate.
Section 3.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a Chair.  The Commission shall meet at least monthly at the call of the Chair.  Members appointed to the Commission shall serve until the Commission makes its final report.  A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
Section 4.  The Commission may contract for consultant services as provided by G.S. 120-32.02.  Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Administrative Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission.  Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the House and Senate supervisors of clerks.  The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission.  The Commission, while in the discharge of official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120-19 through G.S. 120-19.4.
Section 5.  Members of the Commission shall receive 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.
Section 6.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly, the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for the 1997-98 fiscal year for the costs of the Wastewater Systems Permits Study Commission, as created in Section 1 of this act, conducting its work under this act.
Section 7.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1997.