GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1750*

Short Title:  Southeastern Convention Ctr Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Wright, Redwine; Hill and Nye.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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June 1, 1998

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE CITY OF WILMINGTON TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE SOUTHEASTERN CONVENTION COMMISSION FOR PLANNING A CONVENTION CENTER IN SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the City of Wilmington the sum of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) for the 1998-99 fiscal year to be allocated to the Southeastern Convention Commission, created pursuant to this act, to hire a professional team to assess the best location, the conceptual design, time schedule, and private sector funding for the establishment of a convention center in southeastern North Carolina.
Section 2.  (a) There is created a commission to be known as the Southeastern Convention Center Commission, which shall consist of seven members, as follows:
(1)	One member appointed by the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners.
(2)	One member appointed by the Pender County Board of Commissioners.
(3)	One member appointed by the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners.
(4)	One member appointed by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.
(5)	One member appointed by the Burgaw Area Chamber of Commerce.
(6)	One member appointed by the joint nomination of the South Brunswick Chamber of Commerce and the Southport Oak Island Chamber of Commerce.
(7)	The Mayor of the City of Wilmington.
The Commission shall set the terms of office, however, no term shall exceed a period of three years.  A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term.  Initial terms of office shall begin September 1, 1998.  The Commission shall terminate after completing its function and purpose pursuant to subsection (b) of this act.
(b)	The sole function and purpose of the Commission and its power shall be to hire a professional team to assess the best location, the conceptual design, time schedule, and private sector funding for the establishment of a convention center in southeastern North Carolina.  The governing body of New Hanover County, Pender County, and Brunswick County, the Chambers of Commerce serving the South Brunswick Island, Southport Oak Island, Wilmington, and Burgaw areas, and the Mayor of the City of Wilmington may authorize a future commission to complete other functions and purposes necessary to establish the convention center.
(c)	The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, travel, or per diem.
(d)	The Commission is not a public authority under Chapter 159 of the General Statutes.
Section 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1998.