A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION ON COUNTY MEDICAID COST-SHARING.
Whereas, for many counties in this State the county share of the nonfederal share of Medicaid costs represents the largest expenditure of funds in the county's budget; and
Whereas, North Carolina is one of only four states that require counties to pay a portion of the nonfederal share of total Medicaid expenditures; and
Whereas, because Medicaid benefits are governed by federal and State law, counties are unable to control Medicaid costs and therefore should be exempt from paying a portion of the nonfederal share; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  Commission Established. – There is established the Joint Legislative Study Commission on County Medicaid Cost-Sharing.  
SECTION 1.(b)  Membership. – The Commission shall consist of 12 members, as follows:
(1)	The Speakers of the House of Representatives shall appoint six members: four appointees shall be members of the House of Representatives, and two appointees shall be county commissioners.
(2)	The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint six members: four appointees shall be members of the Senate, and two appointees shall be county commissioners.
SECTION 1.(c)  Duties. – The Commission shall study county Medicaid cost-sharing.  In conducting the study, the Commission shall consider development of a tier system for establishing the county share based on a county's ability to pay and other factors the Commission deems appropriate.  The Commission shall also consider methods and means for eliminating the county share, including sources of alternative funding for the Medicaid program.
SECTION 1.(d)  Reports. – The Commission shall submit a final written report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly not later than the convening of the 2006 Regular Session of the 2005 General Assembly.  The Commission may submit a progress report to the 2005 General Assembly upon its convening.  The Commission shall terminate upon the earlier of the filing of its final report or the convening of the 2006 Regular Session of the 2005 General Assembly.
SECTION 1.(e)  Expenses of Members. – Members of the Commission shall be paid per diem, subsistence, and travel expenses, as follows:
(1)	Commission members who are members of the General Assembly shall be paid in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1.
(2)	Commission members who are officials or employees of the State or local government agencies shall be paid in accordance with G.S. 138‑6.
SECTION 1.(f)  Cochairs; Meetings. – The Speakers of the House of Representatives shall appoint a cochair, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint a cochair for the Commission from their respective appointees.  The members shall meet upon the call of the chairs.  A majority of the Commission members shall constitute a quorum.  The Legislative Services Commission may provide meeting space to the Commission in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
SECTION 1.(g)  Staff. – With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional staff to assist in the work of the Commission.
SECTION 1.(h)  Cooperation by Government Agencies. – The Commission may call upon any department, agency, institution, or officer of the State or any political subdivision of the State for facilities, data, or other assistance.  All State departments and agencies, local governments, and their subdivisions shall cooperate with the Commission and, upon request, shall furnish the Commission and its staff any information in their possession or available to them.
SECTION 2.  From funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the 2004‑2005 fiscal year for expenses of the Commission established by this act.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2004.