A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds for the implementation of a pilot program for the provision of courtroom testimony of lab analysts by videoconference and to direct the judicial department and the department of justice to study the feasibility of a statewide program for providing testimony in that manner.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Administrative Office of the Courts shall conduct a pilot program in District Court District 27B for the provision of State Bureau of Investigation lab analyst testimony by videoconference. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, lab analysts with the State Bureau of Investigation may provide courtroom testimony by means of videoconferencing to courtrooms in District Court District 27B for purposes of participating in this pilot project.
SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Judicial Department the sum of one hundred eighteen thousand eight hundred seventy dollars  ($118,870) for the 2004‑2005 fiscal year for equipment and other expenses to conduct a pilot program in District Court District 27B for the provision of SBI lab analyst testimony by videoconference to courtrooms in District 27B.
SECTION 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Justice the sum of forty‑eight thousand four hundred fifty dollars ($48,450) for equipment, set‑up charges, telecom charges, and other expenses associated with providing lab analyst testimony by videoconference from the SBI laboratory. 
SECTION 4.  The Judicial Department, in consultation and cooperation with the Department of Justice, shall study the feasibility of statewide implementation of a program to allow lab analysts with the State Bureau of Investigation to provide their testimony establishing chain‑of‑custody and any other necessary courtroom testimony by means of videoconferencing or other remote means. In conducting this study, the departments shall determine the most efficient and cost‑effective means of providing such testimony and agree upon the appropriate equipment needed for the provision of testimony in that manner. The departments shall report their findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety and the Chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees by January 1, 2005.
SECTION 5.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2004.