A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish the legislative study commission on reemployment after retirement for teachers and state employees.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is established the Legislative Study Commission on Reemployment After Retirement for Teachers and State Employees. The Study Commission shall study the costs and benefits of modifying or eliminating the limitations on reemployment after retirement for teachers and state employees, including whether the option for retired teachers to return to the classroom without loss of retirement benefits should be made permanent. The Study Commission shall conduct several public hearings to seek input from employers and employees concerning the short and long-term needs for experienced workers. In conducting the study, the Commission shall obtain input and support from the Retirement Systems Division of the Department of State Treasurer regarding the cost of the options and the number of positions likely to be affected.
SECTION 1.(b)  The Study Commission shall consist of 10 members appointed as follows:
(1)	Five members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. All five shall be members of the Senate at the time of appointment. One member shall have served within the last two years as a chair, cochair, or vice chair of the Senate Committee on Pensions and Retirement and Aging.
(2)	Five members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. All five shall be members of the House of Representatives at the time of appointment. One member shall have served within the last two years as a chair, cochair, or vice chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Pensions and Retirement.
SECTION 1.(c)  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each designate a cochair of the Study Commission from their appointees.
SECTION 1.(d)  With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional staff to assist in the work of the Legislative Study Commission on Reemployment After Retirement for Teachers and State Employees. With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Study Commission may hold its meeting in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
SECTION 1.(e)  The Study Commission shall submit a final written report of its findings and recommendations on or before the convening of the 2004 Regular Session of the 2003 General Assembly. All reports shall be filed with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Legislative Librarian. Upon filing its final report, the Study Commission shall terminate.
SECTION 1.(f)  Members of the Study Commission shall be paid per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances at the rate established in G.S. 120‑3.1.
SECTION 1.(g)  All State departments and agencies shall cooperate with the Study Commission and, upon request, shall furnish to the Study Commission and its staff any information in their possession or available to them.
SECTION 2.  From funds appropriated to the General Assembly for the 2003‑2005 fiscal biennium, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate funds for the expenses of the Legislative Study Commission on Reemployment After Retirement for Teachers and State Employees.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.