A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to authorize the environmental REview commission to Study issues related to the establishment of a list of chronic environmental violators, the establishment of a database of enforcement actions, and other measures to reduce violations of Environmental laws.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Environmental Review Commission may study any of the following:
(1)	Whether the Department of Environment and Natural Resources should establish a list of chronic violators of environmental laws. In its conduct of this study, the Commission may consider the criteria for being included on the list, the criteria for being removed from the list, and the resources necessary to establish and maintain the list. The Commission may also consider whether entities subject to Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes should be prohibited from entering into contracts with persons that are included on the list.
(2)	Whether the Department of Environment and Natural Resources should establish a database of violations and enforcement actions taken by the Department against violators of environmental laws. The Commission may consider what information the database should contain, how this information should be formatted, and the resources necessary to establish and maintain the list.
(3)	Whether the Department of Environment and Natural Resources should consider the amount of money saved through noncompliance when determining the amount of a civil penalty.
SECTION 2.  The Environmental Review Commission may request the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and any other State agency necessary to conduct any of the studies authorized by this act.
SECTION 3.  The Environmental Review Commission shall report its findings and recommendations, if any, including any legislative proposals, related to any of the studies authorized by this act to the 2004 Regular Session of the 2003 General Assembly.
SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.