A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to RECODIFY MANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET ACT and the capital improvement planning act INTO A STATE BUDGET ACT THAT REVISES AND CLARIFIES THE PROCEDURES FOR PREPARING, ENACTING, AND ADMINISTERING THE STATE BUDGET and to make conforming changes as recommended by the Joint committee on Executive budget act revisions.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 1 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is repealed.
SECTION 2.  Article 1B of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is repealed.
SECTION 3.  The General Statutes are amended by adding a new Chapter to read:
"Chapter 143C.
"State Budget Act.
"Article 1.
"General Provisions.
"§ 143C‑1‑1.  Purpose and definitions.
(a)	Title of Chapter. – This Chapter is the 'State Budget Act' and may be cited by that name.
(b)	The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to every State agency and to every non‑State entity that receives or expends any State funds. No State agency or non‑State entity shall expend any State funds except in accordance with an act of appropriation and the requirements of this Chapter. 
(c)	Purpose. – This Chapter establishes procedures for the following:
(1)	Preparing the recommended State budget.
(2)	Enacting the State budget.
(3)	Administering the State budget.
(d)	Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this Chapter:
(1)	Appropriation. – An enactment by the General Assembly authorizing the withdrawal of money from the State treasury. An enactment by the General Assembly that authorizes, specifies, or otherwise provides that funds may be used for a particular purpose is not an appropriation.
(2)	Biennium. – The two fiscal years beginning on July 1 of each odd‑numbered year and ending on June 30 of the next odd‑numbered year.
(3)	Budget. – A plan to provide and spend money for specified programs, functions, activities, or objects during a fiscal year.
(4)	Budget year. – The fiscal year for which a budget is proposed and enacted.
(5)	Capital Improvement. – A term that includes real property acquisition, new construction, or rehabilitation of existing facilities, and repairs and renovations.
(6)	Capital Improvements Appropriations Act. – An act of the General Assembly containing appropriations for one or more capital improvement projects.
(7)	Certified budget. – The budget as enacted by the General Assembly including adjustments made for (i) distributions to State agencies from statewide reserves appropriated by the General Assembly, (ii) distributions of reserves appropriated to a specific agency by the General Assembly, and (iii) organizational or budget changes directed by the General Assembly but left to the Director to carry out.
(8)	Controller. – The Office of the State Controller.
(9)	Current Operations Appropriations Act. – An act of the General Assembly estimating revenue availability for and appropriating money for the current operations of State government during one or more budget years.
(10)	Departmental receipt. – Fees, licenses, federal funds, grants, fines, penalties, and other similar collections or credits generated by State agencies in the course of performing their governmental functions that are applied to the cost of a program administered by the State agency or transferred to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund pursuant to G.S. 115C‑457.1, and that are not defined as tax proceeds or nontax revenues. Departmental receipts may include moneys transferred into a fiscal year from a prior fiscal year.
(11)	Director. – The Director of the Budget, who is the Governor.
(12)	Encumbrance. – A financial obligation created by a purchase order, contract, salary commitment, unearned or prepaid collections for services provided by the State, or other legally binding agreement.
(13)	Fiscal period. – A fiscal biennium beginning in odd‑numbered years or the first or second fiscal year within a fiscal biennium.
(14)	Fiscal year. – The annual period beginning July 1 and ending on the following June 30.
(15)	Fund. – A fiscal and accounting entity with a self‑balancing set of accounts recording cash and other resources, together with all related liabilities and residual equities or balances, and changes therein, for the purpose of carrying on stated programs, activities, and objectives of State government.
(16)	General Fund Operating Budget. – The sum of all appropriations from the General Fund for a fiscal year, except appropriations for  (i) capital improvements, including repairs and renovations, and (ii) one‑time expenditures due to natural disasters or other emergencies shall not be included.
(17)	Information technology. – As defined in G.S. 147‑33.81(2).
(18)	Non‑State entity. – Any of the following who is not a State agency:  an individual, a firm, a partnership, an association, a corporation, or any other organization or group acting as a unit. The term includes a unit of local government.
(19)	Nontax revenue. – Revenue that is not a tax proceeds and that is required by statute to be credited to the General Fund.
(20)	Object or line item. – An expenditure or receipt in a recommended or enacted budget that is designated in the Budget Code Structure of the North Carolina Accounting System Uniform Chart of Accounts prescribed by the Office of the State Controller.
(21)	Performance information. – Measures and comparisons of program efficiency, effectiveness, outcome, or impact generally presented in quantitative terms and compared to best practices or benchmarks.
(22)	Purpose or program. – A group of objects or line items for support of a specific activity outlined in a recommended or enacted budget that is designated by a nine‑digit fund code in accordance with the Budget Code Structure of the North Carolina Accounting System Uniform Chart of Accounts prescribed by the Office of the State Controller.
(23)	State agency. –  A unit of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of State government, such as a department, a commission, a board, a council, or The University of North Carolina. The term does not include a unit of local government.
(24)	State funds. – Any moneys deposited in the State treasury except moneys deposited in a trust fund or agency fund as described in G.S. 143C‑1‑3.
(25)	State resources. – All financial and nonfinancial assets of the State.
(26)	State revenue. – An increase, other than interfund transfers and debt issue proceeds, in the financial assets of any State governmental or proprietary fund.
(27)	Statutory appropriation. – An appropriation that authorizes the withdrawal of funds from the State treasury during fiscal years extending beyond the current fiscal biennium, without further act of the General Assembly.
(28)	Unreserved fund balance. – The available General Fund cash balance effective June 30 after excluding documented encumbrances, unearned revenue, federal grants, statutory requirements, and other legal obligations to General Fund cash as determined by the State Controller. Beginning unreserved fund balance equals ending unreserved fund balance from the prior fiscal year.
"§ 143C‑1‑2.  Appropriations: constitutional requirement; reversions.
(a)	Appropriation Required to Withdraw State Funds From the State Treasury. – In accordance with Section 7 of Article V of the North Carolina Constitution, no money shall be drawn from the State treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law. A law enacted by the General Assembly that authorizes the expenditure of money from the State treasury is an appropriation; however, an enactment by the General Assembly that authorizes, specifies, or otherwise provides that funds may be used for a particular purpose is not an appropriation.
(b)	Reversions. – Unless otherwise provided by law, at the end of the fiscal year the unexpended, unencumbered balance of an appropriation reverts to the fund from which the appropriation was made; except that (i) an appropriation to the General Assembly shall not revert unless otherwise provided by the Legislative Services Commission, and (ii) an appropriation for a capital improvement project shall revert as provided by G.S. 143C‑8‑11.
"§ 143C‑1‑3.  Fund types.
(a)	Types. – The Controller shall account for State resources through use of the fund types listed in this subsection. The Controller may not establish a fund type that differs from the listed fund types unless the Governmental Accounting Standards Board has approved the use of the different fund type. 
The fund types are described as follows, except that where a conflict exists between a description used in this section and the definition of the corresponding fund type issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, it is presumed that the definition issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board shall prevail.

Governmental Funds.
(1)	Capital Projects Funds – Accounts for financial resources to be used for the acquisition or construction of major capital facilities other than those financed by proprietary funds or in trust funds for individuals, private organizations, or other governments. Capital outlays financed from general obligation bond proceeds should be accounted for through a capital projects fund. 
(2)	Debt Service Funds – Accounts for the accumulation of resources for, and the payment of, general long‑term debt principal and interest. 
(3)	General Fund – Accounts for all financial resources except those required to be reported in another fund. 
(4)	Special Revenue Funds – Accounts for the proceeds of specific revenue sources, other than trusts for individuals, private organizations, or other governments or for major capital projects, that are legally restricted to expenditure for specified purposes. 

Proprietary Funds.
(5)	Enterprise Funds – Accounts for any activity for which a fee is charged to external users for goods or services. Activities are required to be reported as enterprise funds if any one of the following criteria is met. Each of these criteria should be applied in the context of the activity's principal revenue sources.
a.	The activity is financed with debt that is secured solely by a pledge of the net revenues from fees and charges of the activity.
b.	Laws or regulations require that the activity's costs of providing services, including capital costs, be recovered with fees and charges rather than with taxes or similar revenues.
c.	The pricing policies of the activity establish fees and charges designed to recover its costs, including capital costs.
(6)	Internal Service Funds – Accounts for any activity that provides goods or services to other funds, departments, or agencies of the primary government and its component units, or to other governments, on a cost‑reimbursement basis. Internal service funds should be used only if the reporting government is the predominant participant in the activity. Otherwise, the activity should be reported as an enterprise fund. 

Agency and Trust Funds.
(7)	Agency funds – Accounts for resources held by the reporting government in a purely custodial capacity. Agency funds typically involve only the receipt, temporary investment, and remittance of fiduciary resources to individuals, private organizations, or other governments.
(8)	Investment Trust Funds – Accounts for the external portion of investment pools reported by the sponsoring government.
(9)	Pension and Other Employee Benefit Trust Funds – Accounts for resources that are required to be held in trust for the members and beneficiaries of defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plans, other postemployment benefit plans, or other employee benefit plans. 
(10)	Permanent Funds – Accounts for resources that are legally restricted to the extent that only earnings, and not principal, may be used for purposes that support the reporting government's programs.
(11)	Private‑Purpose Trust Funds – Accounts for all other trust arrangements under which principal and income benefit individuals, private organizations, or other governments.
(b)	Designation. – If State resources are designated by law as a fund or an account within a fund and there is a conflict between the legal designation and the appropriate accounting designation of the State resources, then the Controller shall determine the appropriate designation of the State resources based on the intended use and financial treatment of the State resources as set out in the law establishing the fund or account. The Controller shall determine the fund type of all separate funds and account for them accordingly. The Controller shall keep the total number of funds to the minimum number practical.
(c)	Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, funds established for The University of North Carolina and its constituent institutions pursuant to G.S. 116‑36.1, 116‑36.2, and 116‑36.5 shall be exempt from Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, except Article 8 of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, and accounted for in accordance with G.S. 116‑36.1, 116‑36.2, and 116‑36.5.
"§ 143C‑1‑4.  Interest earnings credited to the General Fund; interest earnings on Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund credited to those funds. 
(a)	Interest Earnings Credited to the General Fund. – Unless otherwise provided by law, interest earned on all funds shall be credited to the General Fund. 
(b)	Exception for Interest Earnings on Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund. – Interest earned by the Highway Fund and the Highway Trust Fund shall be credited to the Highway Fund and the Highway Trust Fund respectively.
"Article 2.
"Director of the Budget.
"§ 143C‑2‑1.  Governor is Director of the Budget.
(a)	Governor is Director of the Budget. – The Governor is the Director of the Budget. In that capacity, the Governor is required by Article III, Section 5(3) of the North Carolina Constitution to prepare and recommend a budget and to administer the budget as enacted by the General Assembly. The Director may delegate to one or more persons the authority to perform a power or duty of the Director under this Chapter.
(b)	State Agencies and Non‑State Entities to Provide Information Requested by the Director; Examination of Persons and Agencies by Director. – Upon request, all State agencies and non‑State entities subject to this act shall furnish the Director, in the form and at the time requested by the Director, any information desired by the Director in relation to their respective activities or fiscal affairs so long as the information is not confidential pursuant to federal or State law. The Director may subpoena and examine under oath any person directly or indirectly responsible for the operations of any State agency or any non‑State entity subject to the provisions of this Chapter.
(c)	Governor May Request State Auditor to Audit State Agency or Non‑State Entity Receiving State Funds. – As authorized by G.S. 147‑64.6(c)(3), the Governor may request the State Auditor to make an audit of or cause an audit to be made of the books and accounts of any State agency and may require that the cost of the audit be borne by the State agency. The Governor may also request the State Auditor to make an audit of or cause an audit to be made of the books and records of any non‑State entity receiving State funds pursuant to the State Auditor's authority granted in G.S. 147‑64.7.
"§ 143C‑2‑2.  Collection of State Budget Statistics.
The Director shall coordinate the efforts of governmental agencies to collect, disseminate, and analyze official economic, demographic, and social statistics pertinent to State budgeting. The Director shall do all of the following:
(1)	Prepare and release the official demographic and economic estimates and projections for the State.
(2)	Conduct special economic and demographic analyses and studies to support statewide budgeting.
(3)	Develop and coordinate cooperative arrangements with federal, State, and local governmental agencies to facilitate the exchange of data to support State budgeting.
(4)	Report major trends that influence revenues and expenditures in the State budget in the current fiscal year and that may influence revenues and expenditures over the next five fiscal years.
"§ 143C‑2‑3.  Fiscal analysis required for any State agency bill that affects the budget.
A State agency proposing a bill that affects the State budget shall prepare a fiscal analysis for the bill and submit the analysis to the Fiscal Research Division upon introduction of the bill. The fiscal analysis shall estimate the impact of the legislation on the State budget for the first five fiscal years the legislation would be in effect.
"§ 143C‑2‑4.  Director of the Budget may direct State Treasurer to borrow money for certain payments.
The Director of the Budget, by and with the consent of the Governor and Council of State, may authorize and direct the State Treasurer to borrow in the name of the State, in anticipation of the collection of taxes, such sum as may be necessary to make the payments on the appropriations as even as possible and to preserve the best interest of the State in the conduct of the various State agencies during each fiscal year.
"Article 3.
"Development of the Governor's Recommended Budget.
"§ 143C‑3‑1.  Budget estimate for the legislative branch.
The Legislative Administrative Officer shall give the Director an estimate of the financial needs of the legislative branch for the upcoming fiscal period in accordance with the schedule prescribed by the Director. The estimates for the legislative branch shall be approved and certified by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The estimates shall be itemized in accordance with the accounting classifications adopted by the Controller. The Director shall include the estimates in the budget the Director submits to the General Assembly. The Director may recommend changes to these estimates in the budget submitted to the General Assembly.
"§ 143C‑3‑2.  Budget estimate for the judicial branch.
The Administrative Officer of the Courts shall give the Director an estimate of the financial needs of the judicial branch for the upcoming fiscal period in accordance with the schedule prescribed by the Director. The estimates for the judiciary shall be approved and certified by the Chief Justice. The estimates shall be itemized in accordance with the accounting classifications adopted by the Controller. The Director shall include these estimates in the budget the Director submits to the General Assembly. The Director may recommend changes to these estimates in the budget submitted to the General Assembly. 
"§ 143C‑3‑3.  Budget requests from State agencies in the executive branch.
(a)	General Provisions. – A State agency that is not in the legislative or judicial branch of government shall submit its budget requests for the upcoming fiscal period to the Director in accordance with the schedule prescribed by the Director. The Director shall give each State agency instructions to be used in estimating the funds required to provide necessary State government programs and capital improvements. The estimates shall be itemized in accordance with the accounting classifications adopted by the Controller and shall be approved and certified by the respective head or responsible officer of the agency submitting them. 
(b)	University of North Carolina System Request. – Notwithstanding subsections (c), (d), and (e) of this section, pursuant to G.S. 116‑11 the Board of Governors shall prepare a unified budget request for all of public senior higher education, including repairs and renovations, capital fund requests, and information technology. 
(c)	Repairs and Renovations Funds Request. – In addition to any other information requested by the Director, any State agency proposing to repair or renovate an existing facility shall accompany that request with all of the following: 
(1)	A description of current deficiencies and proposed corrections with a review and evaluation of that proposal prepared by the Department of Administration.
(2)	An estimate of project costs and cash flow requirements approved by the Department of Administration.
(3)	A certification of project feasibility as described in G.S. 143‑341.
(4)	An explanation of the method by which the repair or renovation is to be financed.
(d)	Capital Funds Request. – In addition to any other information requested by the Director, any State agency proposing to (i) acquire real property, (ii) construct a new facility, (iii) expand the footprint of an existing facility, or (iv) rehabilitate an existing facility to accommodate new or expanded uses shall accompany that request with all of the following: 
(1)	An estimate of its space needs and other physical requirements, together with a review and evaluation of that estimate prepared by the Department of Administration.
(2)	An estimate of project costs and cash flow requirements approved by the Department of Administration.
(3)	A certification of project feasibility as described in G.S. 143‑341. 
(4)	An explanation of the method by which the acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation is to be financed.
(5)	An estimate of maintenance and operating costs, including personnel, for the project, covering the first 10 years of operation.
(6)	An estimate of revenues, if any, to be derived from the project, covering the first five years of operation.
	This subsection does not apply to requests for State resources for railroad, highway, or bridge construction or renovation.
(e)	Information Technology Request. – In addition to any other information requested by the Director, any State agency requesting significant State resources, as defined by the Director, for the purpose of acquiring or maintaining information technology shall accompany that request with all of the following:
(1)	A statement of its needs for information technology and related resources, together with a review and evaluation of that statement prepared by the State Chief Information Officer.
(2)	A statement setting forth the requirements for State resources, together with an evaluation of those requirements by the State Chief Information Officer that takes into consideration the State's current technology, the opportunities for technology sharing, the requirements of Article 3D of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes, and any other factors relevant to the analysis.
(3)	A statement by the State Chief Information Officer that sets forth viable alternatives, if any, for meeting the agency needs in an economical and efficient manner.
(4)	In the case of an acquisition, an explanation of the method by which the acquisition is to be financed.
This subsection shall not apply to requests submitted by the General Assembly, the Administrative Office of the Courts, or The University of North Carolina.
"§ 143C‑3‑4.  Budget requests from non‑State entities.
Unless otherwise provided by law, budget requests from non‑State entities shall be submitted to the Director or to a State agency designated by the Director. A State agency designated to receive a budget request from a non‑State entity shall evaluate the request and forward its evaluation to the Director in accordance with procedures established by the Director.
"§ 143C‑3‑5.  Budget recommendations and budget message.
(a)	Budget Proposals. – The Governor shall present budget recommendations within 15 business days of the convening of the regular session of the General Assembly in odd‑numbered years and within five business days of the convening of the regular session of the General Assembly in even‑numbered years, unless a time is otherwise fixed by joint resolution.
(b)	Odd-Numbered Fiscal Years. – In odd‑numbered years the budget recommendations shall include the following components:
(1)	A Comprehensive Financial Plan setting forth recommended expenditure requirements, funding sources, and performance information for each State government program and for each proposed capital improvement. The Comprehensive Financial Plan may be presented in a format chosen by the Director, except that the Comprehensive Financial Plan shall clearly distinguish program continuation requirements, program reductions, program eliminations, program expansions, and new programs, and shall explain all proposed capital improvements in the context of the Six‑Year Capital Improvements Plan and as required by G.S. 143C‑8‑6. 
(2)	A Budget Support Document showing, for each program in State government, accounting detail corresponding to the Comprehensive Financial Plan.
a.	The Budget Support Document shall employ the North Carolina Accounting System Uniform Chart of Accounts adopted by the State Controller to show both uses and sources of funds and shall display in separate parallel columns all of the following:  (i)  actual expenditures and receipts for the most recent fiscal year for which actual information is available, (ii) the certified budget for the preceding fiscal year, (iii) the currently authorized budget for the preceding fiscal year, (iv) program continuation requirements for each fiscal year of the biennium, (v) proposed expenditures and receipts for each fiscal year of the biennium, and (vi) proposed increases and decreases.
b.	The Budget Support Document shall include detailed information on recommended expenditures for capital improvements as required by G.S. 143C‑8‑6.
c.	Revenue and expenditure detail provided in the Budget Support Document shall be no less detailed than the two‑digit level in the North Carolina Accounting System Uniform Chart of Accounts as prescribed by the State Controller and shall clearly identify all proposed expenditures supported by existing or proposed appropriations, including statutory appropriations.
(3)	A Current Operations Appropriation Act that makes appropriations for each fiscal year of the upcoming biennium for the operating expenses of all State agencies as contained in the Comprehensive Financial Plan, together with a Capital Improvements Appropriations Act that authorizes any capital improvements projects.  
(c)	Even‑Numbered Fiscal Years. – In even‑numbered years, the Governor may recommend changes in the enacted budget for the second year of the biennium. These recommendations shall be presented as amendments to the Comprehensive Financial Plan and shall be incorporated in a recommended Current Operations Appropriation Act and a recommended Capital Improvements Appropriations Act as necessary. Any recommended changes shall clearly distinguish program reductions, program eliminations, program expansions, and new programs, and shall explain all proposed capital improvements in the context of the Six‑Year Capital Improvements Plan and as required by G.S. 143C‑8‑6. The Governor shall provide sufficient supporting documentation and accounting detail, consistent with that required by G.S. 143C‑4‑5(2), corresponding to the recommended amendments to the Comprehensive Financial Plan.
(d)	Funds Included in Budget. – Consistent with requirements of the North Carolina Constitution, Article 5, Section 7(a), the Governor's Comprehensive Financial Plan, together with the Budget Support Document, shall include recommended expenditures from all Governmental and Proprietary Funds, as those funds are described in G.S. 143C‑1‑3. Except where provided otherwise by federal law, funds received from the federal government become State funds when deposited in the State treasury and shall be classified and accounted for in the Governor's budget recommendations no differently than funds from other sources.
(e)	Revenue Estimates. – The recommended Current Operations Appropriations Act shall contain a statement showing the estimates of General Fund availability, Highway Fund availability, and Highway Trust Fund availability upon which the recommended Comprehensive Financial Plan is based.
(f)	Budget Message. – The Governor's budget recommendations shall be accompanied by a written budget message that does all of the following:
(1)	Explains the goals embodied in the recommended budget.
(2)	Explains important features of the activities anticipated in the budget.
(3)	Explains the assumptions underlying the statement of revenue availability.
(4)	Sets forth the reasons for changes from the previous biennium or fiscal year, as appropriate, in terms of programs, program goals, appropriation levels, and revenue yields.
(5)	Identifies anticipated sources of funding for major spending initiatives.
(6)	Prepares a fiscal analysis that addresses the State's budget outlook for the upcoming five‑year period.  This fiscal analysis shall include detailed estimates for five years for any proposals to create new or significantly expand programs and for proposals to create new or change existing law.
(g)	Different Gubernatorial Administrations. – For years in which there will be a change in gubernatorial administrations, the incumbent Governor shall complete the budget recommendations and budget message by December 15 and deliver them to the Governor‑elect.
"Article 4.
"Budget Requirements.
"§ 143C‑4‑1.  Annual balanced budget.
The budget recommended by the Governor and the budget enacted by the General Assembly shall be balanced and shall include two fiscal years beginning on July 1 of each odd‑numbered year. Each fiscal year and each fund shall be balanced separately. The budget for a fund is balanced when the beginning unreserved fund balance for the fiscal year, together with the projected receipts to the fund during the fiscal year, is equal to or greater than the sum of appropriations from the fund for that fiscal year.
"§ 143C‑4‑2.  Savings Reserve Account and appropriation of General Fund unreserved fund balance.
(a)	Creation and Source of Funds. – The Savings Reserve Account is established as a reserve in the General Fund. The Controller shall reserve to the Savings Reserve Account one‑fourth of any unreserved fund balance, as determined on a cash basis, remaining in the General Fund at the end of each fiscal year.
(b)	Use of Funds. – The Savings Reserve Account is a component of the unappropriated General Fund balance. Funds reserved to the Savings Reserve Account shall be available for expenditure only upon an act of appropriation by the General Assembly.
(c)	Goal for Savings Reserve Account Balance. – The General Assembly recognizes the need to establish and maintain sufficient reserves to address unanticipated events and circumstances such as natural disasters, economic downturns, threats to public safety, health, and welfare, and other emergencies. It is a goal of the General Assembly and the State to accumulate and maintain a balance in the Savings Reserve Account equal to or greater than eight percent (8%) of the prior year's General Fund operating budget.
"§ 143C‑4‑3.  Repairs and Renovations Reserve Account.
(a)	Creation and Source of Funds. – The Repairs and Renovations Reserve Account is established as a reserve in the General Fund. The State Controller shall reserve to the Repairs and Renovations Reserve Account one‑fourth of any unreserved fund balance, as determined on a cash basis, remaining in the General Fund at the end of each fiscal year.
(b)	Use of Funds. – The funds in the Repairs and Renovations Reserve Account shall be used only for the repair and renovation of State facilities and related infrastructure that are supported from the General Fund. Funds from the Repairs and Renovations Reserve Account shall be used only for the following types of projects:
(1)	Roof repairs and replacements;
(2)	Structural repairs;
(3)	Repairs and renovations to meet federal and State standards;
(4)	Repairs to electrical, plumbing, and heating, ventilating, and air‑conditioning systems;
(5)	Improvements to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq., as amended;
(6)	Improvements to meet fire safety needs;
(7)	Improvements to existing facilities for energy efficiency;
(8)	Improvements to remove asbestos, lead paint, and other contaminants, including the removal and replacement of underground storage tanks;
(9)	Improvements and renovations to improve use of existing space;
(10)	Historical restoration;
(11)	Improvements to roads, walks, drives, utilities infrastructure; and
(12)	Drainage and landscape improvements.
Funds from the Repairs and Renovations Reserve Account shall not be used for new construction or the expansion of the footprint of an existing facility unless required in order to comply with federal or State codes or standards.
(c)	Funds Available Only Upon Appropriation. – Funds reserved to the Repairs and Renovations Reserve Account shall be available for expenditure only upon an act of appropriation by the General Assembly. 
"§ 143C‑4‑4.  Capital Improvements Reserve Account.
(a)	Creation and Source of Funds. – The Capital Improvements Reserve Account is established as a reserve in the General Fund. The State Controller shall reserve to the Capital Improvements Reserve Account one‑half of any unreserved fund balance, as determined on a cash basis, remaining in the General Fund at the end of each fiscal year.
(b)	Use of Funds. – The funds in the Capital Improvements Reserve Account shall be used only for real property acquisitions and the construction or rehabilitation of State facilities that are supported from the General Fund. 
(c)	Funds Available Only Upon Appropriation. – Funds reserved to the Capital Improvements Reserve Account shall be available for expenditure only upon an act of appropriation by the General Assembly. 
"§ 143C‑4‑5.  Contingency and Emergency Fund.
(a)	Creation. – The Contingency and Emergency Fund is established within the General Fund. The General Assembly shall appropriate a specific amount to this fund for contingencies and emergencies in the Current Operations Appropriations Act or other appropriations bill.
(b)	Authorized Uses. – Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds appropriated to the Contingency and Emergency Fund may be used only for expenditures required: (i) by a court or Industrial Commission order, (ii) to respond to events as authorized under G.S. 166A‑5(1)a.9. of the Emergency Management Act, or (iii) for other statutorily authorized purposes or other contingencies and emergencies, not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the annual appropriation. 
(c)	Request for Allocation. – A State agency may request an allocation from the Contingency and Emergency Fund by submitting a request in writing to the Director along with any information required by the Director. If the Director approves the request, and after prior consultation with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Director shall present the request, together with a recommendation, to the Council of State for its approval. If the Council of State approves the request, the Director shall order the Controller to allocate the funds requested.
"§ 143C‑4‑6.  Non‑State match restrictions.
Whenever money is required to match an appropriation made for a specific purpose by the State of North Carolina, the recipient of the appropriation shall actually receive as a gift, grant, earnings in actual money, or a pledge that can be used as collateral in any prudent loan transaction, the matching amount required. The recipient shall retain the matching amount received in its possession until spent for that purpose and shall spend an equal percentage of the appropriation and of the matching amount each time an expenditure is made, unless the individual appropriation requires otherwise.
"§ 143C‑4‑7.  General Fund operating budget size limited.
(a)	Size Limitation. – Except as otherwise provided in this section, the General Fund operating budget each fiscal year shall not be greater than seven percent (7%) of the projected total State personal income for that fiscal year. For the purpose of this section, the General Fund operating budget includes any appropriations for local tax‑sharing, but does not include appropriations for (i) capital expenditures or (ii) one‑time expenditures due to natural disasters, federal mandates, or other emergencies.
(b)	Increase in Size Limitation. To the extent that any percent increase in appropriations for a fiscal year for (i) Medicaid, (ii) operation of prisons, or (iii) the costs of providing health insurance for teachers and State employees, exceeds the percent increase in State personal income growth for the same period, the limitation on the size of the General Fund operating budget provided in subsection (a) of this section for that fiscal year shall be increased by the dollar amount represented by the excess percentage. For all subsequent fiscal years, the percent limitation contained in subsection (a) shall then be increased to reflect that dollar adjustment.
(c)	Fiscal Reports. The Office of State Budget and Management and the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly shall each submit a tentative estimate of total State personal income for the upcoming fiscal year to the General Assembly no later than February 1 of each year. The Office and the Fiscal Research Division shall each submit a final projection of total State personal income for the upcoming fiscal year to the General Assembly no later than May 1 of each year. The General Assembly shall use the lower of the two final projections to calculate the limitation on the size of the General Fund operating budget provided in this section.
"§ 143C‑4‑8.  Limit on number of permanent positions budgeted.  
The total number of permanent budgeted positions established in State agencies shall not be increased by the end of any State fiscal year by a greater percentage rate of change than the percentage rate of change of the residential population growth for the State of North Carolina. The Office of State Budget and Management shall be responsible for computing the annual percentage rates of change for each measure. The population growth rate shall be computed by averaging the annual residential population growth rate in each of the preceding 10 fiscal years as stated in the annual estimates of residential population in North Carolina made by the United States Census Bureau. The growth rate of the number of budgeted positions shall be computed by averaging the annual rate of growth of State budgeted positions in each of the preceding 10 fiscal years. The total number of permanent budgeted positions established in State agencies shall be computed by adding the total number of budgeted Full‑Time Equivalents from all fund types. This section does not apply to State‑funded positions supported by the State in a local public school system or local community college institution.
"Article 5.
"Enactment of the Budget.
"§ 143C‑5‑1.  Rules for the introduction of the Governor's appropriations bills.
The Current Operations Appropriations Act recommended by the Governor and the Capital Improvements Appropriations Act recommended by the Governor shall be introduced by the chairs of the committee on appropriations in each house of the General Assembly. This section shall be considered and treated as a rule of procedure in the Senate and House of Representatives unless provided otherwise by a rule of either branch of the General Assembly.
"§ 143C‑5‑2.  Order of appropriations bills.
Each house of the General Assembly shall first pass its version of the Current Operations Appropriations Act on third reading and order it sent to the other chamber before placing any other appropriations bill on the calendar for second reading. This section does not apply to the following bills: 
(1)	An appropriations bill to respond to a disaster as defined by G.S. 166A‑4(1).
(2)	An appropriations bill making adjustments to the current year budget.
(3)	An appropriations bill authorizing continued operations at current funding levels. 
"§ 143C‑5‑3.  Availability statement required.
The Current Operations Appropriations Act enacted by the General Assembly shall state the General Fund, Highway Fund, and Highway Trust Fund availability used as basis for appropriations from those funds.
"§ 143C‑5‑4.  Enactment deadline.
The General Assembly shall enact the Current Operations Appropriations Act by June 15 of odd‑numbered years and by June 30 of even‑numbered years in which a Current Operations Appropriations Act is enacted.
"§ 143C‑5‑5.  Committee report used to construe intent of budget acts.
A committee report incorporated by reference in the Current Operations Appropriations Act or the Capital Improvements Appropriations Act and distributed on the floor of the House of Representatives and of the Senate as part of the explanation of the act is to be construed with the appropriate act in interpreting its intent. If a report conflicts with the act, the act prevails. The Director of the Fiscal Research Division of the Legislative Services Commission shall send a copy of the reports to the Director.
"Article 6.
"Administration of the Budget.
"Part 1. Certification and Administration of the Budget.
"§ 143C‑6‑1.  Budget enacted by the General Assembly; certified budgets of State agencies.
(a)	Governor to Administer the Budget as Enacted by the General Assembly. – In accordance with Section 5(3) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution, the Governor shall administer the budget as enacted by the General Assembly. All appropriations of State funds now or hereafter made to the State agencies and non‑State entities authorize expenditures only for the (i) purposes or programs and (ii) objects or line items enumerated in the Comprehensive Financial Plan and the Budget Support Document recommended to the General Assembly by the Governor, as amended and enacted by the General Assembly in the Current Operations Appropriations Act, the Capital Improvements Appropriations Act, or any other act affecting the State budget. The Governor shall ensure that appropriations are expended in strict accordance with the budget enacted by the General Assembly.
(b)	Departmental Receipts. – Departmental receipts collected to support a program or purpose shall be credited to the fund from which appropriations have been made to support that program or purpose.
(c)	Certification of the Budget. – The Director of the Budget shall certify to each State agency the amount appropriated to it for each program and each object from all governmental and proprietary funds. The certified budget for each State agency shall reflect the total of all appropriations enacted for each State agency by the General Assembly in the Current Operations Appropriations Act, the Capital Improvements Appropriations Act, and any other act affecting the State budget. The certified budget for each State agency shall follow the format of the Budget Support Document as modified to reflect changes enacted by the General Assembly.
"§ 143C‑6‑2.  Methods to avoid deficit.
(a)	Appropriations. – Each appropriation is maximum and conditional. The expenditures authorized by an appropriation from a fund shall be made only if necessary and only if the aggregate revenues to the fund during each fiscal year of the biennium, when added to any unreserved fund balance from the previous fiscal year, are sufficient to support the expenditures.
(b)	Revenue Collections. – The Director, with the assistance of the Secretary of Revenue and other officials collecting or receiving appropriated State revenue, shall continuously survey the revenue collections. If the Director finds that revenues to any fund, when added to the beginning unreserved fund balance in that fund, will be insufficient to support appropriations from that fund, the Director shall immediately notify the General Assembly that a deficit is anticipated. Prior to implementing any measures, the Director shall present to the General Assembly a plan containing such expenditure reductions and other lawful measures as the Director is prepared to implement in order to avert the deficit.
(c)	Local Governments Funds. – In exercising the powers contained in Section 5(3) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution, the Governor shall not withhold from distribution funds that have been collected by the State on behalf of local governments or funds that the General Assembly has appropriated to local governments unless the Governor has exhausted all other sources of revenue of the State including any appropriated surplus remaining in the treasury at the beginning of the fiscal period.
In accordance with Section 19 of Article I of the North Carolina Constitution and the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution, the State is prohibited from taking local tax revenue. This subsection does not authorize the Governor to withhold revenues from taxes levied by units of local governments and collected by the State.
"§ 143C‑6‑3.  Allotments.
To receive the operating funds appropriated to it, a State agency shall submit to the Director, at intervals and in a format prescribed by the Director, a request for an allotment of the amount estimated to be required for the agency's operating costs during the ensuing fiscal period. The Director shall approve or modify the allotment requests, and the State Controller shall implement the allotments as approved or modified by the Director. 
"§ 143C‑6‑4.  Budget Adjustments Authorized
(a)	Findings. – The General Assembly recognizes that even the most thorough budget deliberations may be affected by unforeseeable events. Under limited circumstances set forth in this section, the Director may adjust the enacted budget by making transfers among lines of expenditure, purposes, or programs or by increasing expenditures funded by departmental receipts.  Under no circumstances, however, shall total General Fund expenditures for a State department exceed the amount appropriated to that department from the General Fund for the fiscal year.
(b)	Adjustments to the Enacted Budget. – Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 143C‑6‑1, a State agency may, with approval of the Director of the Budget, spend more than was authorized in the enacted budget for all of the following:
(1)	An object or line item within a purpose or program so long as the total amount expended for the purpose or program is no more than was authorized in the enacted budget for the purpose or program. 
(2)	A purpose or program if the overexpenditure of the purpose or program is:
a.	Required by a court or Industrial Commission order;
b.	Authorized under G.S. 166A‑5(1)a.9. of the Emergency Management Act; or
c.	Required to call out the national guard.
(3)	A purpose or program not subject to the provisions of subdivision (b)(2)b. of this subsection, but only in accord with the following restrictions:  (i) the overexpenditure is required to continue the purpose or programs due to complications or changes in circumstances that could not have been foreseen when the budget for the fiscal period was enacted, (ii) the scope of the purpose or program is not increased,   (iii) the overexpenditure is authorized on a nonrecurring basis, and (iv) under no circumstances shall the total requirements for a State department exceed the department's certified budget for the fiscal year by more than one percent (1%).
(c)	Overexpenditures Reported. – The Director shall report quarterly, beginning October 31, to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on overexpenditures approved by the Director under subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (a) of this section.
(d)	Overexpenditures in Senate Budget. – The President Pro Tempore of the Senate may approve expenditures for more than was authorized in the enacted budget for objects or line items in the budget of the Senate.
(e)	Overexpenditures in House of Representatives Budget. – The Speaker of the House of Representatives may approve expenditures for more than was authorized in the enacted budget objects or line items in the budget of the House of Representatives.
(f)	Transfers Between Line Items or Programs in General Assembly Budget Other Than Senate and House of Representatives. – Expenditures exceeding amounts authorized for programs, objects, or line items in the budget of the General Assembly other than those of the Senate and House of Representatives shall be approved jointly by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(g)	Transfers in The University of North Carolina Budget. – Transfers or changes within the budget of The University of North Carolina may be made as provided in Article 1 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes.
"§ 143C‑6‑5.  No expenditures for purposes for which the General Assembly has considered but not enacted an appropriation.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds from any source shall be expended for any new or expanded purpose, position, or other expenditure for which the General Assembly has considered but not enacted an appropriation of funds for the current fiscal period.
"§ 143C‑6‑6.  Payrolls.
(a)	Before a State agency establishes a new position or changes the funding of an existing position, the agency shall submit the proposed action to the Director for approval. The Director shall review the proposed action to ensure that funds for the action are included in the amount appropriated to the agency. If the Director approves the action, the Director shall notify the agency and the Controller of the approval. The Controller may not honor a voucher in payment of a payroll that includes a new position or a change in an existing position that has not been approved by the Director.
(b)	This section does not apply to The University of North Carolina.
"§ 143C‑6‑7.  Compliance with Chapter and appropriations acts; appropriations to the General Assembly do not revert.
(a)	Compliance With Chapter and Appropriations Acts. – Except as otherwise provided by law, all expenditures of State funds by a State agency or a non‑State entity shall be made in compliance with the State budget as enacted by the General Assembly and certified by the Director. If the Director finds that a State agency or non‑State entity has spent or encumbered State funds for an unauthorized purpose, the Director shall take appropriate administrative action to ensure that no further irregularities occur and shall report to the Attorney General any facts that pertain to an apparent violation of a penal statute or an apparent instance of malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance by a person.
(b)	Repayment of Funds Spent for an Unauthorized Purpose. – In addition to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, if the Director finds that a State agency violated this section, the Director shall withhold any future allocations for the unauthorized purpose and shall also withhold future allocations to the Department in an amount equal to the funds unlawfully spent. If the Director finds that a non‑State entity violated this section, the Director shall withhold any future allocations for the unauthorized purpose and shall request the Attorney General to take any legal action required to secure repayment of the funds unlawfully spent. 
(c)	Appropriations to the General Assembly Remain Available. – Appropriations to the General Assembly shall remain available until expended, unless otherwise provided by the Legislative Services Commission.
"§ 143C‑6‑8.  State agencies may incur financial obligations only if authorized by the Director of the Budget and subject to the availability of appropriated funds. 
Unless otherwise authorized by the Director as provided by law, purchase orders, contracts, salary commitments, and any other financial obligations by State agencies shall be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
"§ 143C‑6‑9.  Use of lapsed salary savings.
Lapsed salary savings may be expended only for nonrecurring purposes or line items.
"§ 143C‑6‑10.  Transfers to Department of Health and Human Services.
(a)	Medicaid. – Political subdivisions may appropriate funds directly to the Department of Health and Human Services for Medicaid programs. Other public agencies and private sources may transfer funds to the Department for Medicaid programs. The Department may accept unconditional and unrestricted donations of the funds. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Chapter that might forbid the transfer or donation of funds, the University of North Carolina Hospitals at Chapel Hill may transfer funds as provided by the previous sentence of this section.
(b)	Use of Funds. – Contributed funds for Medicaid are subject to the Department of Health and Human Services administrative control and be allocated as provided in the Current Operations Appropriations Act, except the contributions shall not reduce State general revenue funding. At the end of any fiscal year, the unencumbered balance of any of the funds shall not revert to the General Fund, but shall be reappropriated for these purposes in the next fiscal year.
"Part 2. Highway Appropriations.
"§ 143C‑6‑11.  Highway appropriation.
(a)	General Provisions. – Appropriations made for transportation projects are subject to the provisions in this section. If the provisions in this section conflict with the budget acts, the budget acts prevail.
(b)	Cash Flow Management of Transportation Projects. – Transportation Project funds shall be budgeted, expended, and accounted for on a 'cash flow' basis. Pursuant to this end, transportation project contracts shall be planned and limited so payments due at any time will not exceed the cash available to pay them.
(c)	Appropriations Are for Payments and Contract Commitments to Be Made in the Appropriation Fiscal Year. – The appropriations for transportation projects are for maximum payments estimated to be made during the appropriation fiscal year and for maximum contracting authority for future years. Transportation project contracts shall be scheduled so that the total contract payments and other expenditures charged to projects in the fiscal year for each transportation project appropriation item will not exceed the current appropriations provided by the General Assembly and unspent prior appropriations made by the General Assembly for the particular appropriation item.
(d)	Payments Subject to Availability of Funds. – The annual appropriations for transportation projects shall be expended only to the extent that sufficient funds are available in the Highway Fund.
(e)	Retainage Fully Funded. – The Department of Transportation shall fully fund retainage from transportation project contracts in the year in which the work is performed.
(f)	Five Percent of the Cash Balance Required. – The Department of Transportation shall maintain an available cash balance at the end of each month equal to at least five percent (5%) of the unpaid balance of the total transportation project contract obligations. In the event this cash position is not maintained, no further transportation project contract commitments may be entered into until the cash balance has been regained. For the purposes of awarding contracts involving federal aid, any amount due from the federal government and the Highway Bond Fund as a result of unreimbursed expenditures may be considered as cash for the purposes of this provision.
(g)	Anticipation of Revenues. – In awarding State transportation project contracts requiring payments beyond a biennium, the Director may anticipate revenues as authorized and certified by the General Assembly to continue contract payments for up to seventy‑five percent (75%) of the revenues which are estimated for the first fiscal year of the succeeding biennium and which are not required for other budget items. Up to fifty percent (50%) of the revenues not required for other budget items may be anticipated for the second and subsequent fiscal years' contract payments. Up to forty percent (40%) of the revenues not required for other budget items may be anticipated for the first year of the second succeeding biennium and up to twenty percent (20%) of the revenues not required for other budget items may be anticipated for the second year of the second succeeding biennium.
(h)	Amounts Encumbered. – Transportation project appropriations may be encumbered in the amount of allotments made to the Department of Transportation by the Director for the estimated payments for transportation project contract work to be performed in the appropriation fiscal year. The allotments shall be multiyear allotments and shall be based on estimated revenues and shall be subject to the maximum contract authority contained in subsection (c) above. Payment for transportation project work performed pursuant to contract in any fiscal year other than the current fiscal year is subject to appropriations by the General Assembly. Transportation project contracts shall contain a schedule of estimated completion progress, and any acceleration of this progress shall be subject to the approval of the Department of Transportation provided funds are available. The State reserves the right to terminate or suspend any transportation project contract, and any transportation project contract shall be so terminated or suspended if funds will not be available for payment of the work to be performed during that fiscal year pursuant to the contract. In the event of termination of any contract, the contractor shall be given a written notice of termination at least 60 days before completion of scheduled work for which funds are available. In the event of termination, the contractor shall be paid for the work already performed in accordance with the contract specifications.
(i)	Provision Incorporated in Contracts. – The provisions of subsection (h) of this section shall be incorporated verbatim in all transportation project contracts.
(j)	Existing Contracts Are Not Affected. – The provisions of this section shall not apply to transportation project contracts awarded by the Department of Transportation prior to July 15, 1980.
(k)	The Department of Transportation shall do all of the following:
(1)	Utilize cash flow financing to the extent possible to fund transportation projects with the goal of reducing the combined average daily cash balance of the Highway Fund and the Highway Trust Fund to an amount equal to the twelve percent (12%) of the combined estimate of the yearly receipts of the Funds. The target amount shall include an amount necessary to make all municipal‑aid funding requirements of the Department.
(2)	Establish necessary management controls to facilitate use of cash flow financing, such as establishment of a financial planning committee, development of a monthly financing report, establishment of appropriate fund cash level targets, review of revenue forecasting procedures, and reduction of accrued unbilled costs.
(3)	Report annually, on October 1 of each year, to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee on its cash management policies and results.
"Part 3. Non‑State Entities Receiving State Funds.
"§ 143C‑6‑12.  Payments to non‑State entities.
Except as otherwise provided by law, an annual appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or less to or for the use of a nonprofit corporation shall be made in a single annual payment. An annual appropriation of more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to or for the use of a nonprofit corporation shall be made in quarterly or monthly payments, in the discretion of the Director of the Budget.
"§ 143C‑6‑13.  Report on use of State funds by non‑State entities.
(a)	Disbursement and Use of State Funds. – Every non‑State entity that receives, uses, or expends any State funds shall use or expend the funds only for the purposes for which they were appropriated by the General Assembly or collected by the State. State funds include federal funds that flow through the State. For the purposes of this section, the term "grantee" means a non‑State entity other than an individual or a unit of local government that receives a grant of State funds from a State agency, department, or institution.
The State shall not disburse State funds appropriated by the General Assembly to any grantee or collected by the State for use by any grantee unless that grantee:
(1)	Provides all reports and financial information required under this section to the appropriate State agencies and officials; and
(2)	Provides any additional information that the Office of State Budget and Management deems necessary demonstrating that such grantee is capable of managing the funds in accordance with law and has established adequate financial procedures and controls.
All financial statements furnished to the State Auditor pursuant to this section, and any audits or other reports prepared by the State Auditor, are public records.
(b)	State Agency Responsibilities. – A State agency that receives State funds and then disburses the State funds to a grantee shall:
(1)	Submit documents to the State Auditor in a prescribed format describing standards of compliance and suggested audit procedures sufficient to give adequate direction to independent auditors performing audits.
(2)	Annually, at the time the grant is made, notify each grantee, in writing, of the reporting requirements set forth in this section and that the State agency is not authorized to disburse funds to grantees that fail to comply with the reporting requirements for funds received during the prior fiscal year.
(3)	Provide each grantee with the accounting form and other requirements prescribed by the State Auditor.
(4)	Submit a list to the State Auditor by October 31 each year of every grantee to which the agency disbursed State funds in the prior fiscal year, the amount disbursed to each grantee, and other such information as required by the State Auditor to comply with the requirements set forth in this section.
(5)	Submit a list to the Office of State Budget and Management by January 31 each year of every grantee to which the agency disbursed State funds in the prior fiscal year and, for each grantee, whether that grantee has filed the sworn accounting required by subsection (c) of this section and whether the sworn accounting is in compliance with subsection (c) of this section.
(c)	Grantee Receipt and Expenditure Reports. – A grantee that receives, uses, or expends between fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) and three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) in State funds annually must file annually with the State agency that disbursed the funds a sworn accounting of receipts and expenditures of the State funds and a description of activities and accomplishments undertaken by the grantee with State funds. This accounting must be attested to by the treasurer of the grantee and one other authorizing officer of the grantee. The accounting must be filed within six months after the end of the grantee's fiscal year in which the State funds were received. The accounting shall be in the form required by the State Auditor and provided to the grantee by the disbursing agency.
(d)	Grantee Audit Reports. – A grantee that receives, uses, or expends State funds in the amount of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) or more annually must file annually with the State Auditor a financial statement in the form and on the schedule prescribed by the State Auditor. These audit reports shall be filed no later than nine months after the close of the grantee's fiscal year. The financial statement must be audited in accordance with standards prescribed by the State Auditor to assure that State funds are used for the purposes provided by law.
A grantee that receives, uses, or expends State funds in the amount of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) or more annually must file annually with the State agency that disbursed the funds a description of activities and accomplishments undertaken by the grantee with State funds. This description must be filed within 90 days after the end of the grantee's fiscal year in which the State funds were received.
(e)	State Auditor's Responsibilities. – The State Auditor shall:
(1)	Review each audit submitted pursuant to subsection (d) of this section and determine that it has been conducted in accordance with generally accepted audit standards and that the grantee has received a clean audit opinion.
(2)	Notify disbursing agencies by January 31 each year of all grantees that are not in compliance with the reporting requirements set forth in this section.
(3)	Notify disbursing agencies of any material audit findings in the audits of their grantees.
(4)	Submit a list to the Office of State Budget and Management by January 31 each year of every grantee that received State funds in the prior fiscal year and, for each grantee, whether that grantee has complied with this subsection.
(f)	Before a State agency disburses any funds for the fourth quarter of a fiscal year, the agency shall, in consultation with the Office of State Budget and Management, verify that the grantee has complied with the reporting requirements of this section. A State agency shall not disburse funds during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year to any grantee that has not complied with this section by March 31 of each year.
(g)	The Office of State Budget and Management shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the Fiscal Research Division by May 1 of each year on all grantees that failed to comply with this section for the prior fiscal year, the amount of State funds that were disbursed to each of those grantees during that fiscal year, and the amount of State funds that were withheld.
(h)	Federal Reporting Requirements. – Federal law may require a grantee to make additional reports with respect to funds for which reports are required under this section. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a grantee may satisfy the reporting requirements of subsection (c) of this section by submitting a copy of the report required under federal law with respect to the same funds or by submitting a copy of the report described in subsection (d) of this section.
(i)	Audit Oversight. – The State Auditor has audit oversight, pursuant to Article 5A of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes, of every grantee that receives, uses, or expends State funds. Such a grantee must, upon request, furnish to the State Auditor for audit all books, records, and other information necessary for the State Auditor to account fully for the use and expenditure of State funds. The grantee must furnish any additional financial or budgetary information requested by the State Auditor.
"Article 7.
"Federal and Other Receipts.
"§ 143C‑7‑1.  Funds creating an obligation.
(a)	Report to Director. – A State agency that submits to the federal government or to any other party an application for funds shall first provide to the Director a copy of the application along with any related information the Director may require. 
(b)	Contract Provision. – A State agency that receives funds pursuant to an application that must be reported to the Director under subsection (a) of this section shall include in any related contract or other grant instrument a clause specifically stating that the expenditure of money deposited in the State treasury is subject to acts of appropriation by the General Assembly.
"§ 143C‑7‑2. Federal Block Grants.
(a)	Plans Submitted and Reviewed. – The Secretary of each State agency that receives and administers federal Block Grant funds shall prepare and submit the agency's Block Grant plans to the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly not later than February 20 of each odd‑numbered calendar year and not later than April 20 of each even‑numbered calendar year. The Director shall review the plans for accuracy, consistency, and uniformity prior to their submission to the General Assembly.
(b)	Information To Be Included in Plans. – Each State agency shall submit a separate Block Grant plan for each Block Grant received and administered by the agency, and each plan shall include the following:
(1)	A delineation of the proposed allocations by program or activity, including allocations for State and local administrative costs and State or federal match requirements.
(2)	A comparison of the proposed allocations by program or activity with two prior years' program or activity budgets and two prior years' actual program or activity expenditures.
(3)	A projection of current year expenditures by program or activity.
(4)	A projection of federal block grant funds available for appropriation, including any unspent federal funds from the current and prior fiscal years and projected increases in federal block grant funds. 
"Article 8.
"Budgeting Capital Improvement Projects.
"§ 143C‑8‑1.  Legislative intent; purpose.
(a)	Legislative Intent. – The General Assembly recognizes the need to establish a comprehensive process for capital improvement planning and budgeting that is fully integrated with State financial planning and debt management.
(b)	Capital Improvement Planning and Budgeting Process. – The capital improvement planning and budgeting process shall include the following elements:
(1)	An inventory of facilities owned by State agencies.
(2)	Criteria used to evaluate capital improvement needs.
(3)	A six‑year capital improvement needs estimate.
(4)	A six‑year capital improvements plan.
(5)	Recommendations for capital improvements set forth in the Comprehensive Financial Plan as specified in G.S. 143C‑4‑5.
(c)	Office of State Budget and Management to Manage Planning Process. – The Office of State Budget and Management has responsibility for management of the capital improvement planning process. The Director of the Budget may assign to any State agency or institution such duties and responsibilities as may, in the Director's judgment, be necessary to the successful administration of the capital improvement planning process. 
"§ 143C‑8‑2.  Capital facilities inventory.
The Department of Administration shall develop and maintain an automated inventory of all facilities owned by State agencies pursuant to G.S. 143‑341(4). The inventory shall include the location, occupying agency, ownership, size, description, condition assessment, maintenance record, parking and employee facilities, and other information to determine maintenance needs and prepare life‑cycle cost evaluations of each facility listed in the inventory. The Department of Administration shall update and publish the inventory at least once every three years. The Department shall also record in the inventory acquisitions of new facilities and significant changes in existing facilities as they occur. 
"§ 143C‑8‑3.  Capital improvement needs criteria.
The Office of State Budget and Management shall develop a weighted list of factors that may be used to evaluate the need for capital improvement projects. The list shall include all of the following:
(1)	Preservation, adequacy and use of existing facilities.
(2)	Health and safety considerations.
(3)	Operational efficiencies.
(4)	Projected demand for governmental services. 
"§ 143C‑8‑4.  Agency capital improvement needs estimates.
(a)	Needs Estimate Required. – On or before September 1 of each even‑numbered year, each State agency shall submit to the Office of State Budget and Management and to the Division of Fiscal Research a six‑year capital improvement needs estimate. This estimate shall describe the agency's anticipated capital needs for each year of the six‑year planning period. Capital improvement needs estimates shall be shown in two parts.
(b)	Repairs and Renovations Needs Estimate. – The first part of the capital improvement needs estimates shall include only requirements for repairs and renovations necessary to maintain the existing use of existing facilities. Each proposed repair and renovation expenditure shall be justified by reference to the Facilities Condition Assessment Program operated by the Office of State Construction.
(c)	Real Property and New Construction or Facility Rehabilitation Needs Estimate. – The second part of the capital improvement needs estimates shall include only proposals for real property acquisition and projects involving construction of new facilities or rehabilitation of existing facilities to accommodate uses for which the existing facilities were not originally designed. Each project included in this part shall be justified by reference to the needs evaluation criteria established by the Office of State Budget and Management pursuant to G.S. 143C‑8‑3. 
"§ 143C‑8‑5.  Six‑year capital improvements plan.
(a)	General. – The State capital improvement plan shall address the long‑term capital improvement needs of all State government agencies and shall incorporate all capital projects, however financed, proposed to meet those needs, except that transportation infrastructure projects shall be excluded. On or before December 31 of each even‑numbered year, the Director of the Budget shall prepare and transmit to the General Assembly a six‑year capital improvement plan. When preparing the plan, the Director of the Budget shall consider the capital improvement needs estimates submitted by State agencies as required in G.S. 143C‑8‑4. The plan shall be prepared in two parts.
(b)	Repair and Renovations Requirements. – The first part of the capital improvement plan shall set forth repair and renovations requirements that, in the judgment of the Director of the Budget, should be met within each year of the six‑year planning period to protect and preserve existing capital improvement facilities. The plan shall identify individual projects in priority order by State agency and shall specify the means of financing. 
(c)	Real Property Acquisition, New Construction, or Facility Rehabilitations. – The second part of the capital improvement plan shall set forth an integrated schedule for real property acquisition, new construction, or rehabilitation of existing facilities that, in the judgment of the Director of the Budget, should be initiated within each year of the six‑year planning period. The plan shall contain for each project (i) estimates of real property acquisition, and construction or rehabilitation costs (ii) a means of financing the project, and (iii) an estimated schedule for the completion of the project. Where the means of financing would involve direct or indirect debt service obligations, a schedule of those obligations shall be presented. 
"§ 143C‑8‑6.  Recommendations for capital improvements set forth in the Comprehensive Financial Plan.
(a)	Budget Director's Recommendations. – The Director of the Budget shall recommend expenditures for repairs and renovations of existing facilities, and real property acquisition, new construction or rehabilitation of existing facilities in the Comprehensive Financial Plan in accordance with G.S. 143C‑4‑5.
(b)	Comprehensive Financial Plan. – The Comprehensive Financial Plan shall contain for repairs and renovations of existing facilities:  (i) the amount recommended for each State agency, (ii) a summary of the recommendations by project type, and (iii) the means of financing.
(c)	Budget Support Document. – The Budget Support Document shall contain for each repair and renovation project recommended in accordance with 143C‑8‑6(b): (i) a project description and justification, (ii) a detailed cost estimate, (iii) an estimated schedule of cash flow requirements over the life of the project, (iv) an estimated schedule for the completion of the project, and (v) an explanation of the means of financing. 
(d)	Detail to be Included in Comprehensive Financial Plan. – The Comprehensive Financial Plan shall contain for each capital project involving real property acquisition, new construction, footprint expansions, or the rehabilitation of existing facilities to accommodate new or expanded uses: (i) a project description and statement of need, (ii) an estimate of acquisition and construction or rehabilitation costs, and (iii) a means of financing the project. 
(e)	Detail to be Included in Budget Support Document. – The Budget Support Document shall contain for each capital project recommended in accordance with 143C‑8‑6(c): (i) a detailed project description and justification, (ii) a detailed estimate of acquisition, planning, design, site development, construction, contingency and other related costs, (iii) an estimated schedule of cash flow requirements over the life of the project, (iv) an estimated schedule for the completion of the project,  (v) an estimate of maintenance and operating costs, including personnel, for the project, covering the first ten years of operation, (vi) an estimate of revenues, if any, likely to be derived from the project, covering the first five years of operation, and (vii) an explanation of the means of financing.
"§ 143C‑8‑7.  When a State agency may begin a capital improvement project.
No State agency may expend funds for any capital improvement project except as needed to comply with this article or otherwise authorized by the General Assembly.
"§ 143C‑8‑8.  When a State agency may increase the cost of a capital improvement project.
A State agency may increase the cost of a capital improvement project if the General Assembly authorizes the increase. The Director may authorize an increase in the cost of a capital improvement project if  (i) bids for the project contract exceed the amount appropriated for the project, (ii) the project was designed within the scope intended by the appropriation, and (iii) funds are available in the Project Reserve Account to pay for the increase. 
"§ 143C‑8‑9.  When a State agency may change the scope of a capital improvement project.
A State agency may increase the scope of a capital improvement project only if the General Assembly authorizes the increase. A State agency may decrease the scope of a capital improvement project if the Director authorizes the decrease. To obtain the Director's authorization for a decrease in the scope of a capital improvement project, a State agency shall submit its request to the Director in writing and shall state the reason for the request.
"§ 143C‑8‑10.  Project Reserve Account.
(a)	Project Reserve Account. – The Project Reserve Account is created as a reserve account within the Capital Project Fund. When a construction contract is entered for a capital improvement project for which the General Assembly has enacted an appropriation, the appropriation is encumbered for the project's costs of real property acquisition, planning, design, site development, construction, contingencies, and other related costs. If the amount appropriated for the project exceeds the amount encumbered, the excess shall be credited to the Project Reserve Account, unless otherwise required by law. The Director may authorize funds in the Account to be used for any of the following:
(1)	An emergency repair and renovation project at a State facility.
(2)	The award of a project contract when bids for the contract exceed the amount appropriated for it if the project was designed within the scope intended by the appropriation and if the Director finds that all means to award the contract within the appropriation were reasonably attempted.
(3)	A reversion to the principal fund from which revenue was appropriated for a project when the amount encumbered for the project is less than the amount appropriated.
(b)	Reporting Requirement. – Whenever the Director authorizes the use of funds from the Project Reserve Account, the Director shall report the action to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations at its next meeting.
"§ 143C‑8‑11.  Reversion of appropriation and lapse of project authorization.
(a)	Reversion of Appropriation. – A State agency shall begin construction of an authorized capital improvement project during the fiscal year in which the funds are appropriated. If it does not, the Director may credit the appropriation to the Project Reserve Account, unless otherwise required by law. If the Director does not credit the appropriation to the Project Reserve Account, the appropriation shall revert to the principal fund from which it was appropriated. The Director may, for good cause, allow a State agency to take up to an additional 12 months to take the actions required by this subsection.
(b)	Lapse of Project Authorization. – Authorizations for capital improvement projects shall lapse if any of the following occur:  (i) the appropriation for a capital improvement project reverts, (ii) if construction of a project does not begin during the first two fiscal years in which funds are appropriated, or (iii) the Director redirects funds appropriated for a capital improvement project in accordance with G.S. 143C‑6‑2.
"Article 9.
"Special Funds and Fee Reports.
"§ 143C‑9‑1.  Medicaid Special Fund; transfers to Department of Health and Human Services.
(a)	Political subdivisions may appropriate funds directly to the Department of Health and Human Services for Medicaid programs. Other public agencies and private sources may transfer funds to the Department for Medicaid programs. The Department may accept unconditional and unrestricted donations of such funds. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article which might forbid such transfer or donation, the University of North Carolina Hospitals at Chapel Hill may transfer funds as provided by the previous sentence of this section.
(b)	Contributed funds shall be subject to the Department of Health and Human Services administrative control and shall be allocated only as specifically provided in the Current Operations Appropriations Act, except such contributions shall not reduce State general revenue funding. At the end of any fiscal year, the unobligated balance of any such funds shall not revert to the General Fund, but shall be reappropriated for these purposes in the next fiscal year. 
"§ 143C‑9‑2.  Trust Fund for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services and Bridge Funding Needs.
(a)	The Trust Fund for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services and Bridge Funding Needs is established as an interest‑bearing, nonreverting special trust fund in the Office of State Budget and Management. Moneys in the Trust Fund shall be held in trust and used solely to meet the mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services needs of the State. The Trust Fund shall be used to supplement and not to supplant or replace existing State and local funding available to meet the mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services needs of the State.
The State Treasurer shall hold the Trust Fund separate and apart from all other moneys, funds, and accounts. The State Treasurer shall be the custodian of the Trust Fund and shall invest its assets in accordance with G.S. 147‑69.2 and G.S. 147‑69.3. Investment earnings credited to the assets of the Trust Fund shall become part of the Trust Fund. Any balance remaining in the Trust Fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the Trust Fund for the next succeeding fiscal year.
Moneys in the Trust Fund shall be expended only in accordance with subsection (b) of this section and in accordance with limitations and directions enacted by the General Assembly.
(b)	Moneys in the Trust Fund for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services and Bridge Funding Needs shall be used only to:
(1)	Provide start‑up funds and operating support for programs and services that provide more appropriate and cost‑effective community treatment alternatives for individuals currently residing in the State's mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services institutions.
(2)	Facilitate the State's compliance with the United States Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W.
(3)	Facilitate reform of the mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services system and expand and enhance treatment and prevention services in these program areas to remove waiting lists and provide appropriate and safe services for clients.
(4)	Provide bridge funding to maintain appropriate client services during transitional periods as a result of facility closings, including departmental restructuring of services.
(5)	Construct, repair, and renovate State mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services facilities.
(c)	Notwithstanding G.S. 143C‑1‑2, any nonrecurring savings in State appropriations realized from the closure of any State psychiatric hospitals that are in excess of the cost of operating and maintaining a new State psychiatric hospital shall not revert to the General Fund but shall be placed in the Trust Fund and shall be used for the purposes authorized in this section. Notwithstanding G.S. 143C‑1‑2, recurring savings realized from the closure of any State psychiatric hospitals shall not revert to the General Fund but shall be used for the payment of debt service on financing contract indebtedness authorized pursuant to Article 9 of Chapter 142 of the General Statutes for the construction of a new State psychiatric hospital. Any remainder not needed for this debt service shall be credited to the Department of Health and Human Services to be used only for the purposes of subsections (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section. 
"§ 143C‑9‑3.  Settlement Reserve Fund.
(a)	The "Settlement Reserve Fund" is established as a restricted reserve in the General Fund. Except as otherwise provided in this section, funds shall be expended from the Settlement Reserve Fund only by specific appropriation by the General Assembly.
(b)	A Health Trust Account is established in the Settlement Reserve Fund. The portion of each Master Settlement Agreement payment identified in Section 6(3) of S.L. 1999‑2 shall be credited to the Health Trust Account. The State Controller shall transfer all funds in the Health Trust Account to the Health and Wellness Trust Fund created in Article 6C of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes.
(c)	A Tobacco Trust Account is established in the Settlement Reserve Fund. The portion of each Master Settlement Agreement payment identified in Section 6(2) of S.L. 1999‑2 shall be credited to the Tobacco Trust Account. The State Controller shall transfer all funds in the Tobacco Trust Account to the Tobacco Trust Fund created in Article 75 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes.
(d)	Unless prohibited by federal law, federal funds provided to the State by block grant or otherwise as part of federal legislation implementing a settlement between United States tobacco companies and the states shall be credited to the Settlement Reserve Fund. Unless otherwise encumbered or distributed under a settlement agreement or final order or judgment of the court, funds paid to the State or a State agency pursuant to a tobacco litigation settlement agreement, or a final order or judgment of a court in litigation between tobacco companies and the states, shall be credited to the Settlement Reserve Fund. 
"143C‑9‑4.  Annual Fee Report. 
The Office of State Budget and Management shall prepare a report annually on the fees charged by each State department, bureau, division, board, commission, institution, and agency during the previous fiscal year. The report shall include the statutory or regulatory authority for each fee, the amount of the fee, when the amount of the fee was last changed, the number of times the fee was collected during the prior fiscal year, and the total receipts from the fee during the prior fiscal year.
"Article 10.
"Penalties.
"§ 143C‑10‑1.  Offenses for violation of Chapter.
(a)	Misdemeanor. – It is a Class 1 misdemeanor for a person to knowingly and willfully do any one or more of the following:
(1)	Withdraw funds from the State treasury for any purpose not authorized by an act of appropriation. 
(2)	Approve any fraudulent, erroneous, or otherwise invalid claim or bill to be paid from an appropriation.
(3)	Make a written statement, give a certificate, issue a report, or utter a document required by this Chapter, any portion of which is false.
(4)	Fail or refuse to perform a duty imposed by this Chapter.
(b)	Forfeiture of Office or Employment. – An appointed officer or employee of the State or an officer or employee of a political subdivision of the State, whether elected or appointed, forfeits his office or employment upon conviction of an offense under this section. An elected officer of the State is subject to impeachment for committing any of the offenses specified in this section.
"§ 143C‑10‑2.  Civil liability for violation of Chapter.
A person convicted of an offense under G.S. 143C‑10‑1 is liable in a civil action for any damages suffered by the State in consequence of the offense.
"§ 143C‑10‑3.  Suspension from office or impeachment for refusal to comply with Chapter.
(a)	State Officer or Employee. – The Governor may suspend from the performance of his or her duties any State officer or employee, except an officer elected by the people, who persists, after notice and warning, in failing or refusing to comply with the provisions of this Chapter or any lawful administrative directive issued pursuant to this Chapter. Before acting to suspend, the Governor shall give the accused notice and an opportunity to be heard in his or her own defense. The Governor shall report the facts leading to suspension to the Attorney General who may initiate appropriate criminal or civil proceedings. The Governor may apply to the General Court of Justice for a restraining order and injunction if a suspended officer or employee persists in performing official acts.
(b)	Elected Officers. – A State officer elected by the people who knowingly and willfully fails or refuses to comply with any provision of this Chapter or any lawful administrative directive issued under this Chapter is subject to impeachment."
SECTION 4.  Part 2A of Article 1 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 116‑30.3A.  Availability of excess receipts.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, receipts within The University of North Carolina realized in excess of budgeted levels shall be available, up to a maximum of ten percent (10%) above budgeted levels, for each Budget Code, in addition to appropriations to support the operations generating the receipts as approved by the Director of the Budget."
SECTION 5.(a)  G.S. 143‑15.3B is recodified as G.S. 113A‑253.1.
SECTION 5.(b)  G.S. 113A‑253.1 as recodified by this section reads as rewritten:
"§ 113A-253.1.  The Clean Water Management Trust  Fund: appropriation.
(a)	The General Assembly finds that, due to the critical need in this State to clean up pollution in the State's surface waters and to protect and conserve those waters that are not yet polluted, it is imperative that the State provide a minimum of one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) each calendar year to the Clean Water Management Trust Fund; therefore, there is annually appropriated from the General Fund to the Clean Water Management Trust Fund the sum of one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000).
(b)	The funds in the Clean Water Management Trust Fund shall be used only in accordance with this Article."
SECTION 6.  G.S. 143‑27.2 is recodifed as G.S. 126‑8.5.
SECTION 7.  G.S. 143‑31.2 is recodified as G.S. 143B‑53.1.
SECTION 8.  G.S. 143B‑426.39 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B‑426.39.  Powers and duties of the State Controller.
The State Controller shall:
(1)	Prescribe, develop, operate, and maintain in accordance with generally accepted principles of governmental accounting, a uniform state accounting system for all state agencies. The system shall be designed to assure compliance with all legal and constitutional requirements including those associated with the receipt and expenditure of, and the accountability for public funds.
(2)	On the recommendation of the State Auditor, prescribe and supervise the installation of any changes in the accounting systems of an agency that, in the judgment of the State Controller, are necessary to secure and maintain internal control and facilitate the recording of accounting data for the purpose of preparing reliable and meaningful statements and reports. The State Controller shall be responsible for seeing that a new system is designed to accumulate information required for the preparation of budget reports and other financial reports.
(3)	Maintain complete, accurate and current financial records that set out all revenues, charges against funds, fund and appropriation balances, interfund transfers, outstanding vouchers, and encumbrances for all State funds and other public funds including trust funds and institutional funds available to, encumbered, or expended by each State agency, in a manner consistent with the uniform State accounting system.
(4)	Prescribe the uniform classifications of accounts to be used by all State agencies including receipts, expenditures, assets, liabilities, fund types, organization codes, and purposes. The State Controller shall also, after consultation with the Office of State Budget and Management, prescribe a form for the periodic reporting of financial accounts, transactions, and other matters that is compatible with systems and reports required by the State Controller under this section. Additional records, accounts, and accounting systems may be maintained by agencies when required for reporting to funding sources provided prior approval is obtained from the State Controller.
(4a)	Prescribe that, unless exempted by the State Controller, newly created or acquired component units of the State are required to have the same fiscal year as the State.
(5)	Prescribe the manner in which disbursements of the State agencies shall be made and may require that warrants, vouchers, electronic payments, or checks, except those drawn by the State Auditor, State Treasurer, and Administrative Officer of the Courts, shall bear two signatures of officers as designated by the State Controller.
(6)	Operate a central payroll system, in accordance with G.S.  143B‑426.39B and G.S. 143C‑6‑6.(7)	Keep a record of the appropriations, allotments, expenditures, and revenues of each State agency.
(8)	Make appropriate reconciliations with the balances and accounts kept by the State Treasurer.
(9)	Develop, implement, and amend as necessary a uniform statewide cash management plan for all State agencies in accordance with G.S. 147‑86.11.
(9a)	Implement a statewide accounts receivable program in accordance with Article 6B of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes.
(10)	Prepare and submit to the Governor, the State Auditor, the State Treasurer, and the Office of State Budget and Management each month, a report summarizing by State agency and appropriation or other fund source, the results of financial transactions. This report shall be in the form that will most clearly and accurately set out the current fiscal condition of the State. The State Controller shall also furnish each State agency a report of its transactions by appropriation or other fund source in a form that will clearly and accurately present the fiscal activities and condition of the appropriation or fund source.
(11)	Prepare and submit to the Governor, the State Auditor, the State Treasurer, and the Office of State Budget and Management, at the end of each quarter, a report on the financial condition and results of operations of the State entity for the period ended. This report shall clearly and accurately present the condition of all State funds and appropriation balances and shall include comments, recommendations, and concerns regarding the fiscal affairs and condition of the State.
(12)	Prepare on or before October 31 of each year, a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the preceding fiscal year, in accordance with G.S. 143B-426.39C. The report shall include State agencies and component units of the State, as defined by generally accepted accounting principles.
(13)	Perform additional functions and duties assigned to the State Controller, within the scope and context of the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes.(14)	through (16) Recodified as G.S. 143B‑472.42 (1), (2), and (3) by Session Laws 1997‑148, s. 3."
SECTION 9.  Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding the following new parts to read:
"Part 28B. Assignment of Claims Against the State.
"§ 143B‑426.39A.  Assignments of claims against State.
(a)	Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:
(1)	Assignment. An assignment or transfer of a claim, or a power of attorney, an order, or another authority for receiving payment of a claim.
(2)	Claim. A claim, a part or a share of a claim, or an interest in a claim, whether absolute or conditional.
(3)	Qualified charitable organization. A charitable organization that is exempt from federal income tax pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(4)	State employee credit union. A credit union organized under Chapter 54 of the General Statutes whose membership is at least one‑half employees of the State.
(5)	The State. The State of North Carolina and any department, bureau, or institution of the State of North Carolina.
(b)	Assignments Prohibited. – Except as otherwise provided in this section, any assignment of a claim against the State is void, regardless of the consideration given for the assignment, unless the claim has been duly audited and allowed by the State and the State has issued a warrant for payment of the claim. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the State shall not issue a warrant to an assignee of a claim against the State.
(c)	Assignments in Favor of Certain Entities Allowed. – This section does not apply to an assignment in favor of:
(1)	A hospital.
(2)	A building and loan association.
(3)	A uniform rental firm in order to allow an employee of the Department of Transportation to rent uniforms that include Day‑Glo orange shirts or vests as required by federal and State law.
(4)	An insurance company for medical, hospital, disability, or life insurance.
(d)	Assignments to Meet Child Support Obligations Allowed. – This section does not apply to assignments made to meet child support obligations pursuant to G.S. 110‑136.1.
(e)	Assignments for Prepaid Legal Services Allowed. – This section does not apply to an assignment for payment for prepaid legal services.
(f)	Payroll Deduction for State Employees' Credit Union Accounts Allowed. – An employee of the State who is a member of a State employee credit union may authorize, in writing, the periodic deduction from the employee's salary or wages paid for employment by the State of a designated lump sum for deposit to any credit union accounts, purchase of any credit union shares, or payment of any credit union obligations agreed to by the employee and the State Employees' Credit Union.
(f1)	Payroll Deduction for Contributions to the Parental Savings Fund Allowed. – An employee of the State may authorize, in writing, the periodic deduction from the employee's salary or wages paid for employment by the State of a designated lump sum for deposit in the Parental Savings Trust Fund administered by the State Education Assistance Authority.
(g)	Payroll Deduction for Payments to Certain Employees' Associations Allowed. – An employee of the State or any of its institutions, departments, bureaus, agencies, or commissions, or any of its local boards of education or community colleges, who is a member of a domiciled employees' association that has at least 2,000 members, the majority of whom are employees of the State or public school employees, may authorize, in writing, the periodic deduction each payroll period from the employee's salary or wages a designated lump sum to be paid to the employees' association.
An employee of any local board of education who is a member of a domiciled employees' association that has at least 40,000 members, the majority of whom are public school teachers, may authorize in writing the periodic deduction each payroll period from the employee's salary or wages a designated lump sum or sums to be paid for dues and voluntary contributions for the employees' association.
An authorization under this subsection shall remain in effect until revoked by the employee. A plan of payroll deductions pursuant to this subsection for employees of the State and other association members shall become void if the employees' association engages in collective bargaining with the State, any political subdivision of the State, or any local school administrative unit. This subsection does not apply to county or municipal governments or any local governmental unit, except for local boards of education.
(h)	Payroll Deduction for State Employees Combined Campaign Allowed. – Subject to rules adopted by the State Controller, an employee of the State may authorize, in writing, the periodic deduction from the employee's salary or wages paid for employment by the State of a designated lump sum to be paid to satisfy the employee's pledge to the State Employees Combined Campaign.
(i)	Payroll Deduction for Public School and Community College Employees' Contributions to Charitable Organizations Allowed. – Subject to rules adopted by the State Controller, an employee of a local board of education or community college may authorize, in writing, the periodic deduction from the employee's salary or wages paid for employment by the board of education or community college of a designated lump sum to be contributed to a qualified charitable organization that has first been approved by the employee's board of education or community college board.
(j)	Payroll Deduction for University of North Carolina System Employees' Contributions to Certain Charitable Organizations Allowed. – Subject to rules adopted by the State Controller, if a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina approves a payroll deduction plan under this subsection, an employee of the constituent institution may authorize, in writing, the periodic deduction from the employee's salary or wages paid for employment by the constituent institution of a designated lump sum to be contributed to a qualified charitable organization that exists to support athletic or charitable programs of the constituent institution and that has first been approved by the President of The University of North Carolina as existing to support athletic or charitable programs. If a payroll deduction plan under this subsection results in additional costs to a constituent institution, these costs shall be paid by the qualified charitable organizations receiving contributions under the plan.
(k)	Payroll Deduction for University of North Carolina System Employees to Pay for Discretionary Privileges of University Service. – Subject to rules adopted by the State Controller, if a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina approves a payroll deduction plan under this subsection, an employee of the constituent institution may authorize, in writing, the periodic deduction from the employee's salary or wages paid for employment by the constituent institution, of one or more designated lump sums to be applied to the cost of corresponding discretionary privileges available at employee expense from the employing institution. Discretionary privileges from the employing institution that may be paid for through this subsection include parking privileges, athletic passes, use of recreational facilities, admission to campus concert series, and access to other institutionally hosted or provided entertainments, events, and facilities.
(l)	Assignment of Payments From the Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Funds. – This section does not apply to an assignment of any claim for payment or reimbursement from the Commercial Leaking Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund established by G.S. 143‑215.94B or the Noncommercial Leaking Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund established by G.S. 143‑215.94D.
"Part 28C. Accounting Systems.
"§ 143B‑426.39B.  Issuance of warrants upon State Treasurer; delivery of warrants and disbursements for non‑State entities.
(a)	The State Controller shall have the exclusive responsibility for the issuance of all warrants for the payment of money upon the State Treasurer. All warrants upon the State Treasurer shall be signed by the State Controller, who before issuing them shall determine the legality of payment and the correctness of the accounts. All warrants issued for non‑State entities shall be delivered by the appropriate agency to the entity's legally designated recipient by United States mail or its equivalent, including electronic funds transfer.
When the State Controller finds it expedient to do so because of a State agency's size and location, the State Controller may authorize a State agency to make expenditures through a disbursing account with the State Treasurer. The State Controller shall authorize the Judicial Department and the General Assembly to make expenditures through such disbursing accounts. All disbursements made to non‑State entities shall be delivered by the appropriate agency to the entity's legally designated recipient by United States mail or its equivalent, including electronic funds transfer. All deposits in these disbursing accounts shall be by the State Controller's warrant. A copy of each voucher making withdrawals from these disbursing accounts and any supporting data required by the State Controller shall be forwarded to the Office of the State Controller monthly or as otherwise required by the State Controller. Supporting data for a voucher making a withdrawal from one of these disbursing accounts to meet a payroll shall include the amount of the payroll and the employees whose compensation is part of the payroll.
A central payroll unit operating under the Office of the State Controller may make deposits and withdrawals directly to and from a disbursing account. The disbursing account shall constitute a revolving fund for servicing payrolls passed through the central payroll unit.
The State Controller may use a facsimile signature machine in affixing his signature to warrants.
(b)	The State Treasurer may impose on an agency a fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) for each check drawn against the agency's disbursing account that causes the balance in the account to be in overdraft or while the account is in overdraft. The financial officer shall pay the fee from non‑State or personal funds to the General Fund to the credit of the miscellaneous nontax revenue account by the agency.
"§ 143B‑426.39C.  Annual financial information.
Every fiscal year, all State agencies and component units of the State, as defined by generally accepted accounting principles, shall prepare annual financial information on all funds administered by them no later than 60 days after the end of the State's fiscal year then ended in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as described in authoritative pronouncements and interpreted or prescribed by the State Controller, and in the form and time frame required by the State Controller. The State Controller shall publish guidelines specifying the procedures to implement the necessary records, procedures, and accounting systems to reflect these statements on the proper basis of accounting.
Accordingly, the State Controller shall combine the financial information for the various agencies into a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the State of North Carolina in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These statements, along with the opinion of the State Auditor, shall be published as the official financial statements of the State and shall be distributed to the Governor, the Office of State Budget and Management, members of the General Assembly, heads of departments, agencies, and institutions of the State, and other interested parties. The State Controller shall notify the Director of the Budget of any State agencies and component units of the State, as defined by generally accepted accounting principles, that have not complied fully with the requirements of this section within the specified time, and the Director of the Budget shall employ whatever means necessary, including the withholding of allotments, to ensure immediate corrective actions."
SECTION 10.  G.S. 7A‑38.6(i) reads as rewritten:
"(i)	The provisions of G.S. 143C‑4‑6 do not apply to community mediation centers receiving State funds."
SECTION 11.  G.S. 7A‑775(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Each sentencing services program shall establish a sentencing services board to provide direction and assistance to the sentencing services program in the implementation and evaluation of the plan. Sentencing services boards may be organized as nonprofit corporations under Chapter 55A of the General Statutes. The sentencing services board shall consist of not less than 12 members, and shall include, insofar as possible, judges, district attorneys, attorneys, social workers, law‑enforcement officers, probation officers, and other interested persons. The sentencing services board shall meet on a regular basis, and its duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1)	Preparation and submission of the sentencing services program plan to the senior resident superior court judge and the Director annually, as provided in G.S. 7A‑772(a);
(1a)	Development of an annual budget for the program;
(2)	Hiring, firing, and evaluation of program personnel;
(3)	Selection of board members;
(4)	Arranging for an annual audit, in accordance withG.S. 143C‑6‑13;
(5)	Development of procedures for contracting for services."
SECTION 12.  G.S. 17D‑4(l) reads as rewritten:
"(l)	All moneys received pursuant to this section shall be State funds as defined in G.S. 143C‑1‑1."
SECTION 13.  G.S. 18B‑208 reads as rewritten:
"§ 18B‑208.  ABC Commission bonds and funds.
(a)	Issuance of Bonds. – As a means of raising the funds needed from time to time in the design, acquisition, construction, equipping, maintenance and operation of a warehouse under G.S. 18B‑204(a)(3), the Commission may, with the approval of the  Governor, at one time or from time to time issue negotiable revenue bonds of the Commission. The issuance of revenue bonds shall not directly or indirectly or contingently obligate the State to levy or to pledge any form of taxation or to make any appropriation for their payment. Revenue bonds issued pursuant to this subsection shall be repaid from the bailment surcharge as provided in subsection (b). These bonds and the income from them are exempt from all taxation within the State.
(b)	Special Fund. – A special fund in the office of the State Treasurer, the ABC Commission Fund, is created. On and after November 1, 1982, all moneys derived from the collection of bailment charges and bailment surcharges shall be deposited in the ABC Commission Fund for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Chapter. The ABC Commission Fund shall be subject to the provisions of the State Budget Act except that no unexpended surplus of this fund shall revert to the General Fund. The Commission shall fix the level of the bailment surcharges at an amount calculated to cover operating expenses of the Commission and the retirement of bonds issued for construction of a Commission warehouse and offices. Upon payment of the bonds issued pursuant to this section, the Commission shall reduce the bailment surcharge to an amount no greater than necessary to pay operating expenses of the Commission as authorized by the General Assembly.
All moneys credited to the ABC Commission Fund shall be used to carry out the intent and purposes of the ABC law in accordance with plans approved by the North Carolina ABC Commission and the Director of the Budget, and all these funds are appropriated, reserved, set aside, and made available until expended for the administration of the ABC law."
SECTION 14.  G.S. 20‑79.5 reads as rewritten:
"§ 20‑79.5.  Special registration plates for elected and appointed State government officials.
(a)	Plates. – The State government officials listed in this section are eligible for a special registration plate under G.S. 20‑79.4. The plate shall bear the number designated in the following table for the position held by the official.

Position	Number on Plate
Governor	1
Lieutenant Governor	2
Speaker of the House of Representatives	3
President Pro Tempore of the Senate	4
Secretary of State	5
State Auditor	6
State Treasurer	7
Superintendent of Public Instruction	8
Attorney General	9
Commissioner of Agriculture	10
Commissioner of Labor	11
Commissioner of Insurance	12
Speaker Pro Tempore of the House	13
Legislative Services Officer	14
Secretary of Administration	15
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources	16
Secretary of Revenue	17
Secretary of Health and Human Services	18
Secretary of Commerce	19
Secretary of Correction	20
Secretary of Cultural Resources	21
Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety	22
Secretary of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention	23
Governor's Staff	24‑29
State Budget Officer	30
State Personnel Director	31
	Chair of the State Board of Education	42
President of the U.N.C. System	43
Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission	44‑46
Assistant Commissioners of Agriculture	47‑48
Deputy Secretary of State	49
Deputy State Treasurer	50
Assistant State Treasurer	51
Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Labor	52
Chief Deputy for the Department of Insurance	53
Assistant Commissioner of Insurance	54
Deputies and Assistant to the Attorney General	55‑65
Board of Economic Development Nonlegislative Member	66‑88
State Ports Authority Nonlegislative Member	89‑96
Utilities Commission Member	97‑104
Post‑Release Supervision and Parole Commission Member	105‑109
State Board Member, Commission Member, or State 
Employee Not Named in List	110‑200
(b)	Designation. – When the table in subsection (a) designates a range of numbers for certain officials, the number given an official in that group shall be assigned. The Governor shall assign a number for members of the Governor's staff, nonlegislative members of the Board of Economic Development, nonlegislative members of the State Ports Authority, members of State boards and commissions, and for State employees. The Attorney General shall assign a number for the Attorney General's deputies and assistants.
The first number assigned to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission is reserved for the Chair of that Commission. The remaining numbers shall be assigned to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission members on the basis of seniority. The first number assigned to the Utilities Commission is reserved for the Chair of that Commission. The remaining numbers shall be assigned to the Utilities Commission members on the basis of seniority. The first number assigned to the Parole Commission is reserved for the Chair of that Commission. The remaining numbers shall be assigned to the Parole Commission members on the basis of seniority."
SECTION 15.  G.S. 20‑189 reads as rewritten:
"§ 20‑189.  Patrolmen assigned to Governor's office.
The Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety, at the request of the Governor, shall assign and attach two members of the State Highway Patrol to the office of the Governor, there to be assigned such duties and perform such services as the Governor may direct. The salary of the State highway patrolmen so assigned to the office of the Governor shall be paid from appropriations made to the office of the Governor and shall be fixed in an amount to be determined by the Governor. "
SECTION 16.  G.S. 53‑92(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	The State Banking Commission, which has heretofore been created, shall consist of the State Treasurer, who shall serve as an ex officio member thereof, 19 members appointed by the Governor, and two members appointed by the General Assembly under G.S. 120‑121, one of whom shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and one of whom shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Governor shall appoint five practical bankers, 11 persons selected primarily as representatives of the borrowing public, and two chief executive officers of State savings institutions. The person appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall be a practical banker. The person appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House shall be a person selected primarily as a representative of the borrowing public. The persons selected primarily as representatives of the borrowing public shall not be employees or directors of any financial institution nor shall they have any interest in any regulated financial institution other than as a result of being a depositor or borrower. Under this section, no person shall be considered to have an interest in a financial institution whose interest in any financial institution does not exceed one‑half of one percent (1/2 of 1%) of the capital stock of that financial institution. These members of the Commission shall be selected so as to fully represent the consumer, industrial, manufacturing, professional, business and farming interests of the State. No person shall serve on the Commission for more than two complete consecutive terms. As the terms of office of the appointive members of the Commission expire, their successors shall be appointed by the person appointing them, for terms of four years each. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Commission shall be filled by the appropriate appointing officer for the unexpired term, except that vacancies among members appointed by the General Assembly shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 120‑122. The appointed members of the Commission shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120‑3.1. The subsistence and travel expenses shall be paid from the fees collected from the examination of banks as provided by law."
SECTION 17.  G.S. 53‑245(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Scope. No person may individually or in conjunction or cooperation with another person process, receive, or accept for delivery an application for a refund anticipation loan or a check in payment of refund anticipation loan proceeds or in any other manner facilitate the making of a refund anticipation loan unless the person has complied with the provisions of this Article. In addition, G.S. 143B‑426.39A prohibits refund anticipation loans repaid from refunds of North Carolina tax."
SECTION 18.  G.S. 62‑302 reads as rewritten:
"§ 62‑302.  Regulatory fee.
(a)	Fee Imposed. – It is the policy of the State of North Carolina to provide fair regulation of public utilities in the interest of the public, as provided in G.S. 62‑2. The cost of regulating public utilities is a burden incident to the privilege of operating as a public utility. Therefore, for the purpose of defraying the cost of regulating public utilities, every public utility subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission shall pay a quarterly regulatory fee, in addition to all other fees and taxes, as provided in this section. The fees collected shall be used only to pay the expenses of the Commission and the Public Staff in regulating public utilities in the interest of the public.
It is also the policy of the State to provide limited oversight of certain electric membership corporations as provided in G.S. 62‑53. Therefore, for the purpose of defraying the cost of providing the oversight authorized by G.S. 62‑53 and G.S. 117‑18.1, each fiscal year each electric membership corporation whose principal purpose is to furnish or cause to be furnished bulk electric supplies at wholesale as provided in G.S. 117‑16 shall pay an annual fee as provided in this section.
(b)	Public Utility Rate. –
(1)	Repealed by Session Laws 2000‑140, s. 56, effective July 21, 2000.
(2)	The public utility regulatory fee for each fiscal year shall be the greater of (i) a percentage rate, established by the General Assembly, of each public utility's North Carolina jurisdictional revenues for each quarter or (ii) six dollars and twenty‑five cents ($6.25) each quarter.
When the Commission prepares its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year, the Commission shall propose a percentage rate of the public utility regulatory fee. For fiscal years beginning in an odd‑numbered year, that proposed rate shall be included in the budget message the Governor submits to the General Assembly pursuant to G.S. 143C‑3‑5. For fiscal years beginning in an even‑numbered year, that proposed rate shall be included in a special budget message the Governor shall submit to the General Assembly. The General Assembly shall set the percentage rate of the public utility regulatory fee by law.
The percentage rate may not exceed the amount necessary to generate funds sufficient to defray the estimated cost of the operations of the Commission and the Public Staff for the upcoming fiscal year, including a reasonable margin for a reserve fund. The amount of the reserve may not exceed the estimated cost of operating the Commission and the Public Staff for the upcoming fiscal year. In calculating the amount of the reserve, the General Assembly shall consider all relevant factors that may affect the cost of operating the Commission or the Public Staff or a possible unanticipated increase or decrease in North Carolina jurisdictional revenues.
(3)	If the Commission, the Public Staff, or both experience a revenue shortfall, the Commission shall implement a temporary public utility regulatory fee surcharge to avert the deficiency that would otherwise occur. In no event may the total percentage rate of the public utility regulatory fee plus any surcharge established by the Commission exceed twenty‑five hundredths percent (0.25%).
(4)	As used in this section, the term "North Carolina jurisdictional revenues" means all revenues derived or realized from intrastate tariffs, rates, and charges approved or allowed by the Commission or collected pursuant to Commission order or rule, but not including tap‑on fees or any other form of contributions in aid of construction.
(b1)	Electric Membership Corporation Rate. – The electric membership corporation regulatory fee for each fiscal year shall be a dollar amount as established by the General Assembly by law.
When the Commission prepares its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year, the Commission shall propose the amount of the electric membership corporation regulatory fee. For fiscal years beginning in an odd‑numbered year, the proposed amount shall be included in the budget message the Governor submits to the General Assembly pursuant to G.S. 143C‑3‑5. For fiscal years beginning in an even‑numbered year, the proposed amount shall be included in a special budget message the Governor shall submit to the General Assembly.
The amount of the electric membership corporation regulatory fee proposed by the Commission may not exceed the amount necessary to defray the estimated cost of the operations of the Commission and the Public Staff for the regulation of the electric membership corporations in the upcoming fiscal year, including a reasonable margin for a reserve fund. The amount of the reserve may not exceed the estimated cost of the Commission and the Public Staff for the regulation of the electric membership corporations for the upcoming fiscal year.
(c)	When Due. – The electric membership corporation regulatory fee imposed under this section shall be paid in quarterly installments. The fee is due and payable to the Commission on or before the 15th day of the second month following the end of each quarter.
The public utility regulatory fee imposed under this section is due and payable to the Commission on or before the 15th day of the second month following the end of each quarter. Every public utility subject to the public utility regulatory fee shall, on or before the date the fee is due for each quarter, prepare and render a report on a form prescribed by the Commission. The report shall state the public utility's total North Carolina jurisdictional revenues for the preceding quarter and shall be accompanied by any supporting documentation that the Commission may by rule require. Receipts shall be reported on an accrual basis.
If a public utility's report for the first quarter of any fiscal year shows that application of the percentage rate would yield a quarterly fee of twenty‑five dollars ($25.00) or less, the public utility shall pay an estimated fee for the entire fiscal year in the amount of twenty‑five dollars ($25.00). If, after payment of the estimated fee, the public utility's subsequent returns show that application of the percentage rate would yield quarterly fees that total more than twenty‑five dollars ($25.00) for the entire fiscal year, the public utility shall pay the cumulative amount of the fee resulting from application of the percentage rate, to the extent it exceeds the amount of fees, other than any surcharge, previously paid.
(d)	Use of Proceeds. – A special fund in the office of State Treasurer, the Utilities Commission and Public Staff Fund, is created. The fees collected pursuant to this section and all other funds received by the Commission or the Public Staff, except for the clear proceeds of civil penalties collected pursuant to G.S. 62‑50(d) and the clear proceeds of funds forfeited pursuant to G.S. 62‑310(a), shall be deposited in the Utilities Commission and Public Staff Fund. The Fund shall be placed in an interest bearing account and any interest or other income derived from the Fund shall be credited to the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall only be spent pursuant to appropriation by the General Assembly.
The Utilities Commission and Public Staff Fund shall be subject to the provisions of the  State Budget Act except that no unexpended surplus of the Fund shall revert to the General Fund. All funds credited to the Utilities Commission and Public Staff Fund shall be used only to pay the expenses of the Commission and the Public Staff in regulating public utilities in the interest of the public as provided by this Chapter and in regulating electric membership corporations as provided in G.S. 117‑18.1.
The clear proceeds of civil penalties collected pursuant to G.S. 62‑50(d) and the clear proceeds of funds forfeited pursuant to G.S. 62‑310(a) shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C‑457.2."
SECTION 19.  G.S. 62A‑22(d) reads as rewritten:
"(d)	Consistent with the provisions of G.S. 143B‑426.39B, the Board shall disburse the revenues remitted to the Wireless Fund in the manner set forth in G.S. 62A‑25. The Board shall establish procedures for disbursement of these revenues and advise the CMRS providers and eligible counties of such procedures within 60 days after all members are appointed pursuant to G.S. 62A‑22(a)."
SECTION 20.  G.S. 74‑24.6 reads as rewritten:
"§ 74‑24.6.  Advisory Council.
(a)	The Commissioner shall appoint an Advisory Council consisting of 11 members to assist him in the development of safety and health standards for mines which are subject to this Article and to advise him on matters relating to safety and health in such mines. Said Advisory Council shall include three members expressly qualified by experience and affiliation to present the viewpoint of operators of such mines, three persons similarly qualified to present the viewpoint of workers in such mines, and five members of the public sector with knowledge of mining operations or associated health and safety aspects thereof. The Commissioner of Labor shall annually designate one member to act as chairman. The members of the Advisory Council shall serve at the pleasure of the Commissioner and shall have no specific term of office.
(b)	The Advisory Council shall hold not fewer than two meetings during each calendar year, and said meetings shall be open to the public. The Commissioner shall furnish to the Advisory Council such secretarial, clerical, and other services as he deems necessary to conduct its business.
(c)	The members of the Advisory Council shall be compensated for travel expenses and per diem as authorized by the Commissioner in accordance with those amounts paid to State boards under Chapter 138 of the General Statutes.
(d)	The Commissioner may from time to time select representatives of professional organizations of technicians, professional persons specializing in occupational safety and health, and representatives of State agencies who by experience and affiliation are qualified to present the viewpoint of operators of mines and workers in mines to assist the Advisory Council in performing its duties. Such persons, except State employees, selected for temporary purposes may be paid such per diem and travel expenses for attending meetings as may be fixed by the Commissioner."
SECTION 21.  G.S. 95‑135(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c)	The Board shall meet at least once each calendar quarter but it may hold call meetings or hearings upon at least three days' notice to each member by the chairman and at such time and place as the chairman may fix. The chairman shall be responsible on behalf of the Board for the administrative operations of the Board and shall appoint such hearing examiners and other employees as he deems necessary to assist in the performance of the Board's functions and fix the compensation of such employees with the approval of the Governor. The assignment and removal of hearing examiners shall be made by the Board, and any hearing examiner may be removed for misfeasance, malfeasance, misconduct, immoral conduct, incompetency, the commission of any crime, or for any other good and adequate reason as found by the Board. The Board shall give notice to such hearing examiner, along with written allegations as to the charges against him, and the same shall be heard by the Board, and its decision shall be final. The compensation of the members of the Board shall be on a per diem basis and shall be fixed by the Governor. The chairman of the Board may be paid a higher rate of compensation than the other two members of the Board. For the purpose of carrying out its duties and functions under this Article, two members of the Board shall constitute a quorum and official action can be taken only on the affirmative vote of at least two members of the Board. On matters properly before the Board the chairman may issue temporary orders, subpoenas, and other temporary types of orders subject to the subsequent review of the Board. The issuance of subpoenas, orders to take depositions, orders requiring interrogatories and other procedural matters of evidence issued by the chairman shall not be subject to review. "
SECTION 22.  G.S. 96‑5 reads as rewritten:
"§ 96‑5.  Employment Security Administration Fund.
(a)	Special Fund. – There is hereby created in the State treasury a special fund to be known as the Employment Security Administration Fund. All moneys which are deposited or paid into this fund shall be continuously available to the Commission for expenditure in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, and shall not lapse at any time or be transferred to any other fund. The Employment Security Administration Fund, except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, shall be subject to the provisions of the State Budget Act (Chapter 143C of the General Statutes) and the Personnel Act (G.S. 126‑1 et seq.). All moneys in this fund which are received from the federal government or any agency thereof or which are appropriated by this State for the purpose described in G.S. 96‑20 shall be expended solely for the purposes and in the amounts found necessary by the Secretary of Labor for the proper and efficient administration of this Chapter. The fund shall consist of all moneys appropriated by this State, all moneys received from the United States of America, or any agency thereof, including the Secretary of Labor, and all moneys received from any other source for such purpose, and shall also include any moneys received from any agency of the United States or any other state as compensation for services or facilities supplied to such agency, any amounts received pursuant to any surety bond or insurance policy or from other sources for losses sustained by the Employment Security Administration Fund or by reason of damage to equipment or supplies purchased from moneys in such fund, and any proceeds realized from the sale or disposition of any such equipment or supplies which may no longer be necessary for the proper administration of this Chapter: Provided, any interest collected on contributions and/or penalties collected pursuant to this Chapter shall be paid into the Special Employment Security Administration Fund created by subsection (c) of this section. All moneys in this fund shall be deposited, administered, and disbursed in the same manner and under the same conditions and requirements as is provided by law for other special funds in the State treasury, and shall be maintained in a separate account on the books of the State treasury. The State Treasurer shall be liable on his official bond for the faithful performance of his duties in connection with the Employment Security Administration Fund provided for under this Chapter. Such liability on the official bond shall be effective immediately upon the enactment of this provision, and such liability shall exist in addition to any liability upon any separate bond existent on the effective date of this provision, or which may be given in the future. All sums recovered on any surety bond for losses sustained by the Employment Security Administration Fund shall be deposited in said fund.
(b)	Replacement of Funds Lost or Improperly Expended. – If any moneys received from the Secretary of Labor under Title III of the Social Security Act, or any unencumbered balances in the Employment Security Administration Fund or any moneys granted to this State pursuant to the provisions of the Wagner‑Peyser Act, or any moneys made available by this State or its political subdivisions and matched by such moneys granted to this State pursuant to the provisions of the Wagner‑Peyser Act, are found by the Secretary of Labor, because of any action or contingency, to have been lost or expended for purposes other than, or in amounts in excess of those found necessary by the Secretary of Labor for the proper administration of this Chapter, it is the policy of this State that such moneys, not available from the Special Employment Security Administration Fund established by subsection (c) of this section, shall be replaced by moneys appropriated for such purpose from the general funds of this State to the Employment Security Administration Fund for expenditure as provided in subsection (a) of this section. Upon receipt of notice of such a finding by the Secretary of Labor, the Commission shall promptly pay from the Special Employment Security Administration Fund such sum if available in such fund; if not available, it shall promptly report the amount required for such replacement to the Governor and the Governor shall, at the earliest opportunity, submit to the legislature a request for the appropriation of such amount.
(c)	There is hereby created in the State treasury a special fund to be known as the Special Employment Security Administration Fund. All interest and penalties, regardless of when the same became payable, collected from employers under the provisions of this Chapter subsequent to June 30, 1947 as well as any appropriations of funds by the General Assembly, shall be paid into this fund. No part of said fund shall be expended or available for expenditure in lieu of federal funds made available to the Commission for the administration of this Chapter. Said fund shall be used by the Commission for the payment of costs and charges of administration which are found by the Secretary of Labor not to be proper and valid charges payable out of any funds in the Employment Security Administration Fund received from any source and shall also be used by the Commission for: (i) extensions, repairs, enlargements and improvements to buildings, and the enhancement of the work environment in buildings used for Commission business; (ii) the acquisition of real estate, buildings and equipment required for the expeditious handling of Commission business; and (iii) the temporary stabilization of federal funds cash flow. The Employment Security Commission may use funds either from the Special Employment Security Commission Administration Fund created by this subsection or from federal funds, or from a combination of the two, to offset the costs of compliance with Article 7A [of Chapter 163] of the General Statutes of North Carolina or compliance with P.L. 103‑31. Refunds of interest allowable under G.S. 96‑10, subsection (e) shall be made from this special fund: Provided, such interest was deposited in said fund: Provided further, that in those cases where an employer takes credit for a previous overpayment of interest on contributions due by such employer pursuant to G.S. 96‑10, subsection (e), that the amount of such credit taken for such overpayment of interest shall be reimbursed to the Unemployment Insurance Fund from the Special Employment Security Administration Fund. The Special Employment Security Administration Fund, except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, shall be subject to the provisions of the State Budget Act (Chapter 143C of the General Statutes) and the Personnel Act (G.S. 126‑1 et seq.). All moneys in this fund shall be deposited, administered, and disbursed in the same manner and under the same conditions and requirements as is provided by law for other special funds in the State treasury, and shall be maintained in a separate account on the books of the State treasury. The State Treasurer shall be liable on his official bond for the faithful performance of his duties in connection with the Special Employment Security Administration Fund provided for under this Chapter. Such liability on the official bond shall be effective immediately upon the enactment of this provision, and such liability shall exist in addition to any liability upon any separate bond existent on the effective date of this provision, or which may be given in the future. All sums recovered on any surety bond for losses sustained by the Special Employment Security Administration Fund shall be deposited in said fund. The moneys in the Special Employment Security Administration Fund shall be continuously available to the Commission for expenditure in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(c1)	The Employment Security Commission shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and to the Fiscal Research Division no later than April 1 of every year as to how the funds authorized to be used by Session Laws 1995, (Regular Session, 1996), c. 608 were expended.
(d)	The other provisions of this section and G.S. 96‑6, to the contrary notwithstanding, the Commission is authorized to requisition and receive from its account in the unemployment trust fund in the treasury of the United States of America, in the manner permitted by federal law, such moneys standing to its credit in such fund, as are permitted by federal law to be used for expense of administering this Chapter and to expend such moneys for such purpose, without regard to a determination of necessity by a federal agency. The State Treasurer shall be treasurer and custodian of the amounts of money so requisitioned. Such moneys shall be deposited, administered, and disbursed in the same manner and under the same conditions and requirements as are provided by law for other special funds in the State treasury.
(e)	Reed Bill Fund Authorization. – Subject to a specific appropriation by the General Assembly of North Carolina to the Employment Security Commission out of funds credited to and held in this State's account in the Unemployment Trust Fund by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States pursuant to and in accordance with section 903 of the Social Security Act, the Commission is authorized to utilize such funds for the administration of the Employment Security Law, including personal services, operating and other expenses incurred in the administration of said law, as well as for the purchase or rental, either or both, of offices, lands, buildings or parts of buildings, fixtures, furnishings, equipment, supplies and the construction of buildings or parts of buildings, suitable for use in this State by the Employment Security Commission, and for the payment of expenses incurred for the construction, maintenance, improvements or repair of, or alterations to, such real or personal property. Provided, that any such funds appropriated by the General Assembly shall not exceed the amount in the Unemployment Trust Fund which may be obligated for expenditure for such purposes; and provided that said funds shall not be obligated for expenditure, as herein provided, after the close of the two‑year period which begins on the effective date of the appropriation.
(f)	Employment Security Commission Reserve Fund. – There is created in the State treasury a special trust fund, separate and apart from all other public moneys or funds of this State, to be known as the Employment Security Commission Reserve Fund, hereinafter "Reserve Fund". Part of the proceeds from the tax on contributions imposed in G.S. 96‑9(b)(3)j shall be credited to the Reserve Fund, as specified in that statute. The moneys in the Reserve Fund may be used by the Commission for loans to the Unemployment Insurance Fund, as security for loans from the federal Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, and to pay any interest required on advances under Title XII of the Social Security Act, and shall be continuously available to the Commission for expenditure in accordance with the provisions of this section. The State Treasurer shall be ex officio the treasurer and custodian and shall invest said moneys in accordance with existing law as well as rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Furthermore, the State Treasurer shall disburse the moneys in accordance with the directions of the Commission and in accordance with such regulations as the Commission may prescribe.
Administrative costs for the collection of the tax and interest payable to the Reserve Fund shall be borne by the Special Employment Security Administration Fund.
The interest earned from investment of the Reserve Fund moneys shall be deposited in a fund hereby established in the State Treasurer's Office, to be known as the "Worker Training Trust Fund". These moneys shall be used to:
(1)	Fund programs, specifically for the benefit of unemployed workers or workers who have received notice of long‑term layoff or permanent unemployment, which will enhance the employability of workers, including, but not limited to, adult basic education, adult high school or equivalency programs, occupational skills training programs, assessment, job counseling and placement programs;
(2)	Continue operation of local Employment Security Commission offices throughout the State; or
(3)	Provide refunds to employers.
The use of funds from the Worker Training Trust Fund, for the purposes set out in the above paragraph, shall be pursuant to appropriations in the Current Operations Appropriations Act. Funds appropriated from the Worker Training Trust Fund that are unexpended and unencumbered at the end of the fiscal year for which they are appropriated shall revert to the State treasury to the credit of the Worker Training Trust Fund in accordance with G.S.  143C‑1‑2.
(g)	Notwithstanding subsection (f) of this section, the State Treasurer may invest not more than a total of twenty‑five million dollars ($25,000,000) of funds in the Employment Security Commission Reserve Fund established under subsection (f) of this section in securities issued by the North Carolina Technological Development Authority, Inc., the proceeds for which are directed to support investment in venture capital funds. The State Treasurer shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the Fiscal Research Division on October 1 and March 1 of each fiscal year on investments made pursuant to this subsection."
SECTION 23.  G.S. 96‑6 reads as rewritten:
"§ 96‑6.  Unemployment Insurance Fund.
(a)	Establishment and Control. – There is hereby established as a special fund, separate and apart from all public moneys or funds of this State, an Unemployment Insurance Fund, which shall be administered by the Commission exclusively for the purposes of this Chapter. This fund shall consist of:
(1)	All contributions collected under this Chapter, together with any interest earned upon any moneys in the fund;
(2)	Any property or securities acquired through the use of moneys belonging to the fund;
(3)	All earnings of such property or securities;
(4)	Any moneys received from the federal unemployment account in the unemployment trust fund in accordance with Title XII of the Social Security Act as amended;
(5)	All moneys credited to this State's account in the Unemployment Trust Fund pursuant to section 903 of Title IX of the Social Security Act, as amended, (U.S.C.A. Title 42, sec. 1103 (a));
(6)	All moneys paid to this State pursuant to section 204 of the Federal‑State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970;
(7)	Reimbursement payments in lieu of contributions.
All moneys in the fund shall be commingled and undivided.
(b)	Accounts and Deposit. – The State Treasurer shall be ex officio the treasurer and custodian of the fund who shall disburse such fund in accordance with the directions of the Commission and in accordance with such regulations as the Commission shall prescribe. He shall maintain within the fund three separate accounts:
(1)	A clearing account,
(2)	An unemployment trust fund account, and
(3)	A benefit account.
All moneys payable to the fund, upon receipt thereof by the Commission, shall be forwarded immediately to the treasurer who shall  immediately deposit them in the clearing account. Refunds payable pursuant to G.S. 96‑10 may be paid from the clearing account upon warrants issued upon the treasurer as provided in G.S. 143B‑426.39B under the requisition of the Commission. After clearance thereof, all other moneys in the clearing account shall be immediately deposited with the secretary of the treasury of the United States of America to the credit of the account of this State in the unemployment trust fund, established and maintained pursuant to section 904 of the Social Security Act, as amended, any provision of law in this State relating to the deposit, administration, release, or disbursement of moneys in the possession or custody of this State to the contrary notwithstanding. The benefit account shall consist of all moneys requisitioned from this State's account in the unemployment trust fund. Moneys in the clearing and benefit accounts may be deposited by the treasurer, under the direction of the Commission, in any bank or public depository in which general funds of the State may be deposited, but no public deposit insurance charge or premium shall be paid out of the fund. The State Treasurer shall be liable on his official bond for the faithful performance of his duties in connection with the unemployment insurance fund provided for under this Chapter. Such liability on the official bond shall be effective immediately upon the enactment of this provision, and such liability shall exist in addition to any liability upon any separate bond existent on the effective date of this provision, or which may be given in the future. All sums recovered on any surety bond for losses sustained by the unemployment insurance fund shall be deposited in said fund.
(c)	Withdrawals. – Moneys shall be requisitioned from this State's account in the unemployment trust fund solely for the payment of benefits (including extended benefits) and in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commission. The Commission shall, from time to time, requisition from the unemployment trust fund such amounts, not exceeding the accounts standing to its account therein, as it deems necessary for the payment of benefits for a reasonable future period. Upon receipt thereof the treasurer shall deposit such moneys in the benefit account and shall pay all warrants drawn thereon as provided in G.S. 143B‑426.39B and requisitioned by the Commission for the payment of benefits solely from such benefit account. Expenditures of such moneys in the benefit account and refunds from the clearing account shall not be subject to approval of the Budget Bureau or any provisions of law requiring specific appropriations or other formal release by State officers of money in their custody. All warrants issued upon the treasurer for the payment of benefits and refunds shall be issued as provided inG.S. 143B‑426.39B as requisitioned by the chairman of the Commission or a duly authorized agent of the Commission for that purpose. Any balance of moneys requisitioned from the unemployment trust fund which remains unclaimed or unpaid in the benefit account after the expiration of the period for which such sums were requisitioned shall either be deducted from estimates for, and may be utilized for the payment of, benefits during succeeding periods, or, in the discretion of the Commission, shall be redeposited with the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States of America, to the credit of this State's account in the unemployment trust fund, as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(d)	Management of Funds upon Discontinuance of Unemployment Trust Fund. – The provisions of subsections (a), (b), and (c), to the extent that they relate to the unemployment trust fund, shall be operative only so long as such unemployment trust fund continues to exist, and so long as the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States of America continues to maintain for this State a separate book account of all funds deposited therein by this State for benefit purposes, together with this State's proportionate share of the earnings of such unemployment trust fund, from which no other state is permitted to make withdrawals. If and when such unemployment trust fund ceases to exist, or such separate book account is no longer maintained, all moneys, properties, or securities therein belonging to the Unemployment Insurance Fund of this State shall be transferred to the treasurer of the Unemployment Insurance Fund, who shall hold, invest, transfer, sell, deposit, and release such moneys, properties, or securities in a manner approved by the Commission, in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter: Provided, that such moneys shall be invested in the following readily marketable classes of securities: Bonds or other interest‑bearing obligations of the United States of America or such investments as are now permitted by law for sinking funds of the State of North Carolina; and provided further, that such investment shall at all times be so made that all the assets of the fund shall always be readily convertible into cash when needed for the payment of benefits. The treasurer shall dispose of securities or other properties belonging to the Unemployment Insurance Fund only under the direction of the Commission.
(e)	Benefits shall be deemed to be due and payable under this Chapter only to the extent provided in this Chapter and to the extent  that moneys are available therefor to the credit of the Unemployment Insurance Fund, and neither the State nor the Commission shall be liable for any amount in excess of such sums.
(f)	Any interest required to be paid on advances under Title XII of the Social Security Act shall be paid in a timely manner and shall not be paid, directly or indirectly, from amounts in the Unemployment Insurance Fund."
SECTION 24.  G.S. 96‑6.1(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Training and Employment Account. – There is created in the State treasury a special account separate and apart from all other public moneys or funds of this State, to be known as the Employment Security Commission Training and Employment Account. The State Treasurer is ex officio the treasurer and custodian of the Account and shall invest its funds in accordance with law. Any interest or other income derived from the Account shall be credited to the Account. Funds in the Account may be spent only pursuant to appropriation by the General Assembly and in accordance with the line item budget enacted by the General Assembly. The Account is subject to the provisions of the State Budget Act, except that no unexpended surplus of the Account shall revert to the General Fund. Funds appropriated from the Account that are unexpended and unencumbered at the end of the fiscal year for which they were appropriated shall revert to the credit of the Account in the State treasury in accordance with G.S. 143C‑1‑2.It is the intent of the General Assembly that eighty percent (80%) of the funds in the Account shall be appropriated annually to the Department of Community Colleges to be used for nonrecurring expenditures to provide worker training through improved continuing education, acquisition of modern training equipment, operation of specialized training centers, enhancement of small business center training, expansion of training for new and expanding industries, incentive grants for incumbent worker training, programs funded by the Worker Training Trust Fund, and other programs of the Department of Community Colleges. It is the intent of the General Assembly that twenty percent (20%) of the funds in the Account shall be appropriated annually to the Employment Security Commission for administration and collection of the training and reemployment contribution and for nonrecurring expenditures for reemployment services."
SECTION 25.  G.S. 106‑65.88(g) reads as rewritten:
"(g)	For the purposes of the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes the assessments collected by the Department under this Article shall not be 'State funds'."
SECTION 26.  G.S. 108A‑88 reads as rewritten:
"§ 108A‑88.  Determination of State and county financial participation.
Before February 15 of each year, the Secretary shall notify the county board of commissioners, the county manager, the director of social services, and the director of public health of each county of the amount of State and federal moneys estimated to be available, as best can be determined, to that county for programs of public assistance, social services, public health, and related administrative costs, as well as the percentage of county participation expected to be required for the budget for the succeeding fiscal year. In odd‑numbered years, in making such notification, the Secretary shall notify the counties of any changes in funding levels, formulas, or programs relating to public assistance and public health proposed by the Governor to the General Assembly in the proposed budget and budget report submitted under the State Budget Act. Counties shall be notified of additional changes in the proposed budget of the Governor that are made by the General Assembly or the United States Congress subsequent to the February 15 estimates."
SECTION 27.  G.S. 113‑258 reads as rewritten:
"§ 113‑258.  Commission subject to provisions of State Budget Act.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission of the State of North Carolina shall be subject to all the terms and provisions of the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes of North Carolina."
SECTION 28.  G.S. 113‑315.31(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	As a means of raising the funds needed from time to time in the acquisition, construction, equipment, maintenance and operation of any facility, building, structure, or any other matter or thing which the Authority is herein authorized to acquire, construct, equip, maintain, or operate, all or any of them, the said Authority is hereby authorized at one time or from time to time to issue with the approval of the Governor negotiable revenue bonds of the Authority. The principal and interest of revenue bonds shall be payable solely from the revenue to be derived from the operation of all or any part of its properties and facilities. "
SECTION 29.  G.S. 113A‑193(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall:
(1)	Provide to the Secretary, Department of Revenue, lists of processors subject to the assessment;
(2)	Advise the Secretary, Department of Revenue, of the appropriate methods to convert measurements of primary forest products by other systems to those authorized in this Article;
(3)	Establish in November prior to those sessions in which the General Assembly considers the State budget, the estimated total assessment that will be collectible in the next budget period and so inform the General Assembly;
(4)	Within 30 days of certification of the State budget, notify the Secretary, Department of Revenue, of the need to collect the assessment for those years covered by the approved budget.
(5)	By January 15 of each odd‑numbered year, report to the General Assembly on the number of acres reforested, type of owners assisted, geographic distribution of funds, the amount of funds encumbered and other matters. The report shall include the information by forestry district and statewide and shall be for the two fiscal years prior to the date of the report."
SECTION 30.  G.S. 115C‑12(1a) reads as rewritten:
"§ 115C‑12.  Powers and duties of the Board generally.
The general supervision and administration of the free public school system shall be vested in the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall establish policy for the system of free public schools, subject to laws enacted by the General Assembly. The powers and duties of the State Board of Education are defined as follows:
…
(1a)	To Submit a Budget Request to the Director of the Budget. – The Board shall submit a budget request to the Director of the Budget in accordance with G.S. 143C‑3‑3. In addition to the information requested by the Director of the Budget, the Board shall provide an analysis relating each of its requests for expansion funds to anticipated improvements in student performance."
SECTION 31.  G.S. 115C‑106(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	The General Assembly of North Carolina hereby declares that the policy of the State is to ensure every child a fair and full opportunity to reach his full potential and that no child as defined in this section and in G.S. 115C‑122 shall be excluded from service or education for any reason whatsoever. This policy shall be the practice of the State for children from birth through age 21 and the State requires compliance by all local education agencies and local school administrative units, all local human services agencies including, but not limited to, local health departments, local social service departments, community mental health centers and all State departments, agencies, institutions except institutions of higher education, and private providers which are recipients of general funds as these funds are defined in.G.S. 143C‑1‑1."
SECTION 32.  G.S. 115C‑243(f) reads as rewritten:
"(f)	Before any agreement under this section may be signed, the State Board of Education shall adopt a uniform schedule of charges for the use of buses under this section. Such schedule shall include a charge by the hour and by the mile which shall cover all costs both fixed and variable, including depreciation, gasoline, fuel, labor, maintenance, and insurance. The schedule may be amended by the State Board of Education. The schedule of charges adopted by the local board of education under subsection (c) may vary from the State schedule only to cover changes in wages. "
SECTION 33.  G.S. 115C‑290.5 reads as rewritten:
"§ 115C‑290.5.  Powers and duties of the Board; development of the North Carolina Public School Administrator Exam.
(a)	The State Board of Education shall administer this Article. In fulfilling this duty, the Board shall:
(1)	In accordance with subsection (c) of this section, develop and implement a North Carolina Public School Administrator Exam.
(2)	Establish and collect an application fee not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00). Fees collected under this Article shall be credited to the General Fund as nontax revenue.
(3)	Review the educational achievements of an applicant to take the exam to determine whether the achievements meet the requirements set by G.S. 115C‑290.7.
(4)	Repealed by Session Laws 2001‑424, s. 28.25(d).
(5)	Maintain accounts and records in accordance with the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes.
(6)	Adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 150B of the General Statutes to implement this Article.
(7)	Repealed by Session Laws 2001‑424, s. 28.25(d).
(b),	(c)	Repealed by Session Laws 2001‑424, s. 28.25(d)."
SECTION 34.  G.S. 115C‑423 reads as rewritten:
"§ 115C‑423.  Definitions.
The words and phrases defined in this section have the meanings indicated when used in this Article, unless the context clearly requires another meaning:
(1)	"Budget" is a plan proposed by a board of education for raising and spending money for specified school programs, functions, activities, or objectives during a fiscal year.
(2)	"Budget resolution" is a resolution adopted by a board of education that appropriates revenues for specified school programs, functions, activities, or objectives during a fiscal year.
(3)	"Budget year" is the fiscal year for which a budget is proposed and a budget resolution is adopted.
(4)	"Fiscal year" is the annual period for the compilation of fiscal operations. The fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends  on June 30.
(5)	"Fund" is an independent fiscal and accounting entity consisting of cash and other resources together with all related liabilities, obligations, reserves, and equities which are segregated by appropriate accounting techniques for the purpose of carrying on specific activities or attaining certain objectives in accordance with established legal regulations, restrictions or limitations.
(6)	"Vending facilities" has the same meaning as it does in  G.S. 111‑42(d), but also means any mechanical or electronic device dispensing items or something of value or entertainment or services for a fee, regardless of the method of activation, and regardless of the means of payment, whether by coin, currency, tokens, or other means."
SECTION 35.  G.S. 115D‑2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 115D‑2.  Definitions.
As used in this Chapter:
(1)	The "administrative area" of an institution comprises the county or counties directly responsible for the local financial support and local administration of such institution as provided in this Chapter.
(2)	The term "community college" is defined as an educational institution operating under the provisions of this Chapter and dedicated primarily to the educational needs of the service area which it serves, and may offer
a.	The freshmen and sophomore courses of a college of arts and sciences, authorized by G.S. 115D‑4.1;
b.	Organized credit curricula for the training of technicians; curricular courses may carry transfer credit to a senior college or university where the course is comparable in content and quality and is appropriate to a chosen course of study;
c.	Vocational, trade, and technical specialty courses and programs, and
d.	Courses in general adult education.
(3)	The term "institution" refers to any institution established pursuant to this Chapter except for the North Carolina Center for Applied Textile Technology.
(4)	The term "regional institution" means an institution whose service area as assigned by the State Board of Community Colleges includes three or more counties; provided, however, any institution receiving funds as a regional institution on May 1, 1987, shall continue to receive funds on that basis.
(5)	The term "State Board" refers to the State Board of Community Colleges.
(6)	The "tax‑levying authority" of an institution is the board of commissioners of the county or all of the boards of commissioners of the counties, jointly, which constitute the administrative area of the institution.
(7)	Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 564, s. 1.
(8)	"Vending facilities" has the same meaning as it does in  G.S. 111‑42(d), but also means any mechanical or electronic device dispensing items or something of value or entertainment or services for a fee, regardless of the method of activation, and regardless of the means of payment, whether by coin, currency, tokens, or other means."
SECTION 36.  G.S. 115D‑4 reads as rewritten:
"§ 115D‑4.  Establishment of institutions; capital improvements.
The establishment of all community colleges shall be subject to the approval of the General Assembly upon recommendation of the State Board of Community Colleges. In no case, however, shall favorable recommendation be made by the State Board for the establishment of an institution until it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the State Board that a genuine educational need exists within a proposed administrative area, that existing public and private post‑high school institutions in the area will not meet the need, that adequate local financial support for the institution will be provided, that public schools in the area will not be affected adversely by the local financial support required for the institution, and that funds sufficient to provide State financial support of the institution are available.
The expenditures of any State funds for any capital improvements of existing institutions shall be subject to the prior approval of the State Board of Community Colleges and the Governor. The expenditure of State funds at any institution herein authorized to be approved by the State Board shall be subject to the terms of the State Budget Act unless specifically otherwise provided in this Chapter."
SECTION 37.  G.S.  115D‑5(f) reads as rewritten:
"(f)	(See editor's note) A community college may not offer a new program without the approval of the State Board of Community Colleges except that approval shall not be required if the tuition for the program will fully cover the cost of the program. If at any time tuition fails to fully cover the cost of a program that falls under the exception, the program shall be discontinued unless approved by the State Board of Community Colleges. If a proposed new program would serve more than one community college, the State Board of Community Colleges shall perform a feasibility study prior to acting on the proposal.
The State Board of Community Colleges shall report on an annual basis to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental  Operations, on all new programs it approved during the year. The report shall include the specific reasons for which each program was approved."
SECTION 38.  G.S. 115D‑31(a) reads as rewritten:"(a)	The State Board of Community Colleges shall be responsible for providing, from sources available to the State Board, funds to meet the financial needs of institutions, as determined by policies and regulations of the State Board, for the following budget items:
(1)	Plant Fund. – Furniture and equipment for administrative and instructional purposes, library books, and other items of capital outlay approved by the State Board. Provided, the State Board may, on an equal matching‑fund basis from appropriations made by the State for the purpose, grant funds to individual institutions for the purchase of land, construction and remodeling of institutional buildings determined by the State Board to be necessary for the instructional programs or administration of such institutions. For the purpose of determining amount of matching State funds, local funds shall include expenditures made prior to the enactment of this Chapter or prior to an institution becoming a community college pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, when such expenditures were made for the purchase of land, construction, and remodeling of institutional buildings subsequently determined by the State Board to be necessary as herein specified, and provided such local expenditures have not previously been used as the basis for obtaining matching State funds under the provisions of this Chapter or any other laws of the State. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, G.S. 116‑53(b), or G.S. 143C‑4‑6,appropriations by the State of North Carolina for capital or permanent improvements for community colleges may be matched with any prior expenditure of non‑State funds for capital construction or land acquisition not already used for matching purposes.
(2)	Current Operating Expenses:
a.	General administration. – Salaries and other costs as determined by the State Board necessary to carry out the functions of general administration.
b.	Instructional services. – Salaries and other costs as determined by the State Board necessary to carry out the functions of instructional services.
c.	Support services. – Salaries and other costs as determined by the State Board necessary to carry out the functions of support services.
(3)	Additional Support for Regional Institutions as Defined in G.S. 115D‑2(4). – Matching funds to be used with local funds to meet the financial needs of the regional institutions for the items set out in G.S. 115D‑32(a)(2)a. Amount of matching funds to be provided by the State under this section shall be determined as follows: The population of the administrative area in which the regional institution is located shall be called the "local factor," the combined populations of all other counties served by the institution shall be called the "State factor." When the budget for the items listed in G.S. 115D‑32(a)(2)a has been approved under the procedures set out in G.S. 115D‑45, the administrative area in which the regional institution is located shall provide a percentage to be determined by dividing the local factor by the sum of the local factor and the State factor. The State shall provide a percentage of the necessary funds to meet this budget, the percentage to be determined by dividing the State factor by the sum of the local factor and the State factor. If the local administrative area provides less than its proportionate share, the amount of State funds provided shall be reduced by the same proportion as were the administrative area funds.
Wherever the word "population" is used in this subdivision, it shall mean the population of the particular area in accordance with the latest United States census."
SECTION 39.  G.S. 116‑2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑2.  Definitions.
As used in this Article, unless the context clearly indicates a contrary intent:
(1)	"Board" means the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina.
(2)	"Board of trustees" means the board of trustees of a constituent institution.
(3)	"Chancellor" means the chancellor of a constituent institution.
(4)	"Constituent institution" or "institution" means one of the 16 public senior institutions, to wit, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University at Raleigh, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the University of North Carolina at Asheville, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina School of the Arts, Pembroke State University, redesignated effective July 1, 1996, as the "University of North Carolina at Pembroke", Western Carolina University, and Winston‑Salem State University.
(5)	"President" means the President of the University of North Carolina.
(6)	"Vending facilities" has the same meaning as it does in  G.S. 111‑42(d), but also means any mechanical or electronic device dispensing items or something of value or entertainment or services for a fee, regardless of the method of activation, and regardless of the means of payment, whether by coin, currency, tokens, or other means."
SECTION 40.  G.S. 116‑11 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑11.  Powers and duties generally.
The powers and duties of the Board of Governors shall include the following:
(1)	The Board of Governors shall plan and develop a coordinated system of higher education in North Carolina. To this end it shall govern the 16 constituent institutions, subject to the powers and responsibilities given in this Article to the boards of trustees of the institutions, and to this end it shall maintain close liaison with the State Board of Community Colleges, the Community Colleges System Office and the private colleges and universities of the State. The Board, in consultation with representatives of the State Board of Community Colleges and of the private colleges and universities, shall prepare and from time to time revise a long‑range plan for a coordinated system of higher education, supplying copies thereof to the Governor, the members of the General Assembly, and the institutions. Statewide federal or State programs that provide aid to institutions or students of post‑secondary education through a State agency, except those related exclusively to the community college system, shall be administered by the Board pursuant to any requirements of State or federal statute in order to insure that all activities are consonant with the State's long‑range plan for higher education.
(2)	The Board of Governors shall be responsible for the general determination, control, supervision, management and governance of all affairs of the constituent institutions. For this purpose the Board may adopt such policies and regulations as it may deem wise. Subject to applicable State law and to the terms and conditions of the instruments under which property is acquired, the Board of Governors may acquire, hold, convey or otherwise dispose of, invest and reinvest any and all real and personal property, with the exception of any property that may be held by trustees of institutional endowment funds under the provisions of G.S. 116‑36 or that may be held, under authority delegated by the Board of Governors, either by a board of trustees or by trustees of any other endowment or trust fund.
(3)	The Board shall determine the functions, educational activities and academic programs of the constituent institutions. The Board shall also determine the types of degrees to be awarded. The powers herein given to the Board shall not be restricted by any provision of law assigning specific functions or responsibilities to designated institutions, the powers herein given superseding any such provisions of law. The Board, after adequate notice and after affording the institutional board of trustees an opportunity to be heard, shall have authority to withdraw approval of any existing program if it appears that the program is unproductive, excessively costly or unnecessarily duplicative. The Board shall review the productivity of academic degree programs every two years, using criteria specifically developed to determine program productivity.
(4)	The Board of Governors shall elect officers as provided in G.S. 116‑14. Subject to the provisions of section 18 of this act [Session Laws 1971, Chapter 1244, section 18], the Board shall also elect, on nomination of the President, the chancellor of each of the constituent institutions and fix his compensation. The President shall make his nomination from a list of not fewer than two names recommended by the institutional board of trustees.
(5)	The Board of Governors shall, on recommendation of the President and of the appropriate institutional chancellor, appoint and fix the compensation of all vice‑chancellors, senior academic and administrative officers and persons having permanent tenure.
(5a)	[Expired.]
(5b)	The Board of Governors may by resolution provide that, until July 1, 1998, every president, vice‑president, and other administrative officer of the University whom it elects and who is not subject to Chapter 126 of the General Statutes, and every chancellor, vice‑chancellor, senior academic officer, senior administrative officer, and faculty member who serves a constituent institution or agency of the University and who is not subject to Chapter 126 of the General Statutes, shall retire on July 1 coincident with or next following his seventieth birthday, unless continued in service on a year‑to‑year basis in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board of Governors.
(6)	The Board shall approve the establishment of any new publicly supported institution above the community college level.
(7)	The Board shall set tuition and required fees at the institutions, not inconsistent with actions of the General Assembly.
(8)	The Board shall set enrollment levels of the constituent institutions.
(8a)	The Board of Governors, after consultation with representatives from nonpublic schools, including representatives of nonpublic schools operated under Parts 1 and 3 of Article 39 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes, and after taking into consideration comments received from the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, shall adopt a policy regarding uniform admissions requirements for applicants from nonpublic schools lawfully operated under Article 39 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes. The policy shall not arbitrarily differentiate between applicants based upon whether the applicant attended a public or a lawfully operated nonpublic school.
(9)	a.	The Board of Governors shall develop, prepare and present to the  Governor and the General Assembly a single, unified recommended budget for all of public senior higher education. The recommendations shall consist of requests in three general categories: (i) funds for the continuing operation of each constituent institution, (ii) funds for salary increases for employees exempt from the State Personnel Act and (iii) funds requested without reference to constituent institutions, itemized as to priority and covering such areas as new programs and activities, expansions of programs and activities, increases in enrollments, increases to accommodate internal shifts and categories of persons served, capital improvements, improvements in levels of operation and increases to remedy deficiencies, as well as other areas. 
b.	Funds for the continuing operation of each constituent institution shall be appropriated directly to the institution. Funds for salary increases for employees exempt from the State Personnel Act shall be appropriated to the Board in a lump sum for allocation to the institutions. Funds for the third category in paragraph a of this subdivision shall be appropriated to the Board in a lump sum for allocation to the institutions. The Board shall make allocations among the institutions in accordance with the Board's schedule of priorities and any specifications in the Current Operations Appropriations Act. When both the Board and the Director of the Budget deem it to be in the best interest of the State, funds in the third category may be allocated, in whole or in part, for other items within the list of priorities or for items not included in the list. Provided, nothing herein shall be construed to allow the General Assembly, except as to capital improvements, to refer to particular constituent institutions in any specifications as to priorities in the third category. c.	The Director of the Budget may, on recommendation of the Board, authorize transfer of appropriated funds from one institution to another to provide adjustments for over or under enrollment or may make any other adjustments among institutions that would provide for the orderly and efficient operation of the institutions. 
d.	Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 795, s. 27.
(10)	The Board shall collect and disseminate data concerning higher education in the State. To this end it shall work cooperatively with the Community Colleges System Office and shall seek the assistance of the private colleges and universities. It may prescribe for the constituent institutions such uniform reporting practices and policies as it may deem desirable.
(10a)	The Board of Governors, the State Board of Community Colleges, and the State Board of Education, in consultation with private higher education institutions defined in G.S. 116‑22(1), shall plan a system to provide an exchange of information among the public schools and institutions of higher education to be implemented no later than June 30, 1995. As used in this section, "institutions of higher education" shall mean public higher education institutions defined in G.S. 116‑143.1(a)(3), and those private higher education institutions defined in G.S. 116‑22(1) that choose to participate in the information exchange. The information shall include:
a.	The number of high school graduates who apply to, are admitted to, and enroll in institutions of higher education;
b.	College performance of high school graduates for the year immediately following high school graduation including each student's: need for remedial coursework at the institution of higher education that the student attends; performance in standard freshmen courses; and continued enrollment in a subsequent year in the same or another institution of higher education in the State;
c.	The progress of students from one institution of higher education to another; and
d.	Consistent and uniform public school course information including course code, name, and description.
The Department of Public Instruction shall generate and the local school administrative units shall use standardized transcripts in an automated format for applicants to higher education institutions. The standardized transcript shall include grade point average, class rank, end‑of‑course test scores, and uniform course information including course code, name, units earned toward graduation, and credits earned for admission from an institution of higher education. The grade point average and class rank shall be calculated by a standard method to be devised by the institutions of higher education.
The Board of Governors shall coordinate a joint progress report on the implementation of the system to provide an exchange of information among the public and independent colleges and universities, the community colleges, and the public schools. The report shall be made to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than February 15, 1993, and annually thereafter.
(10b)	The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall report to each community college and to the State Board of Community Colleges on the academic performance of that community college's transfer students.
(11)	The Board shall assess the contributions and needs of the private colleges and universities of the State and shall give advice and recommendations to the General Assembly to the end that the resources of these institutions may be utilized in the best interest of the State.
(12)	The Board shall give advice and recommendations concerning higher education to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the boards of trustees of the institutions.
(12a)	Notwithstanding any other law, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall implement, administer, and revise programs for meaningful professional development for professional public school employees in accordance with the evaluations and recommendations made by the State Board of Education under G.S. 115C‑12(26). The programs shall be aligned with State education goals and directed toward improving student academic achievement. The Board of Governors shall submit to the State Board of Education an annual written report that uses data to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the programs for professional development offered by the Center for School Leadership Development. The report shall clearly document how the programs address the State needs identified by the State Board of Education and whether the programs are utilizing the strategies recommended by the State Board. The Board of Governors also shall submit this report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives prior to September 15th of each year.
(12b)	The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall create a Board of Directors for the UNC Center for School Leadership Development. The Board of Governors shall determine the powers and duties of the Board of Directors.
(13)	The Board may delegate any part of its authority over the affairs of any institution to the board of trustees or, through the President, to the chancellor of the institution in any case where such delegation appears necessary or prudent to enable the institution to function in a proper and expeditious manner. Any delegation of authority may be rescinded by the Board at any time in whole or in part.
(14)	The Board shall possess all powers not specifically given to institutional boards of trustees."
SECTION 41.  G.S. 116‑14(b1) reads as rewritten:
"(b1)	The President shall receive General Fund appropriations made by the General Assembly for continuing operations of The University of North Carolina that are administered by the President and the President's staff complement established pursuant to G.S. 116‑14(b) in the form of a single sum to Budget Code 16010 of The University of North Carolina in the manner and under the conditions prescribed by G.S. 116‑30.2. The President, with respect to the foregoing appropriations, shall have the same duties and responsibilities that are prescribed by G.S. 116‑30.2 for the Chancellor of a special responsibility constituent institution. The President may establish procedures for transferring funds from Budget Code 16010 to the constituent institutions for nonrecurring expenditures. The President may identify funds for capital improvement projects from Budget Code 16010, and the capital improvement projects may be established following the procedures set out in G.S.  143C‑8‑8 and G.S. 143C‑8‑9."
SECTION 42.  G.S. 116‑30.2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑30.2.  Appropriations to special responsibility constituent institutions and to the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.
(a)	All General Fund appropriations made by the General Assembly for continuing operations of a special responsibility constituent institution of The University of North Carolina shall be made in the form of a single sum to each budget code of the institution for each year of the fiscal period for which the appropriations are being made. Notwithstanding G.S. 143C‑6‑4 and G.S. 120‑76(8), each special responsibility constituent institution may expend monies from the overhead receipts special fund budget code and the General Fund monies so appropriated to it in the manner deemed by the Chancellor to be calculated to maintain and advance the programs and services of the institutions, consistent with the directives and policies of the Board of Governors. The preparation, presentation, and review of General Fund budget requests of special responsibility constituent institutions shall be conducted in the same manner as are requests of other constituent institutions. The quarterly allotment procedure established pursuant to G.S. 143C‑6‑3 shall apply to the General Fund appropriations made for the current operations of each special responsibility constituent institution. All General Fund monies so appropriated to each special responsibility constituent institution shall be recorded, reported, and audited in the same manner as are General Fund appropriations to other constituent institutions.
(b)	The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is authorized to be designated as a special responsibility constituent institution for the purposes of G.S. 116‑30.1, G.S. 116‑30.4, G.S. 116‑30.5, G.S. 116‑30.6, and G.S. 116‑31.10. In addition, all General Fund appropriations made by the General Assembly for continuing operations of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics shall be made in the form of a single sum to each budget code of the School for each year of the fiscal period for which the appropriations are being made. Notwithstanding G.S. 143C‑6‑4 and G.S. 120‑76(8), the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics may expend monies from the overhead receipts special fund budget code and the General Fund monies so appropriated to it in the manner deemed by the Director of the School to be calculated to maintain and advance the programs and services of the School, consistent with the directives and policies of the Board of Trustees of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. The preparation, presentation, and review of General Fund budget requests of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics shall be conducted in the same manner as are requests of the constituent institutions. The quarterly allotment procedure established under G.S. 143C‑6‑3 shall apply to the General Fund appropriations made for the current operations of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. All General Fund monies so appropriated to the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics shall be recorded, reported, and audited in the same manner as are General Fund appropriations to constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina."
SECTION 43.  G.S. 116‑30.3 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑30.3.  Reversions.
(a)	Of the General Fund current operations appropriations credit balance remaining at the end of each fiscal year in each budget code of a special responsibility constituent institution, except for the budget code of the Area Health Education Centers of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, any amount of the General Fund appropriation for that fiscal year may be carried forward by the institution to the next fiscal year and is appropriated for one‑time expenditures that will not impose additional financial obligations on the State. Of the General Fund current operations appropriations credit balance remaining in the budget code of the Area Health Education Centers of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, any amount of the General Fund appropriation for that fiscal year may be carried forward in that budget code to the next fiscal year and  is appropriated for one‑time expenditures that will not impose additional financial obligations on the State. However, the amount carried forward under this section shall not exceed two and one‑half percent (2 1/2%) of the General Fund appropriation. The Director of the Budget, under the authority set forth in G.S. 143C‑6‑2 shall establish the General Fund current operations credit balance remaining in each budget code of each institution.
(b)	Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑212, s. 11(b).
(c)	Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑212, s. 11(a).
(d)	Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑212, s. 11(b).
(e)	Notwithstanding G.S. 143C‑1‑2 of the General Fund current operations appropriations credit balance remaining in Budget Code 16010 of the Office of General Administration of The University of North Carolina, any amount of the General Fund appropriation for that fiscal year may be carried forward in that budget code to the next fiscal year and is appropriated for one‑time expenditures that will not impose additional financial obligations on the State. However, the amount carried forward under this subsection shall not exceed two and one‑half percent (2 1/2%) of the General Fund appropriation. The Director of the Budget, under the authority set forth in G.S. 143C‑6‑2 shall establish the General Fund current operations credit balance remaining in Budget Code 16010 of the Office of General Administration of The University of North Carolina. The funds shall not be used to support positions."
SECTION 44.  G.S. 116‑36(g) reads as rewritten:
"(g)	The trustees of the endowment fund shall have the power to buy, sell, lend, exchange, lease, transfer, or otherwise dispose of or to acquire (except by pledging their credit or violating a lawful condition of receipt of the corpus into the endowment fund) any property, real or personal, with respect to the fund, in either public or private transaction, and in doing so they shall not be subject to the provisions of Chapters 143, 143C, and 146 of the General Statutes; provided that, any expense or financial obligation of the State of North Carolina created by any acquisition or disposition, by whatever  means, of any real or personal property of the endowment fund shall be borne by the endowment fund unless authorization to satisfy the expense or financial obligation from some other source shall first have been obtained from the Director of the Budget. "
SECTION 45.  G.S. 116‑36.1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑36.1.  Regulation of institutional trust funds.
(a)	The Board is responsible for the custody and management of the trust funds of the University of North Carolina and of each institution. The Board shall adopt uniform policies and procedures applicable to the administration of these funds which shall assure that the receipt and expenditure of such funds is properly authorized and that the funds are appropriately accounted for. The Board may delegate authority, through the president, to the respective chancellors of the institutions when such delegation is necessary or prudent to enable the institution to function in a proper and expeditious manner.
(b)	Trust funds shall be deposited with the State Treasurer who shall hold them in trust in separate accounts in the name of the University of North Carolina and of each institution. The cash balances of these accounts may be pooled for investment purposes, but investment earnings shall be credited pro rata to each participating account. For purposes of distribution of investment earnings, all trust funds of an institution shall be deemed a single account.
(c)	Moneys deposited with the State Treasurer in trust fund accounts pursuant to this section, and investment earnings thereon, are available for expenditure by each institution without further authorization from the General Assembly.
(d)	Trust funds are subject to the oversight of the State Auditor pursuant to Article 5A of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes but are not subject to the provisions of the State Budget Act except for capital improvements projects which shall be authorized and executed in accordance with G.S.  143C‑8‑8 and G.S. 143C‑8‑9.
(e)	Each institution shall submit such reports or other information concerning its trust fund accounts as may be required by the Director of the Budget.
(f)	Trust funds or the investment income therefrom shall not take the place of State appropriations or any part thereof, but any portion of these funds available for general institutional purposes is appropriated and shall be used to supplement State appropriations to the end that the institution may improve and increase its functions, may enlarge its areas of service, and may become more useful to a greater number of people.
(g)	As used in this section, "trust funds" means:
(1)	Moneys, or the proceeds of other forms of property, received by an institution as gifts, devises, or bequests that are neither presumed nor designated to be gifts, devises, or bequests to the endowment fund of the institution;
(2)	Moneys received by an institution pursuant to grants from, or contracts with, the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof;
(3)	Moneys received by an institution pursuant to grants from, or contracts with, any State agencies, any political subdivisions of the State, any other states or nations or political subdivisions thereof, or any private entities whereby the institution undertakes, subject to terms and conditions specified by the entity providing the moneys, to conduct research, training or public service programs, or to provide financial aid to students;
(4)	Moneys collected by an institution to support extracurricular activities of students of the institution;
(5)	Moneys received from or for the operation by an institution of activities established for the benefit of scholarship funds or student activity programs;
(6)	Moneys received from or for the operation by an institution of any of its self‑supporting auxiliary enterprises, including institutional student auxiliary enterprise funds for the operation of housing, food, health, and laundry services;
(7)	Moneys received by an institution in respect to fees and other payments for services rendered by medical, dental or other health care professionals under an organized practice plan approved by the institution or under a contractual agreement between the institution and a hospital or other health care provider;
(8)	The net proceeds from the disposition effected pursuant to Chapter 146, Article 7, of any interest in real property owned by or under the supervision and control of an institution if the interest in real property had first been acquired by gift, devise, or bequest or through expenditure of moneys defined in this subsection (g) as "trust funds," except the net proceeds from the disposition of an interest in real property first acquired by the institution through expenditure of moneys received as a grant from a State agency;
(9)	Moneys received from the operation and maintenance of institutional forests and forest farmlands, provided, that such moneys shall be used, when used, by the institution for support of forest‑related research, teaching, and public service programs.
(h)	Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the Board may designate as the official depository of the funds identified in subsection (g) (7) of this section one or more banks or trust companies in this State. The amount of funds on deposit in an official depository shall be fully secured by deposit insurance, surety bonds, or investment securities of such nature, in such amounts, and in such manner as is prescribed by the State Treasurer for the security of public deposits generally. The available cash balance of funds deposited pursuant to this subsection shall be invested in interest‑bearing deposits and investments so that the rate of return equals that realized from the investment of State funds generally.
(i)	The cash balances on hand as of June 30, 1978, and all future receipts accruing thereafter, of funds identified in this section are hereby appropriated to the use of the University of North Carolina and its constituent institutions."
SECTION 46.  G.S. 116‑36.2(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Notwithstanding Chapter 143C or any provisions of law other than Article 5A of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes, the chancellor of each institution is responsible for the custody and management of the special funds of that institution. The Board shall adopt uniform policies and procedures applicable to the administration of these funds which shall assure that the receipt and expenditure of such funds is properly authorized and that the funds are appropriately accounted for. The special funds of individual institutions regulated by this section are appropriated and may be used only as authorized by this section."
SECTION 47.  G.S. 116‑36.5 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑36.5.  Centennial Campus trust fund; Horace Williams Campus trust fund; Millennial Campuses' trust funds.
(a)	All moneys received through development of the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University at Raleigh, from whatever source, including the net proceeds from the lease or rental of Centennial Campus real property, shall be placed in a special, continuing, and nonreverting trust fund having the sole and exclusive use for further development of the Centennial Campus, including its operational development. This fund shall be treated in the manner of institutional trust funds as provided in G.S. 116‑36.1, and, like the institutional trust funds, is exempt from Chapter 143C, except for Article 8 of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes. This fund shall be deemed an additional and alternative method of funding the Centennial Campus and not an exclusive one. For purposes of this section the term "Centennial Campus" is defined by G.S. 116‑198.33(4). To the extent that any general, special, or local law is inconsistent with this section, it is declared inapplicable to this section.
(b)	All moneys received through development of the Horace Williams Campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, from whatever source, including the net proceeds from the lease or rental of Horace Williams Campus real property, shall be placed in a special, continuing, and nonreverting trust fund having the sole and exclusive use for further development of the Horace Williams Campus, including its operational development. This fund shall be treated in the manner of institutional trust funds as provided in G.S. 116‑36.1, and, like the institutional trust funds,  is exempt from Chapter 143C, except for Article 8 of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes. This fund shall be deemed an additional and alternative method of funding the Horace Williams Campus and not an exclusive one. For purposes of this section the term "Horace Williams Campus" is defined by G.S. 116‑198.33(4a). To the extent that any general, special, or local law is inconsistent with this section, it is declared inapplicable to this section.
(c)	All moneys received through development of a Millennial Campus of a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina as defined by G.S. 116‑198.33(4b), from whatever source, including the net proceeds from the lease or rental of real property on a Millennial Campus, shall be placed in a special, continuing, and nonreverting trust fund having the sole and exclusive use for further development of that Millennial Campus, including its operational development. This fund shall be treated in the manner of institutional trust funds as provided in G.S. 116‑36.1, and, like the institutional trust funds, is exempt from Chapter 143C, except for Article 8 of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes. This fund shall be deemed an additional and alternative method of funding the Millennial Campus and not an exclusive one. To the extent that any general, special, or local law is inconsistent with this section, it is declared inapplicable to this section.
(d)	The moneys described by this section are appropriated and may be used only as provided by this section."SECTION 48.  G.S. 116‑41.4 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑41.4.  Bonds authorized; amount limited; form, execution and sale; terms and conditions; use of proceeds; additional bonds; interim receipts or temporary bonds; replacement of lost, etc., bonds; approval or consent for issuance; bonds  not debt of State; bond anticipation notes.
The Board is hereby authorized to issue, subject to the approval of the Director of the Budget, at one time or from time to time, revenue bonds of the University for the purpose of undertaking and carrying out any project or projects hereunder; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of revenue bonds which the Board is authorized to issue under this section during the biennium ending June 30, 1969, shall not exceed three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000); provided, further, the Board shall have authority to issue revenue bonds under this section in an additional aggregate principal amount not to exceed three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000) during the biennium ending June 30, 1971; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of revenue bonds which the Board is authorized to issue under this section during the biennium ending June 30, 1973, shall not exceed thirteen million dollars ($13,000,000); provided, further, that the aggregate principal amount of revenue bonds which the Board is authorized to issue under this section during the biennium ending June 30, 1975, shall not exceed thirteen million dollars ($13,000,000). The bonds shall be dated, shall mature at such time or times not exceeding 30 years from their date or dates, and shall bear interest at such rate or rates as may be determined by the Board, and may be made redeemable before maturity at the option of the Board at such price or prices and under such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Board prior to the issuance of the bonds. The Board shall determine the form and manner of execution of the bonds, and any interest coupons to be attached thereto, and shall fix the denomination or denominations of the bonds and the place or places of payment of principal and interest, which may be at any bank or trust company within or without the State. In case any officer whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature appears on any bonds or coupons shall cease to be such officer before the delivery of such bonds, such signature or such facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if he had remained in office until such delivery. Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this Part or any recitals in any bonds issued under the provisions of this Part, all such bonds shall be deemed to be negotiable instruments under the laws of this State. The bonds may be issued in coupon or registered form or both, as the Board may determine, and provision may be made for the registration of any coupon bonds as to principal alone and also as to both principal and interest, and for the reconversion into  coupon bonds of any bonds registered as to both principal and interest. The Board may sell such bonds in such manner, at public or private sale, and for such price, as it may determine to be for the best interests of the University.
The proceeds of the bonds of each issue shall be used solely for the purpose for which such bonds shall have been authorized and shall be disbursed in such manner and under such restrictions, if any, as the Board may provide in the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds. Unless otherwise provided in the authorizing resolution, if the proceeds of such bonds, by error of estimates or otherwise, shall be less than such costs, additional bonds may in like manner be issued to provide the amount of such deficit and shall be deemed to be of the same issue and shall be entitled to payment from the same fund without preference or priority of the bonds first issued for the same  purpose.
The resolution providing for the issuance of revenue bonds may also contain such limitations upon the issuance of additional revenue bonds as the Board may deem proper, and such additional bonds shall be issued under such restrictions and limitations as may be prescribed by such resolution.
Prior to the preparation of definitive bonds, the Board may, under like restrictions, issue interim receipts or temporary bonds, with or without coupons, exchangeable for definitive bonds when such bonds shall have been executed and are available for delivery. The Board may also provide for the replacement of any bonds which shall become mutilated or be destroyed or lost.
Bonds may be issued by the Board under the provisions of this Part, subject to the approval of the Director of the Budget, but without obtaining the consent of any other commission, board, bureau or agency of the State, and without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things than those consents, proceedings, conditions or things which are specifically required by this Part.
Revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this Part shall not be deemed to constitute a debt of the State of North Carolina or a pledge of the faith and credit of the State, but such bonds shall be payable solely from the funds herein provided therefor and a statement to that effect shall be recited on the face of the bonds.
The Board is hereby authorized to issue, subject to the approval of the Director of the Budget, at one time or from time to time, revenue bond anticipation notes of the Board in anticipation of the issuance of bonds authorized pursuant to the provisions of this Part. The principal of and the interest on such notes shall be payable solely from the proceeds of bonds or renewal notes or, in the event bond or renewal note proceeds are not available, any available revenues of the project or projects for which such bonds shall have been authorized. The notes of each issue shall be dated, shall mature at such time or times not exceeding two years from their date or dates, shall bear interest at such rate or rates as may be determined by the Board, and may be made redeemable before maturity, at the option of the Board, at such price or prices and under such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Board, and may be made redeemable before maturity, at the option of the Board, at such price or prices and under such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Board prior to the issuance of the notes. The Board shall determine the form and manner of execution of the notes, including any interest coupons to be attached thereto, and shall fix the denomination or denominations of the notes and the place or places of payment of principal and interest, which may be at any bank or trust company within or without the State. In case any officer, whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature shall appear on any notes or coupons, shall cease to be such officer before the delivery of such notes, such signature or such facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if he had remained in office until such delivery. Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this Part or any recitals in any notes issued under the provisions of this Part, all such notes shall be deemed to be negotiable instruments under the laws of this State. The notes may be issued in coupon or registered form or both, as the Board may determine, and provision may be made for the registration of any coupon notes as to principal alone and also as to both principal and interest, and for the reconversion into coupon notes of any notes registered as to both principal and interest. The Board may sell such notes in such manner, at public or private sale, and for such price, as it may determine to be for the best interests of the University.
The proceeds of the notes of each issue shall be used solely for the purpose for which the bonds in anticipation of which such notes are being issued shall have been authorized, and such note proceeds shall be disbursed in such manner and under such restrictions, if any, as the Board may provide in the resolution authorizing the issuance of such notes or bonds.
The resolution providing for the issuance of notes or bonds may also contain such limitations upon the issuance of additional notes as the Board may deem proper, and such additional notes shall be issued under such restrictions and limitations as may be prescribed by such resolution.
Notes may be issued by the Board under the provisions of this Part, subject to the approval of the Director of the Budget, but without obtaining the consent of any other commission, board, bureau or agency of the State, and without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things than those consents, proceedings, conditions or things which are specifically required by this Part.
Revenue bond anticipation notes issued under the provisions of this Part shall not be deemed to constitute a debt of the State of North Carolina or a pledge of the faith and credit of the State, but such notes shall be payable solely from the funds herein provided therefor and a statement to that effect shall be recited on the face of the notes.
Unless the context shall otherwise indicate, the word "bonds," wherever used in this Part, shall be deemed and construed to include the words "bond anticipation notes."
"
SECTION 49.  G.S. 116‑41.9 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑41.9.  Refunding revenue bonds.
The University is hereby authorized, subject to the approval of the Director of the Budget, to issue from time to time refunding revenue bonds for the purpose of refunding any revenue bonds issued by the University under this Part in connection with any project or projects, including the payment of any redemption premium thereon and any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of redemption of such bonds. The University is further authorized, subject to the approval of the Director of the Budget, to issue from time to time refunding revenue bonds for the combined purpose of
(1)	Refunding any revenue bonds or refunding revenue bonds issued by the University in connection with any project or projects including the payment of any redemption premium thereon and any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of redemption of such bonds, and
(2)	Paying all or any part of the cost of any project or projects.
The issuance of such refunding revenue bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the rights and remedies of the holders thereof, and the rights, powers, privileges, duties and obligations of the University with respect to the same, shall be governed by the foregoing provisions of this Part insofar as the same may be applicable.
"
SECTION 50.  G.S. 116‑41.16 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑41.16.  Distinguished Professors Endowment Trust Fund; contribution commitments.
(a)	For constituent institutions other than focused growth institutions and special needs institutions, contributions may also be eligible for matching if there is:
(1)	A commitment to make a donation of at least six hundred sixty‑six thousand dollars ($666,000), as prescribed by  G.S. 143C‑4‑6 and an initial payment of one hundred eleven thousand dollars ($111,000) to receive a grant described in G.S. 116‑41.15(a)(1); or
(2)	A commitment to make a donation of at least three hundred thirty‑three thousand dollars ($333,000), as prescribed by G.S. 143C‑4‑6 and an initial payment of fifty‑five thousand five hundred dollars ($55,500) to receive a grant described in G.S. 116‑41.15(a)(2); and if the initial payment is accompanied by a written pledge to provide the balance within five years after the date of the initial payment. Each payment on the balance shall be no less than the amount of the initial payment and shall be made on or before the anniversary date of the initial payment. Pledged contributions may not be matched prior to the actual collection of the total funds. Once the income from the institution's Distinguished Professors Endowment Trust Fund can be effectively used pursuant to G.S. 116‑41.17, the institution shall proceed to implement plans for establishing an endowed chair.
(b)	For focused growth institutions and special needs institutions, contributions may also be eligible for matching if there is:
(1)	A commitment to make a donation of at least five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), as prescribed by G.S. 143C‑4‑6 and an initial payment of eighty‑three thousand three hundred dollars ($83,300) to receive a grant described in G.S. 116‑41.5(b)(1); or
(2)	A commitment to make a donation of at least two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000), as prescribed by G.S. 143C‑4‑6 and an initial payment of forty‑one thousand six hundred dollars ($41,600) to receive a grant described in G.S. 116‑41.15(b)(2); and if the initial payment is accompanied by a written pledge to provide the balance within five years after the date of the initial payment. Each payment on the balance shall be no less than the amount of the initial payment. Pledged contributions may not be matched prior to the actual collection of the total funds. Once the income from the institution's Distinguished Professors Endowment Trust Fund can be effectively used pursuant to G.S. 116‑41.17, the institution shall proceed to implement plans for establishing an endowed chair."
SECTION 51.  G.S. 116‑44.4(m) reads as rewritten:
"(m)	All moneys received pursuant to this Part shall be placed in a trust account in each constituent institution, are appropriated, and may be used for any of the following purposes:
(1)	To defray the cost of administering and enforcing ordinances adopted under this Part;
(2)	To develop, maintain, and supervise parking areas and facilities;
(3)	To provide bus service or other transportation systems and facilities, including payments to any public or private transportation system serving University students, faculty, or employees;
(4)	As a pledge to secure revenue bonds for parking facilities issued under Article 21 of this Chapter;
(5)	Other purposes related to parking, traffic, and transportation on the campus."
SECTION 52.  G.S. 116‑175.1 is repealed.
SECTION 53.  G.S. 116‑187.1 is repealed.
SECTION 54.  G.S. 116‑209.19 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116‑209.19.  Grants to students.
The Authority is authorized to make grants to eligible students enrolled or to be enrolled in eligible institutions in North Carolina out of such money as from time to time may be appropriated by the State or as may otherwise be available to the Authority for such grants. The Authority, subject to the provisions of this Article and any applicable appropriation act, shall adopt rules, regulations and procedures for determining the needs of the respective students for grants and for the purpose of making such grants. The amount of any grant made by the Authority to any student, whether enrolled or to be enrolled in any private institution or any tax‑supported public institution, shall be determined by the Authority upon the basis of substantially similar standards and guides that shall be set forth in the Authority's rules, regulations and procedures; provided, however, that grants made in any fiscal year to students enrolled or to be enrolled in private institutions may be increased to compensate, in whole or in part, for the average annual State appropriated tuition subsidy for such fiscal year, determined as provided herein. The average annual State appropriated subsidy for each fiscal year shall be determined by the Secretary of Administration, after consultation with the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina and the Authority, for each of the two categories of tax‑supported institutions, being (i) institutions, presently 16, that provide education of the collegiate grade and grant baccalaureate degrees and (ii) institutions, such as community colleges and technical institutes created and existing under Chapter 115A of the General Statutes and community colleges created and existing under Chapter 115D of the General Statutes. The average annual State appropriated subsidy for each of such two categories of institutions shall mean the amount of the total appropriations of the State for the respective fiscal years under the current operations budgets, pursuant to the  State Budget Act reasonably allocable to undergraduate students enrolled in such institutions exclusive of the Division of Health Affairs of the University of North Carolina and the North Carolina School of the Arts for all institutions in such category, all as shall be determined by the Secretary of Administration after consultation as above provided, divided by the budgeted number of North Carolina undergraduate students to be enrolled in such fiscal year.
The Authority, in determining the needs of students for grants, may among other factors, give consideration to the amount of other financial assistance that may be available to the students, such as nonrepayable awards under the Pell Grant Program, the Health Professions Education Assistance Act or other student assistance programs created by federal law.
"
SECTION 55.  G.S. 116‑238(g) reads as rewritten:
"(g)	The trustees of the endowment fund shall have the power to buy, sell, lend, exchange, lease, transfer, or otherwise dispose of or to acquire (except by pledging their credit or violating a lawful condition of receipt of the corpus into the endowment fund) any property, real or personal, with respect to the fund, in either public or private transaction, and in doing so they shall not be subject to the provisions of Chapters 143, 143C, and 146 of the General Statutes; provided that, any expense or financial obligation of the State of North Carolina created by any acquisition or disposition, by whatever means, of any real or personal property of the endowment fund shall be borne by the endowment fund unless authorization to satisfy the expense or financial obligation from some other source shall first have been obtained from the Director of the Budget."
SECTION 56.  G.S. 116D‑11(g) reads as rewritten:
"(g)	University Improvement Bonds Fund. – The proceeds of university improvement general obligation bonds and notes, including premium thereon, if any, except the proceeds of bonds the issuance of which has been anticipated by bond anticipation notes or the proceeds of refunding bonds or notes, shall be placed by the State Treasurer in a special fund to be designated "University Improvement Bonds Fund". Moneys in the University Improvement Bonds Fund shall be used for the purposes set forth in this Article.
Any additional moneys that may be received by means of a grant or grants from the United States of America or any agency or department thereof or from any other source to aid in financing the cost of any university improvements authorized by this Article may be placed by the State Treasurer in the University Improvement Bonds Fund or in a separate account or fund and shall be disbursed, to the extent permitted by the terms of the grant or grants, without regard to any limitations imposed by this Article.
The proceeds of university improvement general obligation bonds and notes may be used with any other moneys made available by the General Assembly for the making of university improvements, including the proceeds of any other State bond issues, whether previously made available or which may be made available after the effective date of this Article. The proceeds of university improvement bonds and notes shall be expended and disbursed under the direction and supervision of the Director of the Budget. The funds provided by this Article for university improvements shall be disbursed for the purposes provided in this Article upon warrants drawn on the State Treasurer by the State Controller, which warrants shall not be drawn until requisition has been approved by the Director of the Budget and which requisition shall be approved only after full compliance with the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes."
SECTION  57.  G.S. 116D‑46(g) reads as rewritten:
"(g)	Community College Bonds Fund. – The proceeds of community college general obligation bonds and notes, including premium thereon, if any, except the proceeds of bonds the issuance of which has been anticipated by bond anticipation notes or the proceeds of refunding bonds or notes, shall be placed by the State Treasurer in a special fund to be designated "Community College Bonds Fund". Moneys in the Community College Bonds Fund shall be used for the purposes set forth in this Article.
Any additional moneys that may be received by means of a grant or grants from the United States of America or any agency or department thereof or from any other source to aid in financing the cost of any community college capital facilities authorized by this Article may be placed by the State Treasurer in the Community College Bonds Fund or in a separate account or fund and shall be disbursed, to the extent permitted by the terms of the grant or grants, without regard to any limitations imposed by this Article.
The proceeds of community college general obligation bonds and notes may be used with any other moneys made available by the General Assembly for the making of grants to community colleges for capital facilities, including the proceeds of any other State bond issues, whether previously made available or which may be made available after the effective date of this Article. The proceeds of community college bonds and notes shall be expended and disbursed under the direction and supervision of the Director of the Budget. The funds provided by this Article for grants to community colleges shall be disbursed for the purposes provided in this Article upon warrants drawn on the State Treasurer by the State Controller, which warrants shall not be drawn until requisition has been approved by the Director of the Budget and which requisition shall be approved only after full compliance with the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes."
SECTION 58.  G.S. 117‑3.1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 117‑3.1.  Regulatory fee.
(a)	Fee imposed. – It is the policy of the State of North Carolina to provide fair regulation of electric and telephone membership corporations in the interest of the public. The cost of regulating electric and telephone membership corporations is a burden incident to the privilege of operating as an electric or telephone membership corporation. Therefore, for the purpose of defraying the cost of regulating electric and telephone membership corporations, every electric and telephone membership corporation subject to the jurisdiction of the Authority shall pay a quarterly regulatory fee, in addition to all other fees and taxes, as provided in this section. The fees collected shall be used only to pay the expenses of the Authority in regulating electric and telephone membership corporations in the interest of the public.
(b)	Rate. – For each fiscal year, the regulatory fee shall be the greater of the following:
(1)	The rate established by the General Assembly for that year for each electric membership corporation's North Carolina meter connected for service and each telephone membership corporation's North Carolina access line connected for service for each quarter of the year.
(2)	Four cents (4¢) for each electric membership corporation's North Carolina meter connected for service and for each telephone membership corporation's North Carolina access line connected for service for each quarter of the year.
When the Authority prepares its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year, the Authority shall propose a rate for the regulatory fee. For fiscal years beginning in an odd‑numbered year, that proposed rate shall be included in the budget message the Governor submits to the General Assembly pursuant to G.S. 143C‑3‑5. For fiscal years beginning in an even‑numbered year, that proposed rate shall be included in a special budget message the Governor shall submit to the General Assembly. If the General Assembly decides to set the regulatory fee at a rate higher than the rate in subdivision (2) of this subsection, it shall set the regulatory fee by law.
The regulatory fee may not exceed the amount necessary to generate funds sufficient to defray the estimated cost of the operations of the Authority for the upcoming fiscal year, including a reasonable margin for a reserve fund. The amount of the reserve may not exceed the estimated cost of operating the Authority for the upcoming fiscal year. In calculating the amount of the reserve, the General Assembly shall consider all relevant factors that may affect the cost of operating the Authority or a possible unanticipated increase or decrease in North Carolina electric meters and North Carolina telephone access lines.
(c)	When Due. – The regulatory fee imposed under this section is due and payable to the Authority on or before the 15th day of the second month following the end of each quarter. Every electric and telephone membership corporation subject to the regulatory fee shall, on or before the date the fee is due for each quarter, prepare and render a report on a form prescribed by the Authority. The report shall state the electric or telephone membership corporation's total North Carolina electric meters or North Carolina telephone access lines connected for service for the preceding quarter and shall be accompanied by any supporting documentation that the Authority may by rule require.
(d)	Use of Proceeds. – A special fund in the office of the State Treasurer, the North Carolina Rural Electrification Authority Fund (NCREA Fund), is created. The fees collected pursuant to this section and all other funds received by the Authority shall be deposited in the NCREA Fund. The NCREA Fund shall be placed in an interest bearing account and any interest or other income derived from the NCREA Fund shall be credited to the NCREA Fund. Moneys in the NCREA Fund shall only be spent pursuant to an appropriation by the General Assembly.
The NCREA Fund shall be subject to the provisions of the  State Budget Act except that no unexpended surplus of the NCREA Fund shall revert to the General Fund. All funds credited to the NCREA Fund shall be used only to pay the expenses of the Authority in regulating electric and telephone membership corporations in the interest of the public as provided by this Chapter."
SECTION 59.  G.S. 120‑32(11) reads as rewritten:
"§ 120‑32.  Commission duties.
The Legislative Services Commission is hereby authorized to:
…
(11)	To specify the uses within the General Assembly budget of funds appropriated to the General Assembly which remain available for expenditure after the end of the biennial fiscal period, and to revert funds under G.S. 143C‑1‑2."
SECTION 60.  G.S. 120‑36.6 reads as rewritten:
"§ 120‑36.6.  Legislative Fiscal Research staff participation.
The Legislative Services Officer shall designate a member of the Fiscal Research staff, and a member of the General Research or Bill Drafting staff who may attend all meetings of the Board of Awards and Council of State, unless the Board or Council has voted to exclude them from the specific meeting, provided that no final action may be taken while they are so excluded. The Legislative Services Officer and the Director of Fiscal Research shall be notified of all such meetings, hearings and trips in the same manner and at the same time as notice is given to members of the  Board or Council. The Legislative Services Officer and the Director of Fiscal Research shall be provided with a copy of all reports, memoranda, and other informational material which are distributed to the members of the Board or Council; these reports, memoranda and materials shall be delivered to the Legislative Services Officer and the Director of Fiscal Research at the same time that they are distributed to the members of the Board or Council."
SECTION 61.  G.S. 120‑37(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c)	The principal clerks shall be full‑time officers. Each principal clerk shall be entitled to other benefits available to permanent legislative employees and shall be paid an annual salary of eighty‑eight thousand three hundred six dollars ($88,306) payable monthly. The Legislative Services Commission shall review the salary of the principal clerks prior to submission of the proposed operating budget of the General Assembly to the Governor and shall make appropriate recommendations for changes in those salaries. Any changes enacted by the General Assembly shall be by amendment to this paragraph."
SECTION 62.  G.S. 120‑76(8) reads as rewritten:
"§ 120‑76.  Powers and duties of the Commission.
The Commission shall have the following powers:
…
(8)	The Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations shall be consulted by the Governor before the Governor does any of the following:
a.	Makes allocations from the Contingency and Emergency Fund.
b.	Authorizes expenditures in excess of the total requirements of a purpose or program as enacted by the General Assembly and as provided by G.S. 143C‑6‑4 and G.S. 143C‑6‑9, except for trust funds as defined in G.S. 116‑36.1(g).
c.	Proceeds to reduce programs subsequent to a reduction of ten percent (10%) or more in the federal fund level certified to a department and any subsequent changes in distribution formulas.
d.	Takes extraordinary measures under Article III, Section 5(3) of the Constitution to effect necessary economies in State expenditures required for balancing the budget due to a revenue shortfall, including, but not limited to, the following: loans among funds, personnel freezes or layoffs, capital project reversions, program eliminations, and use of reserves. However, if the Committee fails to meet within 10 calendar days of a request by the Governor for its consultation, the Governor may proceed to take the actions he feels are appropriate and necessary and shall then report those actions at the next meeting of the Commission.
e.	Approves a new capital improvement project funded from gifts, grants, receipts, special funds, self‑liquidating indebtedness, and other funds or any combination of funds for the project not specifically authorized by the General Assembly. The budget for each capital project must include projected revenues in an amount not less than projected expenditures.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision or any other provision of law requiring prior consultation by the Governor with the Commission, whenever an expenditure is required because of an emergency that poses an imminent threat to public health or public safety, and is either the result of a natural event, such as a hurricane or a flood, or an accident, such as an explosion or a wreck, the Governor may take action under this subsection without consulting the Commission if the action is determined by the Governor to be related to the emergency. The Governor shall report to the Commission on any expenditures made under this paragraph no later than 30 days after making the expenditure and shall identify in the report the emergency, the type of action taken, and how it was related to the emergency."
SECTION 63.  G.S. 120‑259(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	The Committee shall have oversight over implementation of the six‑year capital improvements plan developed pursuant to G.S. 143C‑8‑5."
SECTION 64.  G.S. 121‑9(f) reads as rewritten:
"(f)	Emergency Acquisition Where Funds Not Immediately Available. – If funds or contributions for the acquisition of needed historic property are not available, the Governor and Council of State may, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Cultural Resources and approval of the North Carolina Historical Commission, allocate from the Contingency and Emergency Fund an amount sufficient to acquire an option on the property or properties, which option shall continue until 90 days after the adjournment sine die of the next General Assembly. Upon recommendation of the Secretary and approval of the Historical Commission, the Governor and Council of State may allocate funds from the Contingency and Emergency Fund for the immediate acquisition, preservation, restoration, or operation of historically, archaeologically, architecturally, or culturally important properties. All funds hereinafter appropriated to purchase, restore, maintain, develop, or operate historic or archaeological or other important property shall be administered subject to the provisions of Chapter 143C and G.S. 143B‑53.1 of the General Statutes unless the statute making the appropriation shall in specific and express terms provide otherwise."
SECTION 65.  G.S. 121‑12.1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 121‑12.1.  Grants‑in‑aid.
Under the concepts of reorganization of State government, responsibility for administering appropriations to the Department of Cultural Resources for grants‑in‑aid to private nonprofit organizations in the areas of history, art, and culture is hereby assigned to the Department of Cultural Resources. It shall be the responsibility of the Department of Cultural Resources to receive, analyze, and recommend to the  Governor and the General Assembly the disposition of any request for funding received by it from or for any of these organizations, and to disburse under provisions of law any appropriations made to the Department for them. Appropriations to the Department of Cultural Resources for grants‑in‑aid to assist in the restoration of historic sites owned by private nonprofit organizations shall in addition be expended only in accordance with G.S. 121‑11, 121‑12 and 143B‑53.1."
SECTION 66.  G.S. 122A‑8.1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 122A‑8.1.  Powers of the State Treasurer.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this act, the State Treasurer shall have the exclusive power to issue bonds and notes authorized under the act upon request of the Agency and with the approval of the Local Government Commission.
The State Treasurer in his sole discretion shall determine the interest rates, maturities, and other terms and conditions of the bonds and notes authorized by this act.
The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency shall determine when a bond issue is indicated. The Agency shall cooperate with the State Treasurer in structuring any bond issue in general, and also in soliciting proposals from financial consultants, underwriters, and bond attorneys.
The State Treasurer shall have the exclusive power to employ and designate the financial consultants, underwriters, and bond attorneys to be associated with the bond issue; provided, at least annually, the Treasurer shall seek the written recommendations of the Housing Finance Agency; and, subsequent to each bond issue, the Treasurer shall conduct a formal performance evaluation of the financial consultants, underwriters and bond attorneys which shall be open to public inspection.
The Director of the Budget shall provide to the State Treasurer the funds necessary to defray the costs incurred in performing the fiscal functions reserved to the Treasurer under this act from the funds allocated to the Agency pursuant to the 1975 Session Laws. Nothing in this act is intended to abrogate or diminish the inherent power of the State Treasurer to negotiate the terms and conditions of the bonds and notes, and to issue the bonds and notes authorized by General Statutes Chapter 122A."
SECTION 67.  G.S. 122A‑16 reads as rewritten:
"§ 122A‑16.  Oversight by committees of General Assembly; annual reports.
The Finance Committee of the House of Representatives and the Finance Committee of the Senate shall exercise continuing oversight of the Agency in order to assure that the Agency is effectively fulfilling its statutory purpose; provided, however, that nothing in this Chapter shall be construed as required by the Agency to receive legislative approval for the exercise of any of the powers granted by this Chapter. The Agency shall, promptly following the close of each fiscal year, submit an annual report of its activities for the preceding year to the Governor, the Office of State Budget and Management, State Auditor, the aforementioned committees of the General Assembly and the Local Government Commission. Each such report shall set forth a complete operating and financial statement of the Agency during such year. The Agency shall cause an audit of its books and accounts to be made at least once in each year by an independent certified public accountant and the cost thereof may be paid from any available moneys of the Agency. The Agency shall on January 1 and July 1 of each year submit a written report of its activities to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations. The Agency shall also at the end of each fiscal year submit a written report of its budget expenditures by line item to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations."
SECTION 68.  G.S. 122C‑185 reads as rewritten:
"§ 122C‑185.  Application of funds belonging to State facilities.
(a)	All moneys and proceeds of property donated to any State facility shall be deposited into the State treasury and accounted for in the appropriate fund as determined by the Secretary and approved by the Office of State Budget and Management. All moneys and proceeds of property donated in which there are special directions for their application and the interest earned on these funds shall be spent as the donor has directed and except as required for deposit with the State treasury, shall not be subject to the provisions of the State Budget Act except for capital improvements projects which shall be authorized and executed in accordance with G.S.  143C‑8‑8 and G.S. 143C‑8‑9.
(b)	Proceeds from the transfer or sale of surplus, obsolete, or unused equipment of State facilities shall be deposited and accounted for in accordance with G.S. 143‑49(4).
(c)	The net proceeds from the sale, lease, rental, or other disposition of real estate owned by a State facility shall be deposited and accounted for in accordance with G.S. 146‑30.
(d)	All proceeds from the operation of vending facilities as defined in G.S. 111‑42(d) and operated by State facilities shall be deposited and accounted for in accordance with the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes.
(e)	All other revenues and other receipts collected by a State facility shall be deposited to the credit of the State treasury in accordance with G.S. 147‑77."
SECTION 69.  G.S. 126‑8.1(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c)	The Department of Administration may adopt such rules and regulations as are reasonable and necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, with the approval of the Governor. "
SECTION 70.  G.S.  130A‑470(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c)	All fees, funds, and gifts received pursuant to this section shall be subject to audit by the State Auditor and shall be expended in conformity with Chapter 143C of the General Statutes."
SECTION 71.  G.S. 131A‑19 reads as rewritten:
"§ 131A‑19.  Annual report.
The Commission shall, promptly following the close of each fiscal year, submit an annual report of its activities under this Chapter for the preceding year to the Governor, the State Auditor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the General Assembly, and the Local Government Commission. The Commission shall cause an audit of its books and accounts relating to its activities under this Chapter to be made at least once in each year by an independent certified public accountant and the cost thereof may be paid from any available moneys of the Commission."
SECTION 72.  G.S. 135‑1.1(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, any State board or agency charged with the duty of administering any law relating to the examination and licensing of persons to practice a profession, trade, or occupation, and who is subject to the provisions of the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, may make an irrevocable election by appropriate resolution of the board, on or before October 1, 2000, to become an employer in the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System. Retirement System coverage shall be conditioned on the board's payment of all of the employer's contributions or matching funds from funds of the board and on the board's collecting from its employees the employees' contributions, at such rates as may be fixed by law and by the rules of the Board of Trustees of the Retirement System, all of such funds to be paid to the Retirement System and placed in the appropriate funds. Any person who is an employee of the board on the date the board makes an irrevocable election to participate in the Retirement System may purchase creditable service for periods of employment with the board prior to the election by making a lump‑sum payment equal to the full cost of the service credits calculated on the basis of the assumptions used for the purposes of the actuarial valuation of the system's liabilities, and shall take into account the additional retirement allowance arising on account of such additional service credit commencing at the earliest age at which a member could retire on an unreduced retirement allowance, as determined by the Board of Trustees upon the advice of the consulting actuary, plus an administrative fee to be set by the Board of Trustees. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subdivision that provide for the purchase of service credits, the terms "full cost", "full liability", and "full actuarial cost" include assumed annual postretirement allowance increases, as determined by the Board of Trustees, from the earliest age at which a member could retire on an unreduced service allowance."
SECTION 73.  G.S. 135‑8(f) reads as rewritten:
"(f)	Collection of Contributions. –
(1)	The collection of members' contributions shall be as follows:
a.	Each employer shall cause to be deducted on each and every payroll of a member for each and every payroll subsequent to the date of establishment of the Retirement System the contributions payable by such member as provided in this Chapter, and the employer shall draw his warrant for the amount so deducted, payable to the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System of North Carolina, and shall transmit the same, together with schedule of the contributions, on such forms as prescribed.
(2)	The collection of employers' contributions shall be made as follows:
a.	Upon the basis of each actuarial valuation provided herein there shall be prepared biennially and certified to the Department of Administration a statement of the total amount necessary for the ensuing biennium to the pension accumulation and expense funds, as provided under subsections (d) and (f) of this section, and these funds shall be handled and disbursed in accordance with the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes.
b.	Until the first valuation has been made and the rates computed as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the amount payable by employers on account of the normal and accrued liability contributions shall be five and fifty‑one one‑hundredths percent (5.51%) of the payroll of all teachers and three and sixteen one‑hundredths percent (3.16%) for other State employees.
c.	Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 257, s. 13.
d.	Each board of education in each county and each board of education in each city in which teachers or other employees of the schools receive compensation for services in the public schools from sources other than the appropriation of the State of North Carolina shall pay the Board of Trustees of the State Retirement System such rate of their respective salaries as are paid those of other employees.
e.	Each employer shall transmit monthly to the State Retirement System on account of each employee, who is a member of this System, an amount sufficient to cover the normal contribution and the accrued liability contribution of each member employed by such employer for the preceding month.
(3)	In the event the employee or employer contributions required under this section are not received by the date set by the Board of Trustees, the Board shall assess the employer with a penalty of 1% per month with a minimum penalty of twenty‑five dollars ($25.00). If within 90 days after request therefor by the Board any employer shall not have provided the System with the records and other information required hereunder or if the full accrued amount of the contributions provided for under this section due from members employed by an employer or from an employer other than the State shall not have been received by the System from the chief fiscal officer of such employer within 30 days after the last due date as herein provided, then, notwithstanding anything herein or in the provisions of any other law to the contrary, upon notification by the Board to the State Treasurer as to the default of such employer as herein provided, any distributions which might otherwise be made to such employer from any funds of the State shall be withheld from such employer until notice from the Board to the State Treasurer that such employer is no longer in default."
SECTION 74.  G.S. 136‑12(a1) reads as rewritten:
"(a1)	The Department of Transportation shall report quarterly beginning on October 15, 1996, and then on the fifteenth of the month following the end of the fiscal quarter, to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee on all projects to be built with funds obligated using the cash flow provisions of G.S. 143C‑6‑11. The report shall contain a list of the projects and the amount obligated in anticipation of revenues for each year of the project."
SECTION 75.  G.S.  136‑28.1 reads as rewritten: 
"§ 136‑28.1.  Letting of contracts to bidders after advertisement; exceptions.
(a)	All contracts over one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000) that the Department of Transportation may let for construction or repair necessary to carry out the provisions of this Chapter shall be let to a responsible bidder after public advertising under rules and regulations to be made and published by the Department of Transportation. The right to reject any and all bids shall be reserved to the Board of Transportation. Contracts for construction or repair for federal aid projects entered into pursuant to this section shall not contain the standardized contract clauses prescribed by 23 U.S.C. § 112(e) and 23 C.F.R. § 635.131(a) for differing site conditions, suspensions of work ordered by the engineer or significant changes in the character of the work. For those federal aid projects, the Department of Transportation shall use only the contract provisions provided in the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures, January 1, 1984, except as each may be changed or provided for by rule adopted by the Board of Transportation in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(b)	In those cases in which the amount of work to be let to contract for highway construction, maintenance, or repair is one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000) or less, at least three informal bids shall be solicited. The term "informal bids" is defined as bids in writing, received pursuant to a written request, without public advertising. All such contracts shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. The Secretary of Transportation shall keep a record of all bids submitted, which record shall be subject to public inspection at any time after the bids are opened.
(c)	The construction, maintenance, and repair of ferryboats and all other marine floating equipment and the construction and repair of all types of docks by the Department of Transportation shall be deemed highway construction, maintenance, or repair for the purpose of G.S. 136‑28.1 and Chapter 44A and Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, the State Budget Act. In cases of a written determination by the Secretary of Transportation that the requirement for compatibility does not make public advertising feasible for the repair of ferryboats, the public advertising as well as the soliciting of informal bids may be waived.
(d)	The construction, maintenance, and repair of the highway rest area buildings and facilities, weight stations and the Department of Transportation's participation in the construction of welcome center buildings shall be deemed highway construction, maintenance, or repair for the purpose of G.S. 136‑28.1 and 136‑28.3 and Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, The State Budget Act.
(e)	The Department of Transportation may enter into contracts for construction, maintenance, or repair without complying with the bidding requirements of this section upon a determination of the Secretary of Transportation or the State Highway Administrator that an emergency exists and that it is not feasible or not in the public interest for the Department of Transportation to comply with the bidding requirements.
(f)	Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department of Transportation may solicit proposals under rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Transportation for all contracts for professional engineering services and other kinds of professional or specialized services necessary in connection with highway construction, maintenance, or repair. In order to promote engineering and design quality and ensure maximum competition by professional firms of all sizes, the Department may establish fiscal guidelines and limitations necessary to promote cost‑efficiencies in overhead, salary, and expense reimbursement rates. The right to reject any and all proposals is reserved to the Board of Transportation.
(g)	The Department of Transportation may enter into contracts for research and development with educational institutions and nonprofit organizations without soliciting bids or proposals.
(h)	The Department of Transportation may enter into contracts for applied research and experimental work without soliciting bids or proposals; provided, however, that if the research or work is for the purpose of testing equipment, materials, or supplies, the provisions of Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes shall apply. The Department of Transportation is encouraged to solicit proposals when contracts are entered into with private firms when it is in the public interest to do so.
(i)	The Department of Transportation may negotiate and enter into contracts with public utility companies for the lease, purchase, installation, and maintenance of generators for electricity for its ferry repair facilities.
(j)	Repealed by Session Laws 2002‑151, s. 1, effective October 9, 2002.
(k)	The Department of Transportation may accept bids under this section by electronic means and may issue rules governing the acceptance of these bids. For purposes of this subsection "electronic means" is defined as means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities."
SECTION 76.  G.S. 136‑44.37 reads as rewritten:
"§ 136‑44.37.  Department to provide nonfederal matching share.
The Department of Transportation upon approval by the Board of Transportation and the Director of the Budget may provide for the matching share of federal rail revitalization assistance programs through private resources, county funds or State appropriations as may be provided by the General Assembly. "
SECTION 77.  G.S. 136‑44.38 reads as rewritten:
"§ 136‑44.38.  Department to provide State and federal financial assistance to cities and counties for rail revitalization.
	The Department of Transportation is authorized to distribute to cities and counties State financial assistance for local rail revitalization programs provided that every rail revitalization project for which State financial assistance would be utilized must be approved by the Board of Transportation and by the Director of the Budget. 
(b)	Repealed by Session Laws 1989, c. 600, s. 4."
SECTION 78.  G.S. 136‑176(d) reads as rewritten:
"(d)	A contract may be let for projects funded from the Trust Fund in anticipation of revenues pursuant to the cash‑flow provisions of G.S. 143C‑6‑11 only for the two bienniums following the year in which the contract is let."
SECTION 79.  G.S. 138‑4 reads as rewritten:
"§ 138‑4.  Governor to set salaries of administrative officers; exceptions; longevity pay.
The salaries of all State administrative officers not subject to the State Personnel Act shall be set by the Governor, unless a law provides otherwise.
Whenever by law it is provided that a salary shall be fixed or set by the General Assembly in the Current Operations Appropriations Act, and that office or position is filled by appointment of the Governor, or the appointment is subject to the approval of the Governor, or is made by a commission a majority of whose members are appointed by the Governor, then the Governor may, increase or decrease the salary of a new appointee by a maximum of ten percent (10%) over or under the salary of that position as provided in the Current Operations Appropriations Act, such increased or decreased salary to remain in effect until changed by the General Assembly or until the end of the fiscal year, whichever occurs first. The Governor under this paragraph may not increase the salary of any nonelected official above the level set in the Current Operations Appropriations Act for any member of the Council of State. This section does not apply to any office filled by election by the people, and does not apply to any office in the legislative or judicial branches.
Officials whose salaries are covered by the provisions of this section shall be eligible for longevity pay on the same basis as is provided to employees of the State who are subject to the State Personnel Act."
SECTION 80.  G.S. 140‑9 reads as rewritten:
"§ 140‑9.  Allocations from Contingency and Emergency Fund; expenditures.
The Governor and Council of State are hereby authorized to allot such sums as they may deem appropriate, from the Contingency and Emergency Fund, to the North Carolina Symphony Society, to aid in carrying on the activities of the said Society. All expenditures made by said Society shall be subject to the provisions of the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes."
SECTION 81.  G.S. 140‑12 reads as rewritten:
"§ 140‑12.  Department of Administration authorized to provide space for Art Society.
Subject to the approval of the Governor, the Department of  Administration is authorized and empowered to set apart, for the administration of the affairs of the State Art Society, Incorporated, space in any of the public buildings in Wake County which may be so used without interference with the conduct of the business of the State. "
SECTION 82.  G.S. 143‑49 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑49.  Powers and duties of Secretary.
The Secretary of Administration shall have power and authority, and it shall be his duty, subject to the provisions of this Article:
(1)	To canvass sources of supply, including sources of supply of materials and supplies with recycled content, and to purchase or to contract for the purchase, lease and lease‑purchase of all supplies, materials, equipment and other tangible personal property required by the State government, or any of its departments, institutions or agencies under competitive bidding or otherwise as hereinafter provided.
(2)	To establish and enforce specifications which shall apply to all supplies, materials and equipment to be purchased or leased for the use of the State government or any of its departments, institutions or agencies.
(3)	To purchase or to contract for, by sealed, competitive bidding or other suitable means, all contractual services and needs of the State government, or any of its departments, institutions, or agencies; or to authorize any department, institution or agency to purchase or contract for such services.
When the award of any contract for contractual services exceeding a cost of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) requires negotiation with prospective contractors, the Secretary shall request and the Attorney General shall assign a representative of the office of the Attorney General to assist in negotiation for the award of the contract. It shall be the duty of such representative to assist and advise in obtaining the most favorable contract for the State, to evaluate all proposals available from prospective contractors for that purpose, to interpret proposed contract terms and to advise the Secretary or his representatives of the liabilities of the State and validity of the contract to be awarded. All contracts and drafts of such contracts shall be prepared by the office of the Attorney General and copies thereof shall be retained by such office for a period of three years following the termination of such contracts. The term "contractual services" as used in this subsection shall mean work performed by an independent contractor requiring specialized knowledge, experience, expertise or similar capabilities wherein the service rendered does not consist primarily of acquisition by this State of equipment or materials and the rental of equipment, materials and supplies. The term "negotiation" as used herein shall not be deemed to refer to contracts entered into or to be entered into as a result of a competitive bidding process.
(4)	To have general supervision of all storerooms and stores operated by the State government, or any of its departments, institutions or agencies and to have supervision of inventories of all tangible personal property belonging to the State government, or any of its departments, institutions or agencies. The duties imposed by this subdivision shall not relieve any department, institution or agency of the State government from accountability for equipment, materials, supplies and tangible personal property under its control.
(5)	To make provision for or to contract for all State printing, including all printing, binding, paper stock, recycled paper stock, supplies, and supplies with recycled content, or materials in connection with the same.
(6)	To make available to nonprofit corporations operating charitable hospitals, to local nonprofit community sheltered workshops or centers that meet standards established by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of Health and Human Services, to private nonprofit agencies licensed or approved by the Department of Health and Human Services as child placing agencies, residential child‑care facilities, private nonprofit rural, community, and migrant health centers designated by the Office of Rural Health and Resource Development, to private higher education institutions that are defined as "institutions" in G.S. 116‑22(1), and to counties, cities, towns, governmental entities and other subdivisions of the State and public agencies thereof in the expenditure of public funds, the services of the Department of Administration in the purchase of materials, supplies and equipment under such rules, regulations and procedures as the Secretary of Administration may adopt. In adopting rules and regulations any or all provisions of this Article may be made applicable to such purchases and contracts made through the Department of Administration, and in addition the rules and regulations shall contain a requirement that payment for all such purchases be made in accordance with the terms of the contract. 
(6)	(See Editor's note for effective date) To make available to nonprofit corporations operating charitable hospitals, to local nonprofit community sheltered workshops or centers that meet standards established by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of Health and Human Services, to private nonprofit agencies licensed or approved by the Department of Health and Human Services as child placing agencies, residential child‑care facilities, private nonprofit rural, community, and migrant health centers designated by the Office of Rural Health and Resource Development, to private higher education institutions that are defined as "institutions" in G.S. 116‑22(1), and to counties, cities, towns, local school administrative units, governmental entities and other subdivisions of the State and public agencies thereof in the expenditure of public funds, the services of the Department of Administration in the purchase of materials, supplies and equipment under such rules, regulations and procedures as the Secretary of Administration may adopt. In adopting rules and regulations any or all provisions of this Article may be made applicable to such purchases and contracts made through the Department of Administration, and in addition the rules and regulations shall contain a requirement that payment for all such purchases be made in accordance with the terms of the contract. 
(7)	To evaluate the nonprofit qualifications and capabilities of qualified work centers to manufacture commodities or perform services.
(8)	To establish and maintain a procurement card program for use by State agencies, community colleges, nonexempted constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina, and local school administrative units. The Secretary of Administration may adopt temporary rules for the implementation and operation of the program in accordance with the payment policies of the State Controller, after consultation with the Office of Information Technology Services. These rules would include the establishment of appropriate order limits that leverage the cost savings and efficiencies of the procurement card program in conjunction with the fullest possible use of the North Carolina E‑Procurement Service. Prior to implementing the program, the Secretary shall consult with the State Controller, the UNC General Administration, the Community Colleges System Office, the State Auditor, the Department of Public Instruction, a representative chosen by the local school administrative units, and the Office of Information Technology Services. The Secretary may periodically adjust the order limit authorized in this section after consulting with the State Controller, the UNC General Administration, the Community Colleges System Office, the Department of Public Instruction, and the Office of Information Technology Services.
(8)	(See Editor's note for effective date) To establish and maintain a procurement card program for use by State agencies, community colleges, and nonexempted constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina. The Secretary of Administration may adopt temporary rules for the implementation and operation of the program in accordance with the payment policies of the State Controller, after consultation with the Office of Information Technology Services. These rules would include the establishment of appropriate order limits that leverage the cost savings and efficiencies of the procurement card program in conjunction with the fullest possible use of the North Carolina E‑Procurement Service. Prior to implementing the program, the Secretary shall consult with the State Controller, the UNC General Administration, the Community Colleges System Office, the State Auditor, the Department of Public Instruction, a representative chosen by the local school administrative units, and the Office of Information Technology Services. The Secretary may periodically adjust the order limit authorized in this section after consulting with the State Controller, the UNC General Administration, the Community Colleges System Office, the Department of Public Instruction, and the Office of Information Technology Services."
SECTION 83.  G.S. 143‑52 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑52.  Competitive bidding procedure; consolidation of estimates by Secretary; bids; awarding of contracts.
As feasible, the Secretary of Administration will compile and consolidate all such estimates of supplies, materials, printing, equipment and contractual services needed and required by State departments, institutions and agencies to determine the total requirements of any given commodity. Where such total requirements will involve an expenditure in excess of the expenditure benchmark established under the provisions of G.S. 143‑53.1 and where the competitive bidding procedure is employed as hereinafter provided, sealed bids shall be solicited by advertisement in a newspaper widely distributed in this State or through electronic means, or both, as determined by the Secretary to be most advantageous, at least once and at least 10 days prior to the date designated for opening. Except as otherwise provided under this Article, contracts for the purchase of supplies, materials or equipment shall be based on competitive bids and acceptance made of the lowest and best bid(s) most advantageous to the State as determined upon consideration of the following criteria: prices offered; the quality of the articles offered; the general reputation and performance capabilities of the bidders; the substantial conformity with the specifications and other conditions set forth in the request for bids; the suitability of the articles for the intended use; the personal or related services needed; the transportation charges; the date or dates of delivery and performance; and such other factor(s) deemed pertinent or peculiar to the purchase in question, which if controlling shall be made a matter of record. Competitive bids on such contracts shall be received in accordance with rules and regulations to be adopted by the Secretary of Administration, which rules and regulations shall prescribe for the manner, time and place for proper advertisement for such bids, the time and place when bids will be received, the articles for which such bids are to be submitted and the specifications prescribed for such articles, the number of the articles desired or the duration of the proposed contract, and the amount, if any, of bonds or certified checks to accompany the bids. Bids shall be publicly opened. Any and all bids received may be rejected. Each and every bid conforming to the terms of the invitation, together with the name of the bidder, shall be tabulated and that tabulation shall become public record in accordance with the rules adopted by the Secretary. All contract information shall be made a matter of public record after the award of contract. Provided, that trade secrets, test data and similar proprietary information may remain confidential. A bond for the faithful performance of any contract may be required of the successful bidder at bidder's expense and in the discretion of the Secretary of Administration. When the dollar value of a contract for the purchase, lease, or lease/purchase of equipment, materials, and supplies exceeds the benchmark established by G.S. 143‑53.1, the contract shall be reviewed by the Board of Awards pursuant to G.S. 143‑52.1 prior to the contract being awarded. After contracts have been awarded, the Secretary of Administration shall certify to the departments, institutions and agencies of the State government the sources of supply and the contract price of the supplies, materials and equipment so contracted for. "
SECTION 84.  G.S. 143‑53(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c)	The purpose of rules promulgated hereunder shall be to promote sound purchasing management.
"
SECTION 85.  G.S. 143‑60 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑60.  Rules covering certain purposes.
The Secretary of Administration may adopt, modify, or abrogate rules covering the following purposes, in addition to those authorized elsewhere in this Article:
(1)	Requiring reports by State departments, institutions, or agencies of stocks of supplies and materials and equipment on hand and prescribing the form of such reports.
(2)	Prescribing the manner in which supplies, materials and equipment shall be delivered, stored and distributed.
(3)	Prescribing the manner of inspecting deliveries of supplies, materials and equipment and making chemicals and/or physical tests of samples submitted with bids and samples of deliveries to determine whether deliveries have been made in compliance with specifications.
(4)	Prescribing the manner in which purchases shall be made in emergencies.
(5)	Providing for such other matters as may be necessary to give effect to foregoing rules and provisions of this Article.
(6)	Prescribing the manner in which passenger vehicles shall be purchased.
Further, the Secretary of Administration may prescribe appropriate procedures necessary to enable the State, its institutions and agencies, to obtain materials surplus or otherwise available from federal, State or local governments or their disposal agencies.
"
SECTION 86.  G.S. 143‑63 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑63.  Financial interest of officers in sources of supply; acceptance of bribes.
Neither the Secretary of Administration, nor any assistant of the Secretary's shall be financially interested, or have any personal beneficial interest, either directly or indirectly, in the purchase of, or contract for, any materials, equipment or supplies, nor in any firm, corporation, partnership or association furnishing any such supplies, materials or equipment to the State government, or any of its departments, institutions or agencies, nor shall such Secretary, assistant, or member of the Commission accept or receive, directly or indirectly, from any person, firm or corporation to whom any contract may be awarded, by rebate, gifts or otherwise, any money or anything of value whatsoever, or any promise, obligation or contract for future reward or compensation. Any violation of this section shall be deemed a Class F felony. Upon conviction thereof, any such Secretary or assistant shall be removed from office."
SECTION 87.  G.S. 143‑135.27 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑135.27.  (Effective until October 1, 2006) Definition of capital improvement project.
As used in this Article, "State capital improvement project" means the construction of and any alteration, renovation, or addition to State buildings, as defined in G.S. 143‑336, for which State funds, as defined in G.S. 143C‑1‑1, are used and which is required by G.S. 143‑129 to be publicly advertised. "State capital improvement project" does not include a performance‑based cleanup of environmental damage resulting from the discharge or release of a petroleum product from an underground storage tank pursuant to G.S. 143‑215.94B(f) and G.S. 143‑215.94D(f).
"§ 143‑135.27.  (Effective October 1, 2006) Definition of capital improvement project.
As used in this Article, "State capital improvement project" means the construction of and any alteration, renovation, or addition to State buildings, as defined in G.S. 143‑336, for which State funds, as defined in G.S. 143C‑1‑1, are used and which is required by G.S. 143‑129 to be publicly advertised."
SECTION 88.  G.S. 143‑214.4(g) reads as rewritten:
"(g)	Any person who uses any cleaning agent in violation of the provisions of this section shall be responsible for an infraction for which the sanction is a penalty of not more than ten dollars ($10.00). Notwithstanding G.S. 14‑3.1(a), the clear proceeds of infractions pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C‑457.2."
SECTION 89.  G.S. 143‑215.40(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	The boards of commissioners of the several counties, in behalf of their respective counties, the governing bodies of the several municipalities, in behalf of their respective municipalities, the governing bodies of any other local government units, in behalf of their units, and the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission, in behalf of the State of North Carolina, subject to the approval of the Governor, are hereby authorized to adopt such resolutions or ordinances as may be required giving assurances to any appropriate agency of the United States government for the fulfillment of the required items of local cooperation as expressed in acts of Congress or congressional documents, as conditions precedent to the accomplishment of river and harbor, flood control or other such civil works projects, when it shall appear, and is determined by such board or governing body that any such project will accrue to the general or special benefit of such county or municipality or to a region of the State. In each case where the subject of such local cooperation requirements comes before a board of county commissioners or the governing body of any municipality or other local unit a copy of its final action, whether it be favorable or unfavorable, shall be sent to the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources for the information of the Governor. "
SECTION 90.  G.S. 143‑215.73 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑215.73.  Recommendation and disbursal of grants.
After review of grant applications, project funds shall be disbursed and monitored by the Department. "
SECTION 91.  G.S. 143‑215.73A(e) reads as rewritten:
"(e)	Distribution of the plan. – The Director of the Budget shall provide copies of the plan to the General Assembly along with the recommended biennial budget and the recommended revised budget for the second year of the biennium."
SECTION 92.  G.S. 143‑250 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑250.  Wildlife Resources Fund.
All moneys in the game and fish fund or any similar State fund when this Article becomes effective shall be credited forthwith to a special fund in the office of the State Treasurer, and the State Treasurer shall deposit all such moneys in said special fund, which shall be known as the Wildlife Resources Fund.
All unexpended appropriations made to the Department of Conservation and Development, the Board of Conservation and Development, the Division of Game and Inland Fisheries or to any other State agency for any purpose pertaining to wildlife and wildlife resources shall also be transferred to the Wildlife Resources Fund.
Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, all moneys derived from hunting, fishing, trapping, and related license fees, exclusive of commercial fishing license fees, including the income received and accruing from the investment of license revenues, and all funds thereafter received from whatever sources shall be deposited to the credit of the Wildlife Resources Fund and made available to the Commission until expended subject to the provisions of this Article. License revenues include the proceeds from the sale of hunting, fishing, trapping, and related licenses, from the sale, lease, rental, or other granting of rights to real or personal property acquired or produced with license revenues, and from federal aid project reimbursements to the extent that license revenues originally funded the project for which the reimbursement is being made. For purposes of this section, real property includes lands, buildings, minerals, energy resources, timber, grazing rights, and animal products. Personal property includes equipment, vehicles, machines, tools, and annual crops. The Wildlife Resources Fund herein created shall be subject to the provisions of the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes of North Carolina as amended, and the provisions of the General Statutes of North Carolina as amended, and the provisions of the Personnel Act, Chapter 143, Article 2 of the General Statutes of North Carolina as amended.
All moneys credited to the Wildlife Resources Fund shall be made available to carry out the intent and purposes of this Article in accordance with plans approved by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and all such funds are hereby appropriated, reserved, set aside and made available until expended, for the enforcement and administration of this Article, Chapter 75A, Article 1, and Chapter 113, Subchapter IV of the General Statutes of North Carolina. The Wildlife Resources Commission shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations before expending from the Wildlife Resources Fund more than the amount authorized in the budget enacted by the General Assembly for the fiscal period.
In the event any uncertainty should arise as to the funds to be turned over to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission the Governor shall have full power and authority to determine the matter and his recommendation shall be final and binding to all parties concerned."
SECTION 93.  G.S. 143‑318.14A(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Except as provided in subsection (e) below, all official meetings of commissions, committees, and standing subcommittees of the General Assembly (including, without limitation, joint committees and study committees), shall be held in open session. For the purpose of this section, the following also shall be considered to be "commissions, committees, and standing subcommittees of the General Assembly":
(1)	The Legislative Research Commission;
(2)	The Legislative Services Commission;
	(4)	The Joint Legislative Utility Review Committee;
(5)	The Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations;
(6)	The Joint Legislative Commission on Municipal Incorporations;
(7)	Repealed by Session Laws 1997, c. 443, s. 12.30, effective August 28, 1997.
(8)	The Joint Select Committee on Low‑Level Radioactive Waste;
(9)	The Environmental Review Commission;
(10)	The Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee;
(11)	The Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee;
(12)	The Joint Legislative Commission on Future Strategies for North Carolina;
(13)	The Commission on Children with Special Needs;
(14)	The Legislative Committee on New Licensing Boards;
(15)	The Agriculture and Forestry Awareness Study Commission;
(16)	The North Carolina Study Commission on Aging; and
(17)	The standing Committees on Pensions and Retirement."
SECTION 94.  G.S. 143‑318.15 is repealed.
SECTION 95.  G.S. 143‑318.18 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑318.18.  Exceptions.
This Article does not apply to:
(1)	Grand and petit juries.
(2)	Any public body that is specifically authorized or directed by law to meet in executive or confidential session, to the extent of the authorization or direction.
(3)	The Judicial Standards Commission.
(4)	Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 694, s. 9.
(4a)	The Legislative Ethics Committee.
(4b)	A conference committee of the General Assembly.
(4c)	A caucus by members of the General Assembly; however, no member of the General Assembly shall participate in a caucus which is called for the purpose of evading or subverting this Article.
(5)	Law enforcement agencies.
(6)	A public body authorized to investigate, examine, or determine the character and other qualifications of applicants for professional or occupational licenses or certificates or to take disciplinary actions against persons holding such licenses or certificates, (i) while preparing, approving, administering, or grading examinations or (ii) while meeting with respect to an individual applicant for or holder of such a license or certificate. This exception does not amend, repeal, or supersede any other statute that requires a public hearing or other practice and procedure in a proceeding before such a public body.
(7)	Any public body subject to the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes and exercising quasi‑judicial functions, during a meeting or session held solely for the purpose of making a decision in an adjudicatory action or proceeding.
(8)	The boards of trustees of endowment funds authorized by G.S. 116‑36 or G.S. 116‑238.
(9)	Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 694, s. 9.
(10)	The Board of Awards.
(11)	The General Court of Justice."
SECTION 96.  G.S. 143‑341(3) reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑341.  Powers and duties of Department.
The Department of Administration has the following powers and duties:
…
(3)	Architecture and Engineering:
a.	To examine and approve all plans and specifications for the construction or renovation of:
1.	All State buildings or buildings located on State lands, except those buildings over which a local building code inspection department has and exercises jurisdiction; and
2.	All community college buildings requiring the estimated expenditure for construction or repair work for which public bidding is required under G.S. 143‑129 prior to the awarding of a contract for such work; and to examine and approve all changes in those plans and specifications made after the contract for such work has been awarded.
b.	To assist, as necessary, all agencies in the preparation of requests for appropriations for the construction or renovation of all State buildings.
b1.	To certify that a statement of needs pursuant to G.S. 143C‑3‑3 is feasible. For purposes of this sub‑subdivision, "feasible" means that the proposed project is sufficiently defined in overall scope; building program; site development; detailed design, construction, and equipment budgets; and comprehensive project scheduling so as to reasonably ensure that it may be completed with the amount of funds requested. At the discretion of the General Assembly, advanced planning funds may be appropriated in support of this certification. This sub‑subdivision shall not apply to requests for appropriations of less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
c.	To supervise the letting of all contracts for the design, construction or renovation of all State buildings and all community college buildings whose plans and specifications must be examined and approved under a.2. of this subdivision.
d.	To supervise and inspect all work done and materials used in the construction or renovation of all State buildings and all community college buildings whose plans and specifications must be examined and approved under a.2. of this subdivision; and no such work may be accepted by the State or by any State agency until it has been approved by the Department.
Except for sub‑subdivisions b. and b1. of this subdivision, this subdivision does not apply to the design, construction, or renovation of projects by The University of North Carolina pursuant to G.S. 116‑31.11."
SECTION 97.  G.S. 143‑341(8) reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑341.  Powers and duties of Department.
The Department of Administration has the following powers and duties:
…
(8)	General Services:
a.	To locate, maintain and care for public buildings and grounds; to establish, locate, maintain, and care for walks, driveways, trees, shrubs, flowers, fountains, monuments, memorials, markers, and tablets on public grounds; and to beautify the public grounds.
b.	To provide necessary and adequate cleaning and janitorial service, elevator operation service, and other operation or maintenance services for the public buildings and grounds.
c.	To provide necessary night watchmen for the public buildings and grounds.
d.	To make prompt repair of all public buildings and the equipment, furniture, and fixtures thereof; and to establish and operate shops for that purpose.
e.	To keep in repair, out of funds appropriated for that purpose, the furniture of the halls of the Senate and House of Representatives and the rooms of the Capitol used by the officers, clerks, and other employees of the General Assembly.
f.	Struck out by Session Laws 1959, c. 68, s. 3.
g.	To establish and operate a mail service center that shall be used by all State agencies other than the Employment Security Commission, and in connection therewith and in the discretion of the Secretary, to do all things necessary in connection with the maintenance of the mail service center. The Secretary shall allocate and charge against the respective departments and agencies their proportionate parts of the cost of the maintenance of the mail service center. The Secretary shall develop a plan for the efficient operation of the center that meets the needs of State agencies, ensures timely delivery of mail, and ensures no loss of federal funds.
h.	To provide necessary and adequate messenger service for the State agencies served by the Department. However, this may not be construed as preventing the employment and control of messengers by any State agency when those messengers are compensated out of the funds of the employing agency.
i.	To establish and operate a central motor pool and such subsidiary related facilities as the Secretary may deem necessary, and to that end:
1.	To establish and operate central facilities for the maintenance, repair, and storage of state‑owned passenger motor vehicles for the use of State agencies; to utilize any available State facilities for that purpose; and to establish such subsidiary facilities as the Secretary may deem necessary.
2.	To acquire passenger motor vehicles by transfer from other State agencies and by purchase. All motor vehicles transferred to or purchased by the Department shall become part of a central motor pool.
3.	To require on a schedule determined by the Department all State agencies to transfer ownership, custody or control of any or all passenger motor vehicles within the ownership, custody or control of that agency to the Department, except those motor vehicles under the ownership, custody or control of the Highway Patrol or the State Bureau of Investigation which are used primarily for law‑enforcement purposes, and except those motor vehicles under the ownership, custody or control of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety for Butner Public Safety which are used primarily for law‑enforcement, fire, or emergency purposes.
4.	To maintain, store, repair, dispose of, and replace state‑owned motor vehicles under the control of the Department, using best management practices. The Department shall ensure that state‑owned vehicles are replaced when most cost effective using a replacement formula developed by the Department and reviewed periodically for appropriateness of use. The Department shall report semiannually to the cochairs of the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, on or before October 15 and March 15, on the effect of any new or revised replacement formula on the cost of operating the central motor pool, including the amount of any savings from use of any new or revised replacement formula.
5.	Upon proper requisition, proper showing of need for use on State business only, and proper showing of proof that all persons who will be driving the motor vehicle have valid drivers' licenses, to assign economically suitable transportation, either on a temporary or permanent basis, to any State employee or agency. An agency assigned a motor vehicle may not allow a person to operate that motor vehicle unless that person displays to the agency and allows the agency to copy that person's valid driver's license. Notwithstanding G.S. 20‑30(6), persons or agencies requesting assignment of motor vehicles may photostat or otherwise reproduce drivers' licenses for purposes of complying with this subpart.
As used in this subpart, "economically suitable transportation" means the most cost‑effective standard vehicle in the State motor fleet, unless special towing provisions are required by the agency. The Department may not assign any employee or agency a motor vehicle that is not economically suitable. The Department shall not approve requests for vehicle assignment or reassignment when the purpose of that assignment or reassignment is to provide any employee with a newer or lower mileage vehicle because of his or her rank, management authority, or length of service or because of any non‑job‑related reason. The Department shall not assign "special use" vehicles, such as four‑wheel drive vehicles or law enforcement vehicles, to any agency or individual except upon written justification, verified by historical data, and accepted by the Secretary. The Department may provide law enforcement vehicles only to those agencies which have statutory pursuit authority.
6.	To allocate and charge against each State agency to which transportation is furnished, on a basis of mileage or of rental, its proportionate part of the cost of maintenance and operation of the motor pool.
The amount allocated and charged by the Department of Administration to State agencies to which transportation is furnished shall be at least as follows:
I.	Pursuit vehicles and full size four‑wheel drive vehicles $.24/mile.
II.	Vans and compact four‑wheel drive vehicles – $.22/mile.
III.	All other vehicles – $.20/mile.
7.	To adopt, with the approval of the Governor, reasonable rules for the efficient and economical operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement, as limited in paragraph 4. of this subdivision, of all state‑owned motor vehicles under the control of the Department, and to enforce those rules; and to adopt, with the approval of the Governor, reasonable rules regulating the use of private motor vehicles upon State business by the officers and employees of State agencies, and to enforce those rules. The Department, with the approval of the Governor, may delegate to the respective heads of the agencies to which motor vehicles are permanently assigned by the Department the duty of enforcing the rules adopted by the Department pursuant to this paragraph. Any person who violates a rule adopted by the Department and approved by the Governor is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
7a.	To adopt with the approval of the Governor and to enforce rules and to coordinate State policy regarding (i) the permanent assignment of state‑owned passenger motor vehicles and (ii) the use of and reimbursement for those vehicles for the limited commuting permitted by this subdivision. For the purpose of this subdivision 7a, "state‑owned passenger motor vehicle" includes any state‑owned passenger motor vehicle, whether or not owned, maintained or controlled by the Department of Administration, and regardless of the source of the funds used to purchase it. Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 20‑190 or any other provisions of law, all state‑owned passenger motor vehicles are subject to the provisions of this subdivision 7a; no permanent assignment shall be made and no one shall be exempt from payment of reimbursement for commuting or from the other provisions of this subdivision 7a except as provided by this subdivision 7a. Commuting, as defined and regulated by this subdivision, is limited to those specific cases in which the Secretary has received and accepted written justification, verified by historical data. The Department shall not assign any state‑owned motor vehicle that may be used for commuting other than those authorized by the procedure prescribed in this subdivision.
A State‑owned passenger motor vehicle shall not be permanently assigned to an individual who is likely to drive it on official business at a rate of less than 3,150 miles per quarter unless (i) the individual's duties are routinely related to public safety or (ii) the individual's duties are likely to expose the individual routinely to life‑threatening situations. A State‑owned passenger motor vehicle shall also not be permanently assigned to an agency that is likely to drive it on official business at a rate of less than 3,150 miles per quarter unless the agency can justify to the Division of Motor Fleet Management the need for permanent assignment because of the unique use of the vehicle. Each agency, other than the Department of Transportation, that has a vehicle assigned to it or has an employee to whom a vehicle is assigned shall submit a quarterly report to the Division of Motor Fleet Management on the miles driven during the quarter by the assigned vehicle. The Division of Motor Fleet Management shall review the report to verify that each motor vehicle has been driven at the minimum allowable rate. If it has not and if the department by whom the individual to which the car is assigned is employed or the agency to which the car is assigned cannot justify the lower mileage for the quarter, the permanent assignment shall be revoked immediately. The Department of Transportation shall submit an annual report to the Division of Motor Fleet Management on the miles driven during the year by vehicles assigned to the Department or to employees of the Department. If a vehicle included in this report has not been driven at least 12,600 miles during the year, the Department of Transportation shall review the reasons for the lower mileage and decide whether to terminate the assignment. The Division of Motor Fleet Management may not revoke the assignment of a vehicle to the Department of Transportation or an employee of that Department for failure to meet the minimum mileage requirement unless the Department of Transportation consents to the revocation.
Every individual who uses a State‑owned passenger motor vehicle, pickup truck, or van to drive between the individual's official work station and his or her home, shall reimburse the State for these trips at a rate computed by the Department. This rate shall approximate the benefit derived from the use of the vehicle as prescribed by federal law. Reimbursement shall be for 20 days per month regardless of how many days the individual uses the vehicle to commute during the month. Reimbursement shall be made by payroll deduction. Funds derived from reimbursement on vehicles owned by the Motor Fleet Management Division shall be deposited to the credit of the Division; funds derived from reimbursements on vehicles initially purchased with appropriations from the Highway Fund and not owned by the Division shall be deposited in a Special Depository Account in the Department of Transportation, which shall revert to the Highway Fund; funds derived from reimbursement on all other vehicles shall be deposited in a Special Depository Account in the Department of Administration which shall revert to the General Fund. Commuting, for purposes of this paragraph, does not include those individuals whose office is in their home, as determined by the Department of Administration, Division of Motor Fleet Management. Also, this paragraph does not apply to the following vehicles: (i) clearly marked police and fire vehicles, (ii) delivery trucks with seating only for the driver, (iii) flatbed trucks, (iv) cargo carriers with over a 14,000 pound capacity, (v) school and passenger buses with over 20 person capacities, (vi) ambulances, (vii) [Repealed]. (viii) bucket trucks, (ix) cranes and derricks, (x) forklifts, (xi) cement mixers, (xii) dump trucks, (xiii) garbage trucks, (xiv) specialized utility repair trucks (except vans and pickup trucks), (xv) tractors, (xvi) unmarked law‑enforcement vehicles that are used in undercover work and are operated by full‑time, fully sworn law‑enforcement officers whose primary duties include carrying a firearm, executing search warrants, and making arrests, and (xvii) any other vehicle exempted under Section 274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and Federal Internal Revenue Services regulations based thereon. The Department of Administration, Division of Motor Fleet Management, shall report quarterly to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and to the Fiscal Research Division of the Legislative Services Office on individuals who use State‑owned passenger motor vehicles, pickup trucks, or vans between their official work stations and their homes, who are not required to reimburse the State for these trips.
The Department of Administration shall revoke the assignment or require the Department owning the vehicle to revoke the assignment of a State‑owned passenger motor vehicle, pickup truck or van to any individual who:
I.	Uses the vehicle for other than official business except in accordance with the commuting rules;
II.	Fails to supply required reports to the Department of Administration, or supplies incomplete reports, or supplies reports in a form unacceptable to the Department of Administration and does not cure the deficiency within 30 days of receiving a request to do so;
III.	Knowingly and willfully supplies false information to the Department of Administration on applications for permanent assignments, commuting reimbursement forms, or other required reports or forms;
IV.	Does not personally sign all reports on forms submitted for vehicles permanently assigned to him or her and does not cure the deficiency within 30 days of receiving a request to do so;
V.	Abuses the vehicle; or
VI.	Violates other rules or policy promulgated by the Department of Administration not in conflict with this act.
A new requisition shall not be honored until the Secretary of the Department of Administration is assured that the violation for which a vehicle was previously revoked will not recur.
The Department of Administration, with the approval of the Governor, may delegate, or conditionally delegate, to the respective heads of agencies which own passenger motor vehicles or to which passenger motor vehicles are permanently assigned by the Department, the duty of enforcing all or part of the rules adopted by the Department of Administration pursuant to this subdivision 7a. The Department of Administration, with the approval of the Governor, may revoke this delegation of authority.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section and G.S. 14‑247, the Department of Administration may allow the organization sanctioned by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness to conduct the North Carolina State Games to use State trucks and vans for the State Games of North Carolina. The Department of Administration shall not charge any fees for the use of the vehicles for the State Games. The State shall incur no liability for any damages resulting from the use of vehicles under this provision. The organization that conducts the State Games shall carry liability insurance of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) covering such vehicles while in its use and shall be responsible for the full cost of repairs to these vehicles if they are damaged while used for the State Games.
8.	To adopt and administer rules for the control of all state‑owned passenger motor vehicles and to require State agencies to keep all records and make all reports regarding motor vehicle use as the Secretary deems necessary.
9.	To acquire motor vehicle liability insurance on all State‑owned motor vehicles under the control of the Department.
10.	To contract with the appropriate State prison authorities for the furnishing, upon such conditions as may be agreed upon from time to time between such State prison authorities and the Secretary, of prison labor for use in connection with the operation of a central motor pool and related activities.
11.	To report annually to the General Assembly on any rules adopted, amended or repealed under paragraphs 3, 7, or 7a of this subdivision.
j.	To establish and operate central mimeographing and duplicating services, central stenographical and clerical pools, and other central services, if the Governor after appropriate investigation deems it advisable from the standpoint of efficiency and economy in operation to establish any or all such services. The Secretary may allocate and charge against the respective agencies their proportionate part of the cost of maintenance and operation of the central services which are established, in accordance with the rules adopted by him and approved by the Governor and Council of State pursuant to paragraph k, below. Upon the establishment of central mimeographing and duplicating services, the Secretary may, with the approval of the Governor, require any State agency to be served by those central services to transfer to the Department ownership, custody, and control of any or all mimeographing and duplicating equipment and supplies within the ownership, custody, or control of such agency.
k.	To require the State agencies and their officers and employees to utilize the central facilities and services which are established; and to adopt, with the approval of the Governor and Council of State, reasonable rules and procedures requiring the utilization of such central facilities and services, and governing their operation and the charges to be made for their services.
l.	To provide necessary information service for visitors to the Capitol.
m.	To perform such additional duties and exercise such additional powers as may be assigned to it by statute or by the Governor."
SECTION 98.  G.S. 143‑344(d) is repealed.
SECTION 99.  G.S. 143‑722(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Any non‑State corporation, organization, or institution that receives, uses, or expends any funds from the Commission is subject to the applicable reporting requirements of G.S.  143C‑6‑13."
SECTION 100.  G.S. 143A‑10 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143A‑10.  Governor; continuation of powers and duties; staff.
All powers, duties and functions vested by law in the Governor or in the office of Governor are continued, except as otherwise provided by this Chapter.
The immediate staff of the Governor shall not be subject to the State Personnel Act."
SECTION 101.  G.S. 143B‑10(d) reads as rewritten:
"(d)	Appointment of Committees or Councils. – The head of each principal department may create and appoint committees or councils to consult with and advise the department. The General Assembly declares its policy that insofar as feasible, such committees or councils shall consist of no more than 12 members, with not more than one from each congressional district. If any department head desires to vary this policy, he must make a request in writing to the Governor, stating the reasons for the request. The Governor may approve the request, but may only do so in writing. Copies of the request and approval shall be transmitted to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations. The members of any committee or council created by the head of a principal department shall serve at the pleasure of the head of the principal department and may be paid per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses within the limits of appropriations and in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138‑5, when approved in advance by the Director of the Budget. Per diem, travel, and subsistence payments to members of the committees or councils created in connection with federal programs shall be paid from federal funds unless otherwise provided by law.
An annual report listing these committees or councils, the total membership on each, the cost in the last 12 months and the source of funding, and the title of the person who made the appointments shall be made to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations by March 31 of each year.
"SECTION 102.  G.S. 143B‑131.10 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B‑131.10.  Exceptions.
Notwithstanding G.S. 143C‑1‑1, the following provisions do not apply to this Part: G.S.  143C‑6‑4, 143C‑6‑5, and 143C‑6‑9."
SECTION 103.  G.S. 143B‑139.2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B‑139.2.  Secretary of Health and Human Services requests for grants‑in‑aid from non‑State agencies.
It is the intent of this General Assembly that non‑State health and human services agencies submit their appropriation requests for grants‑in‑aid through the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly, and that agencies receiving these grants, at the request of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, provide a postaudit of their operations that has been done by a certified public accountant."
SECTION 104.  G.S. 143B‑168.12(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c)	The North Carolina Partnership shall require each local partnership to place in each of its contracts a statement that the contract is subject to monitoring by the local partnership and North Carolina Partnership, that contractors and subcontractors shall be fidelity bonded, unless the contractors or subcontractors receive less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or unless the contract is for child care subsidy services, that contractors and subcontractors are subject to audit oversight by the State Auditor, and that contractors and subcontractors shall be audited as required by G.S. 143C‑6‑13. Organizations subject to G.S. 159‑34 shall be exempt from this requirement."
SECTION 105.  G.S. 143B‑313.2(e) reads as rewritten:
"(e)	Removal. – The Governor may remove, as provided in Article 10 of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes any member of the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority appointed by the Governor for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance. The General Assembly may remove any member of the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority appointed by the General Assembly for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance."
SECTION 106.  G.S. 143B‑394.10(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	There is established in the Department of Administration the North Carolina Fund for Displaced Homemakers. The Fund shall be administered by the North Carolina Council for Women in accordance with Chapter 143C of the General Statutes and shall be used to make grants to programs for displaced homemakers. The Council shall make quarterly grants to each eligible program. Grants shall be awarded according to criteria established by the Council. No more than ten percent (10%) of these funds shall be used for administrative costs by the Council. In order to be eligible to receive grant funds under this section, a displaced homemaker program shall fulfill all of the criteria established by the Council. The Council shall report annually to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on the revenues credited to the Fund, the programs receiving grants from the Fund, the success of those programs, and the costs associated with administering the Fund."
SECTION 107.  G.S. 143B‑426.11 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B‑426.11.  Powers of Agency.
In order to enable it to carry out the purposes of this Part, the Agency:
(1)	Has the powers of a body corporate, including the power to sue and be sued, to make contracts, to hold and own copyrights and to adopt and use a common seal and to alter the same as may be deemed expedient;
(2)	May make all necessary contracts and arrangements with any parties which will serve the purposes and facilitate the business of the North Carolina Agency for Public Telecommunications; except that, the Agency may not contract or enter into any agreement for the production by the Agency of programs or programming materials with any person, group, or organization other than government agencies; principal State departments; public and noncommercial broadcast licensees;
(3)	May rent, lease, buy, own, acquire, mortgage, or otherwise encumber and dispose of such property, real or personal; and construct, maintain, equip and operate any facilities, buildings, studios, equipment, materials, supplies and systems as said Board may deem proper to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Part;
(4)	May establish an office for the transaction of its business at such place or places as the Board deems advisable or necessary in carrying out the purposes of this Part;
(5)	May apply for and accept loans and grants of money from any federal agency or the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof or from any public or private sources for any and all of the purposes authorized in this Part; may extend or distribute the funds in accordance with directions and requirements attached thereto or imposed thereon by the federal agency, the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof, or any public or private lender or donor; and may give such evidences of indebtedness as shall be required, but no indebtedness of any kind incurred or created by the Agency shall constitute an indebtedness of the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof, and no such indebtedness shall involve or be secured by the faith, credit or taxing power of the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof. At no time may the total outstanding indebtedness of the Agency, excluding bond indebtedness, exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) unless the Agency has consulted with the Director of the Budget;
(6)	May pay all necessary costs and expenses involved in and incident to the formation and organization of the Agency and incident to the administration and operation thereof, and may pay all other costs and expenses reasonably necessary or expedient in carrying out and accomplishing the purposes of this Part;
(7)	Under such conditions as the Board may deem appropriate to the accomplishment of the purposes of this Part, may distribute in the form of grants, gifts, or loans any of the revenues and earnings received by the Agency from its operations;
(8)	May adopt, alter or repeal its own bylaws, rules and regulations governing the manner in which its business may be transacted and in which the power granted to it may be exercised, and may provide for the creation of such divisions and for the appointment of such committees, and the functions thereof, as the Board deems necessary or expedient in facilitating the business and purposes of the Agency;
(9)	The Board shall be responsible for all management functions of the Agency. The chairman shall serve as the chief executive officer, and shall have the responsibility of executing the policies of the Board. The Executive Director shall be the chief operating and administrative officer and shall be responsible for carrying out the decisions made by the Board and its chairman. The Executive Director shall be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Board and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The salary of the Executive Director shall be fixed by the General Assembly in the Current Operations Appropriations Act. Subject to the provisions of the State Personnel Act and with the approval of the Board, the Executive Director may appoint, employ, dismiss and fix the compensation of such professional, administrative, clerical and other employees as the Board deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this Part; but any employee who serves as the director of any division of the Agency which may be established by the Board  shall be appointed with the additional approval of the Secretary of Administration. There shall be an executive committee consisting of three of the appointed members and three of the ex officio members elected by the Board and the chairman of the Board, who shall serve as chairman of the executive committee. The executive committee may do all acts which are authorized by the bylaws of the Agency. Members of the executive committee shall serve until their successors are elected;
(10)	May do any and all other acts and things in this Part authorized or required to be done, whether or not included in the general powers in this section; and
(11)	May do any and all things necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Part.
Nothing herein authorizes the Agency to exercise any control over any public noncommercial broadcast licensee, its staff or facilities or over any community antenna television system (Cable TV; CATV), its staff, employees or facilities operating in North Carolina, or the Police Information Network (PIN), its staff, employees or facilities or the Judicial Department.
The property of the Agency shall not be subject to any taxes or assessments.
"
SECTION 108.  G.S. 143B‑426.14 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B‑426.14.  Issuance of bonds.
As a means of raising the funds needed from time to time in the acquisition, construction, equipment, maintenance and operation of any facility, building, structure, telecommunications equipment or systems or any other matter or thing which the Agency is herein authorized to acquire, construct, equip, maintain, or operate, the Agency  may at one time or from time to time issue negotiable revenue bonds of the Agency. The principal and interest of the revenue bonds shall be payable solely from the revenues to be derived from the operation of all or any part of the Agency's properties and facilities. A pledge of the net revenues derived from the operation of specified properties and facilities of the Agency may be made to secure the payment of the bonds as they mature. Revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this Part shall not be deemed to constitute a debt of the State of North Carolina or a pledge of the faith and credit of the State. The issuance of revenue bonds shall not directly or indirectly or contingently obligate the State to levy or to pledge any form of taxation whatever therefor or to make any appropriation for their payment. The bonds and the income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation within the State."
SECTION 109.  G.S. 143B‑454(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	In order to enable it to carry out the purposes of this Part, the said Authority shall:
(1)	Have the powers of a body corporate, including the power to sue and be sued, to make contracts, and to adopt and use a common seal and to alter the same as may be deemed expedient;
(2)	Have the authority to make all necessary contracts and arrangements with other port authorities of this and other states for the interchange of business, and for such other purposes as will facilitate and increase the business of the North Carolina State Ports Authority;
(3)	Be authorized and empowered to rent, lease, buy, own, acquire, mortgage, otherwise encumber, and dispose of such property, real or personal, as said Authority may deem proper to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Part, all or any of them;
(4)	(See Editor's Note) Be authorized and empowered to acquire, construct, maintain, equip and operate any wharves, docks, piers, quays, elevators, compresses, refrigeration storage plants, warehouses and other structures, and any and all facilities needful for the convenient use of the same in the aid of commerce, including the dredging of approaches thereto, and the construction of beltline roads and highways and bridges and causeways thereon, and other bridges and causeways necessary or useful in connection therewith, and shipyards, shipping facilities, and transportation facilities incident thereto and useful or convenient for the use thereof, excluding terminal railroads;
(4)	(See Editor's Note) Be authorized and empowered to acquire, construct, maintain, equip and operate any wharves, docks, piers, quays, elevators, compresses, refrigeration storage plants, warehouses and other structures, and any and all facilities needful for the convenient use of the same in the aid of commerce, including the dredging of approaches thereto, and the construction of beltline roads and highways and bridges and causeways thereon, and other bridges and causeways necessary or useful in connection therewith, and shipyards, shipping facilities, and transportation facilities incident thereto and useful or convenient for the use thereof, and to acquire, construct, and maintain, but not operate, such rail facilities as may be necessary or useful in connection with the operation of the State Ports, provided that nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as requiring or allowing the North Carolina State Ports Authority to become a carrier by rail subject to the federal laws regulating those carriers;
(5)	The Authority shall appoint an Executive Director, whose salary shall be fixed by the Authority, to serve at its pleasure. The Executive Director or his designee shall appoint, employ, dismiss and, within the limits of available funding, fix the compensation of such other employees as he deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this Part. There shall be an executive committee consisting of the chairman of the Authority and two other members elected annually by the Authority. The executive committee shall be vested with authority to do all acts which are authorized by the bylaws of the Authority. Members of the executive committee shall serve until their successors are elected;
(6)	Establish an office for the transaction of its business at such place or places as, in the opinion of the Authority, shall be advisable or necessary in carrying out the purposes of this Part;
(7)	Be authorized and empowered to create and operate such agencies and departments as said board may deem necessary or useful for the furtherance of any of the purposes of this Part;
(8)	Be authorized and empowered to pay all necessary costs and expenses involved in and incident to the formation and organization of said Authority, and incident to the administration and operation thereof, and to pay all other costs and expenses reasonably necessary or expedient in carrying out and accomplishing the purposes of this Part;
(9)	Be authorized and empowered to apply for and accept loans and grants of money from any federal agency or the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof or from any public or private sources available for any and all of the purposes authorized in this Article, and to expend the same in accordance with the directions and requirements attached thereto, or imposed thereon by any such federal agency, the State of North Carolina, or any political subdivision thereof, or any public or private lender or donor, and to give such evidences of indebtedness as shall be required, provided, however, that no indebtedness of any kind incurred or created by the Authority shall constitute an indebtedness of the State of North Carolina, or any political subdivision thereof, and no such indebtedness shall involve or be secured by the faith, credit or taxing power of the State of North Carolina, or any political subdivision thereof;
(10)	Be authorized and empowered to act as agent for the United States of America, or any agency, department, corporation, or instrumentality thereof, in any matter coming within the purposes or powers of the Authority;
(11)	Have power to adopt, alter or repeal its own bylaws, rules and regulations governing the manner in which its business may be transacted and in which the power granted to it may be enjoyed, and may provide for the appointment of such committees, and the functions thereof, as the Authority may deem necessary or expedient in facilitating its business. The Authority may establish fees for its services. In establishing these fees, the Authority shall consider the cost of providing service, revenue requirements, the cost of similar services at other seaports in the South Atlantic region, and any other factors it considers relevant. The Authority shall report the establishment or increase of any fee to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations no later than 30 business days after it establishes or increases the fee.
(12)	Be authorized and empowered to do any and all other acts and things in this Part authorized or required to be done, whether or not included in the general powers in this section mentioned; and
(13)	Be authorized and empowered to do any and all things necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Part: Provided, that said Authority shall not engage in shipbuilding.
The property of the Authority shall not be subject to any taxes or assessments thereon.
"
SECTION 110.  G.S. 143B‑456(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Prior to the sale and delivery of any bonds or notes by the Authority, the Governor shall approve the general purposes of and the general security provisions for any such bonds or notes. Such bonds or notes may be sold in such manner, either at public or private sale, and for such price as the Authority shall determine. Bonds or notes may be issued under the provisions of this Part without obtaining, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Part, the consent of any department, division, commission, board, body, bureau or agency of the State, and without any other proceedings or the happening of any conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions or things which are specifically required by this Part and the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or notes or the trust agreement securing the same. "
SECTION 111.  G.S. 143B‑516(b)(2) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	The Secretary shall have the following powers and duties:
…
(2)	Close a State youth development center when its operation is no longer justified and transfer State funds appropriated for the operation of that youth development center to fund community‑based programs, to purchase care or services for predelinquents, delinquents, or status offenders in community‑based or other appropriate programs, or to improve the efficiency of existing youth development centers, after consultation with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations."SECTION 112.  G.S. 147‑9.3 reads as rewritten:
"§ 147‑9.3.  Annuity contracts; salary deductions.
Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 143B‑426.39A and notwithstanding any provision of law relating to salaries or salary schedules of State employees, if the employee be one described in section 403(b) (1) (A) (i) or (ii) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, the chief executive officer of such employee, on behalf of the employer, may enter into an annual contract with the employee which provides for a reduction in salary below the total established compensation or salary schedule for a term of one year. The chief executive officer shall use the funds derived from the reduction in the salary of the employee to purchase a nonforfeitable annuity or retirement income contract for the benefit of said employee. An employee who has agreed to a salary reduction for this purpose shall not have the right to receive the amount of salary reduction in cash or in any other way except the annuity or retirement income contract. Funds used for the purchase of an annuity or retirement income contract shall not be in lieu of any amount earned by the employee before his election for a salary reduction has become effective. The agreement for salary reduction referred to herein shall be effective under the necessary regulations and procedures adopted by the chief executive officer and on forms prescribed by him. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amount by which the salary of an employee is reduced pursuant to this section shall not be excluded, but shall be included, in computing and making payroll deductions for social security and retirement system purposes, if any, and in computing and providing matching funds for retirement system purposes, if any."
SECTION 113.  G.S. 147‑9.4 reads as rewritten:
"§ 147‑9.4.  Deferred Compensation Plan.
Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 143B‑426.39A and notwithstanding any provision of law relating to salaries or salary schedules of teachers or State employees, the chief executive officer of an employer, on behalf of the employer, may from time to time enter into a contract with a teacher or employee under which the teacher or employee irrevocably elects to defer receipt of a portion of his scheduled salary in the future, but only if, as a result of such contract, the income so deferred is deferred pursuant to the Plan provided for in G.S. 143B‑426.24 or pursuant to some other plan established before January 1, 1983, and is not constructively received by the teacher or employee in the year in which it was earned, for State and federal income tax purposes. In addition, the income so deferred shall be invested in the manner provided in the applicable Plan; however, the teacher or employee may revoke his election to participate and may amend the amount of compensation to be deferred by signing and filing with the Board a written revocation or amendment on a form and in the manner approved by the Board. Any such revocation or amendment shall be effective prospectively only and shall cause no change in the allocation of amounts invested prior to the filing date of such revocation or amendment.
A teacher or employee who has agreed to the deferral of income pursuant to the Plan shall have the right to receive the income so deferred only in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. Funds so deferred shall not be in lieu of any amount earned by the teacher or employee before his election to defer compensation became effective. The agreement to defer income referred to herein shall be effective under such necessary regulations and procedures as are adopted by the Board, and on forms prepared or approved by it. A teacher or employee who agrees to defer income as provided in this section may authorize payroll deductions for deferral of the income. An employer shall make payroll deduction available for a teacher or employee who authorizes payroll deduction. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the amount by which the salary of a teacher or employee is deferred pursuant to the Plan shall not be excluded, but shall be included, in computing and making payroll deductions for social security and retirement system purposes, if any, and in computing and providing matching funds for retirement system purposes, if any.
Except for the applications of the provisions of G.S. 110‑136, and in connection with a court‑ordered equitable distribution under G.S. 50‑20, the right of a teacher or employee, who elects to defer income pursuant to the North Carolina Public Employee Deferred Compensation Plan under G.S. 143B‑426.24, to benefits that have vested under the Plan, is nonforfeitable. These benefits are exempt from levy, sale, and garnishment, except as provided by this section."
SECTION 114.  G.S. 147‑12(a)(3) reads as rewritten:
"§ 147‑12.  Powers and duties of Governor.
(a)	In addition to the powers and duties prescribed by the Constitution, the Governor has the powers and duties prescribed in this and the following sections:
…
(3)	To make the appointments and fill the vacancies not otherwise provided for in all departments.
In every case where the Governor is authorized by statute to make an appointment to fill a State office, the Governor may also appoint to fill any vacancy occurring in that office, and the person the Governor appoints shall serve for the unexpired term of the office and until the person's successor is appointed and qualified.
In every case where the Governor is authorized by statute to appoint to fill a vacancy in an office in the executive branch of State government, the Governor may appoint an acting officer to serve
a.	During the physical or mental incapacity of the regular holder of the office to discharge the duties of the office,
b.	During the continued absence of the regular holder of the office, or
c.	During a vacancy in an office and pending the selection and qualification, in the manner prescribed by statute, of a person to serve for the unexpired term.
An acting officer appointed in accordance with this subsection may perform any act and exercise any power which a regularly appointed holder of such office could lawfully perform and exercise. All powers granted to an acting officer under this subsection shall expire immediately
a.	Upon the termination of the incapacity of the officer in whose stead the person acts,
b.	Upon the return of the officer in whose stead the person acts, or
c.	Upon the selection and qualification, in the manner prescribed by statute, of a person to serve for the unexpired term.
The Governor may determine (after such inquiry as the Governor deems appropriate) that any of the officers referred to in this paragraph is physically or mentally incapable of performing the duties of the office. The Governor may also determine that such incapacity has terminated.
The compensation of an acting officer appointed pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision shall be fixed by the Governor. "
SECTION 115.  G.S. 147‑36(16) reads as rewritten:
"§ 147‑36.  Duties of Secretary of State.
It is the duty of the Secretary of State:
…
(16)	To apply for and accept grants from the federal government and its agencies and from any foundation, corporation, association, or individual in order to effectuate the purposes of the Nonprofit Corporation Act, Chapter 55A of the General Statutes, and to further aid in the operation and development of nonprofit corporations. The Secretary shall comply with the terms, conditions, and limitations of grants applied for and accepted and shall expend grant funds pursuant to Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, The State Budget Act."
SECTION 116.  G.S. 147‑64.7(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Experts; Contracted Audits. – 
(1)	The Auditor may obtain the services of independent public accountants, qualified management consultants, or other professional persons and experts as he deems necessary or desirable to carry out the duties and functions assigned under the act.
(2)	No State agency may enter into any contract for auditing services which may impact on the State's comprehensive annual financial report without consultation with, and the prior written approval of, the Auditor, except in instances where audits are called for by the Governor under 143C‑2‑1 and he shall so notify the Auditor. The Auditor shall prescribe policy and establish guidelines containing appropriate criteria for selection and use of independent public accountants, qualified management consultants, or other professional persons by State agencies and governing bodies to perform all or part of the audit function."
SECTION 117.  G.S. 147‑64.11 reads as rewritten:
"§ 147‑64.11.  Review of office.
The Auditor may, on his own initiative and as often as he deems necessary, or as requested by the General Assembly, cause to be  made a quality review audit of the operations of his office. Such a "peer review" shall be conducted in accordance with standards prescribed by the accounting profession. Upon the recommendation of the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations may contract with an independent public accountant, qualified management consultant, or other professional person to conduct a financial and compliance, economy and efficiency, and program result audit of the State Auditor."
SECTION 118.  G.S. 147‑68 reads as rewritten:
"§ 147‑68.  To receive and disburse moneys; to make reports.
(a)	It is the duty of the Treasurer to receive all moneys which shall from time to time be paid into the treasury of this State; and to pay all warrants legally drawn on the Treasurer.
(b)	No moneys shall be paid out of the treasury except on warrant unless there is a legislative appropriation or authority to pay the same.
(c)	It shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer to determine that all warrants presented to him for payment are valid and legally drawn on the Treasurer.
(d)	The Treasurer shall report to the Governor annually and to the General Assembly at the beginning of each biennial session the exact balance in the treasury to the credit of the State, with a summary of the receipts and payments of the treasury during the preceding fiscal year, and so far as practicable an account of the same down to the termination of the current calendar year.
(d1)	The Treasurer shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, to the Chairman, Appropriations Base Budget Committee and the Chairman, Appropriations Expansion Budget Committee of the House of Representatives, and to the Chairman, Committee on Appropriations and the Chairman, Committee on Base Budget of the Senate, on a quarterly basis, concerning all investments and deposits made by and through his office. The report shall include a listing of all investments with or on behalf of the State or any of its agencies or institutions and shall include the particular agency or institution, fund, rate of return, duration of the investment, and the amount of deposit on all noninterest bearing accounts. The first report is due 90 days after July 1, 1982, and shall include all investments and deposits made during the 1981‑82 fiscal year and all investments made during the first quarter of the 1982‑83 fiscal year; thereafter, reports shall be made on a quarterly basis including all investments and deposits made during that reporting period.
(d2)	After consulting with the Select Committee on Information Technology and the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and after consultation with and approval of the Information Resources Management Commission, the Department of State Treasurer may spend departmental receipts for the 2000‑2001 fiscal year to continue improvement of the Department's investment banking operations system, retirement payroll systems, and other information technology infrastructure needs. The Department of State Treasurer shall report by January 1, 2001, and annually thereafter to the following regarding the amount and use of the departmental receipts: the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Chairs of the General Government Appropriations Subcommittees of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the Select Committee on Information Technology.
(e)	The State Treasurer, in carrying out the responsibilities of this section, shall be independent of any fiscal control exercise by the Director of the Budget or the Department of Administration and shall be responsible to the General Assembly and the people of North Carolina for the efficient and faithful exercise of the responsibilities of his office. The State Treasurer, for all other purposes, is subject to Chapter 143C of the General Statutes."
SECTION 119.  G.S. 147‑69.3(h) reads as rewritten:
"(h)	The State Treasurer shall prepare, as of the end of each fiscal year, a report on the financial condition of each investment program created pursuant to this section. A copy of each report shall be submitted within 30 days following the end of the fiscal year to the official, institution, board, commission or other agency whose funds are invested, the State Auditor, and the chairs of the Finance Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate."
SECTION 120.  G.S. 147‑86.10 reads as rewritten:
"§ 147‑86.10.  Statement of policy.
It is the policy of the State of North Carolina that all agencies, institutions, departments, bureaus, boards, commissions, and officers of the State, whether or not subject to the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, shall devise techniques and procedures for the receipt, deposit, and disbursement of moneys coming into their control and custody which are designed to maximize interest‑bearing investment of cash, and to minimize idle and nonproductive cash balances. This policy shall apply to the General Court of Justice as defined in Article IV of the North Carolina Constitution, the public school administrative units, and the community colleges with respect to the receipt, deposit, and disbursement of moneys required by law to be deposited with the State Treasurer and with respect to moneys made available to them for expenditure by warrants drawn on the State Treasurer. This policy shall include the acceptance of electronic payments in accordance with G.S. 147‑86.22 to the maximum extent possible consistent with sound business practices."
SECTION 121.  G.S. 147‑86.11 reads as rewritten:
"§ 147‑86.11.  Cash management for the State.
(a)	Uniform Plan. – The State Controller, with the advice and assistance of the State Treasurer, the State Budget Officer, and the State Auditor, shall develop, implement and amend as necessary a uniform statewide plan to carry out the cash management policy for all State agencies. The State Auditor shall report annually to the General Assembly on the implementation of the plan as shown in the audits completed during the prior fiscal year. The State Treasurer shall recommend periodically to the General Assembly any implementing legislation necessary or desirable in the furtherance of the State policy. When used in this section, "State agency" means any agency, institution, bureau, board, commission or officer of the State; however, except as provided in G.S. 147‑86.12, 147‑86.13, 147‑86.14, and 147‑86.22, this Article does not apply to the agencies, institutions, bureaus, boards, commissions and officers of the General Court of Justice as defined in Article IV of the North Carolina Constitution or to the local school administrative units and community colleges and their officers and employees.
(b)	Duties of Auditor. – The State Auditor pursuant to authority under G.S. 147‑64.6 shall monitor agency compliance with this Article, and make any comments, suggestions, and recommendations the Auditor deems advisable to the agencies.
(c)	Treasurer's Report. – The State Treasurer shall publish a quarterly report on all funds in the control or custody of the State Treasurer showing cash balances on hand, investments of cash balances and a comparative analysis of earnings and investment performances.
(d)	Earnings on Trust Funds. – The statewide cash management plan shall provide that any net earnings on invested funds, whose beneficial owner is not the State or a local governmental unit, shall be paid to the beneficial owners of the funds. "Net earnings" are the amounts remaining after allowance for the cost of administration, management, and operation of the invested funds.
(e)	Elements of Plan. – For moneys received or to be received, the statewide cash management plan shall provide at a minimum that:
(1)	Except as otherwise provided by law, moneys received by employees of State agencies in the normal course of their employment shall be deposited as follows:
a.	Moneys received in trust for specific beneficiaries for which the employee‑custodian has a duty to invest shall be deposited with the State Treasurer under the provisions of G.S. 147‑69.3.
b.	All other moneys received shall be deposited with the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 147‑77 and G.S. 147‑69.1.
(2)	Moneys received shall be deposited daily in the form and amounts received, except as otherwise provided by statute.
(3)	Moneys due to a State agency by another governmental agency or by private persons shall be promptly billed, collected and deposited.
(4)	Unpaid billings due to a State agency shall be turned over to the Attorney General for collection no more than 90 days after the due date of the billing, except that a State agency need not turn over to the Attorney General unpaid billings of less than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or (for institutions where applicable) amounts owed by all patients which are less than the federally established deductible applicable to Part A of the Medicare program, and instead may handle these unpaid bills pursuant to agency debt collection procedures.
(5)	Moneys received in the form of warrants drawn on the State Treasurer shall be deposited by the State agency directly with the State Treasurer and not through the banking system, unless otherwise approved by the State Treasurer.
(6)	State agencies shall accept payment by electronic payment in accordance with G.S. 147‑86.22 to the maximum extent possible consistent with sound business practices.
(f)	Disbursement Requirements. – For the disbursement of money, the statewide cash management plan shall provide at a minimum that:
(1)	Moneys deposited with the State Treasurer remain on deposit with the State Treasurer until final disbursement to the ultimate payee.
(2)	The order in which appropriations and other available resources are expended shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes regardless of whether the State agency disbursing or expending the moneys is subject to the State Budget Act.
(3)	Federal and other reimbursements of expenditures paid from State funds shall be paid immediately to the source of the State funds.
(4)	Billings to the State for goods received or services rendered shall be paid neither early nor late but on the discount date or the due date to the extent practicable.
(5)	Disbursement cycles for each agency shall be established to the extent practicable so that the overall efficiency of the warrant disbursement system is maximized while maintaining prompt payment of bills due.
(g)	Interest Maximized. – The interest earnings of the General Fund and Highway Fund shall be maximized to the extent practicable. To this end:
(1)	Interest earnings shall not be allocated to an account by the State Treasurer unless all of the moneys in the account are expressly eligible by law for receiving interest allocations.
(2)	State officers and employees who received moneys in trust or for investment shall be solely responsible for properly segregating such funds for investment in the manner prescribed by law. The officer or employee charged with the responsibility for these moneys shall be under a duty to segregate the funds in a timely manner. No investment income shall be allocated by the State Treasurer to trust or other investment accounts until properly segregated into investment accounts as provided by law and the rules of the State Treasurer.
(h)	New Technologies. – The statewide cash management plan shall consider new technologies and procedures whenever the technologies and procedures are economically beneficial to the State as a whole. Where the new technologies and procedures may be implemented without additional legislation, the technologies and procedures shall be implemented in the plan.
(i)	Penalty. – A willful or continued failure of an employee paid from State funds or employed by a State agency to follow the statewide cash management plan is sufficient cause for immediate dismissal of the employee."
SECTION 122.  G.S. 147‑86.30(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c)	Creation of Fund Reserve. – The Commission shall reserve, and shall not expend, fifty percent (50%) of each annual payment allocated to the Health and Wellness Trust Fund pursuant to G.S. 143C‑9‑3 during years 2001 through 2025 to create and build the Fund Reserve. During years 2001 through 2025, the Commission may expend any investment earnings on the reserved funds. Beginning in year 2026, and thereafter, the Commission shall not expend the reserved funds but may continue to expend any investment earnings on the reserved funds."
SECTION 123.  G.S. 147‑86.35(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Any non‑State corporation, organization, or institution that receives, uses, or expends any funds from the Commission is subject to the applicable reporting requirements of G.S. 143C‑3‑3."
SECTION 124.  G.S. 150B‑21.4(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	State Funds. – Before an agency publishes in the North Carolina Register the proposed text of a permanent rule change that would require the expenditure or distribution of funds subject to the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes it must submit the text of the proposed rule change and a fiscal note on the proposed rule change to the Director of the Budget and obtain certification from the Director that the funds that would be required by the proposed rule change are available. The fiscal note must state the amount of funds that would be expended or distributed as a result of the proposed rule change and explain how the amount was computed. The Director of the Budget must certify a proposed rule change if funds are available to cover the expenditure or distribution required by the proposed rule change."
SECTION 125.  G.S. 159‑7(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	The words and phrases defined in this section have the meanings indicated when used in this Article, unless the context clearly requires another meaning.
(1)	"Budget" is a proposed plan for raising and spending money for specified programs, functions, activities or objectives during a fiscal year.
(2)	"Budget ordinance" is the ordinance that levies taxes and appropriates revenues for specified purposes, functions, activities, or objectives during a fiscal year.
(3)	"Budget year" is the fiscal year for which a budget is proposed or a budget ordinance is adopted.
(4)	"Debt service" is the sum of money required to pay installments of principal and interest on bonds, notes, and other evidences of debt accruing within a fiscal year, to maintain sinking funds, and to pay installments on debt instruments issued pursuant to Chapter 159G of the General Statutes or Chapter 159I of the General Statutes accruing within a fiscal year.
(5),	(6) Repealed by Session Laws 1975, c. 514, s. 2.
(7)	"Fiscal year" is the annual period for the compilation of fiscal operations, as prescribed in G.S. 159‑8(b).
(8)	"Fund" is a fiscal and accounting entity with a self‑balancing set of accounts recording cash and other resources, together with all related liabilities and residual equities or balances, and changes therein, for the purpose of carrying on specific activities or attaining certain objectives in accordance with special regulations, restrictions, or limitations.
(9)	Repealed by Session Laws 1975, c. 514, s. 2.
(10)	"Public authority" is a municipal corporation (other than a unit of local government) that is not subject to the State Budget Act (Chapter 143C of the General Statutes) or a local governmental authority, board, commission, council, or agency that (i) is not a municipal corporation, (ii) is not subject to the  State Budget Act, and (iii) operates on an area, regional, or multi‑unit basis, and the budgeting and accounting systems of which are not fully a part of the budgeting and accounting systems of a unit of local government.
(11)	Repealed by Session Laws 1975, c. 514, s. 2.
(12)	"Sinking fund" means a fund held for the retirement of term bonds.
(13)	"Special district" is a unit of local government (other than a county, city, town, or incorporated village) that is created for the performance of limited governmental functions or for the operation of a particular utility or public service enterprises.
(14)	"Taxes" do not include special assessments.
(15)	"Unit," "unit of local government," or "local government" is a municipal corporation that is not subject to the State Budget Act (Chapter 143C of the General Statutes) and that has the power to levy taxes, including a consolidated city‑county, as defined by G.S. 160B‑2(1), and all boards, agencies, commissions, authorities, and institutions thereof that are not municipal corporations.
(16)	"Vending facilities" has the same meaning as it does in  G.S. 111‑42(d), but also means any mechanical or electronic device dispensing items or something of value or entertainment or services for a fee, regardless of the method of activation, and regardless of the means of payment, whether by coin, currency, tokens, or other means."
SECTION 126.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2006.