A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT authorizing the creation of the state fire protection study commission and appropriating funds for the commission.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is created the State Fire Protection Study Commission ("Commission").  The Commission shall consist of 15 members appointed as follows:
(1)	Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Four members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(3)	One member nominated by the League of Municipalities.
(4)	The Secretary of the Department of Correction or the Secretary's designee.
(5)	The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Secretary's designee.
(6)	The Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention or the Secretary's designee.
(7)	The President of The University of North Carolina or the President's designee.
(8)	The Secretary of the Department of Administration, ex officio, or the Secretary's designee.
(9)	The Secretary of the Department of Insurance, ex officio, or the Secretary's designee.
SECTION 2.  In conducting the study, the Commission shall consider the following:
(1)	A review of the methods for compensating local fire districts and political subdivisions of the State for providing local fire protection to State‑owned buildings and their contents.
(2)	A recommendation of what changes could be made to automatically increase the compensation based on reliable factors for the adjustment.
(3)	A consideration of any other matter relevant to its study.
SECTION 3.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each appoint a cochair for the Commission. The Commission may contract for consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission. Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the House of Representatives and the Senate Directors of Legislative Assistants. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission. The appointing authority shall fill vacancies.
SECTION 4.  Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate.
SECTION 5.  The Commission may call upon any department, agency, institution, or officer of the State or any political subdivision of the State for facilities, data, or other assistance.
SECTION 6.  The Commission may submit an interim report of its findings and recommendations to the 2005 General Assembly. The Commission shall make a final report to the 2006 Regular Session of the 2005 General Assembly and shall terminate upon filing its final report.
SECTION 7.  Of the funds appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly for the 2004‑2005 fiscal year, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate funds to implement this act.
SECTION 8. This act becomes effective July 1, 2004.