A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to authorize the legislative research commission to study issues related to the privatization of Alcoholic beverage control stores and to appropriate funds.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Legislative Research Commission may study issues related to the privatization of alcoholic beverage control stores and related matters of regulation of alcoholic beverage sales in this State.  If this study is undertaken, the Commission shall examine the following issues:
(1)	The forms of regulation of alcoholic beverages sales in control states (Alabama; Idaho; Iowa; Maine; Montgomery County, Maryland; Michigan; Mississippi; Montana; New Hampshire; Ohio; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Utah; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; West Virginia; and Wyoming) in addition to North Carolina and the forms of regulation of alcoholic beverage sales in the remaining states.
(2)	The feasibility of partial privatization (where the State privatizes the retail function but retains the wholesale function of liquor distribution) and full privatization (where the State privatizes both the retail and wholesale functions of liquor distribution).
(3)	The effects that either partial privatization or full privatization would have on the following:
a.	Price.
b.	Revenues.
c.	Taxes.
d.	Employment.
e.	Facilities.
f.	Sales and consumption.
g.	Service.
h.	Costs.
i.	Safety.
j.	Retailing.
k.	Wholesaling.
l.	Licensing.
m.	Distribution system.
n.	Enforcement.
o.	Control and regulation.
(4)	Any other matter that the Commission deems appropriate or necessary to provide proper information to the General Assembly on the subject of the study.
The Commission may report to the 2006 Regular Session of the 2005 General Assembly or to the 2007 General Assembly on its findings and may make any legislative recommendations it considers appropriate.
SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly the sum of twenty‑five thousand dollars ($25,000) for the 2005‑2006 fiscal year to implement this act.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2005.