A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish a commission to study the tracking of persons using social services in this state.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  Commission Established. – There is established a Legislative Study Commission on the Use of Social Services.
SECTION 1.(b)  Membership. – The Commission shall consist of eight members as follows:
(1)	Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Four members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
SECTION 1.(c)  Duties of the Commission. – The Commission shall study the tracking of persons using social services in this State at the city, county, and State level, such as those programs created under G.S. 108A‑25. In conducting the study, the Commission shall:
(1)	Review how persons using social services are currently tracked.
(2)	Consider the feasibility of improving IT systems to better track persons using social services in this State.
(3)	Consider the cost of establishing and maintaining an improved IT tracking system.
All city, county, and State departments and agencies shall cooperate with the Commission and, upon request, furnish to the Commission and its staff any information in their possession or available to them.
SECTION 1.(d)  Vacancies. – A vacancy shall be filled by the officer who made the original appointment.
SECTION 1.(e)  Cochairs. –  The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate cochairs of the Commission from among their respective appointees. The Commission shall meet upon the call of the cochairs. A quorum of the Commission shall be four members.
SECTION 1.(f)  Expenses of Members. – 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 1.(g)  Staff. – The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Commission in its work. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Supervisors of Clerks shall assign clerical staff to the Commission, and the expenses related to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Commission.
SECTION 1.(h)  Consultants. – The Commission may employ consultants to assist with the study as provided in G.S. 120‑32.02. Before expending any funds for a consultant, the Commission shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on the consultant selected, the work products to be provided by the consultant, and the cost of the contract, including an itemization of the cost components.
SECTION 1.(i)  Meetings During Legislative Session. – The Commission may meet during a regular or extra session of the General Assembly, subject to approval of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
SECTION 1.(j)  Meeting Location. – Subject to the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Commission may meet in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
SECTION 1.(k)  Report. – The Commission shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the 2005 General Assembly no later than April 1, 2006. Upon the filing of its final report, the Commission shall terminate.
SECTION 1.(l)  Funds. – Of the funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate funds to implement the provisions of this section.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.