AN ACT allowing regional councils of government to acquire real property.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 160A‑475 reads as rewritten:
"§ 160A‑475.  Specific powers of council.
The charter may confer on the regional council any of the following powers:
(1)	To apply for, accept, receive, and dispense funds and grants made available to it by the State of North Carolina or any agency thereof, the United States of America or any agency thereof, any unit of local government (whether or not a member of the council), and any private or civic  agency.
(2)	To employ  personnel.
(3)	To contract with  consultants.
(4)	To contract with the State of North Carolina, any other state, the United States of America, or any agency thereof, for  services.
(5)	To study regional governmental problems, including matters affecting health, safety, welfare, education, recreation, economic conditions, regional planning, and regional  development.
(6)	To promote cooperative arrangements and coordinated action among its member  governments.
(7)	To make recommendations for review and action to its member governments and other public agencies which perform functions within the region in which its member governments are  located.
(7a)	For the purpose of meeting the regional council's office space and program needs, to acquire real property by purchase, gift, or otherwise, and to improve that property. A regional council may not exercise the power of eminent domain.
(8)	Any other powers that are exercised or capable of exercise by its member governments and desirable for dealing with problems of mutual concern to the extent such powers are specifically delegated to it from time to time by resolution of the governing board of each of its member governments which are affected thereby, provided, that no regional council of governments shall have the authority to construct or purchase buildings, or acquire title to real property, except for the purposes permitted under subdivision (7a) of this section or in order to exercise the authority granted by Chapter 260 of the Session Laws of 1979."

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 11th day of August, 2005.

	s/	 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

	s/	 James B. Black
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Michael F. Easley
	 Governor

Approved 2:52 p.m. this 22nd day of August, 2005