A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish the Legislative commission on global climate change AND to (1) direct the commission to study issues related to global warming and the emerging carbon economy, (2) DEVELOP A RECOMMENDED GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTANT REDUCTION GOAL, and (3) RECOMMEND A PROCESS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STATE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Commission Established; Membership. – The Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change is hereby established:  The Commission shall consist of 30 members as follows:
(1)	Two members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(2)	Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(3)	Two members of the public at large appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(4)	Two members of the public at large appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(5)	Two members of the public at large appointed by the Governor.
(6)	The Commissioner of Agriculture or the Commissioner's designee.
(7)	The Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary's designee.
(8)	The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources or the Secretary's designee.
(9)	The State Health Director or the Director's designee.
(10)	The Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary's designee.
(11)	The President of Duke Energy or the President's designee.
(12)	The President of Progress Energy or the President's designee.
(13)	The President of the North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry or the President's designee.
(14)	The President of the Manufacturers and Chemical Industry Council of North Carolina or the President's designee.
(15)	The President of the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation or the President's designee.
(16)	The President of the North Carolina Forestry Association or the President's designee.
(17)	The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Coalition or the Chairman's designee.
(18)	The Southeast Regional Director of the North Carolina Environmental Defense or the Regional Director's designee.
(19)	The Executive Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy or the Executive Director's designee.
(20)	The Executive Director of the North Carolina Coastal Federation or the Executive Director's designee.
(21)	The Executive Director of the North Carolina Conservation Council or the Executive Director's designee.
(22)	Dr. William H. Schlesinger, Dean, Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University.
(23)	Dr. Stanley R. Riggs, Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Geology, East Carolina University.
(24)	Dr. Douglas J. Crawford‑Brown, Director, Carolina Environmental Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
(25)	Dr. Howard S. Neufeld, Professor, Department of Biology, Appalachian State University.
SECTION 2.  Cochairs. – The Commission shall have two Cochairs, one designated by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and one by the Speaker of the House of Representatives from among their respective appointees. The Commission shall meet upon the call of the Cochairs.
SECTION 3.  Quorum. – A quorum of the Commission shall consist of 16 members.
SECTION 4.  Vacancies. – Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled as provided in Section 1 of this act or by the original appointing authority as appropriate.
SECTION 5.  Purpose and Duties. – The Commission shall conduct an in‑depth examination of issues related to global climate change.  This examination shall include a review of current scientific literature on the possible causes and the likely impacts of global warming with particular emphasis on the extent to which activities in the State may be contributing to global warming, the impacts of global warming on the State, and how best to address those contributions and impacts. The Commission shall recommend a global warming pollutant reduction goal for the State, including a process for periodic adjustment of the goal at intervals of not more than five years, for consideration and possible adoption by the General Assembly. This recommended goal should be consistent with a worldwide goal of stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other global warming pollutants at or below 500 parts per million while protecting the economic development of the State. In establishing the recommended goal, the Commission shall consider global warming pollution reduction goals established under the United Nations Convention on Climate Change and by other states. The Commission shall also recommend a process for developing a State climate action plan, including the desirability of establishing a task force to develop the plan and oversee its implementation. If the Commission recommends the establishment of a task force, the Commission may also make recommendations regarding the composition and work plan of the task force. In developing its recommendations, the Commission shall consider and integrate the findings and recommendations of the study of issues related to the development and implementation of standards and plans to control emissions of carbon dioxide required by Section 13 of S.L. 2002‑4.
SECTION 6.  Additional Duties. – The Commission may work cooperatively with other state and national governments to organize a forum on global warming causes, impacts, challenges, and opportunities in the southeastern United States.
SECTION 7.  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 8.  Staff. – Upon the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional staff to the Commission to aid its work.
SECTION 9.  Consultants. – The Commission may hire consultants to assist with the study. 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 10.  Report. – The Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Environmental Review Commission on or before 1 April 2006, at which time the Commission shall terminate.
SECTION 11.  Funding. – From funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate funds for the purpose of conducting the study provided for in this act.
SECTION 12.  Effective date. – This act is effective when it becomes law.