A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to create the Joint LEGISLATIVE Commission on Expanding Rail Service.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  Commission Established. – There is established in the General Assembly a Joint Legislative Commission on Expanding Rail Service.
SECTION 1.(b)  Membership. – The Commission shall be composed of 16 members as follows:
(1)	Eight members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Eight members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
SECTION 1.(c)  Duties of Commission. – The Commission shall study the following matters related to expanding rail service in North Carolina:
(1)	The cost and benefits of expanding and upgrading rail service in the State, including the effect the expanded service would have on economic development.
(2)	The feasibility, cost, and benefits of establishing commuter rail service in the State to transport workers to cities from outlying areas, including the effect the commuter service would have on increasing the economic opportunities of those who live in the outlying areas.
(3)	The cost and benefits of expanding passenger rail service to the western and eastern areas of the State, including the effect the expanded service would have on tourism.
(4)	Ways to preserve unused or abandoned rail corridors for future rail needs.
(5)	Spurring economic development and tourism through further development of short-line railroads.
SECTION 1.(d)  Vacancies. – Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled by the appointing authority.
SECTION 1.(e)  Cochairs. – Cochairs of the Commission shall be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate from among their respective appointees.  The Commission shall meet upon the call of the chairs.  A quorum of the Commission shall be nine 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 138‑1, as appropriate.
SECTION 1.(g)  Staff. – Adequate staff shall be provided to the Commission by the Legislative Services Office.
SECTION 1.(h)  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 1.(i)  Cooperation. – The Commission may call upon any department, agency, institution, or officer of the State or any political subdivision thereof for facilities, data, or other assistance.
SECTION 1.(j)  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.(k)  Meeting Location. – The Commission shall meet at various locations around the State in order to promote greater public participation in its deliberations.  The Legislative Services Commission shall grant adequate meeting space to the Commission in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
SECTION 1.(l)  Report. – The Commission shall make an interim report of its findings and recommendations to the 2006 Regular Session of the 2005 General Assembly and shall make a final report of its findings and recommendations to the 2007 General Assembly.  Upon the filing of its final report, the Commission shall terminate.
SECTION 1.(m)  Appropriation. – Of the funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate sufficient funds for the expenses of the Commission.
SECTION 2.   This act is effective when it becomes law.