A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to create the agricultural disaster relief study commission to study the desirability and the feasibility of providing disaster relief to farmers.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Commission Created. – The Agricultural Disaster Relief Study Commission is created.
SECTION 2.(a)  Membership. – The Commission shall consist of 12 members.  The Commissioner of Agriculture, or the Commissioner's designee; the Director of the Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, or the Director's designee, and, notwithstanding G.S. 128‑1, a representative of the United States Department of Agriculture shall serve as ex officio members. The remaining members shall be appointed no later than October 1, 2007, as follows:
(1)	Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Three members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(3)	One farmer who has substantial experience as a Christmas tree grower in North Carolina, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(4)	One agricultural grower who has substantial experience as a nursery grower in North Carolina, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(5)	One farmer who has substantial experience as an apple grower in North Carolina, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
SECTION 2.(b) Vacancies. – A vacancy in the Commission or as chair of the Commission resulting from the resignation of a member or otherwise shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
SECTION 3.  Duties of Commission. – The Agricultural Disaster Relief Study Commission shall study the desirability and feasibility of providing disaster relief to North Carolina farmers.  In particular, the Commission shall consider:
(1)	The general subject of agricultural disaster relief. 
(2)	Previous disaster relief programs that have been specifically designed to assist farmers or that benefited a larger group that included farmers.
(3)	Whether any other states provide or have provided disaster relief to its farmers.
(4)	Any other issues the Commission considers to be pertinent to its study.
SECTION 4.  Report. – The Commission may make an interim report to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.  Prior to the convening of the 2009 General Assembly, the Commission shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations, including legislative and funding recommendations, to the 2009 General Assembly. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report.
SECTION 5.  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 6.  Chair; Meetings. – The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each designate one member to serve as cochair of the Commission. The cochairs shall call the initial meeting of the Commission on or before October 15, 2007.  The Commission shall subsequently meet upon such notice and in such manner as its members determine.  A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission.
SECTION 7.  Staff. – Upon the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer may assign professional and clerical staff and other services and supplies, as needed for the Commission to carry out its duties in an effective manner.
SECTION 8.  Cooperation by Government Agencies. – The Commission may call upon any department, agency, institution, or officer of the State or any political subdivision thereof for data or other assistance.
SECTION 9.  Of the funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate funds for the expenses of the Commission established by this act.
SECTION 10.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.