A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE STATE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION.
Whereas, the 2005 Session of the General Assembly of North Carolina established the State Water Infrastructure Commission to identify the State's water infrastructure needs, develop a plan to meet those needs, and monitor implementation of the plan; and
Whereas, the Commission members have met monthly to hear reports and testimony from experts within the State and to discuss potential solutions to address these needs; and
Whereas, in its work thus far, the Commission has examined how water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure is funded and developed in North Carolina and in several other states faced with similar challenges of population growth and aging infrastructure; and
Whereas, the Commission set forth a series of seven recommendations to the Governor and to the members of the General Assembly to begin responding to the assigned duties of the Commission on November 1, 2006; and
Whereas, the work of the Commission has been essential to the State as the Commission provides the forum where these matters can be discussed and recommendations for the State be devised; and
Whereas, drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure are essential to the continued economic and environmental health of North Carolina; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.	There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of the Governor for the State Water Infrastructure Commission the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year and the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year to support work of the Commission.
SECTION 2.	The State Water Infrastructure Commission will report on its progress on or before November 1, 2007, as provided in G.S. 159G‑26 and G.S. 159G‑67.
SECTION 3.	This act is effective when it becomes law.