A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to create a study commission to review north carolina's annexation laws and PRACTICE.
Whereas, the annexation laws were rewritten in 1959 to allow involuntary annexation of areas without approval of those being annexed; and
Whereas, a legislative study commission in 1982 recommended, and the 1983 General Assembly enacted, revisions to redress the imbalance in the annexation laws; and
Whereas, another legislative study commission on annexation laws authorized in 1997 resulted in further revision in the 1998 Session; and
Whereas, it is desirous to again examine the balance of annexation laws between the needs for services in urban areas, the growing provision of these services by counties, lessening the need for annexation, and the proper concern of persons proposed to be annexed that they have no meaningful say in their annexation, which often leads to not only higher property taxes but often large and burdensome fees for extension of and connection to municipal water and sewer utilities, and can lead to regulatory requirements that substantially change the character of existing neighborhoods; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is created the Study Commission on Annexation Laws. The Commission shall consist of 12 members as follows:
(1)	One county commissioner or county manager, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(2)	One county commissioner or county manager, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(3)	One elected municipal official or city manager, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(4)	One elected municipal official or city manager, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(5)	One person who has been active in supporting changes in the annexation laws to protect the rights of persons proposed for annexation, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(6)	One person who has been active in supporting changes in the annexation laws to protect the rights of persons proposed for annexation, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(7)	Three senators, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(8)	Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
SECTION 1.(b)  The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a cochair, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint a cochair for the Commission. The Commission may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs. Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled by the same appointing authority as made the initial appointment.
SECTION 2.  The Commission shall study the following issues relating to the annexation laws:
(1)	The balance of the rights of persons proposed for annexation with the responsibility to provide urban services.
(2)	The lessened need for annexation because of the ability, willingness, and growing trend of counties to provide services in urban and urbanizing areas.
(3)	The financial burdens placed on persons annexed caused not only by property taxes, but also heavy assessments for water and sewer line extensions or connections, which are often burdensome.
(4)	The value of maintaining the character of existing large lot neighborhoods and communities that were initially developed well outside the limits of a now rapidly expanding municipality.
SECTION 3.  The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
Subject to the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Commission in its work. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Supervisors of Clerks shall assign clerical support staff to the Commission, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Commission. Members of the Commission shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate.
SECTION 4.  The Commission shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any legislative recommendations, to the 2009 General Assembly upon its convening.  The Commission may also make an interim report to the General Assembly in 2008. The Commission shall terminate upon the convening of the 2009 General Assembly.
SECTION 5.  Of the funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate adequate funds for the expenses of the Commission established by this act, including staff, consultants, and production of reports.
SECTION 6.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.