A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to create the legislative study commission on illegal drug use and to appropriate funds for the study.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is established the Legislative Study Commission on Illegal Drug Use. The purpose of the Commission is to review the current laws, regarding the possession, use, and sale of controlled substances, and to consider issues regarding the enforcement and effectiveness of those laws, including any jurisdictional problems; the programs and procedures currently provided for the rehabilitation of persons with substance abuse problems; and any other issues relevant to the study.  In its study, the Commission shall consider whether illegal drug use in the State is increasing and whether the State's laws currently provide an effective and holistic approach with regard to the enforcement of the State's drug laws and the need for rehabilitation programs and mental health programs to address the problems resulting from substance abuse.
SECTION 1.(b)  The Commission shall consist of 12 members as follows:
(1)	Six members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Six members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
SECTION 1.(c)  The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one Representative as cochair, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one Senator as cochair. Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled by the same appointing authority that made the initial appointment.
SECTION 1.(d)  The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of Articles 5 and 5A of Chapter 120 of the General Statutes. The Commission may meet at any time upon the call of the cochairs. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
SECTION 1.(e)  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 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 2.  The Commission may make an interim report to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly and shall make its final report, including any legislative proposals, by the convening of the 2009 General Assembly. The Commission shall expire on that date, or upon filing its final report, whichever occurs earlier.
SECTION 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year and the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year for the study authorized by this act.
SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.