A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish the Inland Port interstate compact, as RECOMMENDED by the joint legislative transportation oversight COMMITTEE.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 136 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"Article 6I.
"Inland Port Interstate Compact.
"§ 136‑89.200.  Legislative findings.
The General Assembly finds that establishment of an Inland Port is of vital importance to the economic development and vitality of the entire State and region and that regional cooperation is essential to ensure its successful operation.
"§ 136‑89.201.  Inland Port Interstate Compact; form of compact.
The Interstate Inland Port Compact is enacted into law and entered into with all other jurisdictions legally joining in the form substantially as follows:
Article I.
Short Title.
This shall be known and may be cited as the Inland Port Interstate Compact.
Article II.
Compact Established.
There is hereby established the  Inland Port Interstate Compact (the Compact).
Article III.
Agreement.
The States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the Commonwealth of Virginia agree, upon adoption of this compact, to coordinate efforts to establish an Inland Port.
Article IV.
Compact Commission Established; Membership; Chairman; Meetings; and Report.
The States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the Commonwealth of Virginia shall each establish an Inland Port Interstate Compact Commission. The Compact Commission of each state shall be empowered to carry out the purposes of the Compact.
The Compact Commission shall have a total membership of 20 members, consisting of five members representing the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. 
The chairman of the Commission shall be elected by the members of the Commission from among its membership. The chairman shall serve for a term of one year. The chairmanship shall rotate among the member states of the Commission. The Commission shall meet not less than twice annually. The Commission shall issue an annual report of its activities.
Article V.
Funding and Compensation.
The Commission may utilize for its operation and expenses funds appropriated to it for such purposes by the North Carolina General Assembly, funds appropriated by the other member states, or funds received from federal sources.
The North Carolina members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with applicable statutes of the State of North Carolina, as appropriate. Members of the Commission from other states shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with applicable statutes of the state. 
"§ 136‑89.202. Commission established; appointment and terms of members; chairman; reports; Commission funds; staff.
(a)	The Inland Port Interstate Compact Commission is hereby established as a regional instrumentality and a common agency of the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the Commonwealth of Virginia and may carry out the purposes of the Compact.
(b)	The North Carolina members of the Commission shall be composed of five members as follows: two members appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, two members appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one appointed by the Governor. The initial appointments upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall be for two‑year terms to begin January 1, 2009. The initial appointments upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be for two‑year terms to begin January 1, 2009. The initial appointment by the Governor shall be for a four‑year term to begin Janauary 1, 2009. The member appointed by the Governor may be removed in the same manner as provided by G.S. 143B‑13. Members appointed by the General Assembly may be removed by the General Assembly, or their offices vacated in accordance with G.S. 143B‑13(b).
(c)	North Carolina members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with Chapter 138 of the General Statutes."
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective upon its enactment by the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.