A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to suspend involuntary annexations and to establish a blue ribbon commission to study involuntary annexations.
Whereas, involuntary annexations under Parts 2 and 3 of Article 4A of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes have increased in recent years; and 
Whereas, many citizens object to being annexed into a municipality without their consent; and 
Whereas, the process of involuntary annexations has led to several contentious lawsuits in this State; and 
Whereas, the fairness of involuntary annexations is a legitimate concern that should be addressed by the General Assembly; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  No municipality shall take steps to annex any property under Part 2 or 3 of Article 4A of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes, no annexation under either of those parts that has commenced (evidenced by the passing of a resolution under G.S. 160A‑37(a) or G.S. 160A‑49(a)) but has not become effective shall take effect, and the General Assembly shall not adopt any local act annexing any property that would have been involuntarily annexed by a municipality until the commission established in Section 2 of this act has submitted a final report of its findings and recommendations to the 2009 General Assembly, and the General Assembly has acted upon those findings and recommendations.
SECTION 2.(a)  Commission Established. – There is established in the General Assembly a Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Involuntary Annexations in North Carolina.
SECTION 2.(b)  Membership. – The Commission shall be composed of 10 members as follows:
(1)	Five members of the House of Representatives, representing all political parties, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Five members of the Senate, representing all political parties, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
SECTION 2.(c)  Duties of Commission. – The Commission shall study the following matters related to involuntary annexations in the State:
(1)	The procedures authorized for involuntary annexations under Parts 2 and 3 of Article 4A of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes.
(2)	The adequacy of those procedures to protect the rights of property owners.
(3)	The opportunity for property owners to object to involuntary annexation and the adequacy of remedies available to them.
SECTION 2.(d)  Vacancies. – Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled by the appointing authority.
SECTION 2.(e)  Cochairs. – Cochairs of the Commission shall be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate from among their respective appointees.  The Commission shall meet upon the call of the chairs.  A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION 2.(f)  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 2.(g)  Staff. – Adequate staff shall be provided to the Commission by the Legislative Services Office.
SECTION 2.(h)  Consultants. – The Commission may hire consultants to assist with the study.  Before expending any funds for a consultant, the Commission shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on the consultant selected, the work products to be provided by the consultant, and the cost of the contract, including an itemization of the cost components.
SECTION 2.(i)  Cooperation. – The Commission may call upon any department, agency, institution, or officer of the State or any political subdivision thereof for facilities, data, or other assistance.
SECTION 2.(j)  Meetings During Legislative Session. – The Commission may meet during a regular or extra session of the General Assembly, subject to approval of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
SECTION 2.(k)  Meeting Location. – The Commission shall meet at various locations around the State in order to promote greater public participation in its deliberations.  The Legislative Services Commission shall grant adequate meeting space to the Commission in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
SECTION 2.(l)  Report. – The Commission shall make an interim report of its findings and recommendations to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly and shall make a final report of its findings and recommendations to the 2009 General Assembly.  Upon the filing of its final report, the Commission shall terminate.
SECTION 2.(m)  Funding. – The Commission may apply for, receive, and accept grants of non‑State funds or other contributions as appropriate to assist in the performance of its duties.
SECTION 2.(n)  Appropriation. – Of the funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate sufficient funds for the expenses of the Commission.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.