A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide the department of transportation contracting authority to provide for transportation infrastructure  and litter removal from state rights‑of‑way.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 136‑18(39) reads as rewritten:
"§ 136‑18.  Powers of Department of Transportation.
The said Department of Transportation is vested with the following powers:
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(39)	To enter into partnership agreements with the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, private entities, and authorized political subdivisions to finance, by tolls, contracts, and other financing methods authorized by law, the cost of acquiring, constructing, equipping, maintaining, and operating transportation infrastructure in this State. An agreement entered into under this subdivision requires the concurrence of the Board of Transportation."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 136‑28.1 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"§ 136‑28.1.  Letting of contracts to bidders after advertisement; exceptions.
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(l)	The Department of Transportation may implement up to two contracts for public private participation in providing litter removal from State right-of-way. Selection of firms to perform this work shall be made using a best value procurement process and shall be without regard to other provisions of law regarding the "Adopt a Highway" program administered by the Department. Acknowledgement of sponsors in the program may be indicated by appropriate signs that shall be owned by the Department of Transportation. The size, style, specifications, and content of the signs shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation may issue guidelines, rules, and policies necessary to administer the program."
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.