A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT To Authorize the joint legislative utility review committee to study the emergency preparedness plans of the public utilities and other electricity suppliers in the state.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Joint Legislative Utility Review Committee may study the emergency preparedness plans maintained by the public utilities and other suppliers of electricity in the State in order to determine the adequacy of those plans to meet the needs of the people of the State, the various emergency and other services that may need to operate in the event of an emergency in the State, and the numerous contingencies that may unexpectedly arise in an emergency.  In making this study, the Committee shall consider:
(1)	The adequacy of those plans to meet emergency needs of the residents and businesses of the State.
(2)	The ability of those plans to meet the needs of the various services that must operate in an emergency including police, fire and emergency medical services, rescue services, hospitals, government services, and any other services that may become necessary.
(3)	The extent to which those plans coordinate the activities of the public utilities and other suppliers of electricity to provide as seamless a delivery of their services as is possible under varying circumstances.
(4)	The integration of the Department of Administration and the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety in those emergency preparedness plans.
(5)	Such other matters as the Committee deems relevant to this study.
The Department of Administration and the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety shall cooperate with the Committee in its conduct of this study and shall furnish assistance as may from time to time be requested by the Committee.
SECTION 2.  The Committee may report its findings and recommendations to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly by May 30, 2008, and may make such additional reports as the Committee deems necessary.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.