A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide for STUDIES by the legislative research commission, statutory oversight committees and commissions, and other agencies, committees, and commissions.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
PART I. TITLE

SECTION 1.  This act shall be known as "The Studies Act of 2007."

PART II. LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION

SECTION 2.1.  The Legislative Research Commission may study the topics listed below. When applicable, the bill or resolution that originally proposed the issue or study and the name of the sponsor are listed. Unless otherwise specified, the listed bill or resolution refers to the measure introduced in the 2007 General Assembly. The Commission may consider the original bill or resolution in determining the nature, scope, and aspects of the study. The following groupings are for reference only:
(1)	Criminal Law Issues:
a.	Grand Juries (S.B. 1130 – Clodfelter)
b.	Littering (S.B. 1202 – Jacumin)
c.	Expunctions (H.B. 88 – Moore)
d.	Sex offender registration (H.B. 224 – Goforth, Ray)
e.	Prerelease HIV Testing of All DOC Inmates (H. B. 1898 – Farmer‑Butterfield, Wright, Womble)
f.	Illegal drug use (H.B. 2005 – Stam, Allred)
(2)	State/Local Government Employee Issues:
a.	Expenses and Financing of Parking Decks for State Employees (Rand)
(3)	Health and Human Services Issues:
a.	Store‑Based Retail Health Clinics (Forrester)
b.	Regulate Smoking by County Ordinance (S.B. 641 – Clodfelter)
c.	Inherently Dangerous Animals (S.B. 1477 – Jones)	
d.	Licensure of Certified Professional Midwives (T. Harrell)
(4)	Other:
a.	Equity Building Workforce Housing (S.B. 1420 – Queen)
b.	Tax Collection Enforcement/Illegal Immigrants (S.B. 988 – Berger of Franklin)
c.	Fair Housing/Prohibit Discrimination Based on Receipt of Housing Assistance (S.B. 334 – Kinnaird)
d.	Adopt International Building Code/Streamline Adoption of Code (S.B. 695, S.B. 949 – Clodfelter)
e.	Supreme Court Rule Making (S.B. 700 – Clodfelter)
f.	Continue Child Support to Age 21/College (S.B. 310 – Kerr)
g.	Homeowners Associations (H.B. 1695 – Ray, Weiss)
h.	Peremptory Challenges for Alternate Jurors in Civil Cases (H.B. 1520 – Faison)	
SECTION 2.2.  Reserved.
SECTION 2.3.  Environmental Causes And Triggers Of Cancer  (S.B. 66 – Forrester) – The Commission may study the environmental causes and triggers of cancer and the presence of environmental issues in this State that are among the known environmental causes and triggers of cancer.
SECTION 2.4.  Regulation Of Deer Hunting With Dogs  (S.B. 330 – Shaw) – The Commission may study the regulation of deer hunting with dogs and determine whether it is more appropriate to authorize the Wildlife Resources Commission to use its discretion to regulate hunting with dogs or whether the General Assembly should regulate it by statute. The membership of the committee assigned to study this issue should contain a balance of citizens representing the interests of both landowners and deer hunters who use dogs. 
SECTION 2.5.  Allow A Person To Require Life‑Prolonging Measures  (S.B. 1046 – Hartsell) – The Commission may study the issue of whether North Carolina law should be amended to allow a person to require life‑prolonging measures.  If it undertakes the study, the Commission shall involve all stakeholders in the study.  If  S.B. 1046 of the 2007 General Assembly becomes law, then this section is repealed.
SECTION 2.6.  Improvements In Consumer Credit Reporting Practices (S.B. 1137 – Clodfelter) – The Commission may study improvements in consumer credit reporting practices, including means to provide that credit histories reported by businesses and other credit reporting entities that have fewer than 500 customers or accounts can be included as part of a consumer's credit report or credit history. In its study, the Commission may consider all of the following:
(1)	The reasons businesses and other credit reporting entities that have fewer than 500 customers or accounts are not currently included as part of consumers' credit reports or credit history.
(2)	The consequences of businesses and other credit reporting entities that have fewer than 500 customers or accounts not being included as part of consumers' credit reports or credit histories.
(3)	The number of consumers that would benefit from the reporting of additional payment information and whether they fall into any demographic groups.
(4)	The desirability and feasibility of including every business as part of its customers' credit reports.
(5)	The estimated cost of including every business as part of its customers' credit reports and how to pay for the cost, if any.
(6)	Any other issues the Commission considers relevant to this topic.
SECTION 2.7.  Availability And Use Of Prosecutorial Resources To District Attorneys/Dividing Districts (Kinnaird, Snow) – The Commission may contract for an independent study that assesses the availability of prosecutorial resources to the State's district attorneys and that assesses the use and management of those prosecutorial resources by the district attorneys, their staffs, and the Conference of District Attorneys.  The study may address the dividing of superior court, district court, and prosecutorial districts, including the circumstances under which dividing a district is appropriate and the associated costs. If the Commission contracts for the study, it shall address all of the following:
(1)	Current prosecutorial resources. – Resources to be considered include those available to district attorneys and their legal, administrative, support, and investigative staff, and the Conference of District Attorneys. The study shall also consider supplemental assistance and resources provided to district attorneys and their staffs through the State or other funding sources.
(2)	Services provided by the State's district attorneys and Conference of District Attorneys and the recipients of those services.
(3)	Funding of prosecutorial services, adequacy of supplies, equipment, and working space, and allocation of prosecutorial resources. – Issues to be considered shall include the following:
a.	Funding, supplies, equipment, and space required to support prosecutorial services at an appropriate level.
b.	Distribution of prosecutorial resources and how that distribution is determined.
c.	Equitable allocation of prosecutorial resources among the geographical areas of the State and between urban and rural areas.
d.	The proportion of prosecution personnel and budget that is devoted to criminal prosecution, as opposed to other functions or mandates.
e.	Whether monies from the General Fund should be used to support positions for the Conference of District Attorneys, or positions for any other conferences that provide prosecutorial resources.
(4)	The current role of the Conference of District Attorneys and district attorneys in assessing the needs of the public with regard to prosecutorial services and providing assistance in meeting those needs. The study shall also assess the current role, responsibilities, and interaction of the Conference of District Attorneys with regard to the General Assembly and the executive branch and whether those roles and responsibilities should be modified.
(5)	Automation. – The study shall document which prosecutorial services are currently automated and the ability of those systems to interact with each other. The study shall also address areas in which automation could improve or increase the efficiency of prosecutorial services.
(6)	Cost management practices of district attorneys and their staffs. – Practices to be reviewed and considered shall include how well district attorneys' offices manage costs associated with a prosecution such as forensics costs, expert witnesses, and witness travel expenses.
(7)	Caseload management. – In the assessment of caseload management, the study shall focus particularly on whether current management techniques used by district attorneys recognize the critical need to prosecute serious crimes in a timely manner and to keep jail populations at a low level; the techniques, if any, that have been adopted to achieve those objectives; and the effectiveness of those management techniques. Other issues that shall also be considered include the following:
a.	Mechanisms used by the district attorney to manage the incoming caseloads generally.
b.	The screening process, if any, for assessing cases prior to assignment.
c.	Initiatives implemented by the district attorney, if any, to expedite the resolution of certain categories of cases.
d.	The type of statistics, if any, the district attorney's office keeps and for what purposes.
e.	Performance indicators, if any, used by district attorneys. If performance indicators are not being used, then the study shall assess whether implementation of performance indicators would be helpful in achieving management goals and the types of indicators that may assist with caseload management. If there are performance indicators, then the study shall identify the indicators, how they are developed, the effectiveness of the indicators, and whether additional performance indicators or modification of existing performance indicators would be helpful in achieving management objectives.
(8)	How the current management and use of prosecutorial resources affect the following:
a.	Access to justice.
b.	Day‑to‑day functioning of the prosecution service.
c.	Case management, including the development of case screening mechanisms and protocols for diversion.
d.	Timely resolution of caseloads.
e.	Reduction of any backlogs that exist and the impact that current management and use of prosecutorial resources has on the jail population.
f.	The capacity to handle specialized or complex crimes.
g.	The effectiveness of district attorneys and their staffs in responding to domestic violence and other crimes of violence.
h.	Services and support provided to victims.
i.	Accountability to the public.
(9)	Any other issue deemed relevant by the Commission.
The findings and recommendations of the study shall be reported to the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees, Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety, and the Fiscal Research Division by March 15, 2008.
SECTION 2.8.  For‑Hire Boat Industry (S.B. 1488 – Shaw) – The Commission may study the economic impact of the for‑hire boat industry.  If it undertakes this study, the Commission shall:
(1)	Review laws regulating the industry.
(2)	Examine the impact that the industry has on travel and tourism within the State.
(3)	Examine the economic condition of the industry.
(4)	Consider the education and training needs of individuals who operate for‑hire boats.
(5)	Consider whether the number of State permits issued to operators of for‑hire boats should be capped.
SECTION 2.9.  Development of Unused Patents (S.B. 338 – Jacumin) – The  Commission may study methods of facilitating individuals or corporations in utilizing fully or partially donated patents for business development, including tax credits, exemptions, refunds, or other incentives.  The study may also analyze the cost and feasibility of developing a program in which the State evaluates and acquires promising unutilized patents in order to offer them to individuals or corporations for development.
SECTION 2.10.  Golden LEAF Foundation (Jenkins) – The Commission may study the work of the Golden LEAF Foundation, to determine if the Foundation is fulfilling its mission to assist economically distressed communities that have traditionally depended on a tobacco‑based economy.
SECTION 2.11.  Protection Of Consumers In Real Estate Transactions – The Commission may study the laws and processes related to the closing of residential real estate transactions in North Carolina and their effect on the protection of consumers in this State.  If it undertakes the study, the Commission shall:
(1)	Determine what the effect is on consumers when an attorney is not involved in a residential real estate transaction. 
(2)	Analyze research and information from North Carolina and other states regarding the effect on consumers of affiliated business relationships between non‑attorney settlement agents who are not licensed or regulated by the State, and regarding the effect on consumers of non‑attorney settlement agents who are not required to satisfy any standards of financial responsibility.
(3)	Identify and assess alternative residential real estate closing laws and processes from other states.
(4)	Identify and consult with academics who have studied residential real estate closing laws and processes nationally to determine their recommendation concerning best practices for residential real estate closings in this State. 
SECTION 2.12. Elevator Safety – The Commission may study the feasibility and desirability of requiring a license for elevator contractors and mechanics and the inspection and regulation of private residential elevators. 
SECTION 2.13.  Zoological Park Funding And Organization (S.B. 1224 – Brunstetter) – The Commission may study issues associated with the Zoological Park, including its organizational structure and funding.
SECTION 2.14.  State Civil Rights Enforcement (S.B. 657 – Dannelly, McKissick) – The Commission may study the enforcement of civil rights in this State and the feasibility of creating a single State agency, division, or commission for civil rights investigations and enforcement. The Commission may consider any other matter that the Commission finds relevant to this study. The Commission may conduct public hearings around the State to solicit firsthand testimony regarding civil rights enforcement issues in North Carolina.
SECTION 2.15.  Post‑Tax Supplemental Insurance Products (Rand) – The Commission may study the effective administration of post‑tax supplemental insurance products for State employees.  If it undertakes the study, the Commission shall:
(1)	Review the efficiency of current operations of individual agency insurance committees as provided in G.S. 58‑31‑60.
(2)	Examine alternative methods of providing post‑tax supplemental products including central coordination. 
(3)	Review any other matter pertaining to supplemental insurance products including the types and number of plan options available to State employees.	
(4)	Recommend comprehensive legislative proposals to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of providing post‑tax supplemental insurance products.
SECTION 2.16.  Whitewater Sports Risk/Liability (Snow) – The Commission may study whitewater sports risk, safety, and liability of participants and operators.  The purpose of the study is to review the appropriate allocation of responsibility and assumption of risk between whitewater sports participants and whitewater sports outfitters.
SECTION 2.17.  Gang Violence/Prevention (S.B. 1358 – Graham; Cotham) – The Commission may study street gang activity in North Carolina, including the extent of its presence in this State, measures necessary to prevent street gang violence, and successful models for prevention and mitigation from across the country.  The study should also include the effectiveness of increased criminal penalties for gang prevention and mitigation, as well as the presence and impact of gangs on the State's corrections system.  The Commission may consult with experts from other states and study communities with effective gang prevention and mitigation programs.  
 SECTION 2.18.  Wage Disparity Study (McKissick) – The Commission  may study:
(1)	The extent of wage disparities in State government employment between men and women as well as races.
(2)	Whether dissimilar State government job categories requiring similar education, training, skills, and responsibilities are being compensated with equal pay.
(3)	The consequences of the disparities on the efficiency of State government, the State's economy, and the families affected.
(4)	Actions that are likely to lead to the elimination and prevention of compensation disparities in State government employment.
SECTION 2.19.  Personal Watercraft Liability Insurance (H.B. 134 – Moore, Wray) – The Commission may study the issue of whether owners of personal watercraft as that term is defined in G.S. 75A‑13.3 should be required to obtain liability insurance insuring them against loss from liability imposed by law for damages caused by accidents arising out of the operation of the personal watercraft. If the Commission undertakes the study, it shall consider the liability insurance requirements of those who rent personal watercraft, as set forth in G.S. 75A‑13.3, the number and types of boating accidents in the State every year, the number of persons who own personal watercraft in the State, and the relevant insurance and boating safety laws of other states.
SECTION 2.20.  Governmental Immunity (H.B. 354 – Glazier) – The Commission may study the subject of governmental immunity.  As part of this study, the Commission may review all governmental immunity doctrines available to State and local governments, including sovereign immunity, public official immunity, and public officer immunity and shall consider whether these doctrines are being appropriately and consistently applied and whether these doctrines should continue in effect, be modified, or be abrogated.
SECTION 2.21.  Child Care (H.B. 675 – Weiss, Goodwin, T. Harrell, Alexander) – The Commission may study the definition of child care as defined in G.S. 110‑86 and the potential need to regulate after‑school programs and other child care arrangements excluded under G.S. 110‑86. In conducting the study, the Commission shall consider whether the definition of child care shall include after‑school programs and other child care arrangements excluded under G.S. 110‑86.
SECTION 2.22.  Disparity In Awarding State Contracts To Minority Businesses (H.B. 1337 – Jones) – The Commission may study the extent to which minority businesses are granted construction contracts, professional and nonprofessional service contracts, and purchase contracts (apparatus, supplies, materials, or equipment) with the State and ways in which the number of construction, professional and nonprofessional service, and purchase contracts granted to minority businesses can be increased.  The Commission may propose legislation, if appropriate, to narrow the gap between construction, professional and nonprofessional service, and purchase contracts awarded to majority businesses and construction, professional and nonprofessional service, and purchase contracts awarded to minority businesses.
SECTION 2.23.  Requiring Food Establishments To Post Information About Certain Food Allergies (H.B. 1377 – Alexander) – The Commission may study requiring the posting of a consumer advisory in establishments that prepare or serve food containing common food allergens or food additives. In conducting the study, the Commission may consider actions proposed or taken by other states and at the federal level to increase consumer safety and food allergy awareness. The Commission may also study other issues it considers relevant to the study. 
SECTION 2.24.  Child Care Subsidy Rates Formula (H.B. 1427 – Fisher) – The Commission may study the formula by which market rates are determined for county child care subsidies.
SECTION 2.25.  Environmental Review, Permitting, And Mitigation Process Used In The Construction Or Expansion Of State Highways (H.B. 1542 – Dollar, Cole) – The Commission may study all issues relating to the environmental review, permitting, and mitigation process used in the construction or expansion of State highways.  The Commission may review the costs of the current lengthy environmental review process developed under Article 1 of Chapter 113A of the General Statutes and other environmental laws and rules, including, but not limited to, time, air quality, safety, the cost of delayed construction, and cost to the motoring public.  The Commission shall address the internal environmental review process of the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and any other State department or agency involved in the environmental oversight or review of the construction or expansion of State highways.
SECTION 2.26.  Ways To Encourage Businesses To Establish Automatic 401(k) Programs (H.B. 1664 – Weiss) – The Commission may study ways to encourage businesses to establish automatic 401(k) programs.  The Commission may study requiring businesses that receive economic development incentives to offer automatic 401(k) programs or providing incentives to businesses that do establish these programs.  The Commission may also suggest other means for encouraging automatic 401(k) programs.  
SECTION 2.27.  Prevention, Control, And Reduction Of Litter (H.B. 1673 – Allen, Carney, Underhill) – The Commission may study the prevention, control, and reduction of litter in North Carolina. In its study, the Commission may consider all of the following:
(1)	The effectiveness and cost of current laws aimed at preventing, controlling, or reducing litter.
(2)	The effectiveness and cost of current nonprofit programs aimed at preventing, controlling, or reducing litter.
(3)	What types of waste constitute roadside litter, whether any type has the potential of being recycled, and whether any type has value as a recyclable material. 
(4)	What incentives could be created to prevent, control, or reduce litter. 
(5)	What measures, programs, or laws in other states have been successful in preventing, controlling, or reducing litter.
(6)	Whether states with bottle bills (legislation that requires consumers to pay a redeemable deposit on certain beverage containers) have greater success in preventing, controlling, or reducing litter than those states that do not have bottle bills, and, if so, whether the success is attributable to the legislation.
(7)	The cost of roadside litter cleanup to North Carolina citizens each year and whether this cost has risen within the last 10 years.
(8)	Any other issues the Commission considers relevant to this topic.
SECTION 2.28.  Study Littering And The Enforcement Issues Regarding That Offense (H.B. 1678 – Cole) – The Commission may study littering, the enforcement issues regarding that offense, and ways to make antilitter laws and efforts more effective.  In its study, the Commission may consider the current law regarding littering, including civil remedies and penalties as well as criminal penalties for littering offenses, the detrimental effect that littering has on the State's tourism industry, and the costs to the State for cleaning up litter.  The Commission may consider successful anti‑litter campaigns and strategies used by other states and any other issues that it deems relevant to the study.  
SECTION 2.29.  Reserved  
SECTION  2.30.  Personal Safety Risks And Other Safety Issues Confronted By Cab Drivers And Others Engaged In The Business Of Transporting Passengers In Motor Vehicles For Hire (H.B. 1801 – Alexander) – The Commission may study personal safety risks and other safety issues confronted by cab drivers and others engaged in the business of transporting passengers in motor vehicles for hire. In its study the Commission shall focus particularly on the dangers and risks to personal safety that are encountered by cab drivers, the current regulations and procedures, if any, that are currently in place to help protect cab drivers and others against those risks, and whether those regulations and procedures are effective and provide appropriate protection.  The Commission may also study any other issues that it considers relevant to the study.  
SECTION 2.31.  Need For Notaries Public To Seek Assistance In Understanding Unfamiliar Or Non‑English Forms Of Identification  (H.B. 1934 – McComas) – The Commission is authorized to study the need for notaries public to seek assistance, including using an interpreter, in understanding unfamiliar or non‑English forms of identification before denying the validity of the identification.
SECTION 2.32.  State Capital Needs  (H.B. 2045 – Luebke, Gibson, Wainwright, Weiss) – The Commission may study the manner in which the State provides for its capital needs.  In its study, the Commission may consider all of the following:
(1)	A system for establishing priorities among the State's capital needs.
(2)	Methods for providing adequate funding for the State's capital needs. This study may include the recommendation of specific revenue sources. Revenue sources may include General Fund tax revenue, tax revenue dedicated to the Capital and Infrastructure Fund, and nontax revenue.
(3)	Any other item the Commission deems relevant.
SECTION 2.33.  Reclassification of Misdemeanors.  (H.B. 2055 – Stam) – The Commission may study the reclassification of misdemeanors.  In its study the Commission may consider the recommendations made by the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission in the report it submitted to the 2006 Session of the North Carolina General Assembly.  One of the issues the Commission may address in its study is whether to separate the offense of battery from the offense of assault.  The Commission may also study any other issues that it considers relevant to the study.  
SECTION 2.34.   Impact of Undocumented Immigrants (Glazier, Neumann) – The Commission may study the effects of undocumented immigrants on the State. The Commission may consider the following issues:
(1)	Impacts on the State's health care, education, and social services systems.
(2)	Impacts on the criminal justice system and corrections.
(3)	Impacts on the State's economy, including the fiscal ramifications of compliance with federal laws requiring the provision of specific services to undocumented immigrants.
(4)	Impacts on the State's economy and workforce development, including the provision of and the need for low‑cost labor for agriculture, construction, tourism, and other industries.
(5)	Any other relevant issues.
SECTION 2.35.  Reserved  
SECTION 2.36.  Adult Adoptees' Access To Their Original Birth Certificates. (H.B. 2060 – Dickson) – The Commission may study issues relating to adult adoptees having access to their original birth certificates.  In its study, the Commission may consider all of the following:
(1)	The laws of states that allow an adult adoptee access to the adoptee's original birth certificate.
(2)	The impact of contact preference forms in the states that allow adult adoptees to access their original birth certificates.
(3)	The actual number of sealed adoption records in North Carolina and the anticipated number of original birth certificates that would be requested if North Carolina provided access to original birth certificates.
(4)	Legal challenges in other states relating to confidentiality issues with respect to adoption.
(5)	The history of the sealed adoption records in North Carolina.
(6)	Abortion and adoption rate comparisons in states with access to original birth certificates.
(7)	Whether an adult adoptee should be 21 years of age to access his or her original birth certificate.
(8)	Whether the term "just cause" needs to be defined with respect to persons needing to petition the court system.
(9)	Whether siblings should be allowed in the confidential intermediary process.
(10)	Whether other family members should be allowed to act with the confidential intermediary if the birthmother is deceased.
(11)	Access to the birth information by persons adopted prior to the legal sealing of adoption records.
(12)	Any other issues the Commission considers relevant to this topic.
SECTION 2.37. Licensing of General Contractors (Ray) – The Commission may study issues related to the licensing of general contractors pursuant to Chapter 87 of the General Statutes. As a part of its study, the Commission may:
(1)	Investigate the nature and number of complaints being lodged against residential contractors by home buyers.
(2)	Study the limitations of the State Licensing Board for General contractors to adequately address consumer complaints.
(3)	Investigate the problem of unlicensed contractors and what additional authority the State Licensing Board for General Contractors may need to adequately address this problem.
(4)	Determine whether additional construction trades, if any, should be subject to licensure.
(5)	Evaluate the role and responsibilities of local building inspectors in the home building process.
(6)	Review and evaluate the efforts in other states to license general contractors.
SECTION 2.38.  Superior Court Judge Elections (H.B. 1454 – Wainwright) – The Commission may study issues related to separate election of District Court Judges.  
SECTION 2.39.  Fire Ants (Lewis) – The Commission may study issues relating to the impact, control, and eradication of fire ants in North Carolina.  In its study, the Commission may consider the following:
(1)	The origin of fire ants, their entry into and spread through the State.
(2)	The economic impact of fire ants on agriculture, recreation, tourism and other activities.
(3)	The impact of fire ants on human and animal health and on the environment.
(4)	Methods to control or eradicate fire ants on both private and State property and costs of such measures.
(5)	State regulatory efforts to control the spread of fire ants. 
(6)	Ongoing research on fire ants at North Carolina State University, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and other institutions in the State.
(7)	Efforts in other states and by the federal government to control and eradicate fire ants.
(8)	The use of income tax credits as an incentive for fire ant control and eradication.
(9)	Any other issues that the Commission deems relevant to the topic.
SECTION 2.40.  Work and Family Life Balance (H.B. 1711 – Adams, Ross) – The Commission may study issues related to work and family life balance, including issues related to paid sick days.
SECTION 2.41.  Reserved.
SECTION 2.42.  Election Law Issues (Underhill, Goodwin) – The Commission may study election law issues, including instant runoff voting, the procedure to challenge the qualifications of persons appointed to elective office, minimum qualifications for boards of elections, and moving county boards of elections under the direct supervision of the State Board of Elections.
SECTION 2.43. Reserved  
SECTION 2.44.  Equalization of Insurance Co‑Payments (Gibson) – The Commission may study the issue of whether health insurers should be allowed to charge co‑payment amounts for the services of non‑medical health care providers that are higher than the co‑payment amounts charged for the services of a primary care medical physician for comparable treatments of conditions.
SECTION 2.46.  Local Social Services Offices (Glazier) – The Commission may study issues related to the efficiency and effectiveness of State funding for local social services offices.
SECTION 2.47.  North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission (Glazier) – The Commission may study issues related to the composition of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, procedural rules for consideration of cases before the Commission, and definition of standards of conduct considered by the Commission.
SECTION 2.48.  Hate Crimes (H.B. 1631 – Harrison, Insko, Fisher, Jones) – The Commission may study issues related to expanding the scope of the current ethnic intimidation law to include gender, age, sexual orientation, or disability, and increasing the criminal penalties for committing an act of ethnic intimidation.
SECTION 2.50.  Capital Punishment (Harrison) – The Commission may study issues related to capital punishment.
SECTION 2.51. Executing the Mentally Ill (S.B. 1075 – Kinnaird; Harrison) – The Commission may study issues related to executing the mentally ill.
SECTION 2.52.  Felony Murder Rule (Harrison) – The Commission may study issues related to the felony murder rule.
SECTION 2.53.  Local DSS Services (Glazier) – The Commission may study ways to assure that local departments of social services have the resources necessary to fulfill their role in emergency management situations such as operating public shelters during hurricanes.
SECTION 2.54.  Educational Assistance for Minimum Wage Workers (H.B. 1550 – Blackwood, Wilkins, Johnson, Pierce, Holliman) – The Commission may study educational assistance to minimum wage workers.
SECTION 2.55. Child Support Enforcement (Blust, Goodwin) – The Commission may study issues related to improving child support enforcement in the State.
SECTION 2.56.  For each Legislative Research Commission committee created during the 2007‑2009 biennium, the cochairs of the Legislative Research Commission shall appoint the committee membership.
SECTION 2.57.  For each of the topics the Legislative Research Commission decides to study under this Part or pursuant to G.S. 120‑30.17(1), the Commission may report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 2.58.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate additional monies to fund the work of the Legislative Research Commission.

PART III. JOINT LEGISLATIVE HEALTH CARE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE STUDIES

SECTION 3.1.  The Joint Legislative Health Care Oversight Committee may study the topics listed in this Part and report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 3.2. Feasibility And Desirability Of Requiring Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Homes Or Any Public Buildings  (Purcell) – The Committee may study the feasibility and desirability of requiring detectors in homes or any public buildings to detect carbon monoxide, the colorless, odorless gas that is produced when any fuel is incompletely burned, before the carbon monoxide builds up to a dangerous level, when it can cause illness or death. If it undertakes the study, the Committee may consider all of the following:
(1)	The current level of risk people face from carbon monoxide poisoning.
(2)	The most common sources of carbon monoxide poisoning within the home or a public building.
(3)	The risk that people face from long‑term exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide.
(4)	Whether the current technology of carbon monoxide detectors is capable of detecting risks presented by carbon monoxide from high to low levels of exposure.
(5)	Whether homes, apartments, or any public buildings should be required to install carbon monoxide detectors and, if so, what locations within the home, apartment, or any public building should these detectors be installed to give the greatest protection.
(6)	Any other issues the Committee considers relevant to this topic.
SECTION 3.3.  Signatures on DNR Forms (S.B. 685 – Kinnaird; Insko) – The Committee may study the effect of requiring a written and signed concurrence by the patient's guardian or representative on a physician's order form specifying withholding or discontinuing extraordinary means or artificial nutrition or hydration pursuant to G.S. 90‑322(b). If the Committee undertakes the study, it shall examine the anticipated effect that amending G.S. 90‑322(b) to add this requirement to the current process would have on the provision, withholding, or discontinuation of care involving extraordinary means or artificial nutrition or hydration to patients.  Issues that may be addressed by the Committee in its study include current practices relating to issuance of "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) orders in other states, the addition of patient guardian or representative signatures to a physician's order form, and anticipated increases or reductions in the provision, discontinuation, or withholding of each of the types of care affected by "DNR" orders.
If it undertakes the study, the Committee shall review relevant incident data and shall seek input from the North Carolina Medical Society, the North Carolina Hospital Association, and patient advocacy groups. 
SECTION 3.4.  Achieve Goals/Electronic Prescribing (Queen) – The Committee may conduct a study to determine the ability of the public and private health care system in North Carolina to achieve by 2010 the goals established by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Committee on Medication Errors with respect to electronic prescribing. If it conducts the study, the Department shall identify:
(1)	The State's ability to fulfill the IOM goals.
(2)	The barriers to implementation of the IOM goals.
(3)	What actions need to be taken to facilitate implementation of the IOM goals. This includes a determination of legislation, rules, and payment policies necessary to facilitate implementation of the IOM goals.
SECTION 3.5.  Medicaid Managed Care Organizations – The Committee may study the desirability and feasibility of establishing a program to offer Medicaid services through managed care organizations, including the costs associated with such a program and its potential to provide greater efficiency in the Medicaid program and enhanced access to services.
SECTION 3.6.  Dental Health Care (Current) – The Committee may study dental health care and education needs of the State. 
SECTION 3.7.  Medical Errors (S.B. 64 – Forrester;H.B. 136 – Coleman, Faison) – The Committee may study the incidence and causes of medical errors occurring in hospitals, pharmacies, and other health care settings in this State.  In conducting the study, the Committee may consider actions proposed or taken by other states and at the federal level to reduce medical errors, including mandatory and voluntary medical error reporting requirements. 
SECTION 3.8.  Health Care System (H.B. 1897 – Insko) – The Committee may conduct a comprehensive review of the current health care system in North Carolina and make recommendations to the General Assembly on moving from a fragmented system to an integrated system of public and private health care services such that all North Carolinians have access to appropriate health care on a regular basis.

PART IV. JOINT LEGISLATIVE TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE STUDIES

SECTION 4.1.  The Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee may study the topics listed in this Part and report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 4.2.  Red Light Camera Revenue (Rand) – The Committee may study the issue of distribution of revenue from red light cameras.
SECTION 4.3.  Fatal Crashes Involving Unlicensed Drivers (Rand) – The Committee may study the issue of fatal crashes caused by unlicensed drivers.
SECTION 4.4.  Window Tinting Certification (S.B. 1217 – Goodall) – The  Committee may study the need for a certification process for after‑factory window tint applied to motor vehicle windows, to ensure that the tint meets all legal requirements and restrictions.  If the Committee undertakes the study, the Committee shall study all issues related to a window tint certification process, including who would be responsible for certifying that the tint meets legal requirements, how the certification would be evidenced on the vehicle, the need for additional offenses and penalties, and possible issues associated with enforcement and application of any new requirements to owners of motor vehicles that have after‑factory tinted windows that meet current legal requirements.
SECTION 4.5.  Improve, Expedite, And Simplify The Department Of Transportation's Permitting Processes (H.B. 1632 – Carney, Ray, Saunders, Allen) – The Committee may study ways to improve, expedite, and simplify the permitting processes for:
(1)	Street and driveway access permits.
(2)	Right‑of‑way encroachment agreements.
(3)	Traffic signal agreements to reimburse the Department of Transportation for the Department's inspections services or for the installation of a traffic signal if the Department opts to install the traffic signal.
(4)	Any other permit required for transportation‑related purposes.
SECTION 4.6.  Local Government Financing of Transportation Projects (Hoyle) – The Commission may study issues related to local government financing of transportation projects, including use of Powell Bill funds, local authority to construct transportation projects, and local government financing options for transportation projects.
SECTION 4.7.  Transportation Of Individuals Seated In Wheelchairs (S.B. 57 – Bingham; H.B. 93 – Weiss, Earle, England) – The Committee may study issues related to the vehicular transportation of individuals seated in wheelchairs.  If the Committee undertakes the study, it shall include reviewing appropriate methods of transporting passengers who remain seated in wheelchairs while in motor vehicles and developing guidelines for the installation and use of wheelchair tie‑down systems.  
SECTION 4.8.  Simultaneous Development Of State Highways And The NC International Port (S.B. 1301 – Soles) – The Committee may study the feasibility and cost of constructing a primary State highway simultaneously with the development of the North Carolina International Port.  If undertaken, this study shall determine the most cost‑effective way to relieve the traffic congestion of NC Routes 211, 133, and 87, and the feasibility of constructing a new primary State highway to the port facility from U.S. Highway 17 or NC Route 87 north of Boiling Springs Lake city limits. 
SECTION 4.9.  Use of Department Of Transportation Fueling Stations By Other State Agencies (S.B. 1313 – Cowell) – The Committee may study the desirability and feasibility of other State agencies using the Department of Transportation's approximately 122 fueling stations located across the State in an effort to reduce or displace the amount of petroleum that State agencies are using for fueling State‑owned vehicles and to assist all State agencies that have State‑owned vehicle fleets in achieving, by January 1, 2010, their goal of twenty percent (20%) reduction or displacement of petroleum products consumed, adopted by the State under Section 19.5 of S.L. 2005‑276, and to increase the State's use of alternative fuels, synthetic lubricants, and efficient vehicles. If undertaken, this study shall consider the desirability and the feasibility of the Department of Transportation's fueling stations providing biodiesel, ethanol, synthetic oils or lubricants, or other alternative fuels for use by other State agencies. 
SECTION 4.10.  Transportation Financing, Planning, And Management (S.B. 1319 – Berger of Rockingham) – The Committee may study planning and scheduling of transportation projects, revenues, funding, and expenditures of the Highway Fund, the Highway Trust Fund, and Federal Aid programs for transportation. 
SECTION 4.11.  Small Engine Off‑road Vehicle Restrictions (H.B. 1575 – Allred) – The Committee may study issues related to use of small engine off road vehicles in racing or racing practice events.
SECTION 4.12.  Intersection Safety – (H.B. 1547 –Gulley, Tillis, Allred, Jones) – The Committee may study issues related to intersection safety, including allowing left turns on red at intersections where each street is a one way street. If the Committee undertakes the study of issues related to allowing left turns on red at intersections where each street is a one way street, the Committee shall study all issues related to pedestrian traffic, visually impaired pedestrian traffic, pedestrian traffic control devices, traffic control signals, traffic flow increase, reduced idle time, reduced emissions, environmental impact, and the risk of injury and property damage resulting from crashes at locations where left turn on red intersections would exist.  The Committee shall also review intersection safety for persons with visual and other disabilities.
SECTION 4.13.  Auto Insurance Rate Evasion (H.B. 729 – Goforth, Holliman) – The Committee may study the issues related to automobile insurance rate evasion.
SECTION 4.14.  Drivers Licenses Online Or By United States Mail. (H.B. 1510 – Moore) – The Committee may study issues related to the issuance of drivers licenses through an online service or by United States mail. If the Committee undertakes the study of issues related to the issuance of drivers licenses through online services or by United States mail, the Committee shall study all issues related to the risks of wrongful issuance, the costs or cost savings associated with these types of issuance, and any conflicts with federal law and make any recommendations necessary based on the Committee's findings.
SECTION 4.15.  Acquisition of Property Under The Transportation Corridor Official Map Act (H.B. 1511 – Moore) – The Committee may study the issue of acquisition of property subject to the provisions of the Transportation Corridor Official Map Act. 
SECTION 4.16.  Sources of Steel and Iron for Non‑Federally Funded Transportation Projects (H.B. 1548 – Cole) – The Committee may study the sources of steel and iron used in non‑federally funded transportation projects around the State.
SECTION 4.17.  Use And Liability Of Mopeds And Golf Carts On The Public Roads, Highways, And Public Vehicular Areas (H.B. 1603 – Clary, McComas, Moore) – The Committee may study issues related to mopeds, as defined in G.S. 105‑164.3, and golf carts. If the Committee undertakes the study, the Committee shall study all issues related to the use of mopeds and golf carts on the public roads, highways, and public vehicular areas and to the risks and liabilities associated with the use of mopeds and golf carts and shall review statistics related to crashes caused by mopeds and golf carts, including bodily injury to or death of persons and injury to or destruction of property. The Committee shall determine whether the State should require owners of mopeds and golf carts to maintain liability insurance on, or some other form of financial responsibility for, mopeds and golf carts. In developing its recommendations, the Committee shall review Articles 9 and 13A of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes and shall determine whether those Articles should be applicable to mopeds and golf carts as if they were motor vehicles. The Committee shall also make recommendations regarding whether mopeds and golf carts should be registered with the Division of Motor Vehicles, including the amount of the registration fee, if any, and all procedures related to the registration.
SECTION 4.18.  Licensing Of Older Drivers (H.B. 1606 – Killian) – The Committee may study issues related to licensing of older drivers. If the Committee undertakes the study of issues related to the licensing of older drivers, the Committee shall study all of the following:
(1)	The need for shorter renewal periods as a driver's age increases.
(2)	The need for more frequent testing of older drivers and the types of testing that should be required.
(3)	The safety of the driving public, as well as the safety and well‑being of older drivers.
(4)	What other states' renewal periods and testing requirements are for older drivers.
(5)	Any available studies or data relating to the effects of aging on a person's ability to drive and relating to accident rates for older drivers.
(6)	Any costs associated with changing the requirements for older drivers.
(7)	Any other matter relating to licensing of older drivers that the Committee deems relevant.

PART V. JOINT LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE STUDIES

SECTION 5.1.  The Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee may study the topics listed in this Part and report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 5.2.  Future‑Ready Core High School Graduation Requirements Adopted By The State Board Of Education (S.B. 1532 – Bingham) – The Committee may study the Future‑Ready Core High School Graduation Requirements (Core Course of Study) adopted by the State Board of Education.  If it undertakes the study, the Committee shall consider the purposes and goals of the Core Course of Study and any unintended consequences that may arise as a result of the implementation of the Core Course of Study. 
SECTION 5.3.  Pilot Career Technology High School Program (S.B. 1473 – Brown, Preston) – The Committee may study a career technology pilot program to prepare students for the twenty‑first century workforce and to foster economic growth.
SECTION 5.4. Reserved
SECTION 5.5.  Calculation of Dropout Rate (S.B. 1110 – Preston) – The Committee may study the calculation of the dropout rate annually reported by the State Board of Education to determine any changes that are needed to the definition of a dropout and any changes in data collection to ensure accuracy in reporting the dropout rate.  If it undertakes the study, the Committee shall consider not including students as dropouts who have transferred to a community college, college, or university before high school graduation and the community college, college, or university confirms attendance and satisfactory progress towards a high school diploma or its equivalent.  The Committee shall consider including students as dropouts who have been expelled from school and have not returned to any school.
SECTION 5.6.  Student Mobility and Academic Achievement (H.B. 1457 – Folwell, Pate, Glazier, Parmon) – The Committee may study the impact of student mobility on academic performance.  In the course of the study, the Committee may consider:
(1)	The mobility rates of different student populations, especially those at risk of academic failure, and the relationship between high mobility rates and student performance for different student populations.
(2)	Impediments to receiving a sound basic education that are a product of high mobility rates.
(3)	Strategies for meeting the needs of students who move frequently, especially students at risk of academic failure.
SECTION 5.7.  Innovative Programs For Retired Teachers (S.B. 70 – Pittenger) – The Committee may study the feasibility of establishing innovative programs for retired teachers that support teachers' return to work in order to reduce classroom teacher shortages. 
SECTION 5.8.  Professional Development For Teachers (S.B. 1298 – Swindell) – The Committee may study the need for high‑quality focused professional development to further build and expand the skills and content knowledge of classroom teachers in order to raise student achievement.  If it undertakes the study, the Committee shall study the need to:
(1)	Require additional oversight to ensure that professional development offered at the local level for teacher licensure renewal credit is consistent with State Board of Education policy.
(2)	Develop more structured standards for professional development offered to teachers.
SECTION 5.9.  Financial Incentives For Students (S.B. 1405 – Hartsell) – The Committee may study the desirability and feasibility of providing financial incentives to public school students in North Carolina in grades 1 through 12 for students meeting academic, disciplinary, attendance, character, and parental involvement goals.
SECTION 5.10.  Public School Governance (S.B. 1462 – Dorsett) – The Committee may study issues related to public school governance and consider the advisability of more closely aligning the governance system of K‑12 with that of The University of North Carolina and the Community College System.  Specifically, the Committee may assess the current system of appointing members to the State Board of Education, the length of terms for members of the State Board of Education, and the current system of having both a State Superintendent of Public Instruction elected by the people but infused with virtually no authority and an appointed Deputy State Superintendent appointed by and reporting to the State Board of Education and infused with day‑to‑day authority over the Department of Public Instruction.
SECTION 5.11.  Strategies For Recovering Costs Due To Damaged Or Lost Textbooks (H.B. 232 – Lucas) – The Committee may study strategies for recovering costs due to damaged and lost textbooks.  In the course of the study, the Committee shall consider the scope of the problem and strategies for recouping the replacement costs.
SECTION 5.12.  High School Block Schedules (H.B. 1440 – Parmon, Cotham, Lucas, Wiley) – The Committee may conduct a comprehensive study of the impact of high school block schedules on teacher‑student interaction time, optimum opportunities for student learning, and increasing student achievement.
SECTION 5.13.  Dismissal, Demotion, Or Suspension Without Pay Of Noncertified School Employees (H.B. 1827 – Harrison, Jeffus, Womble) – The Committee may study the legal and policy issues regarding the dismissal, demotion, or suspension without pay of noncertified school employees and their current employment status as at‑will employees.  The Committee may consider whether noncertified employees should only be dismissed, demoted, or suspended without pay for just cause. 
SECTION 5.14.  Science Education In Grades K‑Eight (H.B. 1924 – McLawhorn, E. Warren, Owens, Carney) – The Committee may:
(1)	Study the research on inquiry‑based learning and the benefits of hands on learning in the classroom, including the use of inquiry to improve student understanding of science concepts and their connections to reading, writing, and math.
(2)	Investigate the criteria for awarding National Science Foundation grants for education and research‑based science materials (science kits or modules) developed to improve science learning through inquiry‑based instruction.
(3)	Study how the National Science Foundation research‑based science materials meet the North Carolina educational standards in science.
(4)	Consider the need to define a science kit as a research‑based, National Science Foundation supported science materials unit to ensure that North Carolina's budget funds are being invested in research‑based materials.
(5)	Identify internal and external resources available to maximize the benefits and utilization of science kits in North Carolina public schools.
(6)	Study the importance of professional development for teachers using science kits and the quality of professional development offered through internal and external resources such as the Department of Instruction (internal), NC‑ISE (external), Teachers and Scientists Collaborating – TASC (external).
(7)	Study the funding provided for low‑wealth and underperforming schools in the use of National Science Foundation supported science kits.
(8)	Study any other matters that the Committee deems relevant.
SECTION 5.15.  Administration and Supervision of School Nurses (H.B. 723 – England, Alexander, Faison) – The Commission may study the administration and supervision of school nurses in North Carolina's public schools, and may also review State and local funding of school nurses.
SECTION 5.16. Reserved.
SECTION 5.17.  Hearing Screening Programs (Glazier) – The Committee may study the current status and of hearing screening programs in the public schools. The study may include a review of the current policy and procedures covering the program, the effectiveness of the program and any changes in policy and procedure that will make the access to hearing screening services more available to more children statewide. The Committee may study the State and LEA responsibility for implementing the service, funding for the service, the role of the Division of Exceptional Children in identifying children with hearing loss, and whether additional funding is needed to increase access and availability of the service to school children Statewide.

PART VI. JOINT LEGISLATIVE UTILITY REVIEW COMMITTEE STUDIES

SECTION 6.1.  The Joint Legislative Utility Review Committee may study the topics listed in this Part and report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 6.2.  Emergency Preparedness Plans Of The Public Utilities And Other Electricity Suppliers In The State (S.B. 1151 – Hoyle) – The 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.  If it undertakes 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 6.3.  Regulation Of Commercial Ferry Operations By The Utilities Commission (S.B. 1538 – Preston) – The Committee may study issues related to the regulation of commercial ferry operations by the Utilities Commission pursuant to Chapter 62 of the General Statutes in order to determine whether or not commercial ferry operators should continue to be regulated as they currently are.  In making this study, the Committee may consider:
(1)	The nature of the services provided by commercial ferry operators, such as whether the services are for recreational purposes, transportation to homes and businesses, or for other purposes.
(2)	The routes operated by commercial ferry operators and the extent of competition on those routes.
(3)	The extent to which commercial ferry operators may be otherwise regulated, such as by the National Park Service.
(4)	If regulation by the Utilities Commission is to continue, whether the form of regulation should be tailored to these services, including a simplified method of adjusting fares for changes in such volatile operating expenses as fuel.
(5)	Such other matters as the Committee deems relevant to this study.
The Utilities Commission and the Public Staff shall assist the Committee in its conduct of this study as may from time to time be requested by the Committee. The Committee may hold meetings or hearings in locations convenient to the affected parties as the Committee deems advisable and necessary.
SECTION 6.4.  Adequacy Of The Service Charge For Prepaid Wireless Service And The Manner In Which The Service Charge Is Collected And Remitted To The Wireless 911 Board (S.B. 1400 – Dannelly; H.B. 1681 – Jones) – The Committee may study the adequacy of the service charge for prepaid wireless service and the manner in which the service charge is collected and remitted to the Wireless 911 Board.  The Committee may propose legislation, if appropriate, to change the service charge for prepaid wireless service and to alter the manner in which the service charge is collected and remitted.

PART VII. REVENUE LAWS STUDY COMMITTEE STUDIES

SECTION 7.1.  The Revenue Laws Study Committee may study the topics listed in this Part and report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 7.2.  Method for Distributing the Franchise Tax on Electric Power Companies (S.B. 1158 – Hoyle) – The Committee may study and  recommend a method of distributing electric power company franchise tax revenue to municipalities on the basis of a formula that uses factors such as population and percentage share of prior distributions rather than service inside constantly changing city boundaries. The Committee must consult with the League of Municipalities and the Department of Revenue in developing a recommendation.  
SECTION 7.3.  Issues Related To Converting The Starting Point For Determining State Taxable Income From Federal Taxable Income To Federal Adjusted Gross Income (S.B. 1547 – Hoyle; H.B. 1567 – Carney, Barnhart) – The Committee may study issues related to converting the starting point for determining State taxable income from federal taxable income to federal adjusted gross income.  If the Committee undertakes the study, it  shall include all of the following:
(1)	A review of the current deductions and additions to federal taxable income used in determining State taxable income to identify which of these deductions or additions are required by federal law or other State law.
(2)	A review of the current individual income tax credits to determine the extent to which the tax rates set out in G.S. 105‑134.2 would need to be adjusted in order to maintain the current revenue stream if the credits were retained.
(3)	Any other item the Committee finds relevant to this study.
SECTION 7.4.  New Market Tax Credit (S.B. 1160 – Hoyle; H.B. 1922‑ J. Harrell, Wainwright, Holliman) – The Committee may study a State new market tax credit to complement the federal tax credit.
SECTION 7.5.  Earned Income Tax Credit – The Committee may study earned income tax credit participation rates in North Carolina and other states.   
SECTION 7.6.  Local Occupancy Taxes (S.B. 1150 – Hoyle; H.B. 1845 – Clary, Current, Neumann) – The Committee may study the nature and scope of local occupancy tax laws, the degree of uniformity among those laws, whether occupancy tax laws are effective in promoting travel and tourism, and whether any features of the occupancy tax should be modified.  The study shall include a review of various features of the occupancy tax laws in light of the need for the revenue generated by the occupancy tax and the uses for which it is needed.  The study may include consideration of the following issues pertaining to occupancy tax:
(1)	For what purposes the revenue generated is actually being used and whether the use conforms to the purposes stated in the various local acts.
(2)	The variation among taxing units with regard to the amount of tax authorized to be levied.
(3)	The effectiveness of the guidelines for occupancy tax legislation adhered to by the House Finance Committee.
(4)	Whether the rate should be capped, and if so, whether that cap should be codified. 
(5)	Whether the authorized use of the revenue generated should be restricted to certain purposes and whether the existing purposes should be modified in any way.
(6)	Whether the distribution formula established by the guidelines is an effective use of the proceeds, whether it provides local governments with the best return on their expenditure of funds, and whether the formula should be modified.
(7)	Whether there should be guidelines or legislation addressing refunds of occupancy tax.
(8)	The effectiveness of tourism development authorities in administering occupancy tax proceeds and whether there should be any statutory guidance with regard to the composition, duties, appointment, removal, or other aspects of tourism development authorities.
(9)	How the combined occupancy and sales tax rates in North Carolina compare with rates in other states that have a comparably ranked tourism industry. 
(10)	The advantages and disadvantages of establishing a uniform system for occupancy taxes and whether that system, in whole or in part, should be incorporated into the statutes.
SECTION 7.7.  Sale and Use Tax and Out of State Purchases (H.B. 1994 – Stam, Allred) – The Committee may study and examine, with the appropriate agencies of neighboring states and taxpayer groups, issues associated with cross‑border transactions where property is purchased in one state and used in another state.  The Committee may examine the economic effects on retailers in North Carolina that make cross‑border deliveries of merchandise and may recommend possible actions that might be taken to address the avoidance of sales and use tax by retailers and purchasers located near State lines and to improve compliance with, or recommend changes to, existing State laws.  The Committee may also consider changes that would ease the burden on retailers that deal with cross‑border issues and ways to ensure that North Carolina retailers are not placed at a disadvantage in comparison to retailers in surrounding states.
SECTION 7.8.  Franchise Laws for Farm and Industrial Equipment Dealers (Cotham, Lewis) – The Committee may study issues related to franchise laws for farm and industrial equipment dealers.
SECTION 7.9.  Property Tax Exclusion for Disabled Veterans (H.B. 486‑ McGee, Holliman, J. Harrell, Pate) – The Committee may study issues related to the granting a property tax exclusion for disabled veterans.
SECTION 7.10.  Renewable Energy Tax Credit – The Committee may study issues related to the implementation of G.S. 105‑129.16G – Credit for donating funds to a nonprofit organization to enable the nonprofit to acquire renewable energy property. 

PART VIII. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMISSION STUDIES

SECTION 8.1.  The Environmental Review Commission may study the topics listed in this Part and report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 8.2.  North Carolina Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Program (S.B. 1146 – Hoyle) – The Commission may study the North Carolina petroleum underground storage tank program and the problems of returning to use sites impacted by leaking underground storage tanks. If the Committee undertakes the study, the following issues shall be examined:
(1)	The role of "risk‑based corrective action" in protecting both public health and the environment.
(2)	An assessment of whether DENR has fully utilized risk‑based corrective action in the program to date and whether implements could be made to fully utilize existing financial resources in the future.
(3)	An assessment of the pace of cleanup "closures", and the DENR's experience with issuing letters of "no further action required" including whether contamination is being addressed promptly and impacted parcels being made eligible for desired commercial transactions that follow appropriate remediation.
(4)	An assessment of fair and equitable funding needs facing the State and the tank owning segment with an examination of solvency issues experienced in the present or expected in the future.
(5)	An examination and survey of other states to determine "model solutions" to address the challenges of financing environmental cleanups following a tank release and the expedited return of impacted parcels to needed and normal real estate commerce.
SECTION 8.3.  Interstate Compact To Mediate Water Supply Issues (S.B. 1360 – Allran; H.B.  960 – Gillespie, Church, Hilton, R. Warren) – The Committee may study the need to negotiate an interstate compact with adjoining states that have a river basin that drains into or from North Carolina to mediate and cooperatively resolve water supply disputes that may arise from interbasin transfers and consumptive water uses in river basins that are shared by North Carolina and those states.
SECTION 8.4.  Mountain Resources (Queen) – The Committee may study:
(1)	Threats to important mountain resources, such as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, Mt. Mitchell, Lake James, Hickory Nut Gorge, and Gorges State Park, and the consequences to those resources of present trends and land‑use practices in the mountains. 
(2)	Research and information from North Carolina and other states and jurisdictions regarding state and regional approaches to coordinating provision of infrastructure for the protection of mountain resources, and the efforts to encourage quality growth to protect those resources. 
(3)	Strategies or tools that would be helpful to address pressures on important mountain resources and whether and how those strategies and tools should be implemented to protect important mountain resources.
(4)	Determine whether tools and strategies that could be used to protect important mountain resources could be applied to protect other resources in the mountains of North Carolina, including, but not limited to, groundwater, mountain streams, steep slopes and ridgelines, natural heritage areas, recognized historic areas or sites, and farmland.
SECTION 8.5.  Replacement of Incandescent Lamps (H.B. 838 – Harrison, Fisher) – The Commission shall study the feasibility and desirability of phasing out the use of various types of general service incandescent lamps and replacing them with more energy efficient forms of lighting.  As a part of this study, the Commission shall consider the extent to which practical and cost‑effective alternative forms of lighting, including energy efficient incandescent lighting, are available and the short‑ and long‑term costs and benefits of replacing general service incandescent lamps with more energy efficient forms of lighting.  The Commission shall report its findings and recommendations, including any legislative proposals, to the 2008 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
SECTION 8.6.  Farmers "Cap‑and‑Trade" Program For Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions (H.B. 962 – Faison, Hill) – The Commission may study the feasibility and advisability of extending credits to the business of farming in the same manner that credits are extended to other businesses in the event North Carolina enacts or adopts by rule a market‑based "Cap‑and‑Trade" program for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  As used in this section, a "Cap‑and‑Trade" program is any program that places a limit, the cap, on the total amount of GHG emissions that is allowed under the specific target for GHG emissions set by the State, allocates GHG emissions as credits to individual businesses so that the total credits allocated equal the cap, and allows businesses to bank credits for the future or to buy and sell credits based on whether a particular business reduced or increased its GHG emissions in a given year and the value of the credits in the marketplace. In its study, the Commission may consider all of the following:
(1)	How farmers can monitor GHG emissions.
(2)	What the anticipated costs are to farmers to participate in a "Cap‑and‑Trade" program for GHG emissions, including the costs of monitoring GHG emissions, satisfying reporting requirements, and any other costs.
(3)	How farmers can reduce GHG emissions on a farm.
(4)	How farmers can increase their farms' ability to act as "carbon sinks," that is, utilize the carbon‑absorbing abilities of plants and trees to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
(5)	If farms can act as "carbon sinks" under subdivision (4) of this section, whether the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere should receive some market value under the State's "Cap‑and‑Trade" program.
(6)	How much farmers are likely to increase their annual incomes by participating as businesses in a "Cap‑and‑Trade" program for GHG emissions.
(7)	Any other issues the Commission considers relevant to this topic.
SECTION 8.7.  Increase The Recycling Of Glass And Plastic Containers. (H.B. 1394 – Tolson, Wray, Crawford, Farmer‑Butterfield) – The Commission may study ways in which the recycling of glass and plastic containers can be increased and ways in which the availability of recycled glass or plastic containers can be increased for use as batch material for the manufacturing of glass and plastic containers, and the Commission may include in this study an evaluation of the effectiveness of North Carolina recycling practices for glass and plastic and compare them to the recycling practices of other states. In its study, the Commission also may consider all of the following:
(1)	Whether any businesses in North Carolina use recycled glass or plastic containers as batch material for the manufacturing of glass or plastic containers.
(2)	Whether any businesses identified under subdivision (1) of this section receive adequate supplies of recycled glass or plastic containers for their manufacturing processes.
(3)	Where the recycled glass or plastic containers used by any businesses identified under subdivision (1) of this section come from and how far the recycled glass or plastic containers are transported to the businesses.
(4)	Whether glass and plastic containers that are discarded in North Carolina are processed and recycled so as to benefit North Carolina businesses.
(5)	Whether glass and plastic containers that are discarded in North Carolina are processed and recycled in keeping with the State's solid waste management policy and the forty percent (40%) municipal solid waste reduction goal established by the State under G.S. 130A‑309.04.
(6)	Any other issues the Commission considers relevant to this topic.
SECTION 8.8.  Study Methods Of Disposing Of Wastewater At Municipal Wastewater Treatment Systems (H.B. 1809 – Tucker, Grady, Cleveland) – The Commission may study current methods of disposing of wastewater at municipal wastewater treatment facilities, as defined in G.S. 143‑215.6D, and may study the feasibility and desirability of municipal wastewater treatment facilities employing other methods of disposing of wastewater. In its study, the Commission may consider all of the following:
(1)	Whether the current practice of land application of wastewater at any municipal wastewater treatment facilities requires too much land to be practicable in the long term.
(2)	Whether the current practice of land application of wastewater at municipal wastewater treatment facilities is better suited to certain parts of the State or to areas of certain geological or topographical conditions.
(3)	Whether there are any alternative methods of disposing of wastewater at municipal wastewater treatment systems and the costs and benefits of employing any such alternative methods either on a statewide basis or in any specific area of the State.
(4)	Subject to Section 2 of this act, any other issues the Commission considers relevant to this topic.
(5)	The study authorized by this section shall not address any issues regarding animal waste management systems, as defined in G.S. 143‑215.10B, at swine farms, as defined in G.S. 106‑802, or the land application of wastewater associated with animal waste, as defined in G.S. 143‑215.10B.
SECTION 8.9.  Study Use of State Gamelands along Northeast Cape Fear River and Burgaw Creek for Education and Recreation (S.B. 780 – Soles; H.B. 926 – Justice) –The Commission may study issues related to the desirability and feasibility of adapting the use of a tract of State‑owned land, located in the Southeastern part of the State on the Northeast Cape Fear River and the Burgaw Creek that is currently State gamelands, to showcase the natural environment of Southeastern North Carolina, provide environmental education opportunities for youth and adults, and provide recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. This tract is approximately 776 acres located approximately three miles east of the Town of Burgaw and consists of creek swamp, ridges, and a planted pine plantation. In particular, the Commission may consider:
(1)	The desirability and feasibility of establishing hiking trails on this land.
(2)	The desirability and feasibility of constructing a launch site on this land that fronts the Burgaw Creek for canoes and kayaks, thereby providing a venue for canoeing and kayaking on the Cape Fear River and Burgaw Creek for the public.
(3)	The environmental educational opportunities that are available for the public at the bottomland swamps, pine plantation, and other wetlands located on this land.
(4)	The potential for developing at the pineland plantation a demonstration forest to showcase best forest management practices.
(5)	The potential for restricting the current use of this land as State gamelands so that the use as gamelands would be compatible with recreational, educational, and environmental uses.
(6)	The potential for paying the costs, in whole or in part, of adapting the use of this land to recreational, educational, and environmental uses from the sale of timber from the pine plantation located on this land.
(7)	Other possible funding sources than the funding source under subdivision (6) of this section for the costs of adapting the use of this land to recreational, educational, and environmental uses. 
(8)	Any other issues the Commission considers to be pertinent to its study.
SECTION 8.10.  Artificial Slope Construction in Mountainous Areas (H.B. 1756 – Rapp, Haire, Fisher) – The Commission with the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, may study issues related to safe artificial slope construction in mountainous areas.  The Commission may specifically study the need for and advisability of establishing minimum statewide management requirements for safe artificial slope construction in mountainous areas of the State. The Commission may also consider issues related to the recordation of natural hazards; environmental permit conditions and limitations and land‑use restrictions associated with real property located in mountainous and other areas of the State; and disclosure to prospective purchasers of real property of those hazards, conditions, and restrictions. If the Commission undertakes this study, it shall hold at least two meetings related to this in the western region of the State.
SECTION 8.11.  Discarded Consumer Electronics (H.B. 1777 – Gibson) – The Commission may study issues surrounding the management of discarded consumers' desktop and notebook computers, computer monitors, computer display devices, and televisions for which a manufacturer cannot be identified or for which the manufacturer is no longer in business and has no successor in interest. When conducting this study, the Commission may ascertain, by number of units, weight, or volume, how much of this consumer computer and television equipment has been discarded in North Carolina and may determine the threat to the environment these components of the waste stream pose. No later than May 1, 2008, the Commission shall report its findings and recommendations, including any administrative or legislative proposals, on the most efficient and economically practicable means of recovering, reusing, recycling, or disposing of these components of the waste stream.
SECTION 8.12.  Ban Use of DECA Flame Retardant (Harrison) – The Commission may study issues related to banning the use of DECA flame retardant.
SECTION 8.13.  Wind Permitting (Harrison) – The Commission may study methods for implementing a state level permitting system and siting requirements for commercial‑scale wind energy systems that will ensure that wind energy systems are sited in an orderly manner compatible with environmental preservation, sustainable development, and the efficient use of resources.  In undertaking the study, the Commission may consider procedures for environmental review of commercial‑scale wind energy systems, and standards necessary to minimize impacts in the following areas: noise, visual, environmental, sensitive habitats, wildlife, public health, safety. The Commission may form a technical advisory committee to include representatives from various stakeholder groups to assist in conducting this study. 
SECTION 8.14.  Phase Out Lagoon and Sprayfield Systems (H.B. 1822 – Jones, Harrison) – The Commission may study issues related to phasing out lagoon and sprayfield systems.
SECTION 8.15.  Hazard Disclosures in Coastal Real Estate Transactions (H.B. 1628) – The Commission may study issues related to hazard disclosures in coastal real estate transactions.
SECTION 8.16.  No Mining Sand From Tidal Inlet/Delta. (H.B. 1832 – Harrison) – The Commission may study issues related to mining sand from tidal inlets and delta areas.
SECTION 8.17.  Energy, Job Creation, and Venture Capital (H.B. 2028 – Brubaker, Wainwright, Daughtridge) – The Commission may study issued related to energy, job creation, and venture capital.

PART IX. JOINT LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES STUDIES

SECTION 9.1.  The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services may study the topics listed in this Part and report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 9.2.  Facilities That Provide Housing For Adults With Mental Illness In The Same Location With Adults Without Mental Illness (S.B. 1266 – Nesbitt; H.B. 691 – Insko) – The Committee may study and identify rules and laws that are necessary to regulate facilities that provide housing for adults with mental illness in the same location with adults without mental illness. 
SECTION 9.3.  Effectiveness Of The 1915(b) Medicaid Waiver And Of Those LMEs Operating Under A Waiver (S.B. 1266 – Nesbitt) – The Committee may study the effectiveness of the 1915(b) Medicaid waiver and of those LMEs operating under a waiver.
SECTION 9.4.  Granting Of Deemed Status (H.B. 1717 – Holliman) – The Committee may study issues related to the granting of deemed status to certain service providers of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services who have received national accreditation. 

PART X. JOINT LEGISLATIVE CORRECTIONS, CRIME CONTROL, AND JUVENILE JUSTICE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE STUDIES

SECTION 10.1.  The Joint Legislative Corrections, Crime Control, and Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee may study the topics listed in this Part and report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 10.2.  Inmate Access To Education, Training, And Work Release Programs (S.B. 1499 – Atwater) – The Committee may study methods for (i) increasing inmates' access to educational and vocational training opportunities at all State prison facilities and (ii) increasing the number of work release slots at minimum security prisons.
SECTION 10.3.  Recidivism In The Criminal Justice System (Queen) – The Committee may study current data on offender recidivism to identify cost‑effective programs and approaches for reducing recidivism rates with a goal of improving public safety and helping offenders become more productive citizens and taxpayers.  If it undertakes the study, the Committee shall consider the following:
(1)	The April 15, 2006, report on Recidivism by the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission and upcoming April 2008 report as baseline information for the study. 
(2)	Recidivism rates for prisoners, probationers, and parolees in North Carolina.
(3)	Major factors leading to offender recidivism, such as inadequate life skills, work skills, job and housing opportunities, and the lack of substance abuse treatment.
(4)	State and national best practices programs to identify offender‑based programs that have proven effective in reducing recidivism. 
(5)	North Carolina prison, probation, and parole programs designed to reduce recidivism, including prison "reentry" programs.
(6)	North Carolina probation and parole revocation policies and their impact on recidivism.
(7)	Sentencing alternatives for reducing the prison population.
The Committee may develop recommendations for reducing offender recidivism, including funding recommendations. The primary funding recommendations should focus on programs that are cost‑effective and have the strongest potential to reduce recidivism. The Committee may make an interim report to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly and a final report to the 2009 General Assembly. The final report should include recommendations relating to both community corrections and prisons.
SECTION 10.4.  Housing Minimum‑Custody Offenders In Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities (Dorsett) – The Committee may study the potential for housing minimum‑custody offenders sentenced to the North Carolina Department of Correction in private or non‑profit facilities for substance abuse treatment, including:
(1)	A review of the criteria used to screen offenders for placement in those facilities. 
(2)	A comparison of the costs between substance abuse treatment programs operated by the Department of Correction and those operated by private or non‑profit facilities.
(3)	The number of offenders who are currently being housed in private facilities for the purpose of substance abuse treatment and the number of offenders being treated in substance abuse treatment programs operated by the Department of Correction.
(4)	Projections for the increase/decrease in the number of offenders who will qualify for residential substance abuse treatment in the next five years and the next 10 years.
(5)	The need for a residential substance abuse treatment facility for female probationers and parolees; and the proposed location, and renovation and operating costs for such a facility.
(6)	A comparison of the treatment programs or approach between the Department of Correction and private or non‑profit facilities, and a comparison of program completion data.
(7)	A review of ways to improve education levels and skills training of inmates to assure successful transition from program to society.
SECTION 10.5.  Juvenile Detention Centers (H.B. 394 – Saunders, Earle, Tillis) – The Committee may study the four juvenile detention centers located in Durham, Guilford, Forsyth, and Mecklenburg Counties that are operated by the counties.  For each of the facilities, the review shall include: 
(1)	Recent admission trends and projections of future population.
(2)	The offense history and assessed needs of the population.
(3)	Whether staffing levels are appropriate for the number and types of offenders housed in the facility.
(4)	Whether the center has adequate housing capacity.
(5)	Whether the physical facility has repair or renovation needs, the extent of those needs, and whether facility replacement or renovation is needed in the near future.
(6)	The cost to operate the center, including the formula for allocating costs between the county that operates the facility and the State.
(7)	The feasibility of the State operating the local detention center, if recommended by one or more of the counties that operate the facility.
The Committee shall conduct this study in conjunction with the local detention centers and the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The Committee shall report its findings to the Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Committees and the Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety. 
SECTION 10.6.  Dispositional Alternatives For Juveniles Who Are Adjudicated Delinquent For A Driving While Impaired Or An Underage Drinking Violation (H.B. 1481 – Glazier, Lucas) – The Committee may study dispositional alternatives for juveniles who are adjudicated delinquent for an offense that is a violation of G.S. 20‑138.1, Impaired Driving, or G.S. 20‑138.3, Driving By Persons Less Than 21 Years Old After Consuming Alcohol or Drugs. In conducting its study, the Committee shall consider the offense classifications and dispositions set forth in G.S. 7B‑2508 and shall determine whether violations of G.S. 20‑138.1 and G.S. 20‑138.3 should be classified as violent, serious, or minor. In addition, the Commission shall review the delinquency history level points assigned to the offense classifications pursuant to G.S. 7B‑2507 and shall determine the appropriate points to be assigned for violations of G.S. 20‑138.1 and G.S. 20‑138.3.  The Committee may make an interim report, including any legislative proposals, to the 2007 General Assembly, Regular Session 2008, and shall make its final report to the 2009 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 10.7.  Correctional Officer Compensation (H.B. 1150 – Pierce, Wainwright, Hall) – The Committee may:
(1)	Assess the current compensation and classification system for correctional officers employed in the Department of Correction.
(2)	Review whether differences in the risks, duties, and competencies of correctional officers serving in minimum, medium, and maximum security facilities warrant differentials in pay based on any differing risks, duties, and competencies.
(3)	Study any other matter related to the compensation and terms and conditions of employment of correctional officers that the Committee deems relevant.
SECTION 10.8.  Correctional Officer Working Conditions and Workplace Injuries  (H.B. 1371 – Pierce, Wainwright) – The Committee may:
(1)	Assess the working conditions of, and the incidence of injury among, correctional officers employed in the Department of Correction.
(2)	Review the adequacy of current remedies and resources available to correctional officers for workplace injuries.
(3)	Review any other matter concerning the working condition of State correctional officers.

PART XI. JOINT LEGISLATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE STUDIES

SECTION 11.1.  The Joint Legislative Economic Development Oversight Committee may study the topics listed in this Part and report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 11.2.  Providing Sales And Use Tax Refunds On Aviation Fuel To Encourage The Location Of Corporate Fleets In The State. (H.B. 1666 – Williams) – The Committee may study the issue of providing refunds of sales and use taxes paid on aviation fuel by owners or operators of corporate jet fleets.  The study may contain an evaluation of the effect of sales and use tax refunds on the actions of motor racing teams and air passenger carriers, which are currently eligible for refunds.  The Committee may look at other proposals to encourage the location of corporate air fleets in the State.  

PART XII. NORTH CAROLINA STUDY COMMISSION ON AGING STUDIES

SECTION 12.1.  The North Carolina Study Commission on Aging may study the topics listed in this Part and report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 12.2.  Necessity For Limiting The Authority Of Long Term Care Providers In Hiring Convicted Felons (S.B. 749 – Dannelly; H.B. 1748 – Earle) – The Commission may study the need for amending G.S. 131E‑265 and G.S. 131D‑40 regarding the authority of a nursing home, home care agency, adult care homes, or the contract agency of a nursing home, home care agency, or adult care homes to determine if there is a need to specify certain convictions committed within a given time frame that should automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. If it undertakes the study, the Commission shall consult with the Department of Health and Human Services, the North Carolina Attorney General's office, and long‑term care provider associations and advocacy groups.
SECTION 12.3.  WIN A STEP UP/Self‑sustaining (S.B. 99 – Dannelly) – The Committee may study the feasibility of the WIN A STEP UP program becoming a self‑sustaining program.
SECTION 12.4.  Increasing Medicaid Medically Needy Income Limits (S.B. 110 – Malone; H.B. 92 – Weiss, Earle, Bordsen, England) – The Committee may study the medically needy income standard.  If the Committee undertakes the study, it shall include determining a method for increasing the current standard while providing improved consistency across long‑term care settings.  

PART XIII. JOINT LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STUDIES

SECTION 13.1.  The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology may study the topics listed in this Part and report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 13.2.  Improvement Of Information Technology Efficiency And Project Management (S.B. 1223 – Cowell) – The Committee may review the outcomes related to the passage of Senate Bill 991 (S.L. 2004‑124) regarding the improvement of State information technology efficiency and project management. 
SECTION 13.3.  Implementation Of Technologies To Improve Access To Health Care Information (Cowell) – The Committee may examine opportunities for the State to demonstrate leadership in the development and implementation of technologies focused on improving and gaining new efficiencies in the delivery of health care in North Carolina.  If it undertakes the study, the Committee shall also address patient privacy issues.  The Committee may examine the benefits of increasing access to key health care information through technology applications.  The Committee may in its discussions utilize the experience and expertise developed by the North Carolina Health Information and Communication Alliance (NCHICA), an organization originally created by Executive Order of the Governor to explore and identify such opportunities.  The Committee may also obtain input from the health care provider community in identifying opportunities for partnerships in these efforts.  The Committee may explore the availability of potential funding through federal and other grants focused on these goals, and how North Carolina might take advantage of funding opportunities and play a national leadership role in advances in the use of this technology.  
The Committee may make an interim report and recommendations to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly, and a final report and recommendations to the 2009 General Assembly. 

PART XIV. JOINT LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE STUDIES

SECTION 14.1.  The Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee may study the topics listed in this Part and report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 14.2.  Disciplinary Authority Of All Occupational Licensing Boards Subject To Chapter 93B (Rand) – The Committee may undertake a study of the disciplinary authority of all occupational licensing boards subject to Chapter 93B of the General Statutes. The Committee may review the grounds for imposing disciplinary action, the levels of discipline, and the process for making disciplinary determinations used by each of the occupational licensing boards. 

PART XV. JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STUDIES

SECTION 15.1. The Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence may study the topics listed in this Part and report its findings, together with any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 15.2.  Move Domestic Violence Commission – The Committee may study the issue of whether services for domestic violence victims would be delivered more efficiently if the Domestic Violence Commission was separated from the North Carolina Council for Women under the Department of Administration and moved to the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety.  

PART XVI. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH INSURANCE RISK POOL MONITOR METHODS OF FINANCING THE POOL TO ENSURE A STABLE FUNDING SOURCE (S.B. 177 – Rand) 

SECTION 16.1.  The Board of Directors of the North Carolina Health Insurance Risk Pool shall monitor methods of financing the Pool to ensure a stable funding source and allow for its continued operation. This monitoring shall include supplementary sources of funding, such as funds obtained from public and private not‑for‑profit foundations, insurer assessments including special assessments, or other appropriate and available State or non‑State funds. The Board shall also review on a regular basis:
(1)	The number of individuals in this State who are uninsured as of a date certain because of high‑risk conditions.
(2)	The number of uninsured individuals who would qualify for coverage under the Pool based on G.S. 58‑50‑265 and its Plan of Operation.
(3)	The cost of coverage under each of the health insurance plans developed by the Board, including administrative costs.
(4)	The extent to which assessments meet or exceed amounts necessary for coverage and Board operations.
(5)	The status of a request by the State to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for approval of the North Carolina Health Insurance Risk Pool to be considered an acceptable "alternative mechanism" under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act in accordance with 45 C.F.R. § 148.128(e).
The Board shall report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on December 1, 2008, and annually thereafter.
SECTION 16.2.  The Executive Director of the North Carolina Health Insurance Risk Pool shall study methods for encouraging healthy behaviors and report its findings to the Board and to the General Assembly not later than one year after initial implementation of the Pool.
SECTION 16.3.  If House Bill 265 of the 2007 General Assembly becomes law, then this section is repealed.

PART XVII. Department of Health and Human Services STUDY and IDENTIFY program and service NEEDS for older adults IN BRUNSWICK AND OTHER COUNTIES (S.B. 448 – Soles)

SECTION 17.1.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, shall study the population profile of Brunswick County and other counties where there is expected to be a significant increase in the number of individuals who are 65 years old or older.  The purpose of the study is to determine the anticipated impact on programs and services that address the needs of the older adult population.   The study shall identify programs that are currently in place, or are needed, in order to address the needs of the older adult population and shall make recommendations for improved delivery systems.  The study shall also identify current funding sources and where additional funds are needed.  The Department shall report its findings and recommendations not later than April 1, 2008, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly, to the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging, and to the board of county commissioners of each county studied. 
SECTION 17.2.  If Senate Bill 448 of the 2007 General Assembly is enacted, then this Section is repealed

PART XVIII. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES STUDY OPTIMAL PLACEMENT OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (S.B. 476 – Purcell)

SECTION 18. The Department shall study locations and incidences of cardiac arrest throughout the State and identify those areas or activities where the public may be at an increased risk of suffering sudden cardiac death to determine optimal placement of automated external defibrillators. The Department shall report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on or before March 1, 2008.

PART XIX. Reserved

PART XX. JOINT STUDY OF CREATING A SYSTEM OF NO‑FAULT COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES RESULTING FROM CARE PROVIDED AT NURSING HOMES, HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY, OTHER LONG‑TERM CARE FACILITIES, AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES (S.B. 959 – Clodfelter)

SECTION 20.  The Commissioner of Insurance, the North Carolina Industrial Commission, and the Department of Health and Human Services shall jointly study the utility, efficacy, and advisability of creating a system of no‑fault compensation, with such compensation based on scheduled amounts and subject to limits on total compensation paid, for injuries resulting from regular and ordinary course of care provided at nursing homes, homes for the elderly, other long‑term care facilities, and assisted living facilities. The results of this study, including findings and recommendations for suggested legislation, shall be reported to the 2009 General Assembly on or before January 1, 2009.

PART XXI. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND THE NORTH CAROLINA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY ADDRESS GAPS IN THE HOUSING CONTINUUM (S.B. 1266 – Nesbitt)

SECTION 21.  The Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency shall work together to develop a plan for the most efficient and effective use of State resources in the financing and construction of additional independent‑ and supportive‑living apartments for individuals with mental health, developmental, or substance abuse disabilities.  This plan shall address gaps in the housing continuum identified by the study that DHHS will conduct during fiscal year 2006‑2007 and fiscal year 2007‑2008.  DHHS and NCHFA shall report this plan and also the progress of the Housing 400 Initiative to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services by March 1, 2008.

PART XXII. SENTENCING AND POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE STUDY RECLASSIFYING CERTAIN MISDEMEANORS TO INFRACTIONS (Kinnaird, Snow)

SECTION 22.  The Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission shall study and determine whether there are any offenses that are currently classified as misdemeanors which should be reclassified as infractions because jail sentences are rarely, or never, imposed and because significant funds are being spent for the representation of indigent persons accused of the misdemeanors. The Commission shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees and the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety by March 1 of each year. 

PART XXIII. Reserved

PART XXIV. GOVERNOR'S CRIME COMMISSION TO STUDY EXPANDING THE JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION TO INCLUDE CRIMINAL ACTS OF SIXTEEN‑AND SEVENTEEN‑YEAR‑OLDS (Kinnaird; H.B. 492 – Bordsen, Bryant, Love, Wainwright)

SECTION 24.1.  The Governor's Crime Commission and its adjunct committees shall study the legal, systematic, and organizational impact of expanding the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to include persons 16 and 17 years of age who commit crimes or infractions under State law or under an ordinance of local government.  In particular, the Commission shall perform the following functions regarding the proposed expansion of the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to include 16‑and 17‑year‑olds who commit crimes or infractions under State or local law:
(1)	Identify the costs to the State court system and State and local law enforcement.
(2)	Review the relevant State laws that should be conformed or amended, including, but not limited to, the motor vehicle and criminal laws, the laws regarding expunction of criminal records, and other juvenile laws. 
(3)	Review the experience of any other states which have within recent years expanded the juvenile justice jurisdiction to 16‑and 17‑year‑olds.
(4)	Identify the practical issues for the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to implement best practices for programs and facilities that would meet the unique needs of the older youth under the proposal without adversely affecting the existing departmental programming. 
(5)	Review the relevant State laws on sharing of juvenile information with other State departments and agencies.
(6)	Create a specific plan of the actions that are necessary to implement the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
(7)	Determine the total cost of expanding the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
(8)	Conduct a cost benefit analysis of expanding the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention with specific information on possible future fiscal savings anywhere within State government as a result of expenditures necessary to implement the expansion.
(9)	Determine whether federal or other funds are available to aid in the transition and expansion, or both, of the age of juvenile jurisdiction to 16‑and 17‑year‑olds.
SECTION 24.2.  Independent Contractor or Contractors. – The Commission may contract with an independent group or groups for the oversight and management of this study project, a service needs study, and a courts study, and to periodically report those findings to the Commission.
SECTION 24.3.  Cooperation by Government Agencies. – The Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and all other departments, agencies, institutions, or officers of the State or any political subdivision of the State shall cooperate with the Commission in this study, shall provide the Commission with any requested facilities, data, or other assistance, and help the Commission identify any collateral effect which might result from implementation of the proposal on the program and operations of the relevant State department, agency, or the political subdivision.
SECTION 24.4.  Funding. – Upon the receipt of funds, the Commission shall use available funds from its budget in conducting this study and may apply for, receive, or accept grants and contributions from any source of money or any other thing of value to be held and used for the purposes of this study.  
SECTION 24.5.  Reports. – The Commission shall submit an interim report to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly and shall submit a final report of its findings and legislative, administrative, and funding recommendations, by January 15, 2009, to the General Assembly and the Governor.  
In addition to its interim and final report, the Commission shall report in writing on the progress of this study on a quarterly basis beginning on September 1, 2007, and by the first day of every quarter thereafter until the Commission submits its final report to the General Assembly, to the chairs and cochairs, as applicable, of the following standing committees or subcommittees of the General Assembly: 
House of Representatives
Appropriations: Justice and Public Safety,  
Children, Youth, and Families, 
Education: Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Education,
Juvenile Justice,
Judiciary I,
Judiciary II,
Judiciary III; and
Senate
Appropriations:  Justice and Public Safety,
Education and Higher Education,
Judiciary I,
Judiciary II,
Mental Health and Youth Services.
A copy of each progress report made to the standing committee and subcommittee chairs shall also be filed in the Legislative Library.

PART XXV. DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES TO STUDY THE PRESERVATION OF FOLK LIFE RESOURCES (S.B. 1515 – Queen)

SECTION 25.  The Department of Cultural Resources may study the measures necessary to preserve and promote traditional arts and cultures in North Carolina, and to implement heritage development initiatives, in order to enhance community and economic development.  Special attention may be given to the effect of heritage development initiatives and how they may assist economically distressed communities across the State.  The Department shall report the results of this study to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.  

PART XXVI. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA/DUKE UNIVERSITY TO STUDY THE NEED FOR A DEEPWATER RESEARCH VESSEL (Boseman)

SECTION 26.  The University of North Carolina, in collaboration with Duke University, may study the need for a deepwater research vessel in North Carolina.  If undertaken, the study shall:
(1)	Examine whether there is a need for North Carolina to expand its current deepwater research capability. 
(2)	Identify the preferred funding source for a research vessel and deepwater research in North Carolina.
(3)	Outline how best to integrate all the interested research departments in the State into a model partnership for such research, and how the lessons learned may be replicated in other disciplines.
(4)	Determine whether the model should include both public and private entities.
(5)	Examine public and private marine research consortiums in other states.
If The University of North Carolina undertakes the study, it shall report the results to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by January 1, 2008.

PART XXVII. DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO STUDY DISPARITY IN AWARDING STATE CONTRACTS TO MINORITY‑OWNED AND WOMEN‑OWNED BUSINESSES (Shaw, McKissick)

SECTION 27.  The Department of Administration may conduct a study on the availability and utilization of minority‑owned and women‑owned business enterprises and examine relevant evidence of the effects of race‑based and gender‑based discrimination upon the utilization of such business enterprises in contracts for planning, design, preconstruction, construction, maintenance, renovation, or repairs of State building projects, including building projects performed by a private entity on a facility to be leased or purchased by the State.  The study may include local government units or other public or private entities that receive State funding for a building or utility project, or other State grant funds for such projects performed by a private entity on a facility to be leased or purchased by the local government unit.  The study may further examine relevant evidence of the effects of race‑based and gender‑based discrimination upon the utilization of such business enterprises in contracts for the procurement of materials, supplies, equipment, apparatus, or other goods and services by all State entities.

PART XXVIII. BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA STUDY THE DEDICATION OF ONE OR MORE DENTAL SCHOLARSHIP‑LOAN PROGRAM SLOTS TO DENTISTS SERVING SPECIAL CARE POPULATIONS (S.B. 52 – Dorsett; H.B. 201 – Earle, Weiss, Bordsen, England)

SECTION 28.1.  The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall study the feasibility of permanently dedicating one or more of the Board of Governors' Dental Scholarship‑Loan Program slots to individuals who will predominately treat special care populations, primarily developmentally disabled individuals, and the elderly.
SECTION 28.2.  The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall report findings and recommendations on the study authorized in this section to the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging and to the General Assembly on or before January 15, 2008.

PART XXIX. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO STUDY AND IDENTIFY VARIOUS MODELS BEING UTILIZED TO DELIVER EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER SERVICES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL TO CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN THE STATE (H.B. 17 – Glazier, Bell, E. Warren, Wiley)

SECTION 29.  The Department of Public Instruction shall identify the various models being utilized to deliver educational and other services at the high school level to children with disabilities in North Carolina.  As a part of its study, the Department shall consider the efficacy of the models currently being used in the State and review the research for best practice models that are being implemented in other states.  The Department shall report its findings and any recommended legislation or policy changes by December 1, 2007, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.

PART XXX. BOARD OF GOVERNORS STUDY EFFECTIVENESS OF TEACHER EDUCATION (H. B. 26 – Farmer‑Butterfield, E. Warren, Parmon, Wiley)
SECTION 30.1.  The General Assembly finds that additional data is needed to determine the adequacy with which the State's teacher education programs are preparing teachers to teach students with disabilities. The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, in consultation with the State Board of Education, shall study the effectiveness of the current teacher education programs in preparing new teachers to educate students with disabilities.
SECTION 30.2.  The Board of Governors shall report its findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by May 15, 2008. The report shall include (i) evidence of the effectiveness of the current teacher education programs in preparing students to educate students with disabilities; (ii) documentation that the requirement for including specified demonstrated competencies in G.S. 115C‑296(b) is being met; and (iii) identification of changes needed in teacher education programs to better prepare teachers to teach students with disabilities, and a timeline for the implementation of the changes.

PART XXXI. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES STUDY REGULATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTE TRANSFER FACILITIES (H.B. 36 – Weiss, Ross, T. Harrell, Dollar)

SECTION 31.  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall study the need for further regulation of hazardous waste transfer facilities, as defined in G.S. 130A 290(a)(13a), as enacted by subsection (a) of this section, including whether to require these facilities to obtain a permit under Part 2 of Article 9 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes, pay permit fees, provide contingency plans, and demonstrate financial responsibility. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall report its findings and recommendations, including any legislative proposals, to the Environmental Review Commission on or before February 15, 2008.

PART XXXII. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION STUDY AGING INMATE POPULATION ( H.B. 62 – Glazier, Bordsen)

SECTION 32.  The Department of Correction shall study its aging inmate population and evaluate the resources and facilities that will be necessary to deal with the health care, program needs, and adaptive device needs of those inmates and shall determine the desirability of establishing specialized facilities for geriatric inmates, in order to address the physical, nutritional, health care, psychological, and social needs of these older inmates. In the course of its study, the Department shall familiarize itself with the existing programs in Ohio, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania that address the needs of older inmates. The Department shall report its findings and recommendations by March 1, 2008, to the Joint Legislative Corrections, Crime Control, and Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee.

PART XXXIII. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION STUDY STRATEGIES FOR MODIFYING PRINCIPAL AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL COMPENSATION SO AS TO ENHANCE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS. (H.B. 140 – Glazier, Insko, Alexander, Goforth)

SECTION 33.  The State Board of Education shall study strategies for modifying principal and assistant principal compensation so as to enhance recruitment and retention efforts. In the course of the study, the State Board shall consider:
(1)	The merits of:
a.	Signing or retention bonuses for hard‑to‑staff and turn‑around schools.
b.	Salary differentials based on whether a school is an elementary school, middle school, high school, or alternative school.
c.	Salary differentials based on the results of the Teacher Working Conditions Survey.
d.	Incentives to encourage effective school administrators to continue working after they have reached 30 years of service.
(2)	The frequency and size of increments on the principal salary schedule.
(3)	Opportunities and incentives for retired school administrators to return to service.
The State Board of Education shall report the results of the study to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee prior to February 1, 2008.

PART XXXIV. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES STUDY ALL OF THE DEPARTMENT'S COUNTY ALLOCATION FORMULAS (H.B. 187 – Glazier, Insko, Lucas, Dickson)

SECTION 34.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall contract with a professional consulting firm to conduct a study of all of the county allocation formulas applied by the Department.  The purpose of the study is to determine the sufficiency, equity, and efficiency of each formula.  The study shall be completed not later than March 1, 2008. Not later than May 1, 2008, the Department shall report the results and recommendations of the study to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division.

PART XXXV. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES STUDY OF THE PROGRAM SPECIAL ASSISTANCE IN‑HOME PROGRAM (H.B. 197 – Earle, Weiss, Bordsen, England)

SECTION 35.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall conduct a study to examine possible barriers to expansion and participation in the Special Assistance In‑Home Program.  The Department shall study implementation, both individually and collectively, and shall develop a cost estimate and participation level estimate for each of the following:
(1)	The impact of having the State pay one‑third of the current county share for the cost of case management in an effort to encourage increased county participation. 
(2)	The impact of removing the cap on the number of Special Assistance In‑Home slots.
(3)	The impact of changing the income level for the Special Assistance In‑Home Program from one hundred percent (100%) of the federal poverty level to the maximum monthly rate for residents in adult care homes.
The participation level estimate shall include individuals that might meet eligibility requirements regardless of current residence. The Department shall present its findings and recommendations on the study authorized in this section to the Study Commission on Aging on or before November 1, 2007.

PART XXXVI. BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA TO STUDY MINORITY FACULTY AND GRADUATES IN MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY (H.B. 1788 – Adams)

SECTION 36.1.  The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall study minority faculty and graduates in the fields of medicine and dentistry at the state‑operated medical and dental schools.  
SECTION 36.2.  The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall report its findings and recommendations to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.

PART XXXVII. EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION STUDY REGARDING MANDATORY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR INCARCERATED SEX OFFENDERS (H.B. 223 – Goforth, Ray, Glazier)

SECTION 37.  Section 18 of S.L. 2006‑247 directs the Department of Correction to study and develop a plan for mental health treatment programs for incarcerated sex offenders designed to reduce the likelihood of recidivism.  In conducting that study, the Department shall also do all of the following:
(1)	Identify the highest priority sex offenders who need treatment.
(2)	Address whether mental health treatment programs should be mandatory for sex offenders.
(3)	Determine the treatment approach and cost of implementing a mandatory treatment program.

PART XXXVIII. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO STUDY RELATED ISSUES TO THE MEDICAL CARE COMMISSION ADOPTING RULES ALLOWING THE ISSUANCE OF RATED CERTIFICATES TO ADULT CARE HOMES (H.B. 248 – Bordsen, Earle)

SECTION 38.1.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation, shall study the following: 
(1)	The structure and cost of a system to reward adult care homes which receive high ratings.
(2)	The development of a quality improvement program to provide technical assistance targeted to facilities that receive low ratings.
The Department shall report findings and recommendations on this study to the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging not later than March 1, 2008.
SECTION 38.2.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation and Division of Aging and Adult Services shall study expanding the rated certificate system to other facilities and services licensed and certified by the Department. The Department shall report to the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging on the expansion of the rating system by October 1, 2009.
SECTION 38.3.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation, shall report on the implementation of the rated certificate system. The Department shall make an interim report to the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging not later than October 1, 2009, and a final report to the Commission not later than October 1, 2010.

PART XXXIX. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES STUDY RESPITE CARE AND RECOMMEND WAYS TO IMPROVE THE CURRENT RESPITE CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM (H.B. 424 –Clary, Moore, Farmer‑Butterfield)

SECTION 39.1.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation, Division of Medical Assistance, and the Division of Aging and Adult Services, shall study the availability and delivery of respite care which provides temporary relief for family members and others who care for individuals with disabilities, chronic or terminal illnesses, dementia, or the elderly. The study shall examine the following:
(1)	The need and availability of respite care in North Carolina.
(2)	The delivery and licensing of respite care in other states and possible models for North Carolina.
(3)	The application process for a grant under the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006, 42 U.S.C.
(4)	The need for separate statutory language pertaining to respite care.
(5)	The need, proposed structure, and development timeline for a separate licensure category for respite care.
(6)	The development of a Medicaid waiver covering a proposed new licensure category for respite care.
SECTION 39.2.  In response to the study authorized in this section, the Department of Health and Human Services shall present findings and recommendations, including any proposed statutory changes and new licensure categories, to the Study Commission on Aging on or before March 1, 2008. 

PART XL. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF REQUIRING THAT ALL VACCINATIONS USED TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF G.S. 130A‑152(A) SHALL BE FREE OF THE PRESERVATIVE THIMEROSAL (H.B. 431 –Dollar, Goforth)

SECTION 40.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall study and determine the feasibility of requiring that all vaccinations used to carry out the provisions of G.S. 130A‑152(a) shall be free of the preservative thimerosal. The Department shall submit a written report of its findings, including a timetable for implementation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the General Assembly upon its convening.

PART XLI. THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA INSTITUTE ON AGING STUDY REGARDING PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES (H.B. 797 – Bordsen, Goodwin)

SECTION 41.1.  The University of North Carolina Institute on Aging shall conduct a study regarding public guardianship services. In conducting the study, the Institute on Aging shall consult with agencies and organizations that are involved or interested in the provision of public guardianship services, including the Division of Aging and Adult Services, the ARC of North Carolina, the Corporation for Guardianship Services, the North Carolina Guardianship Association, the North Carolina Association of County Directors of Social Services, Carolina Legal Assistance, and the Elder Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. The Institute on Aging shall consider the recommendations regarding public guardianship services made by the Wingspread National Guardianship Conference, the Wingspan National Guardianship Conference, and the National Study of Public Guardianship conducted by the American Bar Association's Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly, as well as the structure, administration, funding, and performance of the public guardianship programs in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia.
SECTION 41.2.  The study shall address the following:
(1)	The provision of public guardianship services through "disinterested public agent" guardians appointed under Chapter 35A of the General Statutes.
(2)	The provisions of public guardianship services through "public guardians" under Article 11 of Chapter 35A of the General Statutes.
(3)	The advantages and disadvantages of providing public guardianship services through each of the four models of public guardianship (court, social services, independent agency, and county) identified in the National Study of Public Guardianship.
(4)	The cost and feasibility of providing public guardianship services through government‑funded nonprofit corporations.
(5)	The potential for conflicts of interest in the provision of public guardianship services and ways to avoid or minimize potential conflicts of interest in providing public guardianship services.
(6)	The amount of funding needed to provide high quality public guardianship services.
(7)	Potential sources of revenue to fund public guardianship services.
(8)	Eligibility to receive public guardianship services.
(9)	Monitoring and evaluation of public guardianship programs.
(10)	Maximum staff‑ward ratios for public guardianship programs.
(11)	Training of public guardians.
(12)	Certification of public guardianship programs.
(13)	Ethical and practice standards for public guardianship programs.
SECTION 41.3.  The Institute on Aging shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging, Department of Health and Human Services, the Division of Aging and Adult Services, and the Fiscal Research Division on or before October 1, 2009.

PART XLII. THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP A PROPOSAL FOR A RECYCLING PROGRAM FOR FLUORESCENT LAMPS (H.B. 838 – Harrison, Fisher)

SECTION 42.  The Division of Waste Management and the Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall jointly develop a proposal for a recycling program for fluorescent lamps.  The program will be developed so as to ensure that substantially all of the mercury contained in fluorescent lamps will be recovered so as to facilitate a phase‑out of incandescent lamps without damage to public health and the environment from the increased use of mercury lamps as replacements for fluorescent lamps. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall report its findings and recommendations, including legislative proposals and cost estimates, to the Environmental Review Commission on or before March 1, 2008. 

PART XLIII. NORTH CAROLINA COURTS COMMISSION STUDY EXCUSING PRIMARY CAREGIVERS FROM JURY DUTY (H.B. 1434 – Owens)

SECTION 43.  The North Carolina Courts Commission shall study and determine whether the interests of justice would be better served by providing breast‑feeding mothers, primary care providers of children, and persons responsible for the primary care of sick or infirm individuals the option of a temporary excusal from jury duty. The Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.

PART XLIV. DEPARTMENT OF CRIME CONTROL AND PUBLIC SAFETY TO STUDY THE PROCEDURES OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HEALTH CARE FACILITIES WHEN PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA OR OTHER COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS ARE REPORTED MISSING (H.B. 1459 – Parmon, Earle, Hurley, Weiss)

SECTION 44.1.  The Department of Crime Control and Public Safety shall study the procedures of local law enforcement and health care facilities when persons with dementia or other cognitive impairments are reported missing.  The Department of Crime Control and Public Safety shall consult with the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, in conducting the study.  The study shall examine the following:
(1)	The coordination of search efforts among local and statewide agencies.
(2)	The search methods utilized when persons with dementia or other cognitive impairments are reported missing.
SECTION 44.2.  In response to the study authorized in this section, the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety shall present findings and recommendations, including any proposed statutory changes, to the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging on or before March 1, 2008.

PART XLV. DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES STUDY FEASIBILITY OF DESIGNATING THE NATHANIEL MACON HOUSE A STATE HISTORIC SITE

SECTION 45.  The Department of Cultural Resources, in cooperation with Warren County, shall study the feasibility of designating the Nathaniel Macon House as a State Historic Site.  The Department shall report the results of its study to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.

PART XLVI. WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION TO STUDY MANDATORY BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION (H.B. 1585 – Wray)

SECTION 46.1.  The Wildlife Resources Commission shall study the feasibility of implementing mandatory boating education in this State. In conducting its study, the Commission shall evaluate the feasibility of requiring all persons to satisfy boating education requirements prior to operating a motorboat or personal watercraft.
SECTION 46.2.  The Wildlife Resources Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the 2008 session of the 2007.

PART XLVII. BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA STUDY THE ACCESSIBILITY OF ITS FACILITIES TO SEVERELY PHYSICALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS SEEKING BASIC ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION WITHIN THE STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM (H.B. 1641 – Bryant, T. Harrell, Harrison, Luebke)

SECTION 47.1.  The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall study the accessibility of its facilities to severely physically disabled individuals seeking basic access to higher education at constituent institutions within the State University System. In its study, the Board of Governors may consider all of the following:
(1)	What specific educational assistance the State has funded that would be available to severely physically disabled individuals.
(2)	What specific educational assistance the State currently funds that would be available to severely physically disabled individuals.
(3)	The role of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of Health and Human Services in providing educational assistance at public and private universities or secondary schools that was, or currently is, available to severely physically disabled individuals.
(4)	Whether the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of Health and Human Services could provide for the personal care of severely physically disabled students at one or more constituent institutions within the State University System.
(5)	The desirability and feasibility of making the facilities of one constituent institution accessible to severely physically disabled students.
(6)	The estimated costs of making the facilities of one constituent institution accessible to severely physically disabled students and providing for the personal care of severely physically disabled students at this institution.
(7)	Whether the Illinois program to support its physically disabled population at its state universities offers any guidance to North Carolina.
(8)	Any other issues the Board of Governors deems pertinent to its study under this section.
SECTION 47.2.  No later than May 1, 2008, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall submit a report of its study to the Fiscal Research Division and to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, including its findings, recommendations, and any legislative proposals.

PART XLVIII. DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO STUDY METHODS TO ENSURE THE LAWFUL USE OF HANDICAPPED PLACARDS, AND THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF THE HANDICAPPED PARKING LAWS OF THE STATE (H.B. 1657 – Dollar)

SECTION 48.  The Division of Motor Vehicles of the Department of Transportation shall study methods to better ensure that handicapped placards are properly used only by those persons entitled to use them. As a part of its study, the Division shall study ways to make the expiration date of handicapped placards more visible, in order to assist law enforcement personnel in enforcing the handicapped placard law. In addition, the Division shall study the penalty for violations of the handicapped parking law. The Division shall submit the results of its study, including any recommended legislation, to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee on or before December 1, 2007.

PART XLIX. NORTH CAROLINA SENTENCING AND POLICY ADVISORY COMMISSION STUDY THE MOST APPROPRIATE PENALTIES FOR LEGISLATION MAKING TORTURE, ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE, AND RELATED ACTS UNLAWFUL IN NORTH CAROLINA, RECOGNIZING THE SEVERITY OF THESE CRIMES WHILE MAKING THE SENTENCING CONSISTENT WITH SENTENCES IMPOSED FOR RELATED CRIMES SUCH AS KIDNAPPING (H.B. 1682 – Jones, Luebke, Coleman Harrison)

SECTION 49.1. The North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission shall study the most appropriate penalties for legislation making torture, enforced disappearance, and related acts crimes in North Carolina, recognizing the severity of these crimes while providing for sentencing that is consistent with the sentences imposed for related crimes such as kidnapping.
SECTION 49.2.  The Sentencing Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly, including recommended language for a bill to be introduced in the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.  The report and recommendations shall be delivered to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate not later than January 31, 2008.  The report and recommendations may be included in the report to the General Assembly required by G.S. 164‑36(a), provided the report and recommendations required by this act are delivered no later than January 31, 2008.

PART L. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES STUDY THE USE OF INHIBITORS IN METHAMPHETAMINE PRODUCTION (H.B. 1703 – Love)

SECTION 50.  The Department of Justice in consultation with the Department of Agriculture shall study the possibility of establishing voluntary methamphetamine inhibitor programs in North Carolina.  As part of the study, the Department shall consider the research that is being done on this issue nationwide and the effectiveness and cost of programs that have been set up by other states and at the federal level regarding the use of methamphetamine inhibitors.  The Department of Justice shall report its findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Corrections, Crime Control, and Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee and to the Fiscal Research Division by March 1, 2008.

PART LI. STATE AUDITOR TO STUDY THE COSTS RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND THE SAVINGS FROM REPEAL (H.B. 1728 – Insko, Fisher)

SECTION 51.  The State Auditor shall assess the costs to the State associated with the administration of the capital punishment statute and the savings that could be achieved if the statute were to be repealed and shall report to the General Assembly on this issue by March 1, 2008.

PART LIi. Administrative Office of the Courts and the State Judicial Council study how to make the procedure of petitioning for an expunction under G.S. 15A‑146 more easily understood and available to the public (h.b. 1787 – Adams, Jones, Glazier, Johnson)

SECTION 52. The Administrative Office of the Courts and the State Judicial Council shall study how to make the procedure of petitioning for an expunction under G.S. 15A‑146 more easily understood and available to the public and shall report their findings to the Chief Justice by December 1, 2007.

PART LIII. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS, DEPARTMENT OF CRIME CONTROL AND PUBLIC SAFETY, AND STATE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION TO JOINTLY STUDY DEVELOPING A DATA BASE FOR INFORMATION PERTAINING TO INDIVIDUALS ADJUDICATED MENTALLY INCOMPETENT OR INVOLUNTARY COMMITTED (Harrison)

SECTION 53.1  The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety, and the Director of the State Bureau of Investigation, shall study the desirability and feasibility of developing a system of electronic records that contain identifying information regarding those individuals who have been adjudicated mentally incompetent or involuntarily committed to any mental institution. 
SECTION 53.2  The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety, and the Director of the State Bureau of Investigation  shall make a final report to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening.

PART LIV. DIVISION OF FOREST RESOURCES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES STUDY AND DEVELOP CRITERIA CONCERNING BURNING BANS (Rep. Justice)

SECTION 54.1.  The Division of Forest Resources of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in consultation with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, shall study and develop criteria to be used in the issuance of burning bans in the State. 
SECTION 54.2.  The Division of Forest Resources shall report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on or before March 1, 2008.

PART LV. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION STUDY SAFETY OF INMATE ROAD CREWS

SECTION 55.  The Department of Correction, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety and the Department of Labor, shall study the issues related to the safety of inmate crews working on North Carolina highways and roadsides under the supervision of the Department of Correction and the Department of Transportation.  The study shall include:
(a)	A description of the types of works and projects performed by inmates on North Carolina highways and roadsides.
(b)	A report on the number and types of accidents involving inmate crews in the past two years.
(c)	A description of current policy, procedure, equipment and training related to the safety of inmate crews.
(d)	Recommendations for additional procedural safeguards that may enhance the safety of inmate crews.
(e)	The cost of implementing additional procedural safeguards for inmate work crews.
(f)	The practices followed by other states in the use of inmate crews on highways and roadsides.
The Department of Correction, Department of Transportation and Department of Crime Control and Public Safety shall jointly report the results of this study to the Joint Legislative Corrections, Crime Control, and Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee and to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee by April 1, 2008. 

PART LVI. NORTH CAROLINA UTILITIES COMMISSION CONSIDER HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN REACHING LEAST COST DETERMINATION IN ELECTRICITY GENERATION (Harrison)

SECTION 56.  The North Carolina Utilities Commission may study and report to the General Assembly on the health and environmental impacts in reaching least cost determination in electricity generation.

PART LVII. AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE MODERNIZATION STUDY COMMISSION (Rand; S.B. 928 – Garrou)

SECTION 57.1.  There is created the Automobile Insurance Modernization Study Commission.  The Commission shall consist of 18 members as follows:
(1)	Six members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(2)	Six members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(3)	The Commissioner of Insurance or his designee.
(4)	One representative of the automobile insurance industry, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(5)	One representative of the automobile insurance industry, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(6)	The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or his designee.
(7)	One District Attorney, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(8)	One trial attorney who regularly handles motor vehicle offenses, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.     
SECTION 57.2.  The Commission shall study issues related to the method and manner of establishing automobile insurance rates in North Carolina, to ensure consumers are receiving the fullest possible benefit from marketplace competition among insurers on pricing and coverage options. 
The study shall include, but is not limited to, review of: the insurance regulatory systems in other states; the Safe Driver Incentive Program (SDIP); the N.C. Rate Bureau;  the N.C. Reinsurance Facility; insurance points for speeding, other insurance points, drivers license points, improper equipment violations, revocations, prayers for judgment continued; and the information included in drivers' records.
The Commission may study the issue of whether continuous financial responsibility should be a requirement for maintaining a valid North Carolina drivers license, as it is required under Article 9A of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes to maintain a valid motor vehicle registration, for the purpose of diminishing the incidents of crashes involving uninsured motorists. If the Commission studies this issue, it shall consider what liability insurance requirements would be appropriate, if any, if a requirement for liability insurance should be limited to individuals applying for or holding provisional licenses pursuant to G.S. 20‑11 or for those individuals previously convicted of certain motor vehicle offenses, and the relevant financial responsibility and uninsured‑motorist reduction efforts of other states.
SECTION 57.3.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each appoint a cochair for the Commission. The Commission may contract for consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission. Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the House of Representatives and Senate Directors of Legislative Assistants. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission. The Commission, while in discharge of official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them, and the power to subpoena witnesses. Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances at the rate established in G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate. The appointing authority shall fill vacancies.
SECTION 57.4.  The Commission may submit an interim report to the 2008 Session of the 2007 General Assembly and shall submit a final report, including all recommended legislation, to the 2009 General Assembly.  The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2009 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 57.5.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART LVIII. JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULAS (H.B. 1391 – Rapp, McLawhorn, Glazier)

SECTION 58.1.  There is created the Joint Legislative Study Committee on Public School Funding Formulas. The Committee shall consist of 10 members of the House of Representatives appointed by  the Speaker of the House of Representatives and 10 members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall  appoint a cochair, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint a cochair for the Committee. 
The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances at the rate established in G.S. 120 3.1, 138 5, or 138 6, as appropriate.
Subject to the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Directors of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical support staff to the Committee, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee.
SECTION 58.2.  The Committee shall perform an extensive study of all public school funding formulas and distributions, including, but not limited to:
(1)	School Capital Fund.
(2)	Lottery School Construction Formula.
(3)	Children with Disabilities.
(4)	Limited English Proficiency.
(5)	At‑Risk Student Services/Alternative Schools.
(6)	Improving Student Accountability.
(7)	Disadvantaged Students Supplemental.
(8)	Low‑Wealth Counties Supplemental Funding.
(9)	Small County Supplemental Funding.
(10)	Transportation of Pupils.
(11)	Academically or Intellectually Gifted.
(12)	Number of school systems funded per county.
SECTION 58.3.  The Committee shall also study the State Board of Education's model for projecting average daily membership and focus particularly on how well the model projects average daily membership in rapidly growing local school administrative units with a highly mobile population.
SECTION 58.4.  The Committee shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any legislative recommendations, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.  The Committee shall terminate upon filing its report.
SECTION 58.5.  From funds available to the General Assembly, the Committee may use up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) to conduct this study, subject to the approval of the Legislative Services Commission chairs. 
SECTION 58.6.  In preparation of the Committee's work, the chairs of the Legislative Services Commission may hire consultants prior to the first meeting of the Committee.

PART LIX. CONTINUE THE STUDY OF WATERFRONT ACCESS ISSUES (S.B. 646 – Albertson; H.B. 534 – Wainwright)

SECTION 59.  Section 45.5 of S.L. 2006‑248 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 45.5. The Committee may submit an interim report of its study to the Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture, the Marine Fisheries Commission, and the Coastal Resources Commission no later than January 15, 2007. The Committee shall submit a report of the results of its study, including any legislative recommendations, to the Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture, the Marine Fisheries Commission, and the Coastal Resources Commission no later than April 15, 2007. The Committee shall terminate upon the filing of its finalreport."

PART LX. EXTEND THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE GROWTH STRATEGIES OVERSIGHT COMMISSION (S.B. 1138 – Clodfelter)

SECTION 60.1.  Section 3.3 of S.L. 2001‑491, as amended by Section 3.2 of S.L. 2004‑161 and Section 9.2 of S.L. 2006‑248, reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 3.3. This Part becomes effective January 15, 2002, and expires December 31, 2008. Prior to its expiration, the Committee shall report to the General Assembly on its activities conducted pursuant to this Part."
SECTION 60.2.  This act revives Article 12N of Chapter 120 of the General Statutes.
SECTION 60.3.  G.S. 120‑70.120, as revived by this act, reads as rewritten:
"§ 120‑70.120.  Creation and membership of Joint Legislative Growth Strategies Oversight Committee.
The Joint Legislative Growth Strategies Oversight Committee is established. The Committee consists of 12 members as follows:
(1)	Six members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; and
(2)	Six members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
 Terms on the Committee begin on the date members are appointed and expire December 31, 2008. Members may complete a term of service on the Committee even if they do not seek reelection or are not reelected to the General Assembly, but resignation or removal from service in the General Assembly constitutes resignation or removal from service on the Committee.
A member continues to serve until a successor is appointed. A vacancy shall be filled by the officer who made the original appointment."
SECTION 60.4.  The Joint Legislative Growth Strategies Oversight Committee may meet during the legislative session or in the interim.

PART LXI. ESTABLISH THE NORTH CAROLINA STUDY COMMISSION ON JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION (Kinnaird; H.B. 1686 –Bordsen, Bryant)

SECTION 61.  Chapter 120 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"Article 32.
"The North Carolina Study Commission on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
"§ 120‑280.  Creation and purpose of the North Carolina Study Commission on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
There is established the North Carolina Study Commission on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to  study and evaluate the existing system of juvenile justice and to recommend changes to improve the system to protect the public and meet the needs of undisciplined and delinquent juveniles. This study shall be a continuing one and the evaluation ongoing.
"§ 120‑281.  Commission duties.
The North Carolina Study Commission on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention shall:
(1)	Study the needs of juveniles who have been adjudicated undisciplined or delinquent or who are at risk of becoming undisciplined or delinquent, including review of data on the proportion of African‑Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities in the juvenile justice system, and including the racial and ethnic minorities who are adjudicated and placed in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. If study of the data finds a disproportionate participation of African‑Americans or other racial or ethnic minorities in the juvenile justice system, the Commission shall study, evaluate, and recommend actions to eliminate the disproportionate participation of those minorities in the juvenile justice system. The Commission shall track corrective actions or measures adopted pursuant to recommendation of the Commission.
(2)	Evaluate State and local programs that provide prevention and rehabilitation services to juveniles who have been adjudicated undisciplined or delinquent or who are at risk of becoming undisciplined or delinquent.
(3)	Review the diversion programs within the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
(4)	Evaluate and recommend changes to the education system within the juvenile facilities.
(5)	Review data on juveniles who have been adjudicated delinquent or undisciplined or who are at risk of becoming delinquent or undisciplined, which may be used to facilitate both short‑ and long‑range planning for services for those juveniles, including for the delivery of services.
(6)	Review the use of funds awarded as grants by the State and local Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils.
(7)	Study, evaluate, and recommend changes to the North Carolina General Statutes relating to juvenile justice.
(8)	Study, evaluate, and recommend action regarding reports received by the Commission.
(9)	Study, evaluate, and recommend any changes proposed for future development of the juvenile justice system of the State.
(10)	Study, review, and evaluate any other issue regarding the juvenile justice system of the State.
"§ 120‑282.  Commission membership; terms; vacancies.
The North Carolina Study Commission on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention shall consist of 19 members as follows:
(1)	The Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention or that person's designee shall serve ex officio as a nonvoting member.
(2)	Nine members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate as follows:
a.	Five persons who are members of the Senate at the time of their appointment.
b.	One chief juvenile court counselor.
c.	One juvenile defense attorney.
d.	One representative from the Department of Public Instruction who works with at‑risk students.
e.	One youth counselor employed by the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at a youth development center.
(3)	Nine members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as follows:
a.	Five persons who are members of the House of Representatives at the time of their appointment.
b.	One mental health professional with experience working with juveniles.
c.	One district attorney or assistant district attorney with experience in juvenile court.
d.	One district court judge who administers juvenile court.
e.	One member of a local law enforcement agency.
Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority that made the initial appointment. The appointing authority shall fill the vacancy by appointing a person having the same qualifications. 
Initial appointments to the Commission shall last until January 1, 2009. Subsequent appointments shall be for two year terms. Members may only serve two consecutive two year terms, in addition to any partial term, but may be reappointed after having been off the Commission for two years.
"§ 120‑283.  Commission meetings.
The Commission shall have its initial meeting no later than January 31, 2008. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each appoint a cochair from the membership of the Commission. The Commission shall meet at least three times each calendar year and may meet at other times upon the call of the cochairs. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at meetings of the Commission shall be necessary for action to be taken by the Commission.
"§ 120‑284.  Member reimbursement.
The Commission members shall receive no salary as a result of serving on the Commission but shall receive necessary subsistence and travel expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, and 138‑6, as applicable.
"§ 120‑285.  Public hearings.
The Commission may hold public meetings across the State to solicit public input with respect to issues related to juvenile justice in North Carolina.
"§ 120‑286.  Assistance from other agencies.
The Commission may obtain information and data from all State officers, agents, agencies, and departments, while in the discharge of its duties, pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 120‑19, as if it were a committee of the General Assembly. The Commission may also call witnesses, compel testimony relevant to any matter properly before the Commission, and subpoena records and documents, provided that any patient record shall have patient identifying information removed. The provisions of G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4 shall apply to the proceedings of the Commission as if it were a joint committee of the General Assembly. In addition to the other signatures required for the issuance of a subpoena under this section, the subpoena shall also be signed by the cochairs of the Commission. Any cost of providing information to the Commission not covered by G.S. 120‑19.3 may be reimbursed by the Commission from funds appropriated to it for its continuing study."§ 120‑287.  Commission subcommittees.
The Commission cochairs may establish subcommittees for the purpose of making special studies pursuant to the Commission's duties and may appoint members who are not members of the Commission to serve on each subcommittee as resource persons. Resource persons shall be voting members of the subcommittee and shall receive subsistence and travel expenses in accordance with G.S. 138‑5 and G.S. 138‑6, as applicable.
"§ 120‑288.  Commission reports.
The Commission shall report to the General Assembly and the Governor the results of its study and recommendations. A written report shall be submitted to each biennial session of the General Assembly at its convening.
"§ 120‑289.  Commission staff and meeting place.
The Commission may contract for clerical or professional staff or for any other services it may require in the course of its ongoing study. At the request of the Commission, the Legislative Services Commission may supply members of the staff of the Legislative Services Office and clerical assistance to the Commission as the Legislative Services Commission considers appropriate.
The Commission may, with the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, meet in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building."

PART LXII. ABOLISH STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION

SECTION 62.1.  Part 7 of Article 12 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes, G.S. 143B‑556 and G.S. 143B‑557, is repealed.  G.S. 143B‑515(20) is repealed.
SECTION 62.2.  G.S. 143B‑516(f) reads as rewritten:
"(f)	The Department shall develop a cost‑benefit model for each State‑funded program. Program commitment and recidivism rates shall be components of the model. "

PART LXIII. NORTH CAROLINA INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE TO STUDY EVIDENCE‑BASED HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION (Queen)

SECTION 63.1.  The North Carolina Institute of Medicine is requested to study evidence‑based health promotion and disease prevention interventions that will improve the health of North Carolinians and lower the cost of health care to individuals and the health care system.
SECTION 63.2.  If the study is convened, it should focus on the following topic areas:
(1)	Preventing/reducing chronic diseases, morbidity, and premature mortality. This would include a focus on reducing risk factors such as obesity and tobacco use, and increasing protective factors such as healthy diets and physical activity. This would also include improving birth outcomes and other efforts to prevent premature morbidity or mortality.
(2)	Integrating preventive health strategies into primary care. Although North Carolina ranks better than the national average in ensuring that people receive many clinical preventive screenings, more can be done to ensure that preventable conditions are caught early.
(3)	Preventing/responding to infectious diseases and emerging public health threats. This would include a consideration of strategies such as immunizations and efforts to reduce food‑borne diseases. The prevention plan would also help the State prepare for emerging health threats such as influenza pandemic or multidrug resistant tuberculosis.
(4)	Reducing intentional and unintentional injuries (such as suicides, motor vehicle crashes, falls, occupational injuries, and poisoning). Because injuries are one of the leading causes of death among younger individuals, they result in more years of productive life lost than any other cause of death. Many injuries are preventable and can be reduced as part of a statewide prevention plan.
If the study is convened, the North Carolina Institute of Medicine shall provide staff and arrange for meeting facilities.
SECTION 63.3.  If the study is convened, it may meet over the course of two years to develop a prevention plan.  The goal of the study would be to examine the four broad topic areas and prioritize strategies across these areas to improve overall population health.  In developing the statewide plan, the study should consider different options to improve population health, including promoting healthy lifestyles, changing public and health policies, improving community and environment, and improving preventive clinical care.
SECTION 63.4.  If the study is convened, the Institute of Medicine shall submit an interim report to the 2007 General Assembly, Regular Session 2008, and to the Chairs of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Fiscal Research Division, and the Governor.  The final report shall be submitted no later than the convening of the 2009 General Assembly.  

PART LXIV. ESTABLISH THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION ON STATE GUARDIANSHIP LAWS (H.B. 250 – Bordsen, Clary)

SECTION 64.1.  There is created the Joint Legislative Study Commission on State Guardianship Laws. The purpose of the Commission is to review State law pertaining to guardianship and its relationship to other pertinent State laws such as the health care power of attorney, the right to a natural death, and durable power of attorney.
SECTION 64.2.  The Commission shall consist of 19 members as follows:
(1)	Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Four members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(3)	The Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, or the Director's designee.
(4)	The Director of the Division of Aging and Adult Services in the Department of Health and Human Services, or the Director's designee.
(5)	A county director of social services appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(6)	A clerk of superior court appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(7)	A physician who specializes in geriatrics appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(8)	An attorney who has experience in guardianship matters appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(9)	A representative of the Governor's Advocacy Council for Persons With Disabilities.
(10)	A director of a local management entity appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(11)	A representative of the Mental Health Association in North Carolina appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(12)	A member of an aging advocacy support group appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(13)	A county director of public health appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
In addition, representatives designated by the following organizations shall serve as ex‑officio, nonvoting members of the Commission:
(1)	The North Carolina Bar Association.
(2)	The Arc of North Carolina.
(3)	North Carolina Guardianship Association.
(4)	Alzheimer's Association – Western Chapter.
(5)	Alzheimer's Association – Eastern Chapter.
(6)	Carolina Legal Assistance.
(7)	The Area Agencies on Aging.
(8)	County Departments of Aging.
(9)	A county director of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services.
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 who made the initial appointment. The Commission shall expire upon delivering its final report.
The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Commission may meet at any time upon the joint 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.
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 Director of Legislative Assistants 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 64.3.  In conducting the study, the Commission shall consider issues related to guardianship for incompetent persons and minors including, but not limited to, the following:
(1)	Whether guardianship should be a remedy of last resort used only if less restrictive alternatives are insufficient.
(2)	The definition of incompetency or, if appropriate, incapacity.
(3)	Whether courts should be required to make express findings regarding the extent of a person's incapacity and limit the scope of the guardianship accordingly.
(4)	Legal rights retained or lost as a result of being adjudicated incompetent.
(5)	The role of public human services agencies in providing guardianship services.
(6)	Legal procedures and protections in guardianship proceedings.
(7)	Public monitoring of guardianship.
(8)	Examination of current training resources and the possible collaboration and coordination of current training resources for all stakeholders including family members, individuals, corporate guardians, and public agencies. 
(9)	Certification of all guardians and adoption of standards of practice for guardians. 
(10)	Educating citizens with respect to guardianship and alternatives to guardianship.
(11)	Powers, duties, and liabilities of guardians, including guardians of the person.
(12)	Creation of an Office of Public Guardian.
(13)	Public guardianship, including the provision and funding of public guardianship services, treatment of disinterested public agent guardians, priorities regarding appointment of individuals, corporations, and public guardians, and possible conflicts of interest with the appointment of certain disinterested public agent guardians.
(14)	Funding for guardianship services provided by nonprofit agencies including the need of current corporate guardians for additional resources in providing services to wards.
(15)	Implementation of additional corporate guardianship programs.
(16)	Enactment of the Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act (UGPPA) or similar revision of current Chapter 35A of the General Statutes.
(17)	Jurisdictional provisions governing incompetency and guardianship proceedings and portability of guardianship for foreign guardians.
(18)	Role of court‑appointed lawyers and guardians ad litem in guardianship proceedings to ensure adequate representation of respondents.
(19)	Whether guardianship statutes need revision to provide greater protection of the health and welfare of incapacitated adults.
(20)	Whether the State should track the number of people under private guardianship and, if so, proposed methods for the tracking.
(21)	Prudent investor rules.
(22)	Review of the State's adult protective services law.
SECTION 64.4.  The Legislative Study Commission on State Guardianship Laws may make an interim report to the 2007 General Assembly not later than the convening of the 2008 General Assembly, and shall make its final report to the 2009 General Assembly, Regular Session 2009, upon its convening. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2009 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 64.5.  All State departments and agencies and local governments and their subdivisions shall furnish the Commission with any information in their possession or available to them that is needed by the Commission to conduct its study.
SECTION 64.6.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART LXV. ESTABLISH THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE ON COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF MEDICINE (H.B. 451 –Parmon, Farmer‑Butterfield, Fisher, Bell)

SECTION 65.1.  There is created the Joint Legislative Study Committee on Complementary and Alternative Forms of Medicine in North Carolina. The Committee shall consist of 12 members. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint six members, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint six members. 
The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a cochair, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint a cochair for the Committee. The Committee may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the same appointing authority as made the initial appointment.
The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
Subject to the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Director of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical staff to the Committee, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee. Members of the Committee 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 65.2.  The Committee shall consider and report on:
(1)	Types of complementary and alternative health care services currently being offered and used in North Carolina.
(2)	Ways to remove current restrictions and facilitate access of consumers to complementary and alternative health care practitioners who are providing health care services not currently covered by existing medical licensing laws.
(3)	The impact of Health Freedom legislation in other states including Oklahoma, Minnesota, Rhode Island, California, and Idaho.
(4)	The need to safeguard public health and safety by requiring mandatory licensure of all persons who engage in the practice of complementary and alternative health care services to ensure minimum standards of competence, a minimum level of education, and experience.
(5)	Any other matter that the Committee deems appropriate or necessary to provide proper information to the General Assembly on the subject of the study.
SECTION 65.3  The Committee may make an interim report to the 2007 General Assembly, Regular Session 2008, and shall make its final report to the 2009 General Assembly upon its convening. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2009 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.

PART LXVI. ESTABLISH THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE ON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND DROPOUT RATES (H.B. 452 –Parmon, Wright, Fisher, Bell)

SECTION 66.1.  There is created the Joint Legislative Study Committee on High School Graduation and Dropout Rates. The Committee shall consist of 16 members. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint eight members, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint eight members. 
The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a cochair, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint a cochair for the Committee. The Committee may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the same appointing authority as made the initial appointment.
The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
Subject to the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Director of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical staff to the Committee, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee. Members of the Committee 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 66.2.  The Committee shall study the need to raise the compulsory school attendance age, methods for increasing the high school cohort graduation rate, and methods for lowering the dropout rate. In connection with this study, the Committee may consider and report on:
(1)	The impact of dropping out on students.
(2)	The capacity of a 16‑year‑old to understand the social and economic consequences of dropping out of school.
(3)	The emergence of major high school reform efforts, including Learn and Earn Programs, the New Schools Project, and 21st Century Schools, and the impact they may have on keeping teenagers in school longer.
(4)	The importance to the entire State of every student leaving high school prepared to enter the workforce or succeed in higher education.
(5)	Research on factors related to students' success or lack of success in schools.
(6)	Strategies, programs, and support services that should be provided to enable students to graduate from high school if the compulsory school attendance age is raised, and time lines for implementing those strategies, programs, and support services.
(7)	Related laws and policies that must be addressed to ensure the availability of support services for students.
(8)	The fiscal impact of raising the compulsory attendance age.
(9)	Possible exemptions from the compulsory attendance law for certain students, including those students who fulfill their graduation requirements early and receive a diploma, complete an alternative education program, or whose parents consent to their leaving school before they graduate or reach the maximum compulsory school attendance age.
(10)	The potential fiscal impact of raising the compulsory school attendance age on the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Department of Correction.
(11)	The compulsory attendance law in other states and the experiences of other states that have raised the compulsory school attendance age. 
(12)	Input from school personnel and from dropouts and students at risk of dropping out.
(13)	Any changes that are needed to the definition of a dropout and any changes in data collection to ensure consistency and accuracy in reporting the dropout rate.
(14)	Proven strategies and early intervention programs that can be implemented to prevent at‑risk youth from dropping out, especially in the middle grades.
(15)	Data on the number and demographics of students who drop out before the ninth grade. 
(16)	The importance of requiring every student to meet with a professional counselor for an exit interview to find out why students are dropping out.
(17)	The importance of making sure that at‑risk students are counseled about all of the support services, including alternative schools and extra assistance, that are available to help them meet their graduation requirements.
SECTION 66.3.  The Committee shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any legislative recommendations, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly or to the 2009 General Assembly upon its convening.  The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2009 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 66.4.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Committee.

PART LXVII. CREATE THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON EXPANDING RAIL SERVICE (H.B. 603 –Rapp, Pate, Dickson)

SECTION 67.1.  Commission Established. – There is established in the General Assembly a Joint Legislative Commission on Expanding Rail Service.  The Commission shall be composed of 16 members as follows:
(1)	Eight members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Eight members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
SECTION 67.2  Duties of Commission. – The Commission shall study the following matters related to expanding rail service in North Carolina:
(1)	The cost and benefits of expanding and upgrading rail service in the State, including the effect the expanded service would have on economic development.
(2)	The feasibility, cost, and benefits of establishing commuter rail service in the State to transport workers to cities from outlying areas, including the effect the commuter service would have on increasing the economic opportunities of those who live in the outlying areas.
(3)	The cost and benefits of expanding passenger rail service to the western and eastern areas of the State, including the effect the expanded service would have on tourism.
(4)	Ways to preserve unused or abandoned rail corridors for future rail needs.
(5)	Tax incentives for rail improvements to spur economic growth through further expansion and improvements of railroads, especially short lines.
(6)	The importance of rail service to military preparedness.
(7)	The importance of rail service to the deepwater ports of the State.
(8)	Rail service to and between the Global TransPark and military bases in the State.
(9)	Rail service as a part of a multimodal transportation system.
Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled by the appointing authority. 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 cochairs. A quorum of the Commission shall be nine members.
SECTION 67.3.  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 67.4.  Staff. – Adequate staff shall be provided to the Commission by the Legislative Services Office.
SECTION 67.5.  Consultants. – The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
SECTION 67.6.  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 67.7.  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 67.8.  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 67.10  Report. – The Commission shall make a final report of its findings and recommendations to the 2009 General Assembly. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2009 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 67.11.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART LXVIII. LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION ON RURAL INTERNET ACCESS (H.B. 757 – Faison)

SECTION 68.1.  There is created the Legislative Study Commission on Rural Internet Access.  The Commission shall consist of 10 voting members appointed as follows:
(1)	Five members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to include:
a.	Three members of the House of Representatives.
b.	At least one person from the high‑speed Internet industry or the field of information technology.
(2)	Five members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, to include:
a.	Three members of the Senate.
b.	At least one person from the high‑speed Internet industry or the field of information technology.
SECTION 68.2.  The Commission shall include nonvoting, ex officio members as follows:
(1)	The State Chief Information Officer, or the officer's designee.
(2)	The Secretary of Commerce, or the officer's designee.
SECTION 68.3.  The Commission shall:
(1)	Review and assess current efforts to provide citizens living in the rural areas of the State with access to technological advancements in telecommunications and information networks.
(2)	Review the affordability and availability of high‑speed Internet access in rural areas of the State.
(3)	Examine how State funds are being used currently to help bring Internet access to rural areas of the State and determine whether there are more cost‑effective ways for the State to assist efforts to bring high‑speed Internet access to those areas.
(4)	Study any other matter the Commission deems relevant.
(5)	Make an interim report to the General Assembly by the convening of the 2008 Regular Session.
(6)	Make a final report to the 2009 General Assembly that includes findings, recommendations, and legislative proposals relating to rural Internet access in the State.
SECTION 68.4.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each appoint a cochair for the Commission. The Commission may contract for consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission. Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the House of Representatives and the Senate Directors of Legislative Assistants. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission. Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances at the rate established in G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate.
The appointing authority shall fill vacancies. The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them and the power to subpoena witnesses.
SECTION 68.5.  The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2009 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 68.6.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART LXIX.  Reserved

PART LXX. Reserved

PART LXXI. CREATE THE LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION ON WINTER SPORTS RISK, SAFETY, AND LIABILITY OF PARTICIPANTS AND OPERATORS (H.B. 1137 – Haire, Tarleton, Rapp)

SECTION 71.1.  There is established the Legislative Study Commission on Winter Sports Risk, Safety, and Liability of Participants and Operators. The purpose of the Commission is to review the appropriate allocation of responsibility and assumption of risk between winter sports participants and winter sports facility operators.
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 71.2.  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 71.3.  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 71.4.  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 Director of Legislative Assistants 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 71.5.  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 terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2009 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 71.6.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART LXXII. CREATE THE AGRICULTURAL DISASTER RELIEF STUDY COMMISSION TO STUDY THE DESIRABILITY AND THE FEASIBILITY OF PROVIDING DISASTER RELIEF TO FARMERS (H.B. 1155 – Justus, Rapp)

SECTION 72.1.  Commission Created. – The Agricultural Disaster Relief Study Commission is created.
SECTION 72.2  Membership. – The Commission shall consist of 12 members.  The Commissioner of Agriculture, or the Commissioner's designee; the Director of the Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, or the Director's designee, and, notwithstanding G.S. 128‑1, a representative of the United States Department of Agriculture shall serve as ex officio members. The remaining members shall be appointed no later than October 1, 2007, as follows:
(1)	Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Three members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(3)	One farmer who has substantial experience as a Christmas tree grower in North Carolina, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(4)	One agricultural grower who has substantial experience as a nursery grower in North Carolina, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(5)	One farmer who has substantial experience as an apple grower in North Carolina, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
SECTION 72.3.  Vacancies. – A vacancy in the Commission or as chair of the Commission resulting from the resignation of a member or otherwise shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
SECTION 72.4.  Duties of Commission. – The Agricultural Disaster Relief Study Commission shall study the desirability and feasibility of providing disaster relief to North Carolina farmers.  In particular, the Commission shall consider:
(1)	The general subject of agricultural disaster relief. 
(2)	Previous disaster relief programs that have been specifically designed to assist farmers or that benefited a larger group that included farmers.
(3)	Whether any other states provide or have provided disaster relief to its farmers.
(4)	Any other issues the Commission considers to be pertinent to its study.
SECTION 72.5.  Report. – The Commission may make an interim report to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.  Prior to the convening of the 2009 General Assembly, the Commission shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations, including legislative and funding recommendations, to the 2009 General Assembly. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report.
SECTION 72.6.  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 72.7.  Chair; Meetings. – The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each designate one member to serve as cochair of the Commission. The cochairs shall call the initial meeting of the Commission on or before October 15, 2007.  The Commission shall subsequently meet upon such notice and in such manner as its members determine.  A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission.
SECTION 72.8.  Staff. – Upon the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer may assign professional and clerical staff and other services and supplies, as needed for the Commission to carry out its duties in an effective manner.
SECTION 72.9.  Cooperation by Government Agencies. – The Commission may call upon any department, agency, institution, or officer of the State or any political subdivision thereof for data or other assistance.

PART lXXIII. Reserved

PART LXXIV. ESTABLISH THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMIttee ON SCHOOL AND PUBLIC BUILDING SECURITY (H.B. 1417 – Lucas)

SECTION 74.1.  There is created the Joint Legislative Study Committee on School and Public Building Security. The Committee shall consist of 14 members. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint six members, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint six members, and the Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety shall appoint two members.
The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint a cochair, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a cochair for the Committee. The Committee may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the same appointing authority as made the initial appointment.
The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
Subject to the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Director of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical staff to the Committee, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee. Members of the Committee 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 74.2.  The Committee shall study issues related to security in schools, public and private, and public buildings; review best practices around the nation; examine existing technologies that the State could use to secure schools and public buildings and protect their occupants; and make recommendations on how the State can better protect the lives of State employees and other citizens.
SECTION 74.3.  The Committee shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any legislative recommendations, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.  The Committee shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 74.4.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Committee.

PART LXXV. STUDY THE IMPACT OF PARTITION SALES OF REAL PROPERTY ON THE ECONOMIC USE AND LOSS OF HEIR PROPERTY AND FARMLAND BY HEIRS IN NORTH CAROLINA (H.B. 1527 – Bryant, Farmer‑Butterfield, Allen, Harrison)

SECTION 75.1.  There is created the Partition Sales Study Committee to address the issue of the impact of the partition sale procedures on the economic use and loss of heir property and farmland by heirs in North Carolina.
SECTION 75.2.  The Committee shall be comprised of 18 members as follows:
(1)	Nine members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as follows:
(a)	Five members of the House of Representatives.
(b)	A Clerk of Superior Court.
(c)	Three members of the public with an expertise or stakeholder interest in the issue.
(2)	Nine members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate as follows:
(a)	Five members of the Senate.
(b)	A Clerk of Superior Court.
(c)	Three members of the public with an expertise or stakeholder interest in the issue.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each designate a cochair of the Committee. A quorum of the Committee shall be a majority of its members. The Committee shall meet upon the joint call of the cochairs.
SECTION 75.3.  The Committee shall study the laws and procedures concerning partition sales in North Carolina and how these laws affect landowners in the State, examining both the effectiveness and equity of the current law and exploring potential alternatives. Specifically, the Committee shall:
(1)	Review information about partition sales and examine current trends in partition sales in the State, especially related to sales initiated by strangers in interest to heirs or related cotenants.
(2)	Analyze research and information from North Carolina and other states and jurisdictions regarding the effect of partition laws on desired land retention and economic development.
(3)	Analyze information concerning the comparative frequency of partition sales vs. partition‑in‑kind in North Carolina.
(4)	Identify and assess alternative partition sales laws from other states.
(5)	Explore how best to balance competing interests of the tenants in common in the partition sales context.
(6)	Identify and consult with academics who have studied partition sales nationally to determine their recommendations concerning "best practices" in partition proceedings.
(7)	Identify current barriers to the adoption of "best practices" recommendations and to alternative laws adopted by other states and potential options to address these barriers.
(8)	Prepare a report with a statement of the issues and a summary of the research including the Committee's recommendations concerning any needed improvements and draft legislation to address any inequities presented by partition sales in North Carolina.
SECTION 75.4.  Members of the Committee shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate. Upon the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to the Committee to aid in its work. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. The Committee may meet during a regular or extra session of the General Assembly, subject to approval of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Subject to the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them and the power to subpoena witnesses.
SECTION 75.5.  The Committee shall submit a final report of the results of its study, including any legislative recommendations, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly no later than May 1, 2008. The Committee shall terminate on May 1, 2008, or upon the filing of its final report, whichever occurs first.
SECTION 75.6.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Committee.

PART LXXVI. ESTABLISH A JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE ON  LOCAL MANAGEMENT ENTITY ISSUES (H.B. 1541 – Justus, Insko, Alexander, Howard)

SECTION 76.1.  There is created the Joint Legislative Study Committee on Local Management Entities. The Committee shall consist of 12 members. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint six members of which one must be a current member of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint six members of which one must be a current member of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a cochair, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint a cochair for the Committee. The Committee may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the same appointing authority as made the initial appointment.
The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
Subject to the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Director of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical staff to the Committee, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee. Members of the Committee 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 76.2.  The Committee shall consider and report on impacts on the local management entity as it relates to:
(1)	The feasibility of requiring local management entities contracting with private providers delivering mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services to require that the provider   provide services to a certain percent or amount of  consumers who are not Medicaid eligible, who are part of the target population, and whose services are paid for using State funds.
(2)	Treatment in emergency rooms.
(3)	The administration of programs dealing with donated drugs.
(4)	Target populations.
(5)	Funds following the consumer.
(6)	Management of hospital bed days.
(7)	Local law enforcement issues relating to providing Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.
(8)	Timely reimbursement from the State for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services. 
(9)	Any other matter that the Committee deems appropriate or necessary to provide proper information to the General Assembly on the subject of the study.
SECTION 76.3.  The Committee may make an interim report to the 2007 General Assembly, Regular Session 2008, and shall make its final report to the 2009 General Assembly upon its convening. The Committee shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2009 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 76.4.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Committee.

PART LXXVII. CREATE THE UNBANKED AND UNDERBANKED CONSUMERS STUDY COMMISSION (H.B. 1658 – Holliman)

SECTION 77.1.  Commission Created. – The Unbanked and Underbanked Consumers Study Commission is created.
SECTION 77.2.  Membership. – The Commission shall consist of 14 members appointed as follows:
(1)	Five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(2)	Five members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(3)	One member associated with a consumer advocacy corporation specializing in unsecured credit issues appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(4)	One member associated with a consumer advocacy organization specializing in real estate secured credit issue appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(5)	One member associated with a State chartered credit corporation specializing in unsecured credit appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(6)	One member associated with a State chartered credit corporation specializing in real estate secured credit appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
SECTION 77.3.  Vacancies. – A vacancy in the Commission or as chair of the Commission resulting from the resignation of a member or otherwise shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
SECTION 77.4.  Duties of Commission. – The Unbanked and Underbanked Consumers Study Commission shall study the following matters related to access to credit by consumers who are considered unbanked or underbanked:
(1)	The respective academic and economic studies, consumer protection laws, and corporate best practices for consumer installment finance products developed over the last 10 years in this State, neighboring states, and across the country.
(2)	The potential business models and regulatory economic incentives that could serve to transition and graduate consumers from sub‑prime to prime credit scores resulting in increased chances that consumers might accumulate wealth.
(3)	Whether lending processes are understandable, fair, and efficient and what would constitute optimum disclosures to consumers so that consumers can understand and make reasoned decisions with regards to the products being offered.
(4)	The economic impact of raising credit scores and requiring wider reporting and creditor consideration of payments for alternative credit‑like accounts, including rent and utilities to major credit bureaus.
(5)	The impact and availability of financial education or incentives to raise personal financial literacy, and personal credit and financial counseling by companies providing customer financial services.
(6)	Whether regulation of financial services is best done on the basis of lender principles and practices or by price, how risk versus reward is determined, whether proper products will be available for consumer needs without economic reward for risk and service cost, and what products or services are not available, and does the lack of these products and services disadvantage consumers.
SECTION 77.5.  Report. – The Commission may make an interim report to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.  Prior to the convening of the 2009 General Assembly, the Commission shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations, including legislative and funding recommendations, to the 2009 General Assembly. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2009 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 77.6.  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 77.7  Chair; Meetings. – The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each designate one member to serve as cochair of the Commission. The cochairs shall call the initial meeting of the Commission.  The Commission shall subsequently meet upon such notice and in such manner as its members determine.  A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission.
SECTION 77.8.  Staff. – Upon the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer may assign professional and clerical staff and other services and supplies, as needed for the Commission to carry out its duties in an effective manner.
SECTION 77.9.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART LXXVIII. ESTABLISH THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LAWS STUDY COMMISSION (H.B. 1706 – Love)

SECTION 78.1.  The Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws Study Commission is hereby created. It shall consist of 10 members, five Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and five Senators to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint cochairs of the Commission from their respective appointees. A vacancy in membership shall be filled by the appointing authority who made the initial appointment.
SECTION 78.2.  It shall be the duty of the Commission to study and review the current Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws in Chapter 18B of the General Statutes and the Rules of the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission to identify those statutes and rules that may be obsolete or unconstitutional and to recommend proposed legislation and rules to streamline the Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws and Rules of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. 
SECTION 78.3.  The Commission may contract for consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission. Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the House of Representatives' and the Senate's Directors of Legislative Assistants. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission. Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances at the rate established in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, and 138‑6, as appropriate. The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them, and the power to subpoena witnesses.
SECTION 78.4.  The Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws Study Commission shall report its findings and recommendations, including all legislative proposals, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly by April 1, 2008. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 78.5.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART LXXIX. ESTABLISH THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISPARITIES IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM (H.B. 1713 – Bryant, Wainwright)

SECTION 79.1.  There is established the Joint Legislative Study Commission on the Elimination of Racial Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System.  The Commission shall consist of 16 members appointed as follows:
(1)	Eight members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Eight members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each appoint a cochair for the Commission. The appointing authority shall fill vacancies. The Commission shall meet upon the call of the cochairs.
SECTION 79.2.  The Commission shall study the root causes of, and the best practices needed to eliminate, the racial disparities in the juvenile justice system that negatively impact African‑American children and other racial and ethnic minorities and their families.  In connection with this study, the Commission shall:
(1)	Clarify, document, and report on the nature of the disparities that impact African‑American children and other racial and ethnic minorities and their families in the juvenile justice system, including disparities in initial contacts and referrals, diversions, adjudications, program services, commitments, and detention.
(2)	Document the effectiveness of current efforts by the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to eliminate racial disparities that affect African‑American children and other racial and ethnic minorities.
(3)	Clarify and document the impact and interconnection between at‑risk students, disciplinary actions, suspensions, and expulsions in the public and private schools and in the juvenile justice system.
(4)	Identify reliable methods to identify the societal influences that have a negative impact on juveniles who have been adjudicated delinquent or undisciplined or who are at risk of becoming delinquent or undisciplined, especially African‑American children and other racial and ethnic minorities, along with methods to provide those juveniles and their families with effective services and resources that will prevent involvement with the juvenile justice system in terms of adjudications and detention.
(5)	Identify the best practices to interrupt and eliminate the racial disparity in initial contacts, referrals, diversions, commitments, adjudications, detention, community program utilization, and program success rates along with success rates at other key decision points in the juvenile justice process and develop proposals to accomplish those practices.
(6)	Identify best practices and programs for providing family support services for racial and ethnic minorities to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities.
(7)	Identify any correlation between the race of staff and service providers and the outcomes for children and identify what types of training would be most effective for which types of staff in eliminating racial and ethnic disparities for children and their families.
(8)	Develop proposals regarding the best practices for eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system and the costs and feasibility of implementing programs to eliminate those disparities.
(9)	Document the measures of racial and ethnic disparities by staff members and counties and any other methods that will be helpful to identify elimination focus areas and strategies.
(10)	Document the measures needed to track the accountability for, and success of, identified strategies and practices to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system.
(11)	Identify the critical success factors for Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils and for the collaboration between law enforcement, the Judicial Department, the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, community‑based and faith‑based organizations, service providers, and educators for eliminating racial disparities in the juvenile justice system that negatively impact racial and ethnic minorities and their families.
(12)	Identify the legislative, policy, appropriations, and regulatory changes that will be necessitated by the recommendations from this study.
In conducting the study, the Commission shall consult with the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission and with the Joint Legislative Study Committee on High School Graduation and Drop Out Rates and the Task Force for Juvenile Justice Administration, if established by the 2007 General Assembly.
SECTION 79.3.  The Commission may contract for consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission. Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the House of Representatives' and the Senate's Directors of Legislative Assistants. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission. Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances at the rate established in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate.
The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them, and the power to subpoena witnesses.
SECTION 79.4.  The Commission may make an interim report of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including any legislative proposal, to the General Assembly by the convening of the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly and shall make its final report to the 2009 General Assembly by January 31, 2009. The Commission shall expire on January 31, 2009, or upon filing its final report, whichever occurs earlier.
SECTION 79.5.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART LXXX. ESTABLISH THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE FOR CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE (H.B. 1719 – Hurley)

SECTION 80.1.  There is hereby created the Joint Legislative Commission on Group Health Insurance for Chambers of Commerce.  The Commission, in consultation with the Commissioner of Insurance, shall study whether allowing trade associations to purchase group health insurance will result in health insurance coverage for small employers at more affordable rates and, at the same time, not have an adverse effect on group rates for small employers that are not part of a trade association.  As part of this study, the Commission shall recommend to the General Assembly a design for a pilot project to allow selected chambers of commerce to purchase health insurance from entities authorized to offer insurance in this State beyond what is allowed under current law.  The Commission's recommendation shall address all elements of the pilot project necessary to define it, including, but not limited to, the criteria, scope, and duration of the pilot and the local or geographic dispersion of the pilot area, including Piedmont Triad Chambers of Commerce.
SECTION 80.2.  The Commission shall consist of five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and five members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. 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 as made the initial appointment.
SECTION 80.3.  The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Commission may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
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 Director of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical staff to the Commission, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Commission. The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. If the Commission hires a consultant, the consultant shall not be a State employee or a person currently under contract with the State to provide services.
All State departments and agencies and local governments and their subdivisions shall furnish the Commission with any information in their possession or available to them.
SECTION 80.4.  The Commission shall report the results of its study and its recommendations to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 80.5.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART LXXXI. ESTABLISH THE JOINT STUDY COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS AND TO DIRECT THE COMMITTEE TO STUDY ISSUES RELATING TO MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS (H.B. 1721 –Martin)

SECTION 81.1  Committee created. – There is created the Joint Study Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.
SECTION 81.2.  Membership. – The Committee shall be comprised of 13 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.
(3)	The Assistant Secretary for Veterans Affairs, Department of Administration.
Members of the Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate cochairs for the Committee from among their respective appointees.
SECTION 81.3.  Duties of the Committee. – The Committee shall study or examine the following issues:
(1)	Taxation issues for disabled veterans.
(2)	How many people must apply for a particular license plate before it is made, as this issue affects veterans seeking special license plates.
(3)	How the term "veteran" is defined.
(4)	School eligibility of children of members of the military.
(5)	Child custody issues faced by military personnel.
(6)	Compatible development issues facing North Carolina's military installations.
(7)	Any other issues or matters affecting North Carolina's veterans, military retirees, military bases, or military population.
SECTION 81.4.  Vacancies. – Any vacancy shall be filled by the original appointing authority. 
SECTION 81.5.  Quorum. – A quorum of the Committee shall be a majority of its members.
SECTION 81.6.  Meetings. – The Committee shall meet upon the call of the cochairs. 
SECTION 81.7.  Expenses of members. – Members of the Committee shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, 138‑6, as appropriate.
SECTION 81.8.  Report. – The Committee is authorized to submit an interim report of the results of its study, including any legislative recommendations, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly, and shall submit a final report of the results of its study, including any legislative recommendations, to the 2009 Regular Session of the 2009 General Assembly, no later than January 1, 2009.
SECTION 81.9.  Expiration of Committee. – The Committee shall terminate on January 1, 2009, or upon the filing of its final report, whichever occurs first. 
SECTION 81.10.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Committee.

PART LXXXII. Reserved

PART LXXXIII. ESTABLISH THE STUDY COMMISSION ON GREENHOUSE REGULATIONS (H.B. 1894 – Tillis, Hill, Gibson)

SECTION 83.1.  There is created the Study Commission on Greenhouse Regulations.  The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed as follows:
(1)	Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Two members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(3)	A representative of the greenhouse industry appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(4)	A representative of the greenhouse industry appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(5)	The Commissioner of Insurance or the Commissioner's designee, ex officio.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each appoint a cochair for the Commission. The appointing authority shall fill vacancies. The Commission shall meet upon the call of the cochairs. 
SECTION 83.2.  The Commission shall study the building code regulations applicable to greenhouses and shall consider whether greenhouses should be exempt from State and local building codes. In particular, the Commission shall review the manufacturing guidelines set forth in the National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association Structural Design manual and determine whether greenhouses that are built in accordance with the National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association Structural Design manual and that are not used for retail sales should be exempt from building code regulations. In conducting the study, the Commission shall review the laws that govern the manufacture or construction, the design, and the inspection of greenhouses in other states.
SECTION 83.3.  The Commission may contract for consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission. Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the House of Representatives' and the Senate's Directors of Legislative Assistants. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission. Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances at the rate established in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, and 138‑6, as appropriate.  The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them, and the power to subpoena witnesses.
SECTION 83.4.  The Commission may report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including any legislative proposals, to the General Assembly by the convening of the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly. The Commission shall expire on that date, or upon filing its final report, whichever occurs earlier.
SECTION 83.5. From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART LXXXIV. CREATE THE LEGISLATIVE SPECIAL COMMISSION ON THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (H.B. 1955 – Yongue, Carney, Coleman, Johnson)

SECTION 84.1.  There is hereby created the Legislative Special Commission on Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education.  The purpose of the Commission is review of the mission, structure, programs, budgets, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness of the Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education.
SECTION 84.2.  The Commission shall consist of five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and five members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. 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 as made the initial appointment. 
The appointments shall be made and the Commission shall begin its work prior to September 1, 2007.
SECTION 84.3.  In performing the legislative review of the Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education, the Commission shall:
(1)	Consider the mission of the Department to support local educational agencies in their efforts to provide high quality educational services and foster high student performance and achievement, as set out in the statutes and in the rules, policies, and practices of the Department.
(2)	Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department of Public Instruction in furthering the missions and goals of the Department, including any proposed revisions. This evaluation shall include (i) the role of the Department of Public Instruction, its administrative structure, organization, accountability, and its statutory powers and duties; (ii) the role of the State Board of Education as the head of the Department of Public Instruction, its composition, organization, independence, representation of local educational agencies and the citizens of the State on the State Board of Education, and constitutional and statutory powers and duties; and (iii) the role of the State Superintendent as secretary and chief administrative officer of the State Board, the State Superintendent's selection, and the State Superintendent's constitutional and statutory powers and duties including the election or appointment of the State Superintendent.
(3)	Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the statewide student testing program, the data collection and data management program, the curriculum and instruction program, the financial services program, the school support services program, and any other program within the Department that has an impact on student performance and positive educational outcomes.
(4)	Assess the activities performed in each program, the major benefits provided by the program, the current funding and staffing levels for the program, the rationale for the funding and staffing levels, and the administrative and other overhead costs of the program.
(5)	Determine the appropriate level of funding and staff necessary to accomplish the goals and missions of the Department.
SECTION 84.4.  The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Commission may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
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 Director of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical staff to the Commission, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Commission. The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. If the Commission hires a consultant, the consultant shall not be a State employee or a person currently under contract with the State to provide services.
All State departments and agencies and local governments and their subdivisions shall furnish the Commission with any information in their possession or available to them.
SECTION 84.5.  The Commission shall report the results of its study and its recommendations to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 84.6.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART LXXXV. Reserved 

PART LXXXVI. House Select study commission to study issues pertaining to criminal offenses for assault and battery on a law enforcement, probation, or parole officer, or a person employed by a State or local detention facility (H.B. 1621 – Sutton)

SECTION 86.1. There is established the House Select Study Commission on Assault and Battery on Law Enforcement Officers. 
SECTION 86.2.  The Commission shall be composed of 15 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as follows:
(1)	Eight members of the House of Representatives.
(2)	A district attorney or representative of the Conference of District Attorneys of North Carolina.
(3)	A public defender.
(4)	A district court judge or representative of the Conference of District Court Judges.
(5)	A sheriff or representative of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association, Inc.
(6)	A police chief or representative of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police.
(7)	A member of a local law enforcement agency.
(8)	A representative of the North Carolina Department of Correction.
Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled by the appointing authority. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate two co‑chairs. A quorum of the Commission shall be eight members.
The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them, and the power to subpoena witnesses.
The Commission may meet at any time upon call of the chairs. 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.
The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Commission in its work. The House of Representatives' Director of Legislative Assistants 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 86.3.  The Commission shall study the following matters related to assault and battery on law enforcement officers:
(1)	The adequacy of the criminal offenses in the current law for assault and battery on a law enforcement, probation, or parole officer, or a person employed by a State or local detention facility.
(2)	Whether enhanced penalties should apply for assaults inflicting injury, serious injury, or serious bodily injury on a law enforcement, probation, or parole officer, or a person employed by a State or local detention facility.
(3)	Whether a separate criminal offense should be created for battery on a law enforcement, probation, or parole officer, or a person employed by a State or local detention facility.
(4)	Whether there should be an enhanced penalty for repeated assaults on a law enforcement, probation, or parole officer, or a person employed by a State or local detention facility that is separate from, and has different elements than, the offense of habitual misdemeanor assault.
(5)	Any other matter relating to assault or battery on a law enforcement, probation, or parole officer, or a person employed by a State or local detention facility that the Commission deems relevant.
SECTION 86.4.  The Commission may make an interim report to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.  The final report shall be made to the 2009 General Assembly upon its convening.  The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2009 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 86.5.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART LXXXVII. JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE ON THE SCHOOL TESTING PROGRAM (H.B. 1505  Hurley, Yongue)

SECTION 87.1.  There is created the Joint Legislative Study Committee on the School Testing Program. The Committee shall consist of six members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and six members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint a cochair, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a cochair for the Committee. The Committee may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the same appointing authority as made the initial appointment.
The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
Subject to the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Directors of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical support staff to the Committee, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee. Members of the Committee 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 87.2.  The Committee shall appoint an advisory panel comprised of teachers, principals, local superintendents, members of local boards of education, students, parents of public school students, and other persons to assist it in carrying out its duties.
SECTION 87.3.  The Committee shall study issues related to the public school testing program.  In the course of the study the Committee shall consider the amount of instructional time that is used to prepare for tests, the effect "teaching to the test" has on instruction, the amount of stress the testing program induces in students, parents, teachers, and school administrators, and the validity and usefulness of test results.
SECTION 87.4.  The Committee shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any legislative recommendations, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.  The Committee shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 87.5.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Committee.

PART LXXXVIII. Reserved

PART LXXXIX. JOINT SELECT STUDY COMMISSION ON ARTS EDUCATION FOR GRADES K‑12 IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA (Carney)

SECTION 89.1.  	There is established a Joint House‑Senate Select Study Commission on Arts Education in North Carolina's public school grades K‑12.
SECTION 89.2.  	The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint 23 members to serve as members of the  Joint Select Study Commission on Arts Education in North Carolina's public schools grades K‑12. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one co‑chair and the President Pro Tempore shall appoint one co‑chair of the Joint Select Study Commission on Arts Education in North Carolina's public schools grades K‑12. Appointments to the Commission shall meet the qualifications of the following categories:
(1)	Seven members of the House and seven members of the Senate
(2)	Two representatives of the Department of Public Instruction
(3)	One representative each from the following statewide service
organizations:
a.	ARTS North Carolina.
b.	North Carolina Theatre Arts Educators.
c.	North Carolina Music Educators Association.
d.	North Carolina Art Education Association.
e.	North Carolina Dance Alliance.
f.	North Carolina Theatre Conference.
g.	A+ Schools.
SECTION 89.3. The Commission shall study the current status of arts education in North Carolina and shall evaluate the impact of requiring one credit in arts education for graduation from a North Carolina public high school. Areas of arts education that should be examined by the Commission include:
(1)	The role of arts education in preparing North Carolina children to compete in a global economy, including:
	a. 	Arts education and the development of a creative work force.
	b.	Arts education and international understanding.
	c. 	Arts education and impact on math and science learning.
(2)	The role of arts education in advancing North Carolina's educational goals, including:
a. Arts education and increased literacy skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
b.	Arts education and improved student performance (attendance, leadership, problem solving skills).
	c.	Arts education and social and character development.
	d. 	Arts education impact on youth at‑risk.
	SECTION 89.4.  The Commission may contract for consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission. Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission. 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. The appointing authority shall fill vacancies.
		The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19, and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them and the power to subpoena witnesses.
	SECTION 89.5. The Commission shall submit a final written report of its findings and recommendations on or before the convening of the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly. All reports shall be filed with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate President Pro Tempore and the Legislative Librarian. Upon filing its final report, the Commission shall terminate. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.

PART XC. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES STUDY COMPENSATION OF PERSON STERILIZED BETWEEN 1929 AND 1975 AS A RESULT OF THE EUGENIC STERILIZATION PROGRAM OF THE STATE (H.B. 296 Womble, Parmon, Jones, Adams)

SECTION 90.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall study a proposal to compensate persons who, as a result of the eugenic sterilization program in this State, were sterilized between the years 1929 and 1975. That study shall include a proposed process for evaluating claims, an equitable amount of compensation, and such other matters as the Department deems necessary. The Department of Health and Human Services shall estimate the cost of providing health care, counseling, and educational assistance required as a result of sterilization under the State's eugenic sterilization program. The Department shall report the result of its findings to the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division on or before April 1, 2008. It is the intent of the General Assembly, after receiving cost estimates, to consider providing compensation, appropriate health care coverage, counseling, and educational assistance to persons covered by this section.

PART XCI. The Revenue Laws Study Committee and the State and Local Fiscal Modernization Study Commission study the issue of applying the sales and use tax to services (h.b. 1564 – Carney, Barnhart)

SECTION 91.  The Revenue Laws Study Committee and the State and Local Fiscal Modernization Study Commission shall study the issue of applying the sales and use tax to services.  The Committee and Commission shall make recommendations on expanding the sales and use tax base to offset the revenue lost due to the provisions of this act.  The Committee and Commission may make recommendations on further expanding the sales and use tax base and lowering the tax rates to maintain revenue neutrality.  The Committee and Commission shall report on this study to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.  The Committee and Commission may make joint recommendations or adopt the recommendations of the other entity.

PART XCII. establish A task force to study whether the  COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE should be raised AND to develop a comprehensive plan and time line to raise the age to eighteen and THE GRADUATION RATE TO one hundred percent (h.b. 1790 –Bryant, Bordsen, Wainwright, Jones)

SECTION 92.1.  Creation of the Task Force. – It is the intent of the General Assembly to consider whether the compulsory school age should be raised and to create the task force to develop a comprehensive plan and time line to implement raising the compulsory school age to 18 and the graduation rate to one hundred percent (100%). The Task Force is established within the Department of Public Instruction to develop findings and recommendations to provide a road map and time line for successfully raising the age of compulsory attendance to 18, including plans to increase the educational attainment and graduation rates of all students involved.
SECTION 92.2.  Membership. – The Task Force shall consist of 29 members:
(1)	Eleven ex officio members:
a.	The President of the North Carolina Community College System or a designee.
b.	The Superintendent of Public Instruction or a designee.
c.	The Chair of the State Board of Education or a designee.
d.	The Secretary of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention or a designee.
e.	The Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts or a designee.
f.	The Secretary of Health and Human Services or a designee.
g.	The Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services or a designee.
h.	The Director of the North Carolina Human Relations Commission or a designee.
i.	The President of The University of North Carolina or a designee.
j.	The Director of the Division of Public Health or a designee.
k.	The Director of the Division of Social Services or a designee.
(2)	Eighteen other members:
a.	One high school student, one local school superintendent, one member of a local board of education, and three at‑large members, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
b.	One high school student, one local school superintendent, one member of a local board of education, and three at‑large members, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
c.	One representative of the Governor's Crime Commission and one juvenile court counselor, appointed by the Governor.
d.	Two high school teachers and two high school principals, appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each designate one member to serve as cochair of the Task Force.
SECTION 92.3.  Duties of the Task Force. – The Task Force shall study issues related to raising the compulsory school attendance age to 18 and shall analyze the legal and systemic impact of raising the compulsory school age and implementing that change sequentially over a four‑year period.  In particular, the Task Force shall:
(1)	Identify the costs to the State, local school administrative units, and counties of implementing this age change, including the use of community colleges, alternative schools, vocational, technical and career education, programs such as Opportunities Industrialization Centers, and home, private, and parochial schools.
(2)	Review State laws and regulations that should be conformed or amended and make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding proposed amendments.
(3)	Develop proposals regarding alternative programs and services and collaborative programs to successfully handle this additional student population.
(4)	Identify the interconnections between the student and family populations affected and likely to be affected by this provision and the student and family populations likely to be involved in the juvenile justice system and develop a collaborative plan for all agencies, providers, and programs to jointly tailor and direct programs and services to this student cohort by proactively taking the services and programs to the students and families likely to be affected rather than responding to triggering violations or penalties.
(5)	Develop a model to have a per capita allocation per student follow the student into an alternative program or school, community college, or private or parochial school upon the award of a high school diploma or equivalent if such alternative program or entity is not a public school and if the student was determined not to be able to be accommodated in the public schools because of space, special needs, suspension/expulsion, or other eligibility issues.
(6)	Identify best practices to provide racial equity in opportunities to stay in and succeed in school and to eliminate the barriers of racism, classism, and sexism that can impact the 16‑18‑year‑olds targeted by this provision.
(7)	Develop a comprehensive plan and time line to implement the raising of the compulsory school age, including maximizing the use of community colleges, alternative schools and programs, and home, private, and parochial schools to minimize impact and costs to the public schools and the State and local governments and meet the implementation time frames.
(8)	Develop a reliable method to count, measure, track, and monitor children to age 18 in all the environments they might be in, including mental health, juvenile justice, correction or alternative care institutions, community colleges, private, parochial, or home schools, and on the streets, and the ways and methods they might be provided the opportunity for a high school degree.
SECTION 92.4.  Consultation. – The Task Force shall consult with the House Select Committee on High School Graduation and Drop Out Rates, and the Task Force for Juvenile Justice Administration, if established by the 2007 General Assembly, and appropriate State departments, agencies, and board representatives on issues related to high school education.
SECTION 92.5.  Meetings. – The cochairs shall call the initial meeting of the Task Force on or before October 1, 2007.  Subsequent meetings shall be held upon notice and in a manner as the members of the Task Force determine.  A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION 92.6.  Contingent upon the availability of funds, members of the Task Force shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate.
SECTION 92.7.  Assistance to the Task Force. – The Department of Public Instruction shall provide professional and clerical staff and other services and supplies, including meeting space, as needed for the Task Force to carry out its duties in an effective manner. All departments, agencies, institutions, and officers of the State and its political subdivisions shall provide facilities, data, and other assistance upon request of the Task Force.
SECTION 92.8.  Funding. – The Task Force may apply for, receive, and accept grants of non‑State funds, or other contributions as appropriate to assist it in the performance of its duties.
SECTION 92.9.  Report. – The Task Force shall submit an interim report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.  The Task Force shall make a final report of its findings and recommendations, including legislative, administrative, and funding recommendations, by January 15, 2009, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, the General Assembly, the Governor, and the citizens of the State.  The Task Force shall terminate upon filing its final report.

PART XCIII.  STUDY COMMISSION ON THE INVESTMENT AUTHORITY OF THE STATE TREASURER (H.B. 1806 – Coleman)

	SECTION 93.1.  There is created the Legislative Study Commission on the Investment Authority of the State Treasurer.  The Commission shall consist of 12 members appointed as follows:
	(1) 	Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
	(2)	Four members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
	(3)	Four members appointed by the Governor.	
	Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled by the appointing authority.  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 cochairs.
	SECTION 93.2.  The Commission shall study the investment authority and fund management of other state pension funds.  This study shall include the number of states with only one government official acting as sole trustee of the State's pension fund and those where a sole trustee has authority for selecting investment managers for the fund.  The study shall also include alternatives used by other states where the responsibility for investment is invested in a different custodian.
	SECTION 93.3.  The Commission may contract for consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission. Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the House of Representatives' and the Senate's Directors of Legislative Assistants. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission. Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances at the rate established in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, and 138‑6, as appropriate.  The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them, and the power to subpoena witnesses.
	SECTION 93.4.  The Commission may report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including any legislative proposals by February 1, 2008 to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations. The Commission shall terminate upon the earlier of the filing of its final report, or the convening of the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly
	SECTION 93.5.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART XCIV. STUDY a legislative tuition grant program for PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS (H.B. 2042 – Allred)

SECTION 94.1.  The Legislative Services Commission may contract with one or more qualified researchers who have previous experience evaluating school choice programs to conduct a study of the program if nonpublic funds are available for this purpose. The Legislative Services Commission may accept private funds to conduct this study.
SECTION 94.2.  The study shall assess:
(1)	The level of parental satisfaction with the program.
(2)	The level of participating students' satisfaction with the program.
(3)	The impact of the program and the resulting competition from private schools on the resident school districts, public school students, and quality of life in a community.
(4)	The impact of the program on public and private school capacity, availability, and quality.
(5)	Participating students' academic performance and graduation rates in comparison to students who applied for a tuition grant under this program but did not receive one because of random selection.
SECTION 94.3.  The researchers who conduct the study shall:
(1)	Apply appropriate analytical and behavioral science methodologies to ensure public confidence in the study.
(2)	Protect the identity of participating schools and students by, among other things, keeping anonymous all disaggregated data other than that for the categories of grade level, gender, race, and ethnicity.
(3)	Provide the General Assembly with a final copy of the evaluation of the program.
SECTION 94.4.  The participating private schools shall cooperate with the research effort by providing student assessment results and any other data necessary to complete this study.
SECTION 94.5.  The study shall cover a period of thirteen years. The General Assembly may require periodic reports from the researchers. After publishing their results, the researchers shall make their data and methodology available for public review while complying with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act  (20 U.S.C. § 1232g).

PART XCV. establish the north carolina growers consortium Study Commission (H.B. 2016 – Faison)

SECTION 95.1.  There is created the North Carolina Growers Consortium Study Commission. The Commission shall consist of 13 members appointed as follows:
(1)	Three members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(2)	Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(3)	Three members appointed by the Governor.
(4)	Two members appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
(5)	Two members appointed by the Secretary of Commerce.
SECTION 95.2.  The Commission is authorized to study the following:
(1)	Economic factors affecting the ability of North Carolina farmers to increase production of blueberries and other fruits, including availability and cost of credit.
(2)	Obstacles to increasing production such as availability of farm labor.
(3)	State laws or rules that may interfere with increased production of fruits and vegetables.
(4)	The need for State assistance to farmers who have an interest in producing fruits and vegetables, such as tax incentives, agronomic services, farm business planning, and other farm services.
SECTION 95.3.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a cochair, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint a cochair for the Commission.  The Commission may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs. Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled by the same appointing authority as made the initial appointment.
Subject to the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. 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 Director of Legislative Assistants 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.
All departments, agencies, institutions, and officers of the State and its political subdivisions shall provide facilities, data, and other assistance upon request of the Commission.
SECTION 95.4.  The Commission may submit an interim report to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly on the Commission's findings and recommendations, which may include any statutory changes necessary to implement the recommendations.  The Commission shall make a final report to the 2009 General Assembly and shall terminate upon the earlier of the filing of its final report or the convening of the 2009 General Assembly.
SECTION 95.5.  From the funds available to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate monies to fund the work of the Commission.

PART XCVI. OUT‑OF‑STATE TRAVEL

SECTION 96.  For legislative studies authorized by this act, out‑of‑state travel must be authorized by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as appropriate.  

PART XCVII. BILL AND RESOLUTION REFERENCES

SECTION 97. The listing of the original bill or resolution in this act is for reference purposes only and shall not be deemed to have incorporated by reference any of the substantive provisions contained in the original bill or resolution.

PART XCVIII. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPLICABILITY

SECTION 98.  Except as otherwise specifically provided, this act is effective when it becomes law. If a study is authorized both in this act and in the Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2007, the study shall be implemented in accordance with the Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2007 as ratified.