A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to authorize the joint legislative utility review committee to study issues related to the regulation of commercial ferry operations by the utilities commission.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Joint Legislative Utility Review 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.
SECTION 2.  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 3.  The Committee may report its findings and recommendations, including any recommended legislation, to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly and may make such additional reports to the General Assembly as the Committee deems necessary.
SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.