A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT establishing the african‑american heritage commission in the department of cultural resources and APPROPRIATING funds to support the commission.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 2 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:
"Part 30. African‑American Heritage Commission.
"§143B‑135.  Commission established.(a)	Creation; Duties. – There is created the African‑American Heritage Commission in the Department of Cultural Resources to advise and assist the Secretary of Cultural Resources in the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of African-American history, arts, and culture. The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
(1)	To advise the Secretary of Cultural Resources on methods and means of preserving African‑American history, arts, and culture.
(2)	To promote public awareness of historic buildings, sites, structures, artwork, and culture associated with North Carolina's African‑American heritage through special programs, exhibits, and publications.
(3)	To support African‑American heritage education in elementary and secondary schools in coordination with North Carolina Public Schools.
(4)	To build a statewide network of individuals and groups interested in the preservation of African‑American history, arts, and culture.
(5)	To develop a program to catalog, preserve, assess, and interpret all aspects of African‑American history, arts, and culture.
(6)	To advise the Secretary of Cultural Resources upon any matter the Secretary may refer to it.
(b)	Membership; Terms. – The Commission shall consist of 10 members, each of whom shall serve a three‑year term. Three‑year terms shall be on a rotating basis, so that no more than four members' terms expire in any given year. Commission members shall be appointed on or before October 31, 2008, as follows:
(1)	The Governor shall appoint all members, one of whom shall be a member of the North Carolina Historical Commission.
(2)	The Governor shall designate a member of the African‑American Heritage Commission to serve as chairman at his pleasure.
(3)	Ex officio members shall include the Secretary of Cultural Resources and the Deputy Secretary of the Office of Archives and History, or their designees.
(c)	Vacancies. – In the event a vacancy occurs on the Board prior to the expiration of a member's term, the Governor shall appoint a new Board member to serve the unexpired term.
(d)	Removal of Members. – The Commission may remove any of its members for neglect of duty, incompetence, or unprofessional conduct. A member subject to disciplinary proceedings shall be disqualified from participating in the official business of the Commission until the charges have been resolved.
(e)	Meetings; Quorum. – The Commission shall meet at least semiannually to conduct business. The Commission shall adopt rules governing the calling, holding, and conducting of regular and special meetings. A majority of Commission members shall constitute a quorum."
SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Cultural Resources the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in recurring funds for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year to support the operations of the African‑American Heritage Commission, established in Section 1 of this act. The Department of Cultural Resources shall provide necessary clerical and administrative support services to the Commission.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2008.