A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate ONE million dollars for the PLANTING of seedling trees in the rights‑of‑way on state highways.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Of the funds appropriated to the Department of Transportation up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) per year, for five years, beginning with the 2008‑2009 fiscal year, shall be used to develop and implement a plan to plant trees and shrubs native to North Carolina along the State's roads and highways in the rights‑of‑way.  The Department shall consult with and use the expertise of the United States Forest Service and the Division of Forest Resources of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the development and implementation of the plan. The plan shall include the planting of trees, shrubs, and other vegetation that (i) are native to the various regions and areas of the State in which they are being planted, (ii) will provide clean air and otherwise benefit the State's environment, (iii) are appropriately placed for the safety of those traveling on the roads and highways, and (iv) reduce the costs of mowing and maintaining the rights‑of-way along the State's roads and highways.    
The Department shall procure the seedlings from the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources or any State institution that cultivates seedling trees. If the seedlings are cultivated from within the State, the Department shall revegetate the cleared area with the same tree, shrub, or other vegetation harvested within the first planting season after the area is cleared. If no State agency cultivates seedling trees, then the Department shall procure seedlings grown in North Carolina. The Department shall, to the fullest extent possible, use inmates of the Department of Correction to plant and maintain the trees.  The Department shall submit the plan to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee by October 1, 2008, and begin implementation of the plan by January 1, 2009.  
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2008.