A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT exempting the city of raleigh from competitive bidding requirements when letting contracts for apparatus, supplies, materials, or equipment used as part of any pilot program authorized by the city council to test the efficiency and effectiveness of LIGHT EMITTING DIODE  technologies and permitting the city of raleigh to levy a motor vehicle privilege tax of up to twenty dollars for each resident vehicle located in the city.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The City of Raleigh may contract for apparatus, supplies, materials, or equipment that will be used as part of any pilot program authorized by the City Council to test the efficiency and effectiveness of light emitting diode technology for energy conservation without being subject to the requirements of G.S. 143‑129, 143‑131, and 143‑132. Notwithstanding any provision of law, the City may award a contract under this section in its sole discretion.  The authority granted herein shall expire on July 1, 2009.
SECTION 2.(a)  Chapter 229 of the 1991 Session Laws is repealed.
SECTION 2.(b)  G.S. 20‑97(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	General Municipal Vehicle Tax. – Cities and towns may levy a tax of not more than  twenty dollars ($20.00) per year upon any vehicle resident in the city or town. The proceeds of the tax up to fifteen dollars ($15.00) may be used for any lawful purpose. The proceeds of these taxes derived from any levy above fifteen dollars ($15.00) and up to twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be used exclusively for transportation‑related purposes, including sidewalks."
SECTION 2.(c)  This section applies to the City of Raleigh only.
SECTION 3.  Section 1 of this act is effective when it becomes law.  Section 2 of this act is effective upon the date the City of Raleigh acts to levy an additional tax under the act and is effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2007.