A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH the legislative tuition grant STUDY COMMISsiON to DETERMINe THE IMPACT AND BENEFIT OF making the legislative tuition grants available to eligible students who attend NORTH CAROLINA CAREER COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS.
Whereas, the North Carolina career colleges and schools play a valuable role in the education of our population; and
Whereas, the students that attend these schools are typically North Carolina residents; and
Whereas, the students that attend these schools graduate and are almost universally placed in places of employment within the State of North Carolina; and
Whereas, the North Carolina career colleges and schools provide workforce training to over 10,000 citizens every year; and
Whereas, the stated purpose of the legislative tuition grant program is to provide financial support to students attending private schools that would otherwise need to be educated by State institutions of higher education; and 
Whereas, the North Carolina career colleges and schools educate students who otherwise would need to be educated by The University of North Carolina system or the North Carolina Community College System; and
Whereas, the law does not currently authorize the payment of legislative tuition grants for students who attend any of North Carolina's career colleges and schools; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Commission Created. – The Legislative Tuition Grant Study Commission is created.
SECTION 2.(a)  Membership. – The Commission shall consist of eight members appointed 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 member associated with a North Carolina career college or school appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(4)	One member associated with a North Carolina career college or school appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
SECTION 2.(b)  Cochairs. – 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 Commission.
SECTION 2.(c)  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 3.  Duties of Commission. – The Legislative Tuition Grant Study Commission shall study the feasibility of providing legislative tuition grants for eligible students who attend North Carolina career colleges and schools.  In its study the Commission shall consider the following:
(1)	The fiscal impact of making legislative tuition grants available to eligible students who attend North Carolina career colleges and schools. 
(2)	The current impact career colleges and schools have on the workforce development of this State. 
(3)	The rules and statutes regarding the distribution of legislative tuition grant funds and what improvements are needed. 
(4)	The savings the North Carolina career colleges and schools bring to the State by educating students who may otherwise be educated by a State-supported school.
SECTION 4.  Meetings. – 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.
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 contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
SECTION 5.  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 6.  Staff. – Upon the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall 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 7.  Report. – The Commission may make an interim report, including any legislative and funding recommendations, to the  2010 Regular Session of the 2009 General Assembly, and shall submit a final report, including any legislative and funding recommendations, to the 2011 General Assembly.  The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report.
SECTION 8.  Of the funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate funds for the expenses of the Commission established by this act.
SECTION 9.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2009.