A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
A JOINT RESOLUTION to authorize a study of the state's future energy needs, including alternative fuel for vehicles.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  There is established the Legislative Study Commission on Alternative Fuel for Vehicles to study the State's future energy needs.  The study shall focus on the possible use of compressed natural gas, liquid propane, and biofuels as fuel sources for vehicles.
SECTION 2.  The Commission shall be composed of eight members, as follows:
(1)	Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(2)	Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(3)	Two public members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of which shall be an individual with experience in the alternative fuel industry and one of which shall be an individual employed in academia with expertise in alternative fuels for vehicles.
(4)	Two public members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one of which shall be an individual with experience in the alternative fuel industry and one of which shall be an individual employed in academia with expertise in alternative fuels for vehicles.
Public members shall be residents of the State. Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled by the appointing authority. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives each shall designate a cochair who shall be a member of the General Assembly. A quorum of the Commission shall be 10 members.
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 meet at any time upon call of the chairs. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Commission in its work. The House of Representatives' and Senate's Directors of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical staff to the Commission, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Commission. Members of the Commission shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate.
SECTION 3.  As part of its study of compressed natural gas, liquid propane, and biofuels as fuel sources for vehicles, the Commission may examine the following:
(1)	Infrastructure changes needed to facilitate the use of alternative fuel vehicles, including integration with gas distribution lines.
(2)	Incentives for alternative fuels for vehicles, including tax incentives.
(3)	Feasibility of using alternative fuel vehicles for the State fleet.
(4)	Impact of alternative fuel vehicles on fuel supply.
(5)	The potential for job creation and market growth as a result of the use of compressed natural gas and biofuels as fuel sources for vehicles.
(6)	The environmental impact of the alternative fuels.
(7)	Any other relevant issues relating to the use of compressed natural gas and biofuels as fuel sources for vehicles.
SECTION 4.  The Commission may report its recommendations and legislative proposals to the 2012 Regular Session of the 2011 General Assembly on or before its convening.
SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law.