A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to continue the study of Public‑Private Partnerships by a legislative study commission.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is established the Legislative Study Commission on Public‑Private Partnerships.
SECTION 2.  The Commission shall be composed of 16 members, as follows:
(1)	Five members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(2)	Five members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(3)	Three public members, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(4)	Three public members, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
The Commission shall include, and consult with, the Secretary of Transportation, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, the State Treasurer, the Local Government Commission, the State Construction Office, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, the North Carolina League of Municipalities, and the North Carolina School Boards Association in the course of its deliberations.
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.  The Commission shall study issues related to Public‑Private Partnerships (PPPs), including examination of the appropriate authority for State, regional, and local government units to engage in PPPs for public capital projects through a regulatory framework.  As part of its study, the Commission may study infrastructure banks and any other relevant issues it deems appropriate.
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.