A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to study the business license information office.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Joint Legislative Economic Development and Global Engagement Oversight Committee shall study the performance of the clearinghouse for State business license information established in G.S. 143B‑431(e) and evaluate the cost, need, benefit, and efficacy of the assistance to businesses provided by that clearinghouse. The study shall examine at least all of the following:
(1)	Research and determine the cost to benefit ratio of the clearinghouse to the businesses they are attempting to serve and to the State.
(2)	Determine whether the clearinghouse is currently performing all of the duties required of it.
(3)	Determine whether businesses receive sufficient information or need additional information in addition to that provided by the clearinghouse with the goal of replacing the clearinghouse with or transforming the clearinghouse into a one‑stop business portal serving all information request needs of businesses in or seeking to locate in the State.
(4)	Research and understand how businesses seek and obtain government assistance and whether the clearinghouse is best suited to those methods of seeking assistance.
(5)	Any other issue determined by the Committee to be relevant.
SECTION 2.  The Joint Legislative Economic Development and Global Engagement Oversight Committee shall report its findings and any recommendations, including any legislative recommendations, to the 2013 General Assembly when it reconvenes in 2014.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.