A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO establish GEOGRAPHICALLY uniform ZONEs TO PROMOTE COLLABORATION FOR PROSPERITY WITHIN THIS state, TO REPEAL THE STATUTES RELATING TO THE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONS AND TO TRANSFER THEIR FUNCTIONS WITHIN EACH ZONE TO THE dEPARTMENT OF cOMMERCE, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, AND TRANSPORTATION AND THE community college system TO MAINTAIN LIAISON PERSONNEL WITHIN EACH ZONE, AND TO CREATE THE STUDY Commission on InterAgency Collaboration for Prosperity.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. CREATION OF COLLABORATION FOR PROSPERITY ZONES
SECTION 1.(a)  Intent to Create Collaboration for Prosperity Zones. – It is the intent of the General Assembly to establish geographically uniform zones in this State to facilitate collaborative and coordinated planning and use of resources, to improve cooperation with other governmental and nonprofit entities at the local and regional level, to facilitate administrative efficiencies within State government, and, to the extent feasible, to establish one‑stop sources in each region for citizens and businesses seeking State services at a regional level.
SECTION 1.(b)  Article 1 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 143B‑28.1.  Create Collaboration for Prosperity Zones.
For purposes of enhanced collaboration and cooperation between governmental agencies, planning, use of resources, and improved efficiency at a regional level, the State is hereby divided into eight zones as follows:
(1)	Western Region, consisting of Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey Counties.
(2)	Northwest Region, consisting of Alleghany, Ashe, Alexander, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Davie, Iredell, Mitchell, Rowan, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yadkin Counties.
(3)	Southwest Region, consisting of Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Stanly, and Union Counties.
(4)	Piedmont‑Triad (Central) Region, consisting of Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Montgomery, Randolph, Rockingham, and Stokes Counties.
(5)	North Central Region, consisting of Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Nash, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake, Warren, and Wilson Counties.
(6)	Sandhills (South Central) Region, consisting of Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, and Scotland Counties.
(7)	Northeast Region, consisting of Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties.
(8)	Southeast Region, consisting of Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, and Wayne Counties."SECTION 1.(c)  Agencies shall, by January 1, 2014, report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the Study Commission on Collaboration for Prosperity on how they plan to abolish regions and transform them into Collaboration for Prosperity Zones as defined by this act.
SECTION 1.(d)  This Part becomes effective July 1, 2013.

PART II. ABOLISH REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONS
SECTION 2.1.(a)  G.S. 158‑8.1, 158‑8.2, 158‑8.3, 158‑8.4, 158‑8.4A, 158‑8.5, 158‑8.6, 158‑8.7, 158‑8.8, and 158‑8.12 are repealed.
SECTION 2.1.(b)  Article 4 of Chapter 158 of the General Statutes is repealed.
SECTION 2.1.(c)  G.S. 120‑123(62) is repealed.
SECTION 2.1.(d)  G.S. 143‑506.10 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑506.10.  Designation of growth centers; achieving balanced growth.
It shall be the policy of the State of North Carolina to support the expansion of the State and to designate growth areas or centers with the potential, capacity and desire for growth. The Governor, with the advice of county and municipal government officials and citizens, is charged with designating growth areas or centers, which shall include at least one center in each North Carolina county. Designation of growth areas or centers shall be reviewed annually. These designations may be used for the purpose of establishing priority consideration for State and federal assistance for growth.
Progress toward achieving balanced growth shall be measured by the  strengthening of economic activity and the adequacy of public services within each of the State's multi‑county regions. The Governor, with the advice of county and municipal government officials and citizens, shall develop measures of progress toward achieving balanced growth."
SECTION 2.1.(e)  The Western North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission (AdvantageWest), the Southeastern North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission, North Carolina's Eastern Region, and North Carolina's Northeast Commission may either wind up their affairs or reorganize as nonprofit corporations reorganized to carry out the same purposes, and the nonprofit shall not receive State appropriations.SECTION 2.2.  G.S. 143B‑431 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(c1)	 Within each Collaboration for Prosperity Zone as defined in G.S. 143B‑28.1, the Department of Commerce shall perform the functions formerly provided by the North Carolina Western Regional Economic Development Commission (AdvantageWest), the Southeastern North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission, North Carolina's Northeast Commission, and North Carolina's Eastern Region Development Commission. Specifically, the Department of Commerce shall do all of the following in each zone:
(1)	Provide an interface in each zone for the Department's statewide programs and activities, especially those under subsections (c) and (e) of this section.
(2)	Receive from any municipal, county, joint, or regional planning board or commission with jurisdiction within its area an economic development program for part or all of the area.
(3)	Survey each zone and determine the assets, liabilities, and resources that the zone contributes to the economic development process.
(4)	In collaboration with other State agencies and with local governments and regional and local government entities, develop and evaluate alternatives for economic development in each zone.
(5)	In collaboration with other State agencies and with local governments and regional and local government entities, develop a preferred economic development plan for the zone and establish strategies for implementing the plan.
(6)	Coordinate its activities in each zone with those of other State agencies and with local governments and local government entities, including coordinating activities and entering into contracts with any nonprofit corporation created to assist a former regional commission in carrying out that commission's powers and duties.
In carrying out the responsibilities required by this subsection, the Department of Commerce may conduct feasibility and other studies and formulate projects for (i) carrying out economic development programs, (ii) attracting new industries and encouraging existing industries, (iii) encouraging agricultural development, and (iv) other activities of a similar nature.
The Department of Commerce shall report annually by February 15 of each year to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations a summary of the preceding year's program activities, objectives, and accomplishments under this subsection."
SECTION 2.3.  The Department of Commerce shall use funds available to carry out the requirements of this Part.
SECTION 2.4.  Except as otherwise provided, this Part becomes effective July 1, 2013.

PART III. DEPARTMENTS TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE LIAISON IN EACH COLLABORATION FOR PROSPERITY ZONE
SECTION 3.1.  No later than October 1, 2013, the Departments of Commerce, Environment and Natural Resources, and Transportation shall have at least one employee physically located in the same office in each of the Collaboration for Prosperity Zones set out in G.S. 143B‑28.1 to serve as that department's liaison with the other departments and with local governments, schools and colleges, planning and development bodies, and businesses in that zone. The departments shall jointly select the office.
	No later than October 1, 2013, the Community Colleges System Office shall designate at least one representative from a community college or from the Community Colleges System Office to serve as a liaison in each Collaboration for Prosperity Zone for the community college system, the community colleges in the zone, and other educational agencies and schools within the zone. A liaison may be from a business center located in a community college. These liaisons are not required to be collocated with the liaisons from the Departments of Commerce, Environment and Natural Resources, and Transportation.
SECTION 3.2.  In addition to other related tasks assigned by their respective agencies, liaisons in each Collaboration for Prosperity Zone shall work to enhance collaboration and cooperation between their departments and other State agencies, local government agencies, and other regional public and nonprofit entities. The liaisons from the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Transportation shall work to consolidate and simplify the process for citizens and businesses seeking permits from their respective agencies. The liaisons from the Department of Commerce shall be used to support local economic development efforts, to coordinate such efforts, and to coordinate the Department of Commerce's activities within each Collaboration for Prosperity Zone. The liaisons from the community college system shall work closely with the Department of Commerce and other State and local government agencies and local businesses in the zone to promote job development through career technical education.
SECTION 3.3.(a)  The Departments of Transportation and Environment and Natural Resources shall jointly report to the Office of State Budget and Management, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee, the Environmental Review Commission, and the Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity, as follows:
(1)	No later than October 1, 2013, on the establishment of collocated liaisons within each Collaboration for Prosperity Zone and a description of the activities the liaisons have been assigned to perform.
(2)	No later than April 1, 2014, on the activities of the liaisons, specifically any activities undertaken that resulted in enhanced collaboration and coordination with the other Department and with other governmental agencies, improved administrative efficiencies, and any steps taken to make services to citizens and businesses within each zone more efficient, economical, and user‑friendly.
SECTION 3.3.(b)  The Community Colleges System Office shall report to the Office of State Budget and Management, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, and the Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity as follows:
(1)	No later than October 1, 2013, on the establishment of liaisons within each Collaboration for Prosperity Zone and a description of the activities the liaisons have been assigned to perform.
(2)	No later than April 1, 2014, on the activities of the liaisons, specifically any activities undertaken that resulted in enhanced collaboration and coordination with other governmental agencies, improved planning on use of educational resources, and improved administrative efficiencies.
SECTION 3.3.(c)  The Department of Commerce shall include in its first report under G.S. 143B‑431(c1), as enacted by this act, a report on the establishment and activities of its liaisons in each Collaboration for Prosperity Zone. The Department of Commerce shall send a copy of this report to the Office of State Budget and Management and to the Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity.
SECTION 3.4.  The Departments of Commerce, Environment and Natural Resources, and Transportation and the Community Colleges System Office shall use funds available to carry out the requirements of this section.
SECTION 3.5.  Except as otherwise provided, this Part becomes effective July 1, 2013, and expires July 1, 2017.

PART IV. STUDY COMMISSION ON INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION FOR PROSPERITY
SECTION 4.1.(a)  Creation of Commission. – The Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity is established in the General Assembly.
SECTION 4.1.(b)  Membership. – The Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity shall consist of eight members, four members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
SECTION 4.1.(c)  Cochairs; Vacancies; Quorum. – The Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity shall have two cochairs, one designated by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and one designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives from among their respective appointees. The Commission shall meet upon the call of the cochairs. Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled by the original appointing authority. A majority of the members of the Commission constitutes a quorum.
SECTION 4.1.(d)  Compensation; Administration. – Members of the Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1. 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 in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
With approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional staff to assist the Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity in its work. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Directors of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical staff to the Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Commission. The Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services, as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
SECTION 4.2.(a)  Duties. – The Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity shall review the reports submitted by the Departments of Commerce, Environment and Natural Resources, and Transportation and the Community Colleges System Office pursuant to Part III of this act and any other information the Commission deems relevant. The Commission may also study and recommend to the 2014 Regular Session of the 2013 General Assembly legislation on the following topics:
(1)	Enhancing collaboration and cooperation between State and other governmental agencies in order to streamline and improve services to citizens and businesses, to make such services more user‑friendly, and to implement collaborative and cooperative interagency measures to enhance access to services.
(2)	Reducing barriers faced by citizens and businesses in accessing services that are unnecessarily caused by agency specialization (which may produce a "silo mentality").
(3)	Additional recommendations regarding liaison personnel, including expanding the requirement to other State departments.
(4)	Ways to integrate collaboration between educational institutions in each Collaboration for Prosperity Zone on the one hand and other governmental agencies and local businesses on the other.
(5)	Requiring the establishment of interagency one‑stop shops in each Collaboration for Prosperity Zone.
(6)	Consolidation of programs or services.
(7)	Cross‑training of employees.
(8)	Identification of offices, equipment, and support services that may be efficiently and economically shared between agencies in each Collaboration for Prosperity Zone.
(9)	The grouping of counties within each Collaboration for Prosperity Zone to determine whether there is a better configuration while keeping the same overall number of zones.
The report containing the recommendations shall identify any savings or costs identified by the Commission as likely to result from its recommendations.
SECTION 4.2.(b)  Report. – The Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity shall report its recommendations under this section to the 2014 Regular Session of the 2013 General Assembly.
SECTION 4.2.(c)  Agency Cooperation. – All State departments and agencies and local governments and their subdivisions shall furnish the Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity with any information in their possession or available to them.
SECTION 4.2.(d)  Commission Termination. – The Study Commission on Interagency Collaboration for Prosperity shall terminate on the filing of its report or on July 1, 2014, whichever is later.

PART V. EFFECTIVE DATE AND CONSTRUCTION
SECTION 5.(a)  Nothing in this act shall be construed to obligate the General Assembly to appropriate funds to implement this act.
SECTION 5.(b)  Except as otherwise provided in this act, this act is effective when it becomes law.