A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish uniform Ferry Tolling throughout North Carolina.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 136.82 reads as rewritten:
"§ 136‑82.  Department of Transportation to establish and maintain ferries.
The Department of Transportation is vested with authority to provide for the establishment and maintenance of ferries connecting the parts of the State highway system, whenever in its discretion the public good may require. The Board of Transportation shall establish tolls for all ferry routes,and the Department of Transportation shall collect the tolls.
To accomplish the purpose of this section said Department of Transportation is authorized to acquire, own, lease, charter or otherwise control all necessary vessels, boats, terminals or other facilities required for the proper operation of such ferries or to enter into contracts with persons, firms or corporations for the operation thereof and to pay therefor such reasonable sums as may in the opinion of said Department of Transportation represent the fair value of the public service rendered.
The Department of Transportation, notwithstanding any other provision of law, may operate, or contract for the operation of, concessions on the ferries and at ferry facilities to provide to passengers on the ferries food, drink, and other refreshments, personal comfort items, and souvenirs publicizing the ferry system."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2013.