A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to strengthen and protect the north carolina national guard AND ACTIVE AND RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
Whereas, North Carolina has the fourth largest population of military personnel of any state; and
Whereas, the military is the second largest sector of North Carolina's economy; and
Whereas, a failure to adequately strengthen and protect the military in this State would make military installations in the State vulnerable to closure under the ongoing federal Base Realignment and Closure initiative; and
Whereas, U.S. Northern Command's (Homeland Defense Command) most exercised mission is Defense Support of Civil Authority; otherwise known as Civil Support where Active, Reserve, and National Guard military capabilities support civilian emergency response agencies to save lives, prevent human suffering, and mitigate great property damage during natural and manmade disasters; and
Whereas, the North Carolina National Guard is the only organized, trained, and equipped military force subject to the control of the State; and
Whereas, the General Assembly established the National Guard Tuition Assistance Program to encourage voluntary membership in the North Carolina National Guard and to improve the educational achievement of its members; and
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes that the North Carolina National Guard acts in the interests of the State of North Carolina and the United States not only while at its home stations but also in locations around the world; and
Whereas, in cooperation with the United States Department of State and the United States Department of Defense, the North Carolina National Guard has enhanced the relations of the United States with National Guard State Partnership Program participants such as the Republic of Moldova and the Republic of Botswana; and
Whereas, such partnerships go beyond military‑to‑military cooperation and extend into multiple disciplines including agriculture, higher education, health care, democracy promotion, law enforcement, disaster response, and many others as the North Carolina National Guard also facilitates civilian‑to‑civilian relationships between the people of North Carolina and partner nations; and
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes that the Adjutant General of North Carolina is often called on to represent the State Partnership Program engagements both at home and abroad; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services the sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) for the 2015‑2016 fiscal year to complete acquisition of the real property known as the Headwaters Tract in Transylvania County, which will support training and support missions that improve safety, support the effectiveness and efficiency of governmental agencies, and enhance emergency response capabilities and other capabilities to better serve the citizens of North Carolina and the nation and in the process enhance the local economy of the region.
SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 2015‑2016 fiscal year and the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 2016‑2017 fiscal year for the Tuition Assistance Program of the North Carolina National Guard.
SECTION 3.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety the sum of six hundred eighteen thousand dollars ($618,000) for the 2015‑2016 fiscal year and the sum of five million eighty‑seven thousand five hundred one dollars ($5,087,501) for the 2016‑2017 fiscal year for expansion and rehabilitation of the North Carolina National Guard armories in Elizabeth City, Jacksonville, Louisburg, and Reidsville. These funds will provide a State match for an estimated six million nine hundred five thousand five hundred one dollars ($6,905,501) in federal funds, and those funds are hereby appropriated.
SECTION 3.(b)  No later than April 30, 2016, and annually thereafter until the projects authorized by subsection (a) of this section are complete, the North Carolina National Guard shall report on the status of the projects to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety.
SECTION 4.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety the sum of four hundred ninety‑eight thousand eight hundred seventy‑five dollars ($498,875) for the 2015‑2016 fiscal year and the sum of four hundred ninety‑eight thousand eight hundred seventy‑five dollars ($498,875) for the 2016‑2017 fiscal year to operate the Stanly County campus of the Tarheel Challenge Academy. These funds will provide a State match for federal funds that have been made available for this purpose and those funds are hereby appropriated.
SECTION 5.  The Adjutant General of the North Carolina National Guard is hereby recognized as an ambassador of the State of North Carolina, and there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety the sum of three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500) for the 2015‑2016 fiscal year and the sum of three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500) for the 2016‑2017 fiscal year to provide meals, refreshments, and gifts at official receptions involving diplomats of the United States or other international partners. Any gifts received by the Adjutant General shall be State property and shall be archived and recorded for historical purposes.
SECTION 6.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for the 2015‑2016 fiscal year to plan a North Carolina National Guard facility to be located within the 420 acreage surrounding the latitude/longitude point 35º11.0994'N – 082º37.1166'W. The Department shall consult with the North Carolina National Guard in the design and site selection of the facility.
SECTION 7.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2015.