A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to study the distribution of voting power among the voting members of Metropolitan Planning Organizations and rural TRANSPORTATION planning organizations.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Study Committee on the Distribution of Voting Power in Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Rural Transportation Planning Organizations is created. The Committee shall consist of five members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and five members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each designate one member as a cochair. Vacancies to the Committee shall be filled by the same appointing authority making the initial appointment. The Committee shall meet upon the call of the cochairs. A quorum shall be a majority of the Committee members.
SECTION 2.  The Committee shall study the process used and guidelines followed by Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Rural Transportation Planning Organizations in determining how to distribute voting power among their voting members. The study shall include an examination of other state laws to determine if and how other states regulate the distribution of voting power among the voting members of Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Rural Transportation Planning Organizations.
SECTION 3.  The Committee, 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 Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. Members of the Committee shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120‑3.1.
The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. The House of Representatives shall assign clerical staff to the Committee, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services, as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
SECTION 4.  The Committee shall report its findings, including any proposed legislation, to the 2018 Regular Session of the 2017 General Assembly. The Committee shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2018 Regular Session of the 2017 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law.