A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish a process for an issuance of a statewide state of emergency by the governor, to allow religious organizations to meet in buildings used as places of worship located inside an emergency area, and to appropriate funds for the purchase of personal protective equipment.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 166A‑19.20 reads as rewritten:
"§ 166A‑19.20.  Gubernatorial or legislative declaration of state of emergency.
(a)	Declaration. – A state of emergency may be declared by the Governor or by a resolution of the General Assembly, if either of these finds that an emergency exists.
(a1)	Statewide Declaration. – A statewide state of emergency declared by the Governor is effective if it complies with all of the following requirements:
(1)	The Governor submits the proposed declaration of a statewide state of emergency to each member of the Council of State.
(2)	The Council of State approves the proposed declaration of a statewide state of emergency by majority vote within 24 hours of receipt.
(b)	Emergency Area. – An executive order or resolution declaring a state of emergency shall include a definition of the area constituting the emergency area. An executive order or resolution declaring a statewide state of emergency shall include a definition of greater than 67 counties in the State constituting the emergency area.
(c)	Expiration of States of Emergency. – A state of emergency declared pursuant to this section shall expire when it is rescinded by the authority that issued it, except as provided in subsection (c1) of this section.
(c1)	Expiration of Statewide States of Emergency. – A statewide state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to subsection (a1) of this section shall expire upon the earliest occurrence of any of the following:
(1)	The eighth legislative day of the next regular or extra session after the date of issuance, unless it is approved by joint resolution adopted by a vote of a majority of all members of each house of the General Assembly.
(2)	It is rescinded by the authority that issued it."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 166A‑19.30 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(e)	Exception. – Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Governor shall not prohibit any religious organization or entity controlled by religious organizations from meeting inside a building that is located inside an emergency area and used as a place of worship. The Governor may request religious organizations limit the occupancy of buildings that are located inside an emergency area and used as a place of worship to twenty percent (20%) of the maximum capacity allowed by the certificate of occupancy in accordance with the North Carolina State Building Code."
SECTION 3.(a)  Of the funds received by the State of North Carolina during the 2019‑2020 fiscal year from the Coronavirus Relief Fund created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020, P.L. 116‑136, the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2019‑2020 fiscal year shall be used for the purchase of supplies and equipment necessary for life safety, health, and sanitation, such as ventilators, touch‑free thermometers, gowns, disinfectant, and sanitizing wipes and the purchase of personal protective equipment that meets the federal standards and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as surgical and respiratory masks and gloves, and is appropriated in equal amounts to the following entities:
(1)	Department of Revenue.
(2)	Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles.
(3)	State Board of Elections.
SECTION 3.(b)  Funds appropriated for the purposes described in this act that are unexpended or unencumbered on June 30, 2020, shall not revert to the General Fund, but shall remain available for the purposes authorized in this act and as provided under federal law.
SECTION 3.(c)  This section is effective when it becomes law.
SECTION 4.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law and applies to all declarations issued on or after that date.