A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to authorize the union county sheriff to temporarily close transportation infrastructure due to dangerous roadway conditions.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 3 of Chapter 162 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 162‑27.  Sheriff to temporarily close State transportation infrastructure due to dangerous road conditions.
(a)	Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the sheriff may temporarily close, or cause to be closed, any portion of the State transportation infrastructure under the sheriff's jurisdiction if necessary to exclude public travel due to a dangerous road condition posing an immediate visible threat to public safety. For the purposes of this section, a dangerous road condition shall not include maintenance‑related conditions. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the North Carolina Department of Transportation from investigating, assessing, and making the final determination as to the necessity of closing, causing to be closed, or continuing the closure of State transportation infrastructure.
(b)	Prior to the temporary closure of State transportation infrastructure under this section, the sheriff shall notify the North Carolina Department of Transportation of the dangerous road condition.
(c)	The sheriff shall not delegate to another person responsibility for making the final decision to close State transportation infrastructure under this section, but the sheriff may appoint a deputy to assist in performing the investigation of the dangerous road condition and temporary closure.
(d)	The sheriff shall maintain a list of public or private schools, community colleges, colleges, or universities or providers of public transportation operating within the county that request notification of closures and shall provide notification to schools and providers on the list of any closures under this section.
(e)	All traffic signs and other traffic control devices placed on a highway in the State highway system must conform to the Uniform Manual as defined in G.S. 136‑30(d).
(f)	This section applies only to Union County."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2019.