A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to Direct the legislative research commission to study additional regulation of navigable waters by local governments.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  The Legislative Research Commission (LRC) shall study the availability of affordable housing in this State. As part of its study, the LRC shall do all of the following:
(1)	Examine the current federal and State law regarding regulation of navigable waters, including all of the following:
a.	The operation of boats and vessels, including restrictions concerning speed zones, no‑wake zones, and types of activities conducted on the navigable waters within the municipal limits of the municipality.
b.	The anchoring and mooring of boats and vessels as to location and length of time anchored or moored.
c.	The placement and maintenance of channel aids and markers, anchoring aids and markers, and navigational aids and markers.
d.	Reasonable rules and regulations for the occupants of boats, vessels, swimmers, fisherman, and others using navigable waters.
(2)	Examine the challenges facing local governments adjacent to, or including, navigable waters with respect to abandoned boats and vessels, with a specific focus on natural disasters and recovery therefrom.
(3)	Assess the ability of local governments to adopt and enforce local ordinances to regulate navigable waters, and the need of boaters, fishermen, and other using navigable waters to have consistency in laws and regulations.
(4)	Examine any unique challenges faced by local governments across the State adjacent to, or including, navigable waters with respect to tourism and use of said navigable waters.
(5)	Examine the best practices of other states with respect to regulation of navigable waters.
(6)	Any other matters the LRC deems relevant to its efforts.
SECTION 1.(b)  The LRC shall report its findings, together with any proposed legislation, to the 2020 Regular Session of the 2019 General Assembly upon its convening.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.