A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide funding to the department of commerce to conduct a study of ports and a supply chain analysis for offshore wind energy.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  The Department of Commerce shall conduct a study of State ports and other transportation infrastructure to identify existing assets, current capabilities, and needed investments to assist in providing services for cargo, transportation, and trade, and to identify potential improvements to enhance the ability of the State to facilitate and foster the growth of offshore wind supply chain industries in North Carolina. In conducting the study, the Department of Commerce shall consult with the North Carolina State Ports Authority and may engage local government entities and other stakeholders with relevant expertise as the Department deems appropriate.
SECTION 1.(b)  The Department of Commerce shall conduct an economic development study to evaluate the State's business advantages, economic climate, workforce readiness, ports and transportation assets studied in subsection (a) of this section, and any other relevant State assets to create a roadmap for North Carolina to effectively compete in attracting offshore wind energy supply chain industries to the State. In conducting this economic development study and in creating a roadmap, the Department shall consider at least all of the following:
(1)	Identification and characterization of discrete segments within the offshore wind supply chain, including major manufacturing operations, specialty component manufacturing, component assembly, and ancillary services for future offshore wind energy projects along the east coast of the United States.
(2)	Estimated number and type of direct manufacturing jobs.
(3)	Potential ancillary economic benefits.
(4)	Potential industry investment in North Carolina and opportunities for rural economic development.
(5)	Highest impact investment opportunities to produce the largest net economic benefit.
(6)	Potential benefits to local tax bases.
(7)	Expected additional contribution to State economic output.
(8)	Any additional information the Department identifies as relevant to the conduct of its study.
SECTION 1.(c)  The Department of Commerce shall submit the reports and the roadmap described in this section, and any legislative recommendations, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources and the Fiscal Research Division on or before March 1, 2020.
SECTION 1.(d)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce the sum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) in nonreverting funds for the 2019‑2020 fiscal year to conduct the studies and create the roadmap described in this section.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2019.