A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to increase the Accountability of public boards and commissions to the citizens of North carolina by changing the appointment structure of those boards and commissions.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. Utilities Commission
SECTION 1.(a)  The North Carolina Utilities Commission created under G.S. 62‑10 is transferred to the Department of State Treasurer. This transfer has all of the elements of a Type II transfer, as described in G.S. 143A‑6. The Commission shall be administratively located within the Department of State Treasurer but shall exercise all its prescribed statutory powers independently of the Department of State Treasurer.
SECTION 1.(b)  G.S. 62‑10 reads as rewritten:
"§ 62‑10.  Number; appointment; terms; qualifications; chairman; vacancies; compensation; other employment prohibited.
(a)	The North Carolina Utilities Commission shall consist of nine commissioners who shall be appointed as follows: four by the Governor, two by the General Assembly, upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121, two by the General Assembly, upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121, and one by the State Treasurer. Each commissioner shall serve for a term of six years commencing on July 1 of the year in which the predecessor term expired and ending on July 1 of the sixth year thereafter. Commissioners appointed by the Governor and State Treasurer are subject to confirmation by the General Assembly by joint resolution. The names of commissioners to be appointed by the Governor and State Treasurer shall be submitted by the Governor and State Treasurer to the General Assembly for confirmation by the General Assembly on or before May 1, of the year in which the terms for which the appointments are to be made are to expire. Upon failure of the Governor or State Treasurer to submit names as herein provided, the President Pro Tempore and Speaker of the House jointly shall submit the names of a like number of commissioners to the General Assembly on or before May 15 of the same year for confirmation by the General Assembly. Regardless of the way in which names of commissioners are submitted, confirmation of commissioners must be accomplished prior to adjournment of the then current session of the General Assembly.

(d)	A commissioner in office shall continue to serve until his successor is duly confirmed and qualified but such holdover shall not affect the expiration date of such succeeding term.
(e)	On July 1, 1965, and every three years thereafter, one of the commissioners shall be designated by the Governor to serve as chairman of the Commission for the succeeding three years and until his successor is duly confirmed and qualifies. Upon death or resignation of the commissioner appointed as chairman, the Governor shall designate the chairman from the remaining commissioners and appoint a successor as hereinafter provided to fill the vacancy on the Commission.
(f)	In case of death, incapacity, resignation or vacancy for any other reason in the office of any commissioner appointed by the Governor or State Treasurer prior to the expiration of the commissioner's term of office, the name of the successor shall be submitted to the General Assembly by the appointing authority within four weeks after the vacancy arises for confirmation by the General Assembly. As used in this section, the term "appointing authority" means the Governor in the case of commissioners appointed by the Governor and the State Treasurer in the case of commissioners appointed by the State Treasurer. Upon failure of the Governor or State Treasurer to submit the name of the successor, the President Pro Tempore and Speaker of the House jointly shall submit the name of a successor to the General Assembly within six weeks after the vacancy arises. Regardless of the way in which names of commissioners are submitted, confirmation of commissioners must be accomplished prior to the adjournment of the then current session of the General Assembly. In case of death, incapacity, resignation, or vacancy for any other reason in the office of any commissioner appointed by the General Assembly prior to the expiration of the commissioner's term of office, the vacancy shall be filled as provided in G.S. 120‑122.
(g)	If a vacancy arises or exists pursuant to either subsection (a) or (f) of this section when the General Assembly is not in session, and the appointment is deemed urgent by the Governor, the commissioner may be appointed and serve on an interim basis pending confirmation by the General Assembly; provided, however, no person may be appointed to serve on an interim basis pending confirmation by the General Assembly if the person was subject to but not confirmed by the General Assembly within the preceding four years. The limitation on appointment contained in this subsection includes, among other things, unfavorable action on a joint resolution for confirmation, such as the resolution failing on any reading in either chamber of the General Assembly, and failure to ratify a joint resolution for confirmation prior to adjournment of the then current session of the General Assembly.
…."
SECTION 1.(c)  In order to increase the number of commissioners to nine, two additional commissioners shall be appointed to serve an initial term of four years as follows: one by the General Assembly, upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121, whose term shall commence July 1, 2023, and expire June 30, 2027, and one by the General Assembly, upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121, whose term shall commence July 1, 2023, and expire June 30, 2027. Upon the expiration of the initial terms described in this subsection, the additional commissioners appointed shall each serve a term of six years as provided in G.S. 62‑10(a), as amended in Section 1(b) of this act.
SECTION 1.(d)  The terms of the commissioners now serving shall expire at the conclusion of the term for which they were appointed. Upon the expiration of the terms of the commissioners now serving, appointments to the Commission shall be made as follows:
(1)	For the three terms expiring June 30, 2023, one commissioner shall be appointed by the Governor, one by the General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121, and one by the General Assembly, upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121.
(2)	For the three terms expiring June 30, 2025, two commissioners shall be appointed by the Governor and one by the State Treasurer.
(3)	For the term expiring June 30, 2027, one commissioner shall be appointed by the Governor.
SECTION 1.(e)  G.S. 143B‑433 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B‑433.  Department of Commerce – organization.
The Department of Commerce shall be organized to include:
(1)	The following agencies:
a.	Repealed by Session Laws 2014‑100, s. 15.2A(c), effective October 1, 2014.
	
…."

part II. economic investment committee
SECTION 2.1.(a)  G.S. 143B‑437.54 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B‑437.54.  Economic Investment Committee established.
(a)	Membership. – The Economic Investment Committee is established. The Committee consists of the following members:
(1)	The Secretary of Commerce.
(2)	The Secretary of Revenue.
(3)	The Director of the Office of State Budget and Management.
(4)	One member appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(5)	One member appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(6)	The Speaker of the House of Representatives or a designee of the Speaker.
(7)	The President Pro Tempore of the Senate or a designee of the President Pro Tempore.
The members of the Committee appointed by the General Assembly serve two‑year terms that begin upon appointment. The other members, who are ex officio members or designees of those members, shall serve until they are no longer in office or are replaced with another designee.
(b)	Decision Required. – The Committee may act only upon a decision of a majority of its members.
…."
SECTION 2.1.(b)  G.S. 120‑123(76) is repealed.
SECTION 2.1.(c)  This section is effective when it becomes law.

part III. Environmental management commission
SECTION 3.1.(a)  G.S. 143B‑283 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B‑283.  Environmental Management Commission – members; selection; removal; compensation; quorum; services.
(a)	Repealed by Session Laws 2013‑360, s. 14.23(a), effective July 1, 2013.
(a1)	Composition. – The Environmental Management Commission shall consist of 15 members as follows:
(1)	One appointed by the Governor who shall be a licensed physician.
(2)	One appointed by the Governor who shall at the time of appointment have special training or scientific expertise in hydrology, water pollution control, or the effects of water pollution.
(3)	One appointed by the Governor who shall at the time of appointment have special training or scientific expertise in hydrology, water pollution control, or the effects of water pollution.
(4)	One appointed by the Governor who shall at the time of appointment have special training or scientific expertise in air pollution control or the effects of air pollution.
(5)	One appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture who shall at the time of appointment be actively connected with or have had experience in agriculture.
(6)	One appointed by the Governor who shall at the time of appointment have special training and scientific expertise in freshwater, estuarine, marine biological, or ecological sciences or be actively connected with or have had experience in the fish and wildlife conservation activities of the State.
(7)	One appointed by the Governor who shall at the time of appointment be actively employed by, or recently retired from, an industrial manufacturing facility and shall be knowledgeable in the field of industrial pollution control.
(8)	One appointed by the Governor who shall at the time of appointment be a licensed engineer with specialized training and experience in water supply or water or air pollution control.
(9)	One appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture who shall serve at large.
(10)	One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121 who shall serve at large.
(11)	One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121 who shall serve at large.
(12)	One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121 who shall serve at large.
(13)	One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121 who shall serve at large.
(14)	One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121 who shall serve at large.
(15)	One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121 who shall serve at large.
(b)	Filling of Vacancies. – Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Commission created by the resignation, dismissal, death or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term. The Governor may reappoint a member of the Commission to an additional term if, at the time of the reappointment, the member qualifies for membership on the Commission under subdivision (1), (2), (3), (4), (6), (7), or (8) of subsection (a1) of this section. The Commissioner may reappoint a member of the Commission to an additional term if, at the time of the reappointment, the member qualifies for membership on the Commission under subdivision (5) or (9) of subsection (a1) of this section. Appointments by the General Assembly shall be made in accordance with G.S. 120‑121, and vacancies in those appointments shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 120‑122.
(b1)	Removal of Members. – Each appointing authority may remove any member of the Commission appointed by that appointing authority from office for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance.
(b2)	Per Diem and Expenses. – The members of the Commission shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138‑5.
(b3)	Quorum. – A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(b4)	Administrative Support. – All clerical and other services required by the Commission shall be supplied by the Secretary of Environmental Quality.
(c)	Repealed by Session Laws 2015‑9, s. 1.2, effective April 27, 2015.
(c1)	Ethics. – All members of the Commission are covered persons for the purposes of Chapter 138A of the General Statutes, the State Government Ethics Act. As covered persons, members of the Commission shall comply with the applicable requirements of the State Government Ethics Act, including mandatory training, the public disclosure of economic interests, and ethical standards for covered persons. Members of the Commission shall comply with the provisions of the State Government Ethics Act to avoid conflicts of interest. The Governor may require additional disclosure of potential conflicts of interest by members. The Governor may promulgate criteria regarding conflicts of interest and disclosure thereof for determining the eligibility of persons under this subsection, giving due regard to the requirements of federal legislation, and, for this purpose, may promulgate rules, regulations, or guidelines in conformance with those established by any federal agency interpreting and applying provisions of federal law.
(d)	Repealed by Session Laws 2013‑360, s. 14.23(a), effective July 1, 2013.
(e)	Terms. – Members of the Commission shall serve terms of four years."
SECTION 3.1.(b)  G.S. 143B‑284 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B‑284.  Environmental Management Commission – officers.
The Environmental Management Commission shall have a chairman and a vice‑chairman elected by and from the members of the Commission and shall serve for a term of two years or until the expiration of their regularly appointed terms whichever comes first."

part iv. Commission for public health
SECTION 4.1.(a)  G.S. 130A‑30 reads as rewritten:
"§ 130A‑30.  Commission for Public Health – Members; selection; quorum; compensation.
(a)	Composition. – The Commission for Public Health shall consist of the following 13 members:
(1)	Four elected by the North Carolina Medical Society.
(2)	Four at‑large members appointed by the General Assembly in accordance with G.S. 120‑121, two upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and two upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(3)	Five appointed by the Governor.
(b)	Qualifications of Members Appointed by the Governor. – One of the members appointed by the Governor shall be a licensed pharmacist, one a licensed veterinarian, one a licensed optometrist, one a licensed dentist, and one a registered nurse.
(b1)	Length of Terms. – Members appointed to the Commission shall serve for a term of four years. At the end of the respective terms of office of members of the Commission, their successors shall be appointed for terms of four years. Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Commission created by the resignation, dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be filled by the appointing authority for the balance of the unexpired term. As used in this section, the term "appointing authority" means the North Carolina Medical Society in the case of members elected by the Medical Society, the General Assembly in the case of members appointed by the General Assembly, and the Governor in the case of members appointed by the Governor.
(c)	Removal of Members. – Each appointing authority may remove any member appointed by that appointing authority for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance.
(c1)	Filling of Vacancies. – Vacancies on the Commission among the membership elected by the North Carolina Medical Society shall be filled by the executive committee of the Medical Society until the next meeting of the Medical Society, when the Medical Society shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. Vacancies on the Commission among the membership appointed by the General Assembly shall be filled by the General Assembly as provided in subdivision (a)(2) of this section for the unexpired term. Vacancies on the Commission among the membership appointed by the Governor shall be filled by the Governor for the unexpired term.
(d)	Quorum. – A majority of the members of the Commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
(e)	Per Diem and Expenses. – The members of the Commission shall receive per diem and necessary traveling and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138‑5."
SECTION 4.1.(b)  To minimize the impact of this section on the work of the Commission for Public Health, the Governor shall not appoint successors to the four members of the Commission whose terms expire on April 30, 2023. Instead, the General Assembly shall appoint four at‑large members to the Commission in accordance with G.S. 130A‑30(a)(2), as enacted by this section, to succeed the four members appointed by the Governor whose terms expire on April 30, 2023.
SECTION 4.1.(c)  This section is effective when it becomes law.

part v. Board of transportation
SECTION 5.1.(a)  G.S. 143B‑350 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B‑350.  Board of Transportation – organization; powers and duties, etc.
(a)	Board of Transportation. – There is hereby created a Board of Transportation. The Board shall carry out its duties consistent with the needs of the State as a whole. The diversity and size of the State require that regional differences be considered by Board members as they develop transportation policy and projects for the benefit of the citizens of the State. The Board shall carry out its duties consistent with the fiduciary responsibility to ensure the solvency of the State Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund.
(b)	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	
Composition. – The Board of Transportation shall be composed as follows:
(1)	The Board shall consist of 20 voting members. The General Assembly shall appoint 14 voting members from which seven voting members shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121 and seven voting members shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121. The Governor shall appoint six at‑large voting members. Each highway division shall have at least one voting member that is a resident of that highway division, however, no more than three voting members may reside in the same highway division.
(2)	The Secretary of Transportation shall serve as an ex officio nonvoting member of the Board.
(3)	All appointments shall be for a term of four years and terms shall expire on June 30 of the year of expiration.
	
…
(e)	Organization and Meetings of the Board. – The Board shall select a chair from among the Board's membership for a two‑year term. The Board shall select a vice‑chair from among its membership for a two‑year term. The Board may select a chair for one additional two‑year term. The Board may select a vice‑chair for one additional two‑year term. The Board of Transportation shall meet at least once a month at such regular meeting times as the Board may by rule provide and at any place in the State as the Board may provide. The Board may hold special meetings at any time at the call of the chair or any three members. The Board shall have the power to adopt and enforce rules and regulations for the government of its business and proceedings. The Board shall keep minutes of its meetings, which shall at all times be open to public inspection. The majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Board members shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with G.S. 138‑5 and G.S. 138‑6, as appropriate.
…."
SECTION 5.1.(b)  All members serving on the Board of Transportation as of the effective date of this act shall finish the remainder of their term. Subsequent appointments to the Board shall be appointed in the manner provided by G.S. 143B‑350(b), as amended by subsection (a) of this section, and in accordance with the following schedule:
(1)	The General Assembly shall appoint Highway Division 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 14 board members from the six division appointments expiring in 2024. Three of these appointments shall be made by the Senate and three by the House.
(2)	The General Assembly shall appoint Highway Division 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 board members from the five at‑large appointments expiring in 2024. Three of these appointments shall be made by the Senate and two by the House.
(3)	The Governor shall appoint six at‑large board members from the eight division appointments expiring in 2026.
(4)	The General Assembly shall appoint Highway Division 10, 11, and 13 board members from the remaining two division appointments expiring in 2026 and the one at‑large appointment expiring in 2026. One of these appointments shall be made by the Senate and two by the House.

part vi. coastal resources commission
SECTION 6.1.(a)  G.S. 113A‑104 reads as rewritten:
"§ 113A‑104.  Coastal Resources Commission.
…
(b1)	Composition. – The Coastal Resources Commission shall consist of 13 members as follows:
(1)	One appointed by the Governor who shall at the time of appointment be a coastal property owner or experienced in land development.
	
(3)	One appointed by the Governor who shall at the time of appointment be actively connected with or have experience in engineering in the coastal area or a marine‑related science.
(4)	One appointed by the Governor who shall at the time of appointment be actively connected with or have experience in engineering in the coastal area or a marine‑related science.
	
(6)	One appointed by the Governor who shall at the time of appointment be actively connected with or have experience in local government within the coastal area.
	
(8)	One appointed by the Governor who shall at the time of appointment be actively connected with or have experience in commercial fishing.
(9)	One appointed by the Governor who shall at the time of appointment be actively connected with or have experience in coastal forestry.
(9a)	One appointed by the Commissioner of Insurance who shall at the time of appointment be a coastal property owner or experienced in land development.
(10)	One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121 who shall at the time of appointment be actively connected with or have experience in sports fishing.
(11)	One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121 who shall serve at large.
(11a)	One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121 who shall serve at large.
(12)	One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121 who shall at the time of appointment be actively connected with or have experience in wildlife.
(13)	One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121 who shall serve at large.
(13a)	One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121 who shall serve at large.
(c)	Appointment of Members. – As used in this section, the term "appointing authority" means the Governor in the case of members appointed by the Governor, the Commissioner of Insurance in the case of the member appointed by the Commissioner of Insurance, and means the General Assembly in the case of members appointed by the General Assembly. Appointments to the Commission shall be made to provide knowledge and experience in a diverse range of coastal interests. The members of the Commission shall serve and act on the Commission solely for the best interests of the public and public trust, and shall bring their particular knowledge and experience to the Commission for that end alone. Counties and cities in the coastal area may designate and transmit to the appointing authorities no later than May 1 of each even‑numbered year qualified persons in the categories set out in subsection (b1) of this section corresponding to the Commission positions to be filled that year.
(c1)	Restriction on Certain Members. – The members of the Commission whose qualifications are described in subdivisions (3), (6), (8), (9), (11), and (12) of subsection (b1) of this section shall be persons who do not derive any significant portion of their income from land development, construction, real estate sales, or lobbying and do not otherwise serve as agents for development‑related business activities.
(c2)	Ethics. – All members of the Commission are covered persons for the purposes of Chapter 138A of the General Statutes, the State Government Ethics Act. As covered persons, members of the Commission shall comply with the applicable requirements of the State Government Ethics Act, including mandatory training, the public disclosure of economic interests, and ethical standards for covered persons. Members of the Commission shall comply with the provisions of the State Government Ethics Act to avoid conflicts of interest. The Governor may require additional disclosure of potential conflicts of interest by the members described in subsection (c1) of this section. The Governor may promulgate criteria regarding conflicts of interest and disclosure thereof for determining the eligibility of persons described in subsection (c1) of this section.
(d)	Repealed by Session Laws 2013‑360, s. 14.24(a), effective July 1, 2013.
(e)	Repealed by Session Laws 2013‑360, s. 14.24(a), effective July 1, 2013.
(f)	Office May Be Held Concurrently with Others. – Membership on the Coastal Resources Commission is hereby declared to be an office that may be held concurrently with other elective or appointive offices in addition to the maximum number of offices permitted to be held by one person under G.S. 128‑1.1.
(g)	Terms. – The members shall serve staggered terms of office of four years. At the expiration of each member's term, the appointing authority shall reappoint or replace the member with a new member of like qualification as specified in subsection (b1) of this section.
(h)	Vacancies. – In the event of a vacancy arising otherwise than by expiration of term, the appointing authority shall appoint a successor of like qualification as specified in subsection (b1) of this section who shall then serve the remainder of his predecessor's term.
(i)	Officers. – The chairman and vice‑chairman shall be elected by and from the members of the Commission and shall serve for a term of two years or until the expiration of their regularly appointed terms.
(j)	Compensation. – The members of the Commission shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138‑5.
(k)	Repealed by Session Laws 2013‑360, s. 14.24(a), effective July 1, 2013.
(l)	Attendance. – Regular attendance at Commission meetings is a duty of each member. The Commission shall develop procedures for declaring any seat on the Commission to be vacant upon failure by a member to perform this duty.
(m)	Quorum. – A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum."
SECTION 6.1.(b)  To minimize the impact of this section on the work of the Commission, the seat eliminated by the repeal of G.S. 113A‑104(b1)(2) in subsection (a) of this section shall be the member who was at the time of appointment a coastal property owner or experienced in land development and whose term expires on June 30, 2023.

part vii. wildlife resources commission
SECTION 7.1.(a)  G.S. 143‑241 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑241.  Appointment and terms of office of Commission members; filling of vacancies.
The members of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission shall be appointed as follows:
The Governor shall appoint one member each from the first, fourth, and seventh wildlife districts to serve six‑year terms;
The Governor shall appoint one member each from the second, fifth, and eighth wildlife districts to serve two‑year terms;
The Governor shall appoint one member each from the third, sixth, and ninth wildlife districts to serve four‑year terms;
The Governor shall also appoint two at‑large members to serve four‑year terms.
The General Assembly shall appoint 10 members of the Commission to serve two‑year terms, five upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House, and five upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, in accordance with G.S. 120‑121. Of the members appointed upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House and upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, at least one of each shall be a member of the political party to which the largest minority of the members of the General Assembly belongs.
Thereafter as the terms of office of the members of the Commission appointed by the Governor from the several wildlife districts expire, their successors shall be appointed for terms of six years each. As the terms of office of the members of the Commission appointed by the General Assembly expire, their successors shall be appointed for terms of two years each. All members appointed by the Governor serve at the pleasure of the Governor that appointed them and they may be removed by that Governor at any time. A successor to the appointing Governor may remove a Commission member only for cause as provided in G.S. 143B‑13. Members appointed by the General Assembly serve at the pleasure of that body and may be removed by law at any time. In the event that a Commission member is removed, the member appointed to replace the removed member shall serve only for the unexpired term of the removed member."
SECTION 7.1.(b)  G.S. 143‑241, as amended by subsection (a) of this section, reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑241.  Appointment and terms of office of Commission members; filling of vacancies.
The members of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission shall be appointed as follows:
The Governor shall appoint one member each from the first, fourth, and seventh wildlife districts to serve six‑year terms;
The Governor shall appoint one member each from the second, fifth, and eighth wildlife districts to serve two‑year terms;
The Governor shall appoint one member each from the third, sixth, and ninth wildlife districts to serve four‑year terms;
The Governor shall appoint one at‑large member and the Commissioner of Agriculture shall appoint one at‑large member to serve four‑year terms.
The General Assembly shall appoint 10 members of the Commission to serve two‑year terms, five upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House, and five upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, in accordance with G.S. 120‑121. Of the members appointed upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House and upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, at least one of each shall be a member of the political party to which the largest minority of the members of the General Assembly belongs.
Thereafter as the terms of office of the members of the Commission appointed by the Governor from the several wildlife districts expire, their successors shall be appointed for terms of six years each. As the terms of office of the members of the Commission appointed by the General Assembly expire, their successors shall be appointed for terms of two years each. All members appointed by the Governor or by the Commissioner of Agriculture serve at the pleasure of the authority that appointed them and they may be removed by that appointing authority at any time. A successor to the appointing authority may remove a Commission member only for cause as provided in G.S. 143B‑13. Members appointed by the General Assembly serve at the pleasure of that body and may be removed by law at any time. In the event that a Commission member is removed, the member appointed to replace the removed member shall serve only for the unexpired term of the removed member."
SECTION 7.1.(c)  Subsection (b) of this section becomes effective June 30, 2025.

part VIIi. North carolina Railroad Board of directors
SECTION 8.1.(a)  G.S. 124‑15 reads as rewritten:
"§ 124‑15.  Board of directors; appointment and approval of encumbrances.
(a)	Notwithstanding subsection (a) of G.S. 124‑6, for any State‑owned railroad company that has trackage in more than two counties, six of the members of the Board of Directors shall be appointed by the Governor, one member of the Board of Directors shall be appointed by the State Treasurer, three of the members of the Board of Directors shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121, and three of the members of the Board of Directors shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121. The Board of Directors shall consist of 13 members. Of the Governor's six appointments, one shall be from the appointees to the Board of Transportation and one shall be the Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary's designee. All Board members shall serve four‑year terms. The Board shall elect the chairman from among its membership.
…."
SECTION 8.1.(b)  The appointee of the Governor replaced by the appointee of the State Treasurer because of the revision to G.S. 124‑15 enacted in subsection (a) of this section shall be one of the appointees of the Governor with a term expiring in 2023. The Board of Directors shall determine which of these appointees will be replaced by the appointee of the State Treasurer.
SECTION 8.1.(c)  This section becomes effective on the date that revisions to the Articles of Incorporation of a State‑owned railroad to implement the changes in appointing authority made by this section are enacted by the Board of Directors of the State‑owned railroad and become effective. The railroad shall report to the Revisor of Statutes the effective date of those changes.

PART IX. board of directors of the university of north carolina HEALTH care system
SECTION 9.1.(a)  G.S. 116‑37(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Board of Directors. – The board of directors of the University of North Carolina Health Care System shall be organized as follows:
(1)	The board of directors shall be composed of 24 members as follows:
a.	Four ex officio members as follows:
1.	The President of The University of North Carolina or the President's designee.
2.	The Chief Executive Officer of the University of North Carolina Health Care System.
3.	The Chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
4.	The President of the University of North Carolina Hospitals.
a1.	Eight members at large shall be appointed by the General Assembly as follows:
1.	One member shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives annually.
2.	One member shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate annually.
b.	Twelve members at large shall be appointed by the Board of Governors after consultation with the President of The University of North Carolina. The Board of Governors shall appoint three members annually.

	

d.	All at‑large positions shall serve four‑year terms beginning November 1 of the year of appointment. At‑large positions shall be filled by the appointment of persons from the business and professional public at large who have special competence in business management, hospital administration, health care delivery, or medical practice or who otherwise have demonstrated dedication to the improvement of health care in North Carolina, and who are neither members of the Board of Governors, members of the board of trustees of a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina, nor officers or employees of the State. No member may be appointed to more than two full four‑year terms in succession. Any vacancy in an unexpired term shall be filled by the appointing authority for the remainder of the unexpired term. Vacancies for members appointed by the General Assembly shall be filled as provided in G.S. 120‑122.
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SECTION 9.1.(b)  The terms of office for all ex officio members of the board of directors of the University of North Carolina Health Care System repealed by this section shall expire July 1, 2023. All at‑large members of the board of directors of the University of North Carolina Health Care System serving as of July 1, 2023, shall remain in office until their current term of appointment expires. Any vacancy occurring in a seat appointed by the board of directors expiring October 31, 2024, shall be filled by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the remainder of that term of office.
SECTION 9.1.(c)  Notwithstanding the requirement for annual appointments by the General Assembly established by G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)a1. and length of terms established by G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)d., as enacted and amended by this section, the following appointments shall be made in 2023:
(1)	For a term beginning July 1, 2023, and ending October 31, 2027, one member shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one member shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Members appointed to fill those terms of office in 2027 shall be appointed to four‑year terms of office as provided in G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)d. These members shall fill seats vacated by the prior ex officio members of the board.
(2)	For a term beginning July 1, 2023, and ending October 31, 2026, one member shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one member shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Members appointed to fill those terms of office in 2026 shall be appointed to four‑year terms of office as provided in G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)d. These members shall fill seats vacated by the prior ex officio members of the board.
(3)	For a term beginning October 1, 2023, and ending October 31, 2025, one member shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The member appointed to fill that term of office in 2025 shall be appointed to a four‑year term of office as provided in G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)d. This member shall fill a position expiring in 2023 held by a board of trustee appointment.
(4)	For a term beginning October 1, 2023, and ending October 31, 2024, one member shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. This member shall fill a position expiring in 2023 held by a board of trustee appointment.
(5)	For a term beginning October 1, 2023, and ending October 31, 2025, one member shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The member appointed to fill that term of office in 2025 shall be appointed to a four‑year term of office as provided in G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)d. This member shall fill a position expiring in 2023 held by a board of trustee appointment.
SECTION 9.1.(d)  In accordance with the requirements of G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)a1., in 2024, the General Assembly shall make the following appointments:
(1)	Upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, appoint one member to the board for the expiring position held by the board of trustee appointment expiring in 2024. The member appointed to fill that term of office in 2024 shall be appointed to a four‑year term of office as provided in G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)d.
(2)	Upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, appoint one member to the board for the expiring one‑year term appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore in 2023. The member appointed to fill that term of office in 2024 shall be appointed to a four‑year term of office as provided in G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)d.
SECTION 9.1.(e)  Notwithstanding the requirement for the Board of Governors to appoint three members annually, established by G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)b., and length of terms established by G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)d., as amended by this section, appointments shall be made by the Board of Governors as follows in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026:
(1)	No appointments shall be made in 2023.
(2)	In 2024, the Board of Governors shall appoint three members to terms ending October 31, 2028, and one member to a term ending October 31, 2027. Members appointed to fill those terms of office when expired shall be appointed to four‑year terms of office as provided in G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)d.
(3)	In 2025, the Board of Governors shall appoint one member to a term of office ending October 31, 2029. The member appointed to fill that term of office when expired shall be appointed to a four‑year term of office as provided in G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)d.
(4)	In 2026, the Board of Governors shall appoint three members to terms ending October 31, 2030, two members to terms of office ending October 31, 2029, and two members to terms of office ending October 31, 2027. Members appointed to fill those terms of office when expired shall be appointed to four‑year terms of office as provided in G.S. 116‑37(b)(1)d.

part X. Miscellaneous
SECTION 10.1.  If any section or provision of this act is declared unconstitutional or invalid by the courts, it does not affect the validity of this act as a whole or any part other than the part so declared to be unconstitutional or invalid.
SECTION 10.2.  Except as otherwise provided, this act becomes effective July 1, 2023.