GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
H	2
HOUSE BILL 1077
 Committee Substitute Favorable 7/12/01 

Short Title:	Firefighters' and Rescue Squad Workers' Retire.	()	
Sponsors:	     	
Referred to:	     	
April 11, 2001

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO authorize the legislative research commission to study issues related to pROVIDing CAREER FIREFIGHTERS AND RESCUE SQUAD WORKERS with increased retirement BENEFITS. 

Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes the inestimable contribution which career firefighters and rescue squad workers of this State make in preserving and protecting the lives and property of citizens of this State; and
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes the need to ensure that career firefighters, career rescue squad workers, and their families receive retirement benefits commensurate with their commitment to service and with benefits received by other emergency personnel; and
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes the changing economic climate which has resulted in the heightened need for intense fiscal scrutiny of legislative proposals that may adversely impact the State's budget, the ability of business and industry located in this State to compete in a global marketplace, the obligations of local governments, and the citizenry of this State; and
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes the fact that local governments will bear the responsibility of providing increased benefits and that, given the changing economic climate, there is uncertainty about the financial impact that providing increased benefits will have on local governments; and
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes the complexity of the issues involved, the uncertainty in the State's current economic state, and the far-reaching impact of any decisions in this matter to firefighters, rescue squad workers, local governments, and citizens of this State; and
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes the need to study the issues thoroughly and proceed prudently; Now therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly authorizes the Legislative Research Commission to comprehensively study issues related to providing increased retirement benefits to career firefighters and rescue squad workers. If this study is undertaken, the Commission shall examine the following issues:
(1) 	The nature and extent of retirement benefits that should be provided career firefighters and rescue squad workers.
(2)	The mechanism(s) through which these retirement benefits should be provided.
(3) 	Alternatives for funding these increased retirement benefits and the impact such alternatives would have on the citizenry, business and industry, and local governments of this State.
(4) 	Any other issue deemed relevant to the study directive.
If this study is undertaken, the Commission shall report to the 2002 Regular Session of the 2001 General Assembly on its findings and recommendations, including legislative proposals, if appropriate.
SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly the sum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for the 2001‑2002 fiscal year to implement this act.
SECTION 3. This act is effective when it becomes law.