GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
H	1
HOUSE BILL 610

 
 
Short Title:	Compensate Counties with State Parks.	()	
Sponsors:	Representatives Walend; and Davis.	
Referred to:	Appropriations.	
March 14, 2001

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO COMPENSATE COUNTIES FOR THE COSTS OF STATE RECREATION LANDS.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 1 of Chapter 113 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 113-34.1. Distribution to counties.
(a)	Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:
(1)	Consumer price index. – The United States Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor.
(2)	State recreation land. – Land owned by the State and used as a State park, a State forest, a State lake, a nature preserve, a wildlife refuge, a wildlife management area, or any other type of public recreational area. The term also includes land dedicated for nature preserves under Article 9 of Chapter 113A of the General Statutes whether or not the State holds a fee simple estate in the land.
(b)	Annual Appropriation. – There is annually appropriated from the General Fund to the counties of the State a sum equal to the reimbursement rate times the number of acres of State recreation land in the State as of the preceding January 1. The reimbursement rate for the 2001‑2002 fiscal year is two dollars ($2.00). The reimbursement rate for each subsequent fiscal year is the rate for the previous year increased by the same percentage of this amount as the percentage by which the consumer price index for all items increased for the preceding calendar year, rounded to the nearest penny.
(c)	Distribution. – On or before August 31 of each year, the Secretary shall distribute this appropriation among the counties by crediting each county with an amount equal to the reimbursement rate times the number of acres of State recreation land located in that county as of the preceding January 1.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2001.