GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
H	2
HOUSE BILL 79
Committee Substitute Favorable 4/19/01

Short Title:	Study Commission on Early Retirement.	()	
Sponsors:	     	
Referred to:	     	
February 8, 2001

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION ON EARLY RETIREMENT FOR TEACHERS AND STATE EMPLOYEES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is established the Legislative Study Commission on Early Retirement for Teachers and State Employees, and Local Government Employees. The Study Commission shall study the feasibility of providing for a twenty‑five‑year retirement for members of the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS) and for members of the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (LGERS).  In conducting the study, the Study Commission shall consider the benefit to employees, the cost, and the number of positions likely to be affected.  
SECTION 1.(b)  The Study Commission shall consist of 10 members appointed as follows:
(1)	Five members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, all five shall be members of the Senate at the time of appointment, one individual shall have served within the last two years as a chair, cochair, or vice chair of the Senate Committee on Pensions and Retirement and Aging. 
(2)	Five members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, all five shall be members of the House of Representatives at the time of appointment, one individual shall have served within the last two years as a chair, cochair, or vice chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Pensions and Retirement.
SECTION 1.(c)  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each designate a cochair of the Study Commission from their appointees.
SECTION 1.(d)  With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional staff to assist in the work of the Legislative Study Commission on Early Retirement of Teachers and State Employees, and Local Government Employees.  With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Study Commission may hold its meetings in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
SECTION 1.(e)  The Study Commission shall submit a final written report of its findings and recommendations on or before the convening of the 2002 Regular Session of the 2001 General Assembly.  All reports shall be filed with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Legislative Librarian.  Upon filing its final report, the Study Commission shall terminate.
SECTION 1.(f)  Members of the Study Commission shall be paid per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances at the rate established in G.S. 120‑3.1.
SECTION 1.(g)  All State departments and agencies shall cooperate with the Study Commission and, upon request, shall furnish to the Study Commission and its staff any information in their possession or available to them.
SECTION 2.  From funds appropriated to the General Assembly for the 2001‑2003 fiscal biennium, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate funds for the expenses of the Legislative Study Commission on Early Retirement of Teachers and State Employees, and Local Government Employees.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.