GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
S	2
SENATE BILL 809
Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources Committee Substitute Adopted 9/4/01 

Short Title:	Northern Piedmont Regional Solid Waste Study.	()	
Sponsors:	     	
Referred to:	     	
April 3, 2001

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO CREATE THE NORTHERN PIEDMONT REGIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PILOT STUDY COMMISSION.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Commission Established. – There is established the Northern Piedmont Regional Solid Waste Management Pilot Study Commission.  
SECTION 2.  Purpose. – The Commission shall study and evaluate the mechanisms currently in place for units of local government in the State to cooperatively manage solid waste on a regional basis.  The Commission shall specifically study the potential regional management of solid waste generated in the northern Piedmont region of the State as a model in order to evaluate the feasibility of and obstacles to the regional management of solid waste in the State.
SECTION 3.(a)  Membership. – The Commission shall consist of 14 members.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint seven members as follows:
(1)	Two members shall be members of the House of Representatives.
(2)	One member shall be nominated by and serve as the designee of the North Carolina League of Municipalities.
(3)	One member who is a resident of Alamance County.
(4)	One member who is a resident of Forsyth County.
(5)	One member who is a resident of Randolph County.
(6)	One member who is a resident of Stokes County.
SECTION 3.(b)  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint seven members as follows:
(1)	Two members shall be members of the Senate.
(2)	One member shall be nominated by and serve as the designee of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.
(3)	One member who is a resident of Caswell County.
(4)	One member who is a resident of Davidson County.
(5)	One member who is a resident of Guilford County.
(6)	One member who is a resident of Rockingham County.
SECTION 3.(c)  Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled by the same appointing officer who made the initial appointment.
SECTION 4.  Cochairs; Meetings. – The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each designate a cochair of the Commission.  The Commission shall meet upon the call of the cochairs.  The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission.  A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION 5.  Powers and Duties. – The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
(1)	To review State laws and rules that authorize units of local government to enter into agreements or establish entities to manage solid waste on a regional basis.
(2)	To identify legal, environmental, sociological, economic, and other factors and principles that should be considered in the development of plans for regional management of solid waste.
(3)	To identify and evaluate waste reduction and recycling efforts that are environmentally and economically beneficial for the regional management of solid waste.
(4)	To evaluate the feasibility of offering financial incentives to units of local government and communities that host solid waste disposal facilities as a part of the regional management of solid waste.
(5)	To evaluate the feasibility of co‑locating solid waste disposal facilities and energy cogeneration facilities as a part of the regional management of solid waste.
(6)	To specifically investigate the feasibility of managing the solid waste generated in the northern Piedmont through establishment or utilization of facilities within the region, through contractual arrangements with facilities outside the region, or through a combination of arrangements within and outside the region.
SECTION 6.  Staff. – Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign appropriate professional staff from the Legislative Services Office of the General Assembly to assist with the study.  The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Supervisors of Clerks shall assign clerical staff to the Commission, upon the direction of the Legislative Services Commission.  
SECTION 7.  Cooperation by Governmental Agencies. – The Commission may call upon any department, agency, institution, or officer of the State or any political subdivision of the State for facilities, data, or other assistance.
SECTION 8.  Expenses of Members. – Legislative members of the Commission shall be reimbursed for subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120‑3.1.  Members of the Commission who are officers or employees of the State shall receive reimbursement for travel and subsistence expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 138‑6.  All other members shall receive compensation and reimbursement for travel and subsistence expenses at the rates specified in G.S. 138‑5.
SECTION 9.  Report. – The Commission shall make an interim report to the 2002 Regular Session of the 2001 General Assembly prior to its convening and a final report to the 2003 General Assembly prior to its convening. These reports shall include the Commission's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.  Upon filing the final report, the Commission shall terminate.
SECTION 10.  Funding. – From funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate funds for the expenses of the Commission.
SECTION 11.  This act is effective when it becomes law.