A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT creating the global engagement commission.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Purpose. – There is hereby created the Global Engagement Commission (Commission). The purpose of the Commission is to promote economic growth and stimulate job creation in the global economy.
The Commission shall consist of 20 members appointed as follows:
(1)	The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint 10 members of the Commission, including:
a.	Four members of the House of Representatives.
b.	Three members appointed upon the recommendation of the Governor.
c.	Three members who are business chief executive officers, education leaders, or heads of State agencies.
(2)	The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint 10 members of the Commission, including:
a.	Four members of the Senate.
b.	Three members appointed upon the recommendation of the Governor.
c.	Three members who are business chief executive officers, education leaders, or heads of State agencies.
SECTION 2.  Charge. – The Commission shall work in conjunction with the Center for International Understanding to develop a Statewide Strategic Plan for Global Engagement. The Commission shall study North Carolina's current international activity in three sectors: business, State government and education (including prekindergarten‑12, higher education, and community colleges). The Commission shall identify global indicators in business, State government, and education to be tracked annually in order to gauge improvement over time.
SECTION 3.  Reports. – On or before December 31, 2009, the Commission may submit an interim report to the General Assembly on the progress of its study. By May 1, 2010, the Commission shall submit a final report to the General Assembly, including any proposed legislation. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report.
SECTION 4.  Administration. – The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each appoint a cochair for the Commission. Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission. Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the House of Representatives and the Senate Directors of Legislative Assistants. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission. The appointing authority shall fill vacancies. The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them and the power to subpoena witnesses. The Commission members shall serve without compensation but may receive travel and subsistence as follows:
(1)	Members who are officials or employees of a State agency or unit of local government, in accordance with G.S. 138‑6.
(2)	Members who serve in the General Assembly, in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1.
(3)	All other members at the rate established in G.S. 138‑5.
SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law.