A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to study expanding the permitted uses of 911 funds by Public safety answering points in the state.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is created the House Select Committee on the Use of 911 Funds.  The Committee shall consist of 8 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one representative as chair.  Vacancies of the Committee shall be filled by the same appointing authority that made the initial appointment.  The Committee shall meet on the call of the chair.  A quorum of the Committee shall be a majority of its members.
SECTION 2.  The Committee shall examine the use of the 911 Funds by Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).  In conducting its study, the Committee may:
(1)	Consider expanding the uses of the 911 Funds by PSAPs to provide a funding mechanism to account for the broad spectrum of needs of the PSAPs.
(2)	Considering expanding the uses of the 911 Funds by PSAPs to provide flexibility to local governments.
(3)	Consider any report submitted by the North Carolina 911 Board on the use of the 911 Fund.
(4)	Examine the funding needs of PSAPs, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
a.	The lease or purchase of an additional communications tower, a multisite simulcast system, microwave connectivity between the sites, site monitoring and alarm system, and grounding and lightning protection.
b.	Equipment for radio and telephone system upgrades, equipment for reverse 911, and street sign maintenance.
c.	The lease, purchase, operation, and maintenance of consoles and communications equipment owned or operated by the PSAP and physically located within and for the use of the PSAP, and radio or microwave towers and equipment with lines that terminate in the PSAP.
SECTION 3.  While in the discharge of its official duties, the Committee may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. Members of the Committee shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowance as provided in G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138.6, as appropriate. With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist the Committee in its work. The House of Representatives' Director of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical staff to the Committee. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. The Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or Legislative Office Building and may meet at various locations around the State in order to promote greater public participation in its deliberations.
SECTION 4.  The Committee shall submit a final report to the 2009 General Assembly, Regular Session 2010 and may submit interim reports as it deems necessary. The Committee shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2010 General Assembly, whichever comes first.
SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law.