A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide that members and veterans of the military are not charged an admission fee to the u.s.s. north carolina.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 143B‑73 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B‑73.  U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Commission – creation, powers and duties.
There is hereby created the U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Commission of the Department of Cultural Resources with the power and duty to adopt, amend, and rescind rules and regulations under and not inconsistent with the laws of this State necessary in carrying out the provisions and purposes of this Part.
(1)	The U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Commission is authorized and empowered to adopt such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the management responsibilities of the Secretary of the Department provided by Chapter 143A of the General Statutes and laws of this State and this Chapter that may be necessary and desirable for the operation and maintenance of the U.S.S. North Carolina as a permanent memorial and exhibit commemorating the heroic participation of the men and women of North Carolina in the prosecution and victory of the Second World War and for the faithful performance and fulfillment of its duties and obligations.
(2)	The U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Commission shall have the power and duty to establish standards and adopt rules and regulations: 
a.	Establishing and providing for a proper charge for admission to the ship. However, members and veterans of the military shall not be charged for admission to the ship. The Commission may require proof that a person is a member of the military or a veteran and may designate forms of identification that will constitute sufficient evidence of this fact. As used in this sub-subdivision, the term 'military' includes the active and reserve components of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, North Carolina Army National Guard, North Carolina Air National Guard, Merchant Marine, and Coast Guard.
b.	For the maintenance and operation of the ship as a permanent memorial and exhibit. 
(3)	The Commission shall adopt rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this Chapter."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 143B‑73.1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B‑73.1.  U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Commission – duties.
The Commission shall have the further duty and authority to select an appropriate site for the permanent berthing of the Battleship U.S.S. North Carolina, taking into consideration factors including, but not limited to, the accessibility, location in relation to roads and highways, scenic attraction, protection from hazards of weather, fire and sea, cost of site and berthing, cooperation of local governmental authorities in securing, equipping, and maintaining appropriate areas surrounding the site, and others which may affect the suitability of such site for establishment of the ship as a permanent memorial and exhibit; to accept gifts, grants, and donations for the purposes of this Article; to transport to, and berth the ship at the site; to ready the ship for visitation by the public; subject to G.S. 143B‑73(2)a., to establish and provide for a proper charge for admission to the ship, and for safekeeping of funds; to maintain and operate the ship as a permanent memorial and exhibit; to acquire property, both real and personal, with the approval of the Governor and the Council of State,  and to accept donations of property, both real and personal, from any source; to establish, supervise, manage and maintain in New Hanover County with the approval and assistance of the Department of Cultural Resources exhibits, dramas, cultural activities, museums, and records pertaining to the marine and naval history of the State of North Carolina and the United States of America; to identify, preserve and protect properties having historical, marine and naval significance to New Hanover County, the State, its communities and counties and the nation; to establish and provide for a proper charge for admission to all properties maintained and operated by the Commission in New Hanover County; to otherwise provide in carrying out its duties for the establishment of appropriate activities to encourage interest in the marine and naval history of North Carolina; to perpetuate the memory of North Carolinians who gave their lives in the course of World War II and in the events in which the battleship was a participant, and to allocate funds for the fulfillment of the duties and authority herein provided as may be necessary and appropriate for the purpose of this Article."
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.