A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to create the Legislative Study committee on the impact and control of fire ants in north carolina.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Legislative Study Committee on The Impact and Control of Fire Ants in North Carolina is created.  The Committee shall consist of 14 members, seven appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and seven appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each designate a chair of the Committee.  Vacancies on the committee shall be filled by the original appointing authority.  A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION 2.  The Committee shall study issues relating to the impact, control, and eradication of fire ants in North Carolina.  In its study, the Committee may consider the following:
(1)	The origin of fire ants and their entry into and spread throughout the State.
(2)	The economic impact of fire ants on agriculture, recreation, tourism, and other activities.
(3)	The impact of fire ants on human and animal health and on the environment.
(4)	Methods to control or eradicate fire ants on both private and State property and costs of such measures.
(5)	State regulatory efforts to control the spread of fire ants. 
(6)	Ongoing research on fire ants at North Carolina State University, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and other institutions in the State.
(7)	Efforts in other States and by the federal government to control and eradicate fire ants.
(8)	The use of income tax credits as an incentive for fire ant control and eradication.
(9)	Any other issues that the Committee deems relevant to the topic.
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, G.S. 138‑5 or G.S. 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' and Senate's Directors 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 2011 Regular Session of the General Assembly and may submit interim reports as it deems necessary. The Committee shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2011 General Assembly, whichever comes first.
SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law.