A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT creating the joint legislative study committee on offshore wind farming for the generation of electricity.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is created the Joint Legislative Study Committee on Offshore Wind Farming.
SECTION 1.(b)  The Committee shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:
(1)	Six members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Six members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one representative as cochair, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one senator as cochair. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the same appointing authority that made the initial appointment. The Committee shall meet on the call of its House and Senate cochairs. A quorum of the Committee shall be a majority of its members.
SECTION 2.  The Committee shall examine the feasibility of offshore wind farms. In conducting its study, the Committee may:
(1)	Consider whether the North Carolina coast provides an environment conducive to the generation of electricity by wind turbines.
(2)	Consider the effects of hurricanes on the survivability of wind farms.
(3)	Evaluate the economic impact of a wind farming industry on the coastal counties.
(4)	Identify technical issues associated with providing electrical power from offshore wind farms, including the availability of equipment, federal support, and cost of generation per kilowat.
(5)	Study any other issue the committee deems relevant.
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' 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 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.