A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish the joint legislative commission on poverty reduction and economic recovery, as recommended by the joint legislative study commission on poverty reduction and economic recovery.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 120 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new article to read:
"Article 12Q.
Joint Legislative Commission on Poverty Reduction and Economic Recovery.
"§ 120‑70.150.  Creation and membership of Joint Legislative Commission on Poverty Reduction and Economic Recovery.
(a)	Findings and Establishment of Commission. – The General Assembly finds that poverty in this State is widespread, especially in rural areas and other areas that have lost significant numbers of agricultural and manufacturing jobs. Further, the General Assembly finds that an understanding of the causes and effects of poverty are critical in the reduction of poverty and the economic recovery of low‑wealth areas. To that end, there is created the Joint Legislative Poverty Reduction and Economic Recovery Commission.
(b)	Voting Members. – The Commission shall consist of 20 voting members appointed as follows:
(1)	Ten members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to include:
a.	Seven members of the House of Representatives.
b.	Three members of the general public, including persons with expertise in the fields of business and economic development, public health, and affordable housing.
(2)	Ten members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, to include:
a.	Seven members of the Senate.
b.	Three members of the general public, including persons with expertise in the fields of education, public safety, and child welfare.
Terms on the Commission are for two years and begin on January 15 of each odd‑numbered year, except the terms of the initial members, which begin on appointment and end on January 15 of the next odd‑numbered year. Members who are members of the General Assembly may complete a term of service on the Commission even if they do not seek reelection or are not reelected to the General Assembly, but resignation or removal from service in the General Assembly constitutes resignation or removal from service on the Commission.
A member continues to serve until his or her successor is appointed. A vacancy shall be filled within 30 days by the officer who made the original appointment.
(c)	Nonvoting Members. – The Commission shall also include the following nonvoting, ex‑officio members:
(1)	The Commissioner of Labor, or that officer's designee.
(2)	The Superintendent of Public Instruction, or that officer's designee.
(3)	The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, or that officer's designee.
(4)	The Secretary of the Department of Transportation, or that officer's designee.
(5)	The Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, or that officer's designee.
(6)	The Secretary of the Department of Commerce, or that officer's designee.
(7)	The Chairman of the Employment Security Commission, or that officer's designee.
(d)	The Commission shall:
(1)	Study and develop a coordinated, integrated approach to poverty reduction and economic recovery across the State.
(2)	Examine poverty in each region of the State with an emphasis on the following counties: Alleghany, Avery, Bladen, Columbus, Edgecombe, Graham, Halifax, Hoke, Northampton, Robeson, Scotland, Tyrrell, Warren, Watauga, and Yancey.
(3)	Examine other states' evidenced‑based intervention methods and best practices in poverty reduction and economic recovery.
(4)	Identify a reasonable target and time line for poverty reduction, including alternative measures for poverty.
(5)	Establish regional commissions on poverty reduction and economic recovery in the high poverty regions of the State.
(6)	Study any other matter pertinent to poverty reduction and economic recovery in North Carolina.
(e)	Administrative Matters. – The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each appoint a cochair for the Commission. The Commission may contract for consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. 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. Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances at the rate established in G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate. 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.
(f)	Reports. – The Commission may make interim reports to the General Assembly on matters for which it may report to a regular session of the General Assembly. A report to the General Assembly may contain any legislation needed to implement a recommendation of the Commission."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.