A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to encourage legislators to spend time in their local public schools.
Whereas, the legislative power of the State is vested in the General Assembly, and the General Assembly enacts the State's budget; and
Whereas, thirty‑eight percent (38%) of the State's budget goes to the operation of the public schools, kindergarten through twelfth grade; and
Whereas, it is vitally important that legislators understand the issues related to educating our children; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 2 of Chapter 120 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 120‑9.1.  Members visit public schools.
Each member is responsible for educating himself or herself about the needs of the public schools in the member's legislative district."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 120‑3.1(a) reads as rewritten:
"§ 120‑3.1.  Subsistence and travel allowances for members of the General Assembly.
(a)	In addition to compensation for their services, members of the General Assembly shall be paid the following allowances:
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(3)	A subsistence allowance for meals and lodging at a daily rate equal to the maximum per diem rate for federal employees traveling to Raleigh, North Carolina, as set out at 58 Federal Register 67959 (December 22, 1993), while the General Assembly is in session and, except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, while the General Assembly is not in session when, with the approval of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the case of Representatives or the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in case of Senators, the member is:
a.	Traveling as a representative of the General Assembly or of its committees or commissions, or
b.	Otherwise in the service of the State.
	A member who is authorized to travel, whether in or out of session, within the United States outside North Carolina, may elect to receive, in lieu of the amount provided in the preceding paragraph, a subsistence allowance of twenty‑six dollars ($26.00) a day for meals, plus actual expenses for lodging when evidenced by a receipt satisfactory to the Legislative Services Officer, the latter not to exceed the maximum per diem rate for federal employees traveling to the same place, as set out at 58 Federal Register 67950‑67964 (December 22, 1993) and at 59 Federal Register 23702‑23709 (May 6, 1994).
	As used in this subdivision, the phrase "in the service of the State" includes no more than four days per year spent visiting public schools in the member's district. Each day of attendance must be documented by the host principal or superintendent.
…."
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.