A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to authorize the legislative ethics committee to study the practice of local governments and lobbying.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  The Legislative Research Commission may study the practices of local governments and lobbying. The study should include review of all of the following:
(1)	The current practices of local governments designating employees of the local government as liaison personnel and of contracting with outside lobbyists to lobby.
(2)	The terms of such contracts with outside lobbyists to lobby.
(3)	Whether or not the statutes governing registration of individuals to lobby mandate a need for a local government to have a registered lobbyist or liaison personnel.
(4)	Any data or additional information from the Secretary of State's office regarding registration and reporting that the Commission deems relevant.
(5)	Any other information necessary.
SECTION 1.(b)  The Legislative Research Commission may report to the 2016 Session of the 2015 General Assembly. A copy of any report submitted shall be provided to the cochairs of the Legislative Ethics Committee.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.