NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1979 SESSION

CHAPTER 1019
HOUSE BILL 1310

AN ACT TO CREATE THE LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION ON THE ALTERNATIVES OF WATER MANAGEMENT.

Whereas, clean and plentiful amounts of water are vital for the health and welfare of the citizens of North Carolina; and
Whereas, an adequate supply of water is essential for the economic and industrial growth of North Carolina; and
Whereas, future requirements of North Carolina for potable water are estimated to double by the year 2000; and
Whereas, local governments are facing increasing difficulties in meeting the escalating cost of water facilities, necessary to ensure an adequate supply of clean water to their residents; and
Whereas, a proliferation of small water supply systems cannot effectively join forces to produce an ample and clean water supply; and
Whereas, local and State governments and their taxpayers can realize great monetary savings through a coordinated plan of water management; and
Whereas, the costs inherent in planning for and implementing systems to assure future industrial and economic development water needs will require consideration of alternative funding techniques including responsible use of long-term bonded indebtedness; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  There is created a Legislative Study Commission on Alternatives for Water Management.
Sec. 2.  Duties of the Commission. The Commission shall study the State's present organization for planning and management of water resources and the present and future trend of North Carolina in regard to water use and management. The Commission shall study the feasibility of creating a State water authority to furnish water throughout the State. The Commission shall study other alternatives for water management. The Commission shall also study the need for legislation and regulations concerning local and regional water supplies including sources of water organization and administration of water systems.
Sec. 3.  Organization of the Commission, (a) The Commission shall consist of 12 members to be appointed as follows: six by the President of the Senate, of which a minimum of three must be knowledgeable in the area of Water Resource Management; and six by the Speaker of the House, of which a minimum of three must be knowledgeable in the area of Water Resource Management. The members of the Commission shall be appointed within 30 days of ratification of this act and shall serve until termination of the Commission.
(b)	If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Commission, it shall be filled by action of the officer who appointed the member who is to be replaced, and the person then shall serve for the remainder of the term of the member whom he succeeds.
(c)	The Commission shall elect from its membership a chairman.
Sec. 4.  Staff support for the Commission. In executing its duties, the Commission is authorized to hire such professional assistance and secretarial support as it deems necessary. Commission members are authorized to receive subsistence and mileage at the statutory rates in lieu of compensation.
Sec. 5.  Appropriations to the Commission. There is appropriated to the General Assembly for the Commission from the General Fund the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for fiscal year 1979-1980. These funds shall be used in the performance of the duties set forth in this act.
Sec. 6.  The Commission shall file a report with the General Assembly not later than March 1, 1980 and shall terminate upon the filing of the report.
Sec. 7.  This act is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 8th day of June, 1979.