Chapter 127C.

Advisory Commission on Military Affairs.

§ 127C‑1.  Creation of the North Carolina Advisory Commission on Military Affairs.

There is created in the Office of the Governor the North Carolina Advisory Commission on Military Affairs to advise the Governor and the Secretary of Commerce on protecting the existing military infrastructure in this State and to promote new military missions and economic opportunities for the State and its citizens. (2001‑424, s. 12.1.)

§ 127C‑2.  Membership.

(a)       The North Carolina Advisory Commission on Military Affairs shall consist of 21 voting members, who shall serve on the Executive Committee, and 15 nonvoting, ex officio members who shall serve by reason of their positions.

(b)       The Executive Committee shall be appointed as follows:

(1)       Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be a member of a recognized veterans' organization.

(2)       Three members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be a member of a recognized veterans' organization.

(3)       Fifteen members appointed by the Governor, consisting of:

a.         Three representatives from the Jacksonville community.

b.         Three representatives from the Havelock community.

c.         Three representatives from the Goldsboro community.

d.         Three representatives from the Fayetteville community.

e.         Three public members from across the State.

(c)       The following members, or their designee, shall serve ex officio:

(1)       The Lieutenant Governor.

(1a)     Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety.

(2)       Secretary of Commerce.

(2a)     The Secretary of Transportation.

(2b)     The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

(3)       Commanding General 18th Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg.

(4)       Commanding General Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune.

(5)       Commanding General Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point.

(6)       Commander 4th FW, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

(7)       Commander 43rd Airlift Wing, Pope Air Force Base.

(8)       Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Support Center, Elizabeth City.

(9)       Adjutant General of the North Carolina National Guard.

(10)     The Executive Director of the North Carolina League of Municipalities.

(11)     The Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.

(12)     The Assistant Secretary for Veterans Affairs, Department of Administration.

(d)       The Governor shall designate one member of the Executive Committee appointed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section to serve as chair. The Executive Committee shall elect four persons from amongst its membership to serve as vice‑chairs.

(e)       The terms of the members of the Executive Committee shall be as follows:

(1)       The members initially appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall serve terms ending on December 31, 2003.

(2)       Seven of the members appointed by the Governor shall serve initial terms ending on December 31, 2002.

(3)       Eight of the members appointed by the Governor shall serve initial terms ending on December 31, 2003.

Thereafter, all members shall serve two‑year terms. (2001‑424, s. 12.1; 2001‑486, s. 2.9(a), (b); 2004‑49, s. 1.)

§ 127C‑3.  Military Advisor.

The Military Advisor within the Office of the Governor shall serve as the administrative head of the Commission and be responsible for the operations and normal business activities of the Commission, with oversight by the Executive Committee. (2001‑424, s. 12.1.)

§ 127C‑4.  Purposes.

The Commission shall have the following responsibilities and duties:

(1)       Advise the Governor and Secretary of Commerce on how to strengthen the State's relationship with the military to protect the installations of this State from the results of any future defense budget cuts or military downsizing by providing a sound infrastructure, affordable housing, and affordable education for military members and their families, working to be viewed by national military leaders as the most military‑friendly State in the nation.

(2)       Develop a strategic plan to provide initiatives to support the long‑term viability and prosperity of the military of this State that shall include, at least:

a.         A comprehensive Economic Impact Study of Military Activities in North Carolina to be conducted by the North Carolina State University Department of Economics and the East Carolina University Office of Regional Development.

b.         A Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats (SWOT) Analysis conducted by a professional strategic planning group on the current status of the military in North Carolina.

(3)       Study ways to improve educational opportunities for military personnel in North Carolina.

(4)       Assist in coordinating the State's interests in future activities of the Department of Defense.

(5)       Promote initiatives to improve the quality of life for military personnel in this State. (2001‑424, s. 12.1.)