Chapter 150B.

Administrative Procedure Act.

Article 1.

General Provisions.

§ 150B‑1.  Policy and scope.

(a)       Purpose. – This Chapter establishes a uniform system of administrative rule making and adjudicatory procedures for agencies. The procedures ensure that the functions of rule making, investigation, advocacy, and adjudication are not all performed by the same person in the administrative process.

(b)       Rights. – This Chapter confers procedural rights.

(c)       Full Exemptions. – This Chapter applies to every agency except:

(1)       The North Carolina National Guard in exercising its court‑martial jurisdiction.

(2)       The Department of Health and Human Services in exercising its authority over the Camp Butner reservation granted in Article 6 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes.

(3)       The Utilities Commission.

(4)       The Industrial Commission.

(5)       The Employment Security Commission.

(6)       The State Board of Elections in administering the HAVA Administrative Complaint Procedure of Article 8A of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

(7)       The North Carolina State Lottery.

(d)       Exemptions from Rule Making. – Article 2A of this Chapter does not apply to the following:

(1)       The Commission.

(2)       Repealed by Session Laws 2000‑189, s. 14, effective July 1, 2000.

(3)       Repealed by Session Laws 2001‑474, s. 34, effective November 29, 2001.

(4)       The Department of Revenue, with respect to the notice and hearing requirements contained in Part 2 of Article 2A.

(5)       The North Carolina Global TransPark Authority with respect to the acquisition, construction, operation, or use, including fees or charges, of any portion of a cargo airport complex.

(6)       The Department of Correction, with respect to matters relating solely to persons in its custody or under its supervision, including prisoners, probationers, and parolees.

(7)       (Effective until July 1, 2008)  The North Carolina Teachers' and State Employees' Comprehensive Major Medical Plan in administering the provisions of Parts 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Article 3 of Chapter 135 of the General Statutes.

(7)       (Effective July 1, 2008)  The State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees in administering the provisions of Parts 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Article 3 of Chapter 135 of the General Statutes.

(8)       The North Carolina Federal Tax Reform Allocation Committee, with respect to the adoption of the annual qualified allocation plan required by 26 U.S.C. § 42(m), and any agency designated by the Committee to the extent necessary to administer the annual qualified allocation plan.

(9)       The Department of Health and Human Services in adopting new or amending existing medical coverage policies under the State Medicaid Program.

(10)     The Economic Investment Committee in developing criteria for the Job Development Investment Grant Program under Part 2F of Article 10 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes.

(11)     The North Carolina State Ports Authority with respect to fees established pursuant to G.S. 143B‑454(a)(11).

(12)     The Department of Commerce and the Economic Investment Committee in developing criteria and administering the Site Infrastructure Development Program under G.S. 143B‑437.02.

(13)     The Department of Commerce and the Governor's Office in developing guidelines for the One North Carolina Fund under Part 2H of Article 10 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes.

(14)     The Community Colleges System Office in developing guidelines for the Community College Facilities and Equipment Fund.

(15)     The Department of Commerce in developing guidelines for the North Carolina Economic Development Reserve.

(16)     The State Ethics Commission with respect to Chapter 138A and Chapter 120C of the General Statutes.

(17)     The Department of Commerce in developing guidelines for the NC Green Business Fund under Part 2B of Article 10 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes.

(18)     The Department of Commerce and the Economic Investment Committee in developing criteria and administering the Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund under G.S. 143B‑437.11.

(e)       Exemptions From Contested Case Provisions. – The contested case provisions of this Chapter apply to all agencies and all proceedings not expressly exempted from the Chapter. The contested case provisions of this Chapter do not apply to the following:

(1)       The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in complying with the procedural safeguards mandated by Section 680 of Part H of Public Law 99‑457 as amended (Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986).

(2)       Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 501, s. 29.

(3),      (4) Repealed by Session Laws 2001‑474, s. 35, effective November 29, 2001.

(5)       Hearings required pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, (Public Law 93‑122), as amended and federal regulations promulgated thereunder. G.S. 150B‑51(a) is considered a contested case hearing provision that does not apply to these hearings.

(6)       Repealed by Session Laws 2007‑491, s. 2, effective January 1, 2008.

(7)       The Department of Correction.

(8)       The Department of Transportation, except as provided in G.S. 136‑29.

(9)       The North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

(10)     The North Carolina Global TransPark Authority with respect to the acquisition, construction, operation, or use, including fees or charges, of any portion of a cargo airport complex.

(11)     Hearings that are provided by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the eligibility and provision of services for eligible assaultive and violent children, as defined in G.S. 122C‑3(13a), shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions outlined in G.S. 122C, Article 4, Part 7.

(12)     (Effective until July 1, 2008)  The North Carolina Teachers' and State Employees' Comprehensive Major Medical Plan with respect to disputes involving the performance, terms, or conditions of a contract between the Plan and an entity under contract with the Plan.

(12)     (Effective July 1, 2008)  The State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees respect to disputes involving the performance, terms, or conditions of a contract between the Plan and an entity under contract with the Plan.

(13)     (Effective until July 1, 2008)  The Teachers' and State Employees' Comprehensive Major Medical Plan with respect to determinations by the Executive Administrator and Board of Trustees, the Plan's designated utilization review organization, or a self‑funded health maintenance organization under contract with the Plan that an admission, availability of care, continued stay, or other health care service has been reviewed and, based upon the information provided, does not meet the Plan's requirements for medical necessity, appropriateness, health care setting, or level of care or effectiveness, and the requested service is therefore denied, reduced, or terminated.

(13)     (Effective July 1, 2008)  The State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees with respect to determinations by the Executive Administrator and Board of Trustees, the Plan's designated utilization review organization, or a self‑funded health maintenance organization under contract with the Plan that an admission, availability of care, continued stay, or other health care service has been reviewed and, based upon the information provided, does not meet the Plan's requirements for medical necessity, appropriateness, health care setting, or level of care or effectiveness, and the requested service is therefore denied, reduced, or terminated.

(14)     The Department of Crime Control and Public Safety for hearings and appeals authorized under Chapter 20 of the General Statutes.

(15)     The Wildlife Resources Commission with respect to determinations of whether to authorize or terminate the authority of a person to sell licenses and permits as a license agent of the Wildlife Resources Commission.

(f)        Exemption for the University of North Carolina. – Except as provided in G.S. 143‑135.3, no Article in this Chapter except Article 4 applies to The University of North Carolina. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1975, c. 390; c. 716, s. 5; c. 721, s. 1; c. 742, s. 4; 1981, c. 614, s. 22; 1983, c. 147, s. 2; c. 927, s. 13; 1985, c. 746, ss. 1, 19; 1987, c. 112, s. 2; c. 335, s. 2; c. 536, s. 1; c. 847, s. 2; c. 850, s. 20; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1082, s. 14; c. 1111, s. 9; 1989, c. 76, s. 29; c. 168, s. 33; c. 373, s. 2; c. 538, s. 1; c. 751, s. 7(44); 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1004, s. 36; 1991, c. 103, s. 1; c. 418, s. 2; c. 477, s. 1; c. 749, ss. 9, 10; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1030, s. 46; 1993, c. 501, s. 29; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 777, ss. 4(j), 4(k); 1995, c. 249, s. 4; c. 507, s. 27.8(m); 1997‑35, s. 2; 1997‑278, s. 1; 1997‑412, s. 8; 1997‑443, ss. 11A.110, 11A.119(a); 2000‑189, s. 14; 2001‑192, s. 1; 2001‑299, s. 1; 2001‑395, s. 6(c); 2001‑424, ss. 6.20(b), 21.20(c); 2001‑446, s. 5(d); 2001‑474, ss. 34, 35; 2001‑496, s. 8(c); 2002‑99, s. 7(b); 2002‑159, ss. 31.5(b), 49; 2002‑172, s. 2.6; 2002‑190, s. 16; 2003‑226, s. 17(b); 2003‑416, s. 2; 2003‑435, 2nd Ex. Sess., s. 1.3; 2004‑88, s. 1(e); 2005‑133, s. 10; 2005‑276, s. 31.1(ff); 2005‑300, s. 1; 2005‑344, s. 11.1; 2005‑455, s. 3.3; 2006‑66, ss. 12.8(c), 8.10(d); 2006‑201, s. 2(a); 2007‑323, ss. 13.2(c), 28.22A(o); 2007‑345, s. 12; 2007‑491, s. 2; 2007‑552, 1st. Ex. Sess., s. 3.)

§ 150B‑2.  Definitions.

As used in this Chapter,

(1)       "Administrative law judge" means a person appointed under G.S. 7A‑752, 7A‑753, or 7A‑757.

(1a)     "Agency" means an agency or an officer in the executive branch of the government of this State and includes the Council of State, the Governor's Office, a board, a commission, a department, a division, a council, and any other unit of government in the executive branch. A local unit of government is not an agency.

(1b)     "Adopt" means to take final action to create, amend, or repeal a rule.

(1c)     "Codifier of Rules" means the Chief Administrative Law Judge of the Office of Administrative Hearings or a designated representative of the Chief Administrative Law Judge.

(1d)     "Commission" means the Rules Review Commission.

(2)       "Contested case" means an administrative proceeding pursuant to this Chapter to resolve a dispute between an agency and another person that involves the person's rights, duties, or privileges, including licensing or the levy of a monetary penalty. "Contested case" does not include rulemaking, declaratory rulings, or the award or denial of a scholarship, a grant, or a loan.

(2a)     Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 418, s. 3.

(2b)     "Hearing officer" means a person or group of persons designated by an agency that is subject to Article 3A of this Chapter to preside in a contested case hearing conducted under that Article.

(3)       "License" means any certificate, permit or other evidence, by whatever name called, of a right or privilege to engage in any activity, except licenses issued under Chapter 20 and Subchapter I of Chapter 105 of the General Statutes and occupational licenses.

(4)       "Licensing" means any administrative action issuing, failing to issue, suspending, or revoking a license or occupational license. "Licensing" does not include controversies over whether an examination was fair or whether the applicant passed the examination.

(4a)     "Occupational license" means any certificate, permit, or other evidence, by whatever name called, of a right or privilege to engage in a profession, occupation, or field of endeavor that is issued by an occupational licensing agency.

(4b)     "Occupational licensing agency" means any board, commission, committee or other agency of the State of North Carolina which is established for the primary purpose of regulating the entry of persons into, and/or the conduct of persons within a particular profession, occupation or field of endeavor, and which is authorized to issue and revoke licenses. "Occupational licensing agency" does not include State agencies or departments which may as only a part of their regular function issue permits or licenses.

(5)       "Party" means any person or agency named or admitted as a party or properly seeking as of right to be admitted as a party and includes the agency as appropriate. This subdivision does not permit an agency that makes a final decision, or an officer or employee of the agency, to petition for initial judicial review of that decision.

(6)       "Person aggrieved" means any person or group of persons of common interest directly or indirectly affected substantially in his or its person, property, or employment by an administrative decision.

(7)       "Person" means any natural person, partnership, corporation, body politic and any unincorporated association, organization, or society which may sue or be sued under a common name.

(8)       "Residence" means domicile or principal place of business.

(8a)     "Rule" means any agency regulation, standard, or statement of general applicability that implements or interprets an enactment of the General Assembly or Congress or a regulation adopted by a federal agency or that describes the procedure or practice requirements of an agency. The term includes the establishment of a fee and the amendment or repeal of a prior rule. The term does not include the following:

a.         Statements concerning only the internal management of an agency or group of agencies within the same principal office or department enumerated in G.S. 143A‑11 or 143B‑6, including policies and procedures manuals, if the statement does not directly or substantially affect the procedural or substantive rights or duties of a person not employed by the agency or group of agencies.

b.         Budgets and budget policies and procedures issued by the Director of the Budget, by the head of a department, as defined by G.S. 143A‑2 or G.S. 143B‑3, by an occupational licensing board, as defined by G.S. 93B‑1, or by the State Board of Elections.

c.         Nonbinding interpretative statements within the delegated authority of an agency that merely define, interpret, or explain the meaning of a statute or rule.

d.         A form, the contents or substantive requirements of which are prescribed by rule or statute.

e.         Statements of agency policy made in the context of another proceeding, including:

1.         Declaratory rulings under G.S. 150B‑4.

2.         Orders establishing or fixing rates or tariffs.

f.          Requirements, communicated to the public by the use of signs or symbols, concerning the use of public roads, bridges, ferries, buildings, or facilities.

g.         Statements that set forth criteria or guidelines to be used by the staff of an agency in performing audits, investigations, or inspections; in settling financial disputes or negotiating financial arrangements; or in the defense, prosecution, or settlement of cases.

h.         Scientific, architectural, or engineering standards, forms, or procedures, including design criteria and construction standards used to construct or maintain highways, bridges, or ferries.

i.          Job classification standards, job qualifications, and salaries established for positions under the jurisdiction of the State Personnel Commission.

j.          Establishment of the interest rate that applies to tax assessments under G.S. 105‑241.21 and the variable component of the excise tax on motor fuel under G.S. 105‑449.80.

k.         The State Medical Facilities Plan, if the Plan has been prepared with public notice and hearing as provided in G.S. 131E‑176(25), reviewed by the Commission for compliance with G.S. 131E‑176(25), and approved by the Governor.

(8b)     "Substantial evidence" means relevant evidence a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.

(9)       Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 418, s. 3. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1975, 2nd Sess., c. 983, ss. 61, 62; 1977, c. 915, s. 5; 1983, c. 641, s. 1; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1022, s. 1(2)‑1(5); 1987, c. 878, ss. 1, 2, 21; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1111, s. 17; 1991, c. 418, s. 3; c. 477, ss. 3.1, 3.2, 9; 1995, c. 390, s. 29; 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 7.10(g); 1997‑456, s. 27; 2003‑229, s. 12; 2007‑491, s. 44(1)b.)

§ 150B‑3.  Special provisions on licensing.

(a)       When an applicant or a licensee makes a timely and sufficient application for issuance or renewal of a license or occupational license, including the payment of any required license fee, the existing license or occupational license does not expire until a decision on the application is finally made by the agency, and if the application is denied or the terms of the new license or occupational license are limited, until the last day for applying for judicial review of the agency order. This subsection does not affect agency action summarily suspending a license or occupational license under subsections (b) and (c) of this section.

(b)       Before the commencement of proceedings for the suspension, revocation, annulment, withdrawal, recall, cancellation, or amendment of any license other than an occupational license, the agency shall give notice to the licensee, pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 150B‑23. Before the commencement of such proceedings involving an occupational license, the agency shall give notice pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 150B‑38. In either case, the licensee shall be given an opportunity to show compliance with all lawful requirements for retention of the license or occupational license.

(c)       If the agency finds that the public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action and incorporates this finding in its order, summary suspension of a license or occupational license may be ordered effective on the date specified in the order or on service of the certified copy of the order at the last known address of the licensee, whichever is later, and effective during the proceedings. The proceedings shall be promptly commenced and determined.

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as amending or repealing any special statutes, in effect prior to February 1, 1976, which provide for the summary suspension of a license.

(d)       This section does not apply to the following:

(1)       Revocations of occupational licenses based solely on a court order of child support delinquency or a Department of Health and Human Services determination of child support delinquency issued pursuant to G.S. 110‑142, 110‑142.1, or 110‑142.2.

(2)       Refusal to renew an occupational license pursuant to G.S. 87‑10.1, 87‑22.2, 87‑44.2, or 89C‑18.1, based solely on a Department of Revenue determination that the licensee owes a delinquent income tax debt. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1995, c. 538, s. 2(i); 1997‑443, s. 11A.118(a); 1998‑162, s. 8.)

§ 150B‑4.  Declaratory rulings.

(a)       On request of a person aggrieved, an agency shall issue a declaratory ruling as to the validity of a rule or as to the applicability to a given state of facts of a statute administered by the agency or of a rule or order of the agency, except when the agency for good cause finds issuance of a ruling undesirable. The agency shall prescribe in its rules the circumstances in which rulings shall or shall not be issued. A declaratory ruling is binding on the agency and the person requesting it unless it is altered or set aside by the court. An agency may not retroactively change a declaratory ruling, but nothing in this section prevents an agency from prospectively changing a declaratory ruling. A declaratory ruling is subject to judicial review in the same manner as an order in a contested case. Failure of the agency to issue a declaratory ruling on the merits within 60 days of the request for such ruling shall constitute a denial of the request as well as a denial of the merits of the request and shall be subject to judicial review.

(b)       Repealed by Session Laws 1997‑34, s. 1. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1991, c. 418, s. 4; c. 477, s. 2.1; 1997‑34, s. 1.)

§§ 150B‑5 through 150B‑8.  Reserved for future codification purposes.

Article 2.

Rule Making.

§§ 150B‑9 through 150B‑16:  Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c.  418, s. 5.

§ 150B‑17:  Recodified as § 150B‑4 by Session Laws 1991, c.  418, s. 4.

Article 2A.

Rules.

Part 1. General Provisions.

§ 150B‑18.  Scope and effect.

This Article applies to an agency's exercise of its authority to adopt a rule.  A rule is not valid unless it is adopted in substantial compliance with this Article. (1991, c. 418, s. 1.)

§ 150B‑19.  Restrictions on what can be adopted as a rule.

An agency may not adopt a rule that does one or more of the following:

(1)       Implements or interprets a law unless that law or another law specifically authorizes the agency to do so.

(2)       Enlarges the scope of a profession, occupation, or field of endeavor for which an occupational license is required.

(3)       Imposes criminal liability or a civil penalty for an act or omission, including the violation of a rule, unless a law specifically authorizes the agency to do so or a law declares that violation of the rule is a criminal offense or is grounds for a civil penalty.

(4)       Repeats the content of a law, a rule, or a federal regulation. A brief statement that informs the public of a requirement imposed by law does not violate this subdivision and satisfies the "reasonably necessary" standard of review set in G.S. 150B‑21.9(a)(3).

(5)       Establishes a fee or other charge for providing a service in fulfillment of a duty unless a law specifically authorizes the agency to do so or the fee or other charge is for one of the following:

a.         A service to a State, federal, or local governmental unit.

b.         A copy of part or all of a State publication or other document, the cost of mailing a document, or both.

c.         A transcript of a public hearing.

d.         A conference, workshop, or course.

e.         Data processing services.

(6)       Allows the agency to waive or modify a requirement set in a rule unless a rule establishes specific guidelines the agency must follow in determining whether to waive or modify the requirement. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 7.10(a).)

§ 150B‑20.  Petitioning an agency to adopt a rule.

(a)       Petition. – A person may petition an agency to adopt a rule by submitting to the agency a written rule‑making petition requesting the adoption. A person may submit written comments with a rule‑making petition. If a rule‑making petition requests the agency to create or amend a rule, the person must submit the proposed text of the requested rule change and a statement of the effect of the requested rule change. Each agency must establish by rule the procedure for submitting a rule‑making petition to it and the procedure the agency follows in considering a rule‑making petition.

(b)       Time. – An agency must grant or deny a rule‑making petition submitted to it within 30 days after the date the rule‑making petition is submitted, unless the agency is a board or commission. If the agency is a board or commission, it must grant or deny a rule‑making petition within 120 days after the date the rule‑making petition is submitted.

(c)       Action. – If an agency denies a rule‑making petition, it must send the person who submitted the petition a written statement of the reasons for denying the petition. If an agency grants a rule‑making petition, it must inform the person who submitted the rule‑making petition of its decision and must initiate rule‑making proceedings. When an agency grants a rule‑making petition, the notice of text it publishes in the North Carolina Register may state that the agency is initiating rule making as the result of a rule‑making petition and state the name of the person who submitted the rule‑making petition. If the rule‑making petition requested the creation or amendment of a rule, the notice of text the agency publishes may set out the text of the requested rule change submitted with the rule‑making petition and state whether the agency endorses the proposed text.

(d)       Review. – Denial of a rule‑making petition is a final agency decision and is subject to judicial review under Article 4 of this Chapter. Failure of an agency to grant or deny a rule‑making petition within the time limits set in subsection (b) is a denial of the rule‑making petition.

(e)       Repealed by Session Laws 1996, Second Extra Session, c. 18, s. 7.10(b). (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1991, c. 418, s. 1; c. 477, s. 2; 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 7.10(b); 1997‑34, s. 2; 2003‑229, s. 1.)

§ 150B‑21.  Agency must designate rule‑making coordinator; duties of coordinator.

(a)       Each agency must designate one or more rule‑making coordinators to oversee the agency's rule‑making functions. The coordinator shall serve as the liaison between the agency, other agencies, units of local government, and the public in the rule‑making process. The coordinator shall report directly to the agency head.

(b)       The rule‑making coordinator shall be responsible for the following:

(1)       Preparing notices of public hearings.

(2)       Coordinating access to the agency's rules.

(3)       Screening all proposed rule actions prior to publication in the North Carolina Register to assure that an accurate fiscal note has been completed as required by G.S. 150B‑21.4(b).

(4)       Consulting with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and the North Carolina League of Municipalities to determine which local governments would be affected by any proposed rule action.

(5)       Providing the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and the North Carolina League of Municipalities with copies of all fiscal notes required by G.S. 150B‑21.4(b), prior to publication in the North Carolina Register of the proposed text of a permanent rule change.

(6)       Coordinating the submission of proposed rules to the Governor as provided by G.S. 150B‑21.26.

(c)       At the earliest point in the rule‑making process and in consultation with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, the North Carolina League of Municipalities, and with samples of county managers or city managers, as appropriate, the rule‑making coordinator shall lead the agency's efforts in the development and drafting of any rules or rule changes that could:

(1)       Require any unit of local government, including a county, city, school administrative unit, or other local entity funded by or through a unit of local government to carry out additional or modified responsibilities;

(2)       Increase the cost of providing or delivering a public service funded in whole or in part by any unit of local government; or

(3)       Otherwise affect the expenditures or revenues of a unit of local government.

(d)       The rule‑making coordinator shall send to the Office of State Budget and Management for compilation a copy of each final fiscal note prepared pursuant to G.S. 150B‑21.4(b).

(e)       The rule‑making coordinator shall compile a schedule of the administrative rules and amendments expected to be proposed during the next fiscal year. The coordinator shall provide a copy of the schedule to the Office of State Budget and Management in a manner proposed by that Office.

(f)        Whenever an agency proposes a rule that is purported to implement a federal law, or required by or necessary for compliance with federal law, or on which the receipt of federal funds is conditioned, the rule‑making coordinator shall:

(1)       Attach to the proposed rule a certificate prepared by the rule‑making coordinator identifying the federal law requiring adoption of the proposed rule. The certification shall contain a statement setting forth the reasons for why the proposed rule is required by law. If all or part of the proposed rule is not required by federal law or exceeds the requirements of federal law, then the certification shall state the reasons for that opinion. No comment or opinion shall be included in the certification with regard to the merits of the proposed rule; and

(2)       The rule‑making coordinator shall maintain a copy of the federal law and shall provide to the Office of State Budget and Management for compilation the citation to the federal law requiring or pertaining to the proposed rule. (1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1995, c. 415, s. 1; c. 507, s. 27.8(v); 2000‑140, s. 93.1(a); 2001‑424, s. 12.2(b).)

Part 2. Adoption of Rules.

§ 150B‑21.1.  Procedure for adopting a temporary rule.

(a)       Adoption. – An agency may adopt a temporary rule when it finds that adherence to the notice and hearing requirements of G.S. 150B‑21.2 would be contrary to the public interest and that the immediate adoption of the rule is required by one or more of the following:

(1)       A serious and unforeseen threat to the public health, safety, or welfare.

(2)       The effective date of a recent act of the General Assembly or the United States Congress.

(3)       A recent change in federal or State budgetary policy.

(4)       A recent federal regulation.

(5)       A recent court order.

(6)       The need for a rule establishing review criteria as authorized by G.S. 131E‑183(b) to complement or be made consistent with the State Medical Facilities Plan approved by the Governor, if the rule addresses a matter included in the State Medical Facilities Plan, and the proposed rule and a notice of public hearing is submitted to the Codifier of Rules prior to the effective date of the Plan.

(7)       The need for the Wildlife Resources Commission to establish any of the following:

a.         No wake zones.

b.         Hunting or fishing seasons.

c.         Hunting or fishing bag limits.

d.         Management of public game lands as defined in G.S. 113‑129(8a).

(8)       The need for the Secretary of State to implement the certification technology provisions of Article 11A of Chapter 66 of the General Statutes, to adopt uniform Statements of Policy that have been officially adopted by the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc., for the purpose of promoting uniformity of state securities regulation, and to adopt rules governing the conduct of hearings pursuant to this Chapter.

(9)       The need for the Commissioner of Insurance to implement the provisions of G.S. 58‑2‑205.

(10)     The need for the Chief Information Officer to implement the information technology procurement provisions of Article 3D of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes.

(11)     The need for the State Board of Elections to adopt a temporary rule after prior notice or hearing or upon any abbreviated notice or hearing the agency finds practical for one or more of the following:

a.         In accordance with the provisions of G.S. 163‑22.2.

b.         To implement any provisions of state or federal law for which the State Board of Elections has been authorized to adopt rules.

c.         The need for the rule to become effective immediately in order to preserve the integrity of upcoming elections and the elections process.

(12)     The need for an agency to adopt a temporary rule to implement the provisions of any of the following acts until all rules necessary to implement the provisions of the act have become effective as either temporary or permanent rules:

a.         Repealed by Session Laws 2000‑148, s. 5, effective July 1, 2002.

b.         Repealed by Session Laws 2000‑69, s. 5, effective July 1, 2003.

(13)     Reserved

(14)     Reserved.

(15)     Expired pursuant to Session Laws 2002‑164, s. 5, effective October 1, 2004.

(16)     Expired pursuant to Session Laws 2003-184, s. 3, effective July 1, 2005.

(a1)     Recodified as subdivision (a)(16) of this section by Session Laws 2004‑156, s. 1.

(a2)     A recent act, change, regulation, or order as used in subdivisions (2) through (5) of subsection (a) of this section means an act, change, regulation, or order occurring or made effective no more than 210 days prior to the submission of a temporary rule to the Rules Review Commission. Upon written request of the agency, the Commission may waive the 210‑day requirement upon consideration of the degree of public benefit, whether the agency had control over the circumstances that required the requested waiver, notice to and opposition by the public, the need for the waiver, and previous requests for waivers submitted by the agency.

(a3)     Unless otherwise provided by law, at least 30 business days prior to adopting a temporary rule, the agency shall:

(1)       Submit the rule and a notice of public hearing to the Codifier of Rules, and the Codifier of Rules shall publish the proposed temporary rule and the notice of public hearing on the Internet to be posted within five business days.

(2)       Notify persons on the mailing list maintained pursuant to G.S. 150B‑21.2(d) and any other interested parties of its intent to adopt a temporary rule and of the public hearing.

(3)       Accept written comments on the proposed temporary rule for at least 15 business days prior to adoption of the temporary rule.

(4)       Hold at least one public hearing on the proposed temporary rule no less than five days after the rule and notice have been published.

(a4)     An agency must also prepare a written statement of its findings of need for a temporary rule stating why adherence to the notice and hearing requirements in G.S. 150B‑21.2 would be contrary to the public interest and why the immediate adoption of the rule is required. If the temporary rule establishes a new fee or increases an existing fee, the agency shall include in the written statement that it has complied with the requirements of G.S. 12‑3.1. The statement must be signed by the head of the agency adopting the temporary rule.

(b)       Review. – When an agency adopts a temporary rule it must submit the rule and the agency's written statement of its findings of the need for the rule to the Rules Review Commission. Within 15 business days after receiving the proposed temporary rule, the Commission shall review the agency's written statement of findings of need for the rule and the rule to determine whether the statement meets the criteria listed in subsection (a) of this section and the rule meets the standards in G.S. 150B‑21.9. The Commission shall direct a member of its staff who is an attorney licensed to practice law in North Carolina to review the statement of findings of need and the rule. The staff member shall make a recommendation to the Commission, which must be approved by the Commission or its designee. The Commission's designee shall be a panel of at least three members of the Commission. In reviewing the statement, the Commission or its designee may consider any information submitted by the agency or another person. If the Commission or its designee finds that the statement meets the criteria listed in subsection (a) of this section and the rule meets the standards in G.S. 150B‑21.9, the Commission or its designee must approve the temporary rule and deliver the rule to the Codifier of Rules within two business days of approval. The Codifier of Rules must enter the rule into the North Carolina Administrative Code on the sixth business day following receipt from the Commission or its designee.

(b1)     If the Commission or its designee finds that the statement does not meet the criteria listed in subsection (a) of this section or that the rule does not meet the standards in G.S. 150B‑21.9, the Commission or its designee must immediately notify the head of the agency. The agency may supplement its statement of need with additional findings or submit a new statement. If the agency provides additional findings or submits a new statement, the Commission or its designee must review the additional findings or new statement within five business days after the agency submits the additional findings or new statement. If the Commission or its designee again finds that the statement does not meet the criteria listed in subsection (a) of this section or that the rule does not meet the standards in G.S. 150B‑21.9, the Commission or its designee must immediately notify the head of the agency and return the rule to the agency.

(b2)     If an agency decides not to provide additional findings or submit a new statement when notified by the Commission or its designee that the agency's findings of need for a rule do not meet the required criteria or that the rule does not meet the required standards, the agency must notify the Commission or its designee of its decision. The Commission or its designee shall then return the rule to the agency. When the Commission returns a rule to an agency in accordance with this subsection, the agency may file an action for declaratory judgment in Wake County Superior Court pursuant to Article 26 of Chapter 1 of the General Statutes.

(b3)     Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, if the agency has not complied with the provisions of G.S. 12‑3.1, the Codifier of Rules shall not enter the rule into the Code.

(c)       Standing. – A person aggrieved by a temporary rule adopted by an agency may file an action for declaratory judgment in Wake County Superior Court pursuant to Article 26 of Chapter 1 of the General Statutes. In the action, the court shall determine whether the agency's written statement of findings of need for the rule meets the criteria listed in subsection (a) of this section and whether the rule meets the standards in G.S. 150B‑21.9. The court shall not grant an ex parte temporary restraining order.

(c1)     Filing a petition for rule making or a request for a declaratory ruling with the agency that adopted the rule is not a prerequisite to filing an action under this subsection. A person who files an action for declaratory judgment under this subsection must serve a copy of the complaint on the agency that adopted the rule being contested, the Codifier of Rules, and the Commission.

(d)       Effective Date and Expiration. – A temporary rule becomes effective on the date specified in G.S. 150B‑21.3. A temporary rule expires on the earliest of the following dates:

(1)       The date specified in the rule.

(2)       The effective date of the permanent rule adopted to replace the temporary rule, if the Commission approves the permanent rule.

(3)       The date the Commission returns to an agency a permanent rule the agency adopted to replace the temporary rule.

(4)       The effective date of an act of the General Assembly that specifically disapproves a permanent rule adopted to replace the temporary rule.

(5)       270 days from the date the temporary rule was published in the North Carolina Register, unless the permanent rule adopted to replace the temporary rule has been submitted to the Commission.

(e)       Publication. – When the Codifier of Rules enters a temporary rule in the North Carolina Administrative Code, the Codifier must publish the rule in the North Carolina Register. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1981, c. 688, s. 12; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1232, s. 1; 1983, c. 857; c. 927, ss. 4, 8; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1022, s. 1(1), 1(8); 1987, c. 285, ss. 10‑12; 1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 900, s. 149; 1993, c. 553, s. 54; 1995, c. 507, s. 27.8(c); 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, ss. 7.10(c), (d); 1997‑403, ss. 1‑3; 1998‑127, s. 2; 1998‑212, s. 26B(h); 1999‑434, s. 16; 1999‑453, s. 5(a); 2000‑69, ss. 3, 5; 2000‑148, ss. 4, 5; 2001‑126, s. 12; 2001‑421, s. 2.3; 2001‑424, ss. 27.17(b), 27.22(a); 2001‑487, s. 21(g); 2002‑97, ss. 2, 3; 2002‑164, s. 4.6; 2003‑184, s. 3; 2003‑229, s. 2; 2003‑413, ss. 27, 29; 2004‑156, s. 1.)

§ 150B‑21.1A.  Adoption of an emergency rule.

(a)       Adoption. – An agency may adopt an emergency rule without prior notice or hearing or upon any abbreviated notice or hearing the agency finds practical when it finds that adherence to the notice and hearing requirements of this Part would be contrary to the public interest and that the immediate adoption of the rule is required by a serious and unforeseen threat to the public health or safety. When an agency adopts an emergency rule, it must simultaneously commence the process for adopting a temporary rule by submitting the rule to the Codifier of Rules for publication on the Internet in accordance with G.S. 150B‑21.1(a3). The Department of Health and Human Services or the appropriate rule‑making agency within the Department may adopt emergency rules in accordance with this section when a recent act of the General Assembly or the United States Congress or a recent change in federal regulations authorizes new or increased services or benefits for children and families and the emergency rule is necessary to implement the change in State or federal law.

(b)       Review. – An agency must prepare a written statement of its findings of need for an emergency rule. The statement must be signed by the head of the agency adopting the rule. When an agency adopts an emergency rule, it must submit the rule and the agency's written statement of its findings of the need for the rule to the Codifier of Rules. Within two business days after an agency submits an emergency rule, the Codifier of Rules must review the agency's written statement of findings of need for the rule to determine whether the statement of need meets the criteria in subsection (a) of this section. In reviewing the statement, the Codifier of Rules may consider any information submitted by the agency or another person. If the Codifier of Rules finds that the statement meets the criteria, the Codifier of Rules must notify the head of the agency and enter the rule in the North Carolina Administrative Code on the sixth business day following approval by the Codifier of Rules.

If the Codifier of Rules finds that the statement does not meet the criteria in subsection (a) of this section, the Codifier of Rules must immediately notify the head of the agency. The agency may supplement its statement of need with additional findings or submit a new statement. If the agency provides additional findings or submits a new statement, the Codifier of Rules must review the additional findings or new statement within one business day after the agency submits the additional findings or new statement. If the Codifier of Rules again finds that the statement does not meet the criteria in subsection (a) of this section, the Codifier of Rules must immediately notify the head of the agency.

If an agency decides not to provide additional findings or submit a new statement when notified by the Codifier of Rules that the agency's findings of need for a rule do not meet the required criteria, the agency must notify the Codifier of Rules of its decision. The Codifier of Rules must then enter the rule in the North Carolina Administrative Code on the sixth business day after receiving notice of the agency's decision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, if the agency has not complied with the provisions of G.S. 12‑3.1, the Codifier of Rules shall not enter the rule into the Code.

(c)       Standing. – A person aggrieved by an emergency rule adopted by an agency may file an action for declaratory judgment in Wake County Superior Court pursuant to Article 26 of Chapter 1 of the General Statutes. In the action, the court shall determine whether the agency's written statement of findings of need for the rule meets the criteria listed in subsection (a) of this section and whether the rule meets the standards in G.S. 150B‑21.9. The court shall not grant an ex parte temporary restraining order.

Filing a petition for rule making or a request for a declaratory ruling with the agency that adopted the rule is not a prerequisite to filing an action under this subsection. A person who files an action for declaratory judgment under this subsection must serve a copy of the complaint on the agency that adopted the rule being contested, the Codifier of Rules, and the Commission.

(d)       Effective Date and Expiration. – An emergency rule becomes effective on the date specified in G.S. 150B‑21.3. An emergency rule expires on the earliest of the following dates:

(1)       The date specified in the rule.

(2)       The effective date of the temporary rule adopted to replace the emergency rule, if the Commission approves the temporary rule.

(3)       The date the Commission returns to an agency a temporary rule the agency adopted to replace the emergency rule.

(4)       Sixty days from the date the emergency rule was published in the North Carolina Register, unless the temporary rule adopted to replace the emergency rule has been submitted to the Commission.

(e)       Publication. – When the Codifier of Rules enters an emergency rule in the North Carolina Administrative Code, the Codifier of Rules must publish the rule in the North Carolina Register. (2003‑229, s. 3.)

§ 150B‑21.2.  Procedure for adopting a permanent rule.

(a)       Steps. – Before an agency adopts a permanent rule, it must take the following actions:

(1)       Publish a notice of text in the North Carolina Register.

(2)       When required by G.S. 150B‑21.4, prepare or obtain a fiscal note for the proposed rule.

(3)       Repealed by Session Laws 2003‑229, s. 4, effective July 1, 2003.

(4)       When required by subsection (e) of this section, hold a public hearing on the proposed rule after publication of the proposed text of the rule.

(5)       Accept oral or written comments on the proposed rule as required by subsection (f) of this section.

(b)       Repealed by Session Laws 2003‑229, s. 4, effective July 1, 2003.

(c)       Notice of Text. – A notice of the proposed text of a rule must include all of the following:

(1)       The text of the proposed rule.

(2)       A short explanation of the reason for the proposed rule.

(3)       A citation to the law that gives the agency the authority to adopt the rule.

(4)       The proposed effective date of the rule.

(5)       The date, time, and place of any public hearing scheduled on the rule.

(6)       Instructions on how a person may demand a public hearing on a proposed rule if the notice does not schedule a public hearing on the proposed rule and subsection (e) of this section requires the agency to hold a public hearing on the proposed rule when requested to do so.

(7)       The period of time during which and the person to whom written comments may be submitted on the proposed rule.

(8)       If a fiscal note has been prepared for the rule, a statement that a copy of the fiscal note can be obtained from the agency.

(9)       The procedure by which a person can object to a proposed rule and the requirements for subjecting a proposed rule to the legislative review process.

(d)       Mailing List. – An agency must maintain a mailing list of persons who have requested notice of rule making. When an agency publishes in the North Carolina Register a notice of text of a proposed rule, it must mail a copy of the notice or text to each person on the mailing list who has requested notice on the subject matter described in the notice or the rule affected. An agency may charge an annual fee to each person on the agency's mailing list to cover copying and mailing costs.

(e)       Hearing. – An agency must hold a public hearing on a rule it proposes to adopt if the agency publishes the text of the proposed rule in the North Carolina Register and the agency receives a written request for a public hearing on the proposed rule within 15 days after the notice of text is published.

An agency may hold a public hearing on a proposed rule in other circumstances. When an agency is required to hold a public hearing on a proposed rule or decides to hold a public hearing on a proposed rule when it is not required to do so, the agency must publish in the North Carolina Register a notice of the date, time, and place of the public hearing. The hearing date of a public hearing held after the agency publishes notice of the hearing in the North Carolina Register must be at least 15 days after the date the notice is published. If notice of a public hearing has been published in the North Carolina Register and that public hearing has been cancelled, the agency shall publish notice in the North Carolina Register at least 15 days prior to the date of any rescheduled hearing.

(f)        Comments. – An agency must accept comments on the text of a proposed rule that is published in the North Carolina Register for at least 60 days after the text is published or until the date of any public hearing held on the proposed rule, whichever is longer. An agency must consider fully all written and oral comments received.

(g)       Adoption. – An agency shall not adopt a rule until the time for commenting on the proposed text of the rule has elapsed and shall not adopt a rule if more than 12 months have elapsed since the end of the time for commenting on the proposed text of the rule. An agency shall not adopt a rule that differs substantially from the text of a proposed rule published in the North Carolina Register unless the agency publishes the text of the proposed different rule in the North Carolina Register and accepts comments on the proposed different rule for the time set in subsection (f) of this section.

An adopted rule differs substantially from a proposed rule if it does one or more of the following:

(1)       Affects the interests of persons who, based on the proposed text of the rule published in the North Carolina Register, could not reasonably have determined that the rule would affect their interests.

(2)       Addresses a subject matter or an issue that is not addressed in the proposed text of the rule.

(3)       Produces an effect that could not reasonably have been expected based on the proposed text of the rule.

When an agency adopts a rule, it shall not take subsequent action on the rule without following the procedures in this Part. An agency must submit an adopted rule to the Rules Review Commission within 30 days of the agency's adoption of the rule.

(h)       Explanation. – An agency must issue a concise written statement explaining why the agency adopted a rule if, within 15 days after the agency adopts the rule, a person asks the agency to do so. The explanation must state the principal reasons for and against adopting the rule and must discuss why the agency rejected any arguments made or considerations urged against the adoption of the rule. The agency must issue the explanation within 15 days after receipt of the request for an explanation.

(i)        Record. – An agency must keep a record of a rule‑making proceeding. The record must include all written comments received, a transcript or recording of any public hearing held on the rule, and any written explanation made by the agency for adopting the rule. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1975, 2nd Sess., c. 983, s. 63; 1977, c. 915, s. 2; 1983, c. 927, ss. 3, 7; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1022, s. 1(1), (7); 1987, c. 285, ss. 7‑9; 1989, c. 5, s. 1; 1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1995, c. 507, s. 27.8(d); 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 7.10(e); 2003‑229, s. 4.)

§ 150B‑21.3.  Effective date of rules.

(a)       Temporary and Emergency Rules. – A temporary rule or an emergency rule becomes effective on the date the Codifier of Rules enters the rule in the North Carolina Administrative Code.

(b)       Permanent Rule. – A permanent rule approved by the Commission becomes effective on the first day of the month following the month the rule is approved by the Commission, unless the Commission received written objections to the rule in accordance with subsection (b2) of this section, or unless the agency that adopted the rule specifies a later effective date.

(b1)     Delayed Effective Dates. – If the Commission received written objections to the rule in accordance with subsection (b2) of this section, the rule becomes effective on the earlier of the thirty‑first legislative day or the day of adjournment of the next regular session of the General Assembly that begins at least 25 days after the date the Commission approved the rule, unless a different effective date applies under this section. If a bill that specifically disapproves the rule is introduced in either house of the General Assembly before the thirty‑first legislative day of that session, the rule becomes effective on the earlier of either the day an unfavorable final action is taken on the bill or the day that session of the General Assembly adjourns without ratifying a bill that specifically disapproves the rule. If the agency adopting the rule specifies a later effective date than the date that would otherwise apply under this subsection, the later date applies. A permanent rule that is not approved by the Commission or that is specifically disapproved by a bill enacted into law before it becomes effective does not become effective.

A bill specifically disapproves a rule if it contains a provision that refers to the rule by appropriate North Carolina Administrative Code citation and states that the rule is disapproved. Notwithstanding any rule of either house of the General Assembly, any member of the General Assembly may introduce a bill during the first 30 legislative days of any regular session to disapprove a rule that has been approved by the Commission and that either has not become effective or has become effective by executive order under subsection (c) of this section.

(b2)     Objection. – Any person who objects to the adoption of a permanent rule may submit written comments to the agency. If the objection is not resolved prior to adoption of the rule, a person may submit written objections to the Commission. If the Commission receives written objections from 10 or more persons, no later than 5:00 P.M. of the day following the day the Commission approves the rule, clearly requesting review by the legislature in accordance with instructions contained in the notice pursuant to G.S. 150B‑21.2(c)(9), and the Commission approves the rule, the rule will become effective as provided in subsection (b1) of this section. The Commission shall notify the agency that the rule is subject to legislative disapproval on the day following the day it receives 10 or more written objections. When the requirements of this subsection have been met and a rule is subject to legislative disapproval, the agency may adopt the rule as a temporary rule if the rule would have met the criteria listed in G.S. 150B‑21.1(a) at the time the notice of text for the permanent rule was published in the North Carolina Register. If the Commission receives objections from 10 or more persons clearly requesting review by the legislature, and the rule objected to is one of a group of related rules adopted by the agency at the same time, the agency that adopted the rule may cause any of the other rules in the group to become effective as provided in subsection (b1) of this section by submitting a written statement to that effect to the Commission before the other rules become effective.

(c)       Executive Order Exception. – The Governor may, by executive order, make effective a permanent rule that has been approved by the Commission but the effective date of which has been delayed in accordance with subsection (b1) of this section upon finding that it is necessary that the rule become effective in order to protect public health, safety, or welfare. A rule made effective by executive order becomes effective on the date the order is issued or at a later date specified in the order. When the Codifier of Rules enters in the North Carolina Administrative Code a rule made effective by executive order, the entry must reflect this action.

A rule that is made effective by executive order remains in effect unless it is specifically disapproved by the General Assembly in a bill enacted into law on or before the day of adjournment of the regular session of the General Assembly that begins at least 25 days after the date the executive order is issued. A rule that is made effective by executive order and that is specifically disapproved by a bill enacted into law is repealed as of the date specified in the bill. If a rule that is made effective by executive order is not specifically disapproved by a bill enacted into law within the time set by this subsection, the Codifier of Rules must note this in the North Carolina Administrative Code.

(c1)     Fees. – Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a rule that establishes a new fee or increases an existing fee shall not become effective until the agency has complied with the requirements of G.S. 12‑3.1.

(d)       Legislative Day and Day of Adjournment. – As used in this section:

(1)       A "legislative day" is a day on which either house of the General Assembly convenes in regular session.

(2)       The "day of adjournment" of a regular session held in an odd‑numbered year is the day the General Assembly adjourns by joint resolution for more than 10 days.

(3)       The "day of adjournment" of a regular session held in an even‑numbered year is the day the General Assembly adjourns sine die.

(e)       OSHA Standard. – A permanent rule concerning an occupational safety and health standard that is adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Department of Labor and is identical to a federal regulation promulgated by the Secretary of the United States Department of Labor becomes effective on the date the Division delivers the rule to the Codifier of Rules, unless the Division specifies a later effective date. If the Division specifies a later effective date, the rule becomes effective on that date.

(f)        Technical Change. – A permanent rule for which no notice or hearing is required under G.S. 150B‑21.5(a)(1) through (a)(5) or G.S. 150B‑21.5(b) becomes effective on the first day of the month following the month the rule is approved by the Rules Review Commission. (1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1995, c. 507, s. 27.8(e); 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 742, s. 43; 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 7.10(f); 1997‑34, s. 3; 2001‑487, s. 80(b); 2002‑97, s. 5; 2003‑229, s. 5; 2004‑156, ss. 2, 3.)

§ 150B‑21.4.  Fiscal notes on rules.

(a)       State Funds. – Before an agency publishes in the North Carolina Register the proposed text of a permanent rule change that would require the expenditure or distribution of funds subject to the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes it must submit the text of the proposed rule change and a fiscal note on the proposed rule change to the Director of the Budget and obtain certification from the Director that the funds that would be required by the proposed rule change are available. The fiscal note must state the amount of funds that would be expended or distributed as a result of the proposed rule change and explain how the amount was computed. The Director of the Budget must certify a proposed rule change if funds are available to cover the expenditure or distribution required by the proposed rule change.

(a1)     DOT Analyses. – In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, any agency that adopts a rule affecting environmental permitting of Department of Transportation projects shall conduct an analysis to determine if the rule will result in an increased cost to the Department of Transportation. The analysis shall be conducted and submitted to the Board of Transportation before the agency publishes the proposed text of the rule change in the North Carolina Register. The agency shall consider any recommendations offered by the Board of Transportation prior to adopting the rule. Once a rule subject to this subsection is adopted, the Board of Transportation may submit any objection to the rule it may have to the Rules Review Commission. If the Rules Review Commission receives an objection to a rule from the Board of Transportation no later than 5:00 P.M. of the day following the day the Commission approves the rule, then the rule shall only become effective as provided in G.S. 150B‑21.3(b1).

(b)       Local Funds. – Before an agency publishes in the North Carolina Register the proposed text of a permanent rule change that would affect the expenditures or revenues of a unit of local government, it must submit the text of the proposed rule change and a fiscal note on the proposed rule change to the Office of the Governor as provided by G.S. 150B‑21.26, the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly, the Office of State Budget and Management, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, and the North Carolina League of Municipalities. The fiscal note must state the amount by which the proposed rule change would increase or decrease expenditures or revenues of a unit of local government and must explain how the amount was computed.

(b1)     Substantial Economic Impact. – Before an agency publishes in the North Carolina Register the proposed text of a permanent rule change that would have a substantial economic impact and that is not identical to a federal regulation that the agency is required to adopt, the agency must obtain a fiscal note for the proposed rule change from the Office of State Budget and Management or prepare a fiscal note for the proposed rule change and have the note approved by that Office. If an agency requests the Office of State Budget and Management to prepare a fiscal note for a proposed rule change, that Office must prepare the note within 90 days after receiving a written request for the note. If the Office of State Budget and Management fails to prepare a fiscal note within this time period, the agency proposing the rule change may prepare a fiscal note. A fiscal note prepared in this circumstance does not require approval of the Office of State Budget and Management.

If an agency prepares the required fiscal note, the agency must submit the note to the Office of State Budget and Management for review. The Office of State Budget and Management must review the fiscal note within 14 days after it is submitted and either approve the note or inform the agency in writing of the reasons why it does not approve the fiscal note. After addressing these reasons, the agency may submit the revised fiscal note to that Office for its review. If an agency is not sure whether a proposed rule change would have a substantial economic impact, the agency may ask the Office of State Budget and Management to determine whether the proposed rule change has a substantial economic impact.

As used in this subsection, the term "substantial economic impact" means an aggregate financial impact on all persons affected of at least three million dollars ($3,000,000) in a 12‑month period.

(b2)     Content. – A fiscal note required by subsection (b1) of this section must contain the following:

(1)       A description of the persons who would be affected by the proposed rule change.

(2)       A description of the types of expenditures that persons affected by the proposed rule change would have to make to comply with the rule and an estimate of these expenditures.

(3)       A description of the purpose and benefits of the proposed rule change.

(4)       An explanation of how the estimate of expenditures was computed.

(c)       Errors. – An erroneous fiscal note prepared in good faith does not affect the validity of a rule. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1137, s. 41.1; 1983, c. 761, s. 185; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1987, c. 827, s. 54; 1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1995, c. 415, s. 2; c. 507, s. 27.8(b); 2000‑140, s. 93.1(a); 2001‑424, s. 12.2(b); 2003‑229, s. 6; 2005‑276, s. 28.8(a); 2006‑203, s. 124.)

§ 150B‑21.5.  Circumstances when notice and rule‑making hearing not required.

(a)       Amendment. – An agency is not required to publish a notice of text in the North Carolina Register or hold a public hearing when it proposes to amend a rule to do one of the following:

(1)       Reletter or renumber the rule or subparts of the rule.

(2)       Substitute one name for another when an organization or position is renamed.

(3)       Correct a citation in the rule to another rule or law when the citation has become inaccurate since the rule was adopted because of the repeal or renumbering of the cited rule or law.

(4)       Change information that is readily available to the public, such as an address or a telephone number.

(5)       Correct a typographical error in the North Carolina Administrative Code.

(6)       Change a rule in response to a request or an objection by the Commission, unless the Commission determines that the change is substantial.

(b)       Repeal. – An agency is not required to publish a notice of text in the North Carolina Register or hold a public hearing when it proposes to repeal a rule as a result of any of the following:

(1)       The law under which the rule was adopted is repealed.

(2)       The law under which the rule was adopted or the rule itself is declared unconstitutional.

(3)       The rule is declared to be in excess of the agency's statutory authority.

(c)       OSHA Standard. – The Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Department of Labor is not required to publish a notice of text in the North Carolina Register or hold a public hearing when it proposes to adopt a rule that concerns an occupational safety and health standard and is identical to a federal regulation promulgated by the Secretary of the United States Department of Labor. The Occupational Safety and Health Division is not required to submit to the Commission for review a rule for which notice and hearing is not required under this subsection.

(d)       State Building Code. – The Building Code Council is not required to publish a notice of text in the North Carolina Register when it proposes to adopt a rule that concerns the North Carolina State Building Code. The Building Code Council is required to publish a notice in the North Carolina Register when it proposes to adopt a rule that concerns the North Carolina State Building Code. The notice must include all of the following:

(1)       A statement of the subject matter of the proposed rule making.

(2)       A short explanation of the reason for the proposed action.

(3)       A citation to the law that gives the agency the authority to adopt a rule on the subject matter of the proposed rule making.

(4)       The person to whom questions or written comments may be submitted on the subject matter of the proposed rule making.

The Building Code Council is required to submit to the Commission for review a rule for which notice of text is not required under this subsection. In adopting a rule, the Council shall comply with the procedural requirements of G.S. 150B‑21.3. (1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1995, c. 504, s. 12; 1997‑34, s. 4; 2001‑141, s. 5; 2001‑421, s. 1.3; 2003‑229, s. 7.)

§ 150B‑21.6.  Incorporating material in a rule by reference.

An agency may incorporate the following material by reference in a rule without repeating the text of the referenced material:

(1)       Another rule or part of a rule adopted by the agency.

(2)       All or part of a code, standard, or regulation adopted by another agency, the federal government, or a generally recognized organization or association.

(3)       Repealed by Session Laws 1997‑34, s. 5.

In incorporating material by reference, the agency must designate in the rule whether or not the incorporation includes subsequent amendments and editions of the referenced material. The agency can change this designation only by a subsequent rule‑making proceeding. The agency must have copies of the incorporated material available for inspection and must specify in the rule both where copies of the material can be obtained and the cost on the date the rule is adopted of a copy of the material.

A statement in a rule that a rule incorporates material by reference in accordance with former G.S. 150B‑14(b) is a statement that the rule does not include subsequent amendments and editions of the referenced material. A statement in a rule that a rule incorporates material by reference in accordance with former G.S. 150B‑14(c) is a statement that the rule includes subsequent amendments and editions of the referenced material. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1975, 2nd Sess., c. 983, s. 64; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1359, s. 5; 1983, c. 641, s. 3; c. 768, s. 19; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1987, c. 285, s. 13; 1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1997‑34, s. 5.)

§ 150B‑21.7.  Effect of transfer of duties or termination of agency on rules.

When a law that authorizes an agency to adopt a rule is repealed and another law gives the same or another agency substantially the same authority to adopt a rule, the rule remains in effect until the agency amends or repeals the rule.  When a law that authorizes an agency to adopt a rule is repealed and another law does not give the same or another agency substantially the same authority to adopt a rule, a rule adopted under the repealed law is repealed as of the date the law is repealed.

When an executive order abolishes part or all of an agency and transfers a function of that agency to another agency, a rule concerning the transferred function remains in effect until the agency to which the function is transferred amends or repeals the rule.  When an executive order abolishes part or all of an agency and does not transfer a function of that agency to another agency, a rule concerning a function abolished by the executive order is repealed as of the effective date of the executive order.

The Director of Fiscal Research of the General Assembly must notify the Codifier of Rules when a rule is repealed under this section.  When notified of a rule repealed under this section, the Codifier of Rules must enter the repeal of the rule in the North Carolina Administrative Code. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1991, c. 418, s. 1.)

Part 3. Review by Commission.

§ 150B‑21.8.  Review of rule by Commission.

(a)       Emergency Rule. – The Commission does not review an emergency rule.

(b)       Temporary and Permanent Rules. – An agency must submit temporary and permanent rules adopted by it to the Commission before the rule can be included in the North Carolina Administrative Code. The Commission reviews a temporary or permanent rule in accordance with the standards in G.S. 150B‑21.9 and follows the procedure in this Part in its review of a rule.

(c)       Scope. – When the Commission reviews an amendment to a permanent rule, it may review the entire rule that is being amended. The procedure in G.S. 150B‑21.12 applies when the Commission objects to a part of a permanent rule that is within its scope of review but is not changed by a rule amendment.

(d)       Judicial Review. – When the Commission returns a permanent rule to an agency in accordance with G.S. 150B‑21.12(d), the agency may file an action for declaratory judgment in Wake County Superior Court pursuant to Article 26 of Chapter 1 of the General Statutes. (1991, c. 418, s. 1; 2003‑229, s. 8.)

§ 150B‑21.9.  Standards and timetable for review by Commission.

(a)       Standards. – The Commission must determine whether a rule meets all of the following criteria:

(1)       It is within the authority delegated to the agency by the General Assembly.

(2)       It is clear and unambiguous.

(3)       It is reasonably necessary to implement or interpret an enactment of the General Assembly, or of Congress, or a regulation of a federal agency. The Commission shall consider the cumulative effect of all rules adopted by the agency related to the specific purpose for which the rule is proposed.

(4)       It was adopted in accordance with Part 2 of this Article.

The Commission shall not consider questions relating to the quality or efficacy of the rule but shall restrict its review to determination of the standards set forth in this subsection.

The Commission may ask the Office of State Budget and Management to determine if a rule has a substantial economic impact and is therefore required to have a fiscal note. The Commission must ask the Office of State Budget and Management to make this determination if a fiscal note was not prepared for a rule and the Commission receives a written request for a determination of whether the rule has a substantial economic impact.

(a1)     Entry of a rule in the North Carolina Administrative Code after review by the Commission creates a rebuttable presumption that the rule was adopted in accordance with Part 2 of this Article.

(b)       Timetable. – The Commission must review a permanent rule submitted to it on or before the twentieth of a month by the last day of the next month. The Commission must review a rule submitted to it after the twentieth of a month by the last day of the second subsequent month. The Commission must review a temporary rule in accordance with the timetable and procedure set forth in G.S. 150B‑21.1. (1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1995, c. 507, s. 27.8(f); 2000‑140, s. 93.1(a); 2001‑424, s. 12.2(b); 2003‑229, s. 9.)

§ 150B‑21.10.  Commission action on permanent rule.

At the first meeting at which a permanent rule is before the Commission for review, the Commission must take one of the following actions:

(1)       Approve the rule, if the Commission determines that the rule meets the standards for review.

(2)       Object to the rule, if the Commission determines that the rule does not meet the standards for review.

(3)       Extend the period for reviewing the rule, if the Commission determines it needs additional information on the rule to be able to decide whether the rule meets the standards for review.

In reviewing a new rule or an amendment to an existing rule, the Commission may request an agency to make technical changes to the rule and may condition its approval of the rule on the agency's making the requested technical changes. (1991, c. 418, s. 1.)

§ 150B‑21.11.  Procedure when Commission approves permanent rule.

When the Commission approves a permanent rule, it must notify the agency that adopted the rule of the Commission's approval, deliver the approved rule to the Codifier of Rules, and include the text of the approved rule and a summary of the rule in its next report to the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee.

If the approved rule will increase or decrease expenditures or revenues of a unit of local government, the Commission must also notify the Governor of the Commission's approval of the rule and deliver a copy of the approved rule to the Governor by the end of the month in which the Commission approved the rule. (1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1995, c. 415, s. 4; c. 507, s. 27.8(g).)

§ 150B‑21.12.  Procedure when Commission objects to a permanent rule.

(a)       Action. – When the Commission objects to a permanent rule, it must send the agency that adopted the rule a written statement of the objection and the reason for the objection. The agency that adopted the rule must take one of the following actions:

(1)       Change the rule to satisfy the Commission's objection and submit the revised rule to the Commission.

(2)       Submit a written response to the Commission indicating that the agency has decided not to change the rule.

(b)       Time Limit. – An agency that is not a board or commission must take one of the actions listed in subsection (a) of this section within 30 days after receiving the Commission's statement of objection. A board or commission must take one of these actions within 30 days after receiving the Commission's statement of objection or within 10 days after the board or commission's next regularly scheduled meeting, whichever comes later.

(c)       Changes. – When an agency changes a rule in response to an objection by the Commission, the Commission must determine whether the change satisfies the Commission's objection. If it does, the Commission must approve the rule. If it does not, the Commission must send the agency a written statement of the Commission's continued objection and the reason for the continued objection. The Commission must also determine whether the change is substantial. In making this determination, the Commission shall use the standards set forth in G.S. 150B‑21.2(g). If the change is substantial, the revised rule shall be published and reviewed in accordance with the procedure set forth in G.S. 150B‑21.1(a3) and (b).

(d)       Return of Rule. – A rule to which the Commission has objected remains under review by the Commission until the agency that adopted the rule decides not to satisfy the Commission's objection and makes a written request to the Commission to return the rule to the agency. When the Commission returns a rule to which it has objected, it must notify the Codifier of Rules of its action and must send a copy of the record of the Commission's review of the rule to the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee in its next report to that Committee. If the rule that is returned would have increased or decreased expenditures or revenues of a unit of local government, the Commission must also notify the Governor of its action and must send a copy of the record of the Commission's review of the rule to the Governor. The record of review consists of the rule, the Commission's letter of objection to the rule, the agency's written response to the Commission's letter, and any other relevant documents before the Commission when it decided to object to the rule. (1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1995, c. 415, s. 5; c. 507, s. 27.8(h), (y); 2003‑229, s. 10.)

§ 150B‑21.13.  Procedure when Commission extends period for review of permanent rule.

When the Commission extends the period for review of a permanent rule, it must notify the agency that adopted the rule of the extension and the reason for the extension.  After the Commission extends the period for review of a rule, it may call a public hearing on the rule.  Within 70 days after extending the period for review of a rule, the Commission must decide whether to approve the rule, object to the rule, or call a public hearing on the rule. (1991, c. 418, s. 1.)

§ 150B‑21.14.  Public hearing on a rule.

The Commission may call a public hearing on a rule when it extends the period for review of the rule.  At the request of an agency, the Commission may call a public hearing on a rule that is not before it for review.  Calling a public hearing on a rule not already before the Commission for review places the rule before the Commission for review.  When the Commission decides to call a public hearing on a rule, it must publish notice of the public hearing in the North Carolina Register.

After a public hearing on a rule, the Commission must approve the rule or object to the rule in accordance with the standards and procedures in this Part.  The Commission must make its decision of whether to approve or object to the rule within 70 days after the public hearing. (1991, c. 418, s. 1.)

§ 150B‑21.15:  Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c.  507, s. 27.8(i).

§ 150B‑21.16.  Report to Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee.

The Commission must make monthly reports to the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee. The reports are due by the last day of the month. A report must include the rules approved by the Commission at its meeting held in the month in which the report is due and the rules the Commission returned to agencies during that month after the Commission objected to the rule. A report must include any other information requested by the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee. When the Commission sends a report to the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee, the Commission must send a copy of the report to the Codifier of Rules. (1995, c. 507, s. 27.8(j).)

Part 4. Publication of Code and Register.

§ 150B‑21.17.  North Carolina Register.

(a)       Content. – The Codifier of Rules must publish the North Carolina Register. The North Carolina Register must be published at least two times a month and must contain the following:

(1)       Temporary rules entered in the North Carolina Administrative Code.

(1a)     The text of proposed rules and the text of permanent rules approved by the Commission.

(1b)     Emergency rules entered into the North Carolina Administrative Code.

(2)       Notices of receipt of a petition for municipal incorporation, as required by G.S. 120‑165.

(3)       Executive orders of the Governor.

(4)       Final decision letters from the United States Attorney General concerning changes in laws that affect voting in a jurisdiction subject to section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as required by G.S. 120‑30.9H.

(5)       Orders of the Tax Review Board issued under G.S. 105‑241.2.

(6)       Other information the Codifier determines to be helpful to the public.

(b)       Form. – When an agency publishes notice in the North Carolina Register of the proposed text of a new rule, the Codifier of Rules must publish the complete text of the proposed new rule. In publishing the text of a proposed new rule, the Codifier must indicate the rule is new by underlining the proposed text of the rule.

When an agency publishes notice in the North Carolina Register of the proposed text of an amendment to an existing rule, the Codifier must publish the complete text of the rule that is being amended unless the Codifier determines that publication of the complete text of the rule being amended is not necessary to enable the reader to understand the proposed amendment. In publishing the text of a proposed amendment to a rule, the Codifier must indicate deleted text with overstrikes and added text with underlines.

When an agency publishes notice in the North Carolina Register of the proposed repeal of an existing rule, the Codifier must publish the complete text of the rule the agency proposes to repeal unless the Codifier determines that publication of the complete text is impractical. In publishing the text of a rule the agency proposes to repeal, the Codifier must indicate the rule is to be repealed.

(c)       The Codifier may authorize and license the private indexing, marketing, sales, reproduction, and distribution of the Register. (1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1995, c. 507, s. 27.8(k); 2001‑141, s. 6; 2001‑421, s. 1.4; 2003‑229, s. 11; 2006‑66, s. 18.1.)

§ 150B‑21.18.  North Carolina Administrative Code.

The Codifier of Rules must compile all rules into a Code known as the North Carolina Administrative Code. The format and indexing of the Code must conform as nearly as practical to the format and indexing of the North Carolina General Statutes. The Codifier must publish printed copies of the Code and may publish the Code in other forms. The Codifier must keep the Code current by publishing the Code in a loose‑leaf format and periodically providing new pages to be substituted for outdated pages, by publishing the Code in volumes and periodically publishing cumulative supplements, or by another means. The Codifier may authorize and license the private indexing, marketing, sales, reproduction, and distribution of the Code. The Codifier must keep superseded rules. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1979, c. 69, ss. 3, 7; c. 541, s. 2; c. 688, s. 1; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1266, ss. 1‑3; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1359, s. 6; 1983, c. 641, s. 6; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1003, s. 2; c. 1022, s. 1(1), (19); c. 1032, s. 12; 1987, c. 774, ss. 2‑4; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1111, s. 3; 1989, c. 500, s. 43(a); 1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 777, s. 2.)

§ 150B‑21.19.  Requirements for including rule in Code.

To be acceptable for inclusion in the North Carolina Administrative Code, a rule must:

(1)       Cite the law under which the rule is adopted.

(2)       Be signed by the head of the agency or the rule‑making coordinator for the agency that adopted the rule.

(3)       Be in the physical form specified by the Codifier of Rules.

(4)       Have been approved by the Commission, if the rule is a permanent rule.

(5)       Have complied with the provisions of G.S. 12‑3.1, if the rule establishes a new fee or increases an existing fee. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1979, c. 571, s. 1; 1981, c. 688, s. 14; 1983, c. 927, ss. 6, 9; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1022, s. 1(1); c. 1028, s. 35; 1987, c. 285, s. 16; 1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1995, c. 507, s. 27.8(l ); 2002‑97, s. 4.)

§ 150B‑21.20.  Codifier's authority to revise form of rules.

(a)       Authority. – After consulting with the agency that adopted the rule, the Codifier of Rules may revise the form of a rule submitted for inclusion in the North Carolina Administrative Code within 10 business days after the rule is submitted to do one or more of the following:

(1)       Rearrange the order of the rule in the Code or the order of the subsections, subdivisions, or other subparts of the rule.

(2)       Provide a catch line or heading for the rule or revise the catch line or heading of the rule.

(3)       Reletter or renumber the rule or the subparts of the rule in accordance with a uniform system.

(4)       Rearrange definitions and lists.

(5)       Make other changes in arrangement or in form that do not change the substance of the rule and are necessary or desirable for a clear and orderly arrangement of the rule.

(6)       Omit from the published rule a map, a diagram, an illustration, a chart, or other graphic material, if the Codifier of Rules determines that the Office of Administrative Hearings does not have the capability to publish the material or that publication of the material is not practicable. When the Codifier of Rules omits graphic material from the published rule, the Codifier must insert a reference to the omitted material and information on how to obtain a copy of the omitted material.

(b)       Effect. – Revision of a rule by the Codifier of Rules under this section does not affect the effective date of the rule or require the agency to readopt or resubmit the rule. When the Codifier of Rules revises the form of a rule, the Codifier of Rules must send the agency that adopted the rule a copy of the revised rule. The revised rule is the official rule, unless the rule was revised under subdivision (a)(6) of this section to omit graphic material. When a rule is revised under that subdivision, the official rule is the published text of the rule plus the graphic material that was not published. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1979, c. 571, s. 1; 1981, c. 688, s. 14; 1983, c. 927, ss. 6, 9; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1022, s. 1(1); c. 1028, s. 35; 1987, c. 285, s. 16; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1111, s. 23; 1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1997‑34, s. 6.)

§ 150B‑21.21.  Publication of rules of North Carolina State Bar, Building Code Council, and exempt agencies.

(a)       State Bar. – The North Carolina State Bar must submit a rule adopted or approved by it and entered in the minutes of the North Carolina Supreme Court to the Codifier of Rules for inclusion in the North Carolina Administrative Code. The State Bar must submit a rule within 30 days after it is entered in the minutes of the Supreme Court. The Codifier of Rules must compile, make available for public inspection, and publish a rule included in the North Carolina Administrative Code under this subsection in the same manner as other rules in the Code.

(a1)     Building Code Council. – The Building Code Council shall publish the North Carolina State Building Code as provided in G.S. 143‑138(g). The Codifier of Rules is not required to publish the North Carolina State Building Code in the North Carolina Administrative Code.

(b)       Exempt Agencies. – Notwithstanding G.S. 150B‑1, the North Carolina Utilities Commission must submit to the Codifier of Rules those rules of the Utilities Commission that are published from time to time in the publication titled "North Carolina Utilities Laws and Regulations." The Utilities Commission must submit a rule required to be included in the Code within 30 days after it is adopted.

Notwithstanding G.S. 150B‑1, an agency other than the Utilities Commission that is exempted from this Article by that statute must submit a temporary or permanent rule adopted by it to the Codifier of Rules for inclusion in the North Carolina Administrative Code. These exempt agencies must submit a rule to the Codifier of Rules within 30 days after adopting the rule.

(c)       Publication. – A rule submitted to the Codifier of Rules under this section must be in the physical form specified by the Codifier of Rules. The Codifier of Rules must compile, make available for public inspection, and publish a rule submitted under this section in the same manner as other rules in the North Carolina Administrative Code. (1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1997‑34, s. 7; 2001‑141, s. 7.)

§ 150B‑21.22.  Effect of inclusion in Code.

Official or judicial notice can be taken of a rule in the North Carolina Administrative Code and shall be taken when appropriate. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1997‑34, s. 8.)

§ 150B‑21.23.  Rule publication manual.

The Codifier of Rules must publish a manual that sets out the form and method for publishing a notice of rule‑making proceedings and a notice of text in the North Carolina Register and for filing a rule in the North Carolina Administrative Code. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1979, c. 571, s. 1; 1981, c. 688, s. 14; 1983, c. 927, ss. 6, 9; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1022, s. 1(1); c. 1028, s. 35; 1987, c. 285, s. 16; 1991, c. 418, s. 1; 1997‑34, s. 9.)

§ 150B‑21.24.  Access to Register and Code.

(a)       Register. – The Codifier of Rules shall make available the North Carolina Register on the Internet at no charge. Upon request the Codifier shall provide a free copy of the current volume of the Register to any person who receives a free copy of the North Carolina Administrative Code or any member of the General Assembly.

(b)       Code. – The Codifier of Rules shall make available the North Carolina Administrative Code on the Internet at no charge. The Codifier shall distribute copies of the North Carolina Administrative Code as soon after publication as practical, without charge, to the following:

(1)       One copy to the board of commissioners of each county that specifically requests a printed copy, to be placed at the county clerk of court's office or at another place selected by the board of commissioners. The Codifier of Rules is not required to provide a copy of the Administrative Code to any board of county commissioners unless a request is made.

(2)       One copy to the Commission.

(3)       One copy to the Clerk of the Supreme Court and to the Clerk of the Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

(4)       One copy to the Supreme Court Library and one copy to the library of the Court of Appeals.

(5)       One copy to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

(6)       One copy to the Governor.

(7)       One copy to the Legislative Services Commission for the use of the General Assembly.

(8)       Repealed by Session Laws 2002‑97, s. 1, effective August 29, 2002.

(9)       One copy to the Division of State Library of the Department of Cultural Resources pursuant to G.S. 125‑11.7. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; c. 69, ss. 3, 7; c. 688, s. 1; 1979, c. 541, s. 2; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1266, ss. 1‑3; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1359, s. 6; 1983, c. 641, s. 6; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1003, s. 2; c. 1022, s. 1(1), (19); c. 1032, s. 12; 1987, c. 774, ss. 2‑4; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1111, s. 3; 1989, c. 500, s. 43(a); 1991, c. 418, s. 1; 2002‑97, s. 1.)

§ 150B‑21.25.  Paid copies of Register and Code.

A person who is not entitled to a free copy of the North Carolina Administrative Code or North Carolina Register may obtain a copy by paying a fee set by the Codifier of Rules.  The Codifier must set separate fees for the North Carolina Register and the North Carolina Administrative Code in amounts that cover publication, copying, and mailing costs.  All monies received under this section must be credited to the General Fund. (1991, c. 418, s. 1.)

Part 5.  Rules Affecting Local Governments.

§ 150B‑21.26.  Governor to conduct preliminary review of certain administrative rules.

(a)       Preliminary Review. – At least 30 days before an agency publishes in the North Carolina Register the proposed text of a permanent rule change that would affect the expenditures or revenues of a unit of local government, the agency must submit all of the following to the Governor for preliminary review:

(1)       The text of the proposed rule change.

(2)       A short explanation of the reason for the proposed change.

(3)       A fiscal note stating the amount by which the proposed rule change would increase or decrease expenditures or revenues of a unit of local government and explaining how the amount was computed.

(b)       Scope. – The Governor's preliminary review of a proposed permanent rule change that would affect the expenditures or revenues of a unit of local government shall include consideration of the following:

(1)       The agency's explanation of the reason for the proposed change.

(2)       Any unanticipated effects of the proposed change on local government budgets.

(3)       The potential costs of the proposed change weighed against the potential risks to the public of not taking the proposed change. (1995, c. 415, s. 3; c. 507, s. 27.8(w).)

§ 150B‑21.27.  Minimizing the effects of rules on local budgets.

In adopting permanent rules that would increase or decrease the expenditures or revenues of a unit of local government, the agency shall consider the timing for implementation of the proposed rule as part of the preparation of the fiscal note required by G.S. 150B‑21.4(b). If the computation of costs in a fiscal note indicates that the proposed rule change will disrupt the budget process as set out in the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act, Article 3 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes, the agency shall specify the effective date of the change as July 1 following the date the change would otherwise become effective under G.S. 150B‑21.3. (1995, c. 415, s. 3; c. 507, s. 27.8(x).)

§ 150B‑21.28.  Role of the Office of State Budget and Management.

The Office of State Budget and Management shall:

(1)       Compile an annual summary of the projected fiscal impact on units of local government of State administrative rules adopted during the preceding fiscal year.

(2)       Compile from information provided by each agency schedules of anticipated rule actions for the upcoming fiscal year.

(3)       Provide the Governor, the General Assembly, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, and the North Carolina League of Municipalities with a copy of the annual summary and schedules by no later than March 1 of each year. (1995, c. 415, s. 3; 2000‑140, s. 93.1(a); 2001‑424, s. 12.2(b).)

Article 3.

Administrative Hearings.

§ 150B‑22.  Settlement; contested case.

It is the policy of this State that any dispute between an agency and another person that involves the person's rights, duties, or privileges, including licensing or the levy of a monetary penalty, should be settled through informal procedures. In trying to reach a settlement through informal procedures, the agency may not conduct a proceeding at which sworn testimony is taken and witnesses may be cross‑examined. If the agency and the other person do not agree to a resolution of the dispute through informal procedures, either the agency or the person may commence an administrative proceeding to determine the person's rights, duties, or privileges, at which time the dispute becomes a "contested case." (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1022, s. 1(11); 1991, c. 418, s. 16.)

§ 150B‑22.1.  Special education petitions.

(a)       Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, timelines and other procedural safeguards required to be provided under IDEA and Article 9 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes must be followed in an impartial due process hearing initiated when a petition is filed under G.S. 115C‑109.6 with the Office of Administrative Hearings.

(b)       The administrative law judge who conducts a hearing under G.S. 115C‑109.6 shall not be a person who has a personal or professional interest that conflicts with the judge's objectivity in the hearing. Furthermore, the judge must possess knowledge of, and the ability to understand, IDEA and legal interpretations of IDEA by federal and State courts. The judges are encouraged to participate in training developed and provided by the State Board of Education under G.S. 115C‑107.2(h)[(g)].

(c)       For the purpose of this section, the term "IDEA" means The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400, et seq., (2004), as amended, and its regulations. (2006‑69, s. 5.)

§ 150B‑23.  Commencement; assignment of administrative law judge; hearing required; notice; intervention.

(a)       A contested case shall be commenced by filing a petition with the Office of Administrative Hearings and, except as provided in Article 3A of this Chapter, shall be conducted by that Office. The party who files the petition shall serve a copy of the petition on all other parties and, if the dispute concerns a license, the person who holds the license. A party who files a petition shall file a certificate of service together with the petition. A petition shall be signed by a party or a representative of the party and, if filed by a party other than an agency, shall state facts tending to establish that the agency named as the respondent has deprived the petitioner of property, has ordered the petitioner to pay a fine or civil penalty, or has otherwise substantially prejudiced the petitioner's rights and that the agency:

(1)       Exceeded its authority or jurisdiction;

(2)       Acted erroneously;

(3)       Failed to use proper procedure;

(4)       Acted arbitrarily or capriciously; or

(5)       Failed to act as required by law or rule.

The parties in a contested case shall be given an opportunity for a hearing without undue delay. Any person aggrieved may commence a contested case hereunder.

A local government employee, applicant for employment, or former employee to whom Chapter 126 of the General Statutes applies may commence a contested case under this Article in the same manner as any other petitioner. The case shall be conducted in the same manner as other contested cases under this Article, except that the State Personnel Commission shall enter final decisions only in cases in which it is found that the employee, applicant, or former employee has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Article 6 of Chapter 126 of the General Statutes or in any case where a binding decision is required by applicable federal standards. In these cases, the State Personnel Commission's decision shall be binding on the local appointing authority. In all other cases, the final decision shall be made by the applicable appointing authority.

(a1)     Repealed by Session Laws 1985 (Regular Session, 1986), c. 1022, s. 1(9).

(a2)     An administrative law judge assigned to a contested case may require a party to the case to file a prehearing statement. A party's prehearing statement must be served on all other parties to the contested case.

(b)       The parties to a contested case shall be given a notice of hearing not less than 15 days before the hearing by the Office of Administrative Hearings. If prehearing statements have been filed in the case, the notice shall state the date, hour, and place of the hearing.  If prehearing statements have not been filed in the case, the notice shall state the date, hour, place, and nature of the hearing, shall list the particular sections of the statutes and rules involved, and shall give a short and plain statement of the factual allegations.

(c)       Notice shall be given personally or by certified mail. If given by certified mail, it shall be deemed to have been given on the delivery date appearing on the return receipt. If giving of notice cannot be accomplished either personally or by certified mail, notice shall then be given in the manner provided in G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 4(j1).

(d)       Any person may petition to become a party by filing a motion to intervene in the manner provided in G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 24. In addition, any person interested in a contested case may intervene and participate in that proceeding to the extent deemed appropriate by the administrative law judge.

(e)       All hearings under this Chapter shall be open to the public. Hearings shall be conducted in an impartial manner. Hearings shall be conducted according to the procedures set out in this Article, except to the extent and in the particulars that specific hearing procedures and time standards are governed by another statute.

(f)        Unless another statute or a federal statute or regulation sets a time limitation for the filing of a petition in contested cases against a specified agency, the general limitation for the filing of a petition in a contested case is 60 days. The time limitation, whether established by another statute, federal statute, or federal regulation, or this section, shall commence when notice is given of the agency decision to all persons aggrieved who are known to the agency by personal delivery or by the placing of the notice in an official depository of the United States Postal Service wrapped in a wrapper addressed to the person at the latest address given by the person to the agency. The notice shall be in writing, and shall set forth the agency action, and shall inform the persons of the right, the procedure, and the time limit to file a contested case petition. When no informal settlement request has been received by the agency prior to issuance of the notice, any subsequent informal settlement request shall not suspend the time limitation for the filing of a petition for a contested case hearing. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1975, 2nd Sess., c. 983, s. 65; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1022, ss. 1(9), (10), 6(2), (3); 1987, c. 878, ss. 3‑5; c. 879, s. 6.1; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1111, s. 5; 1991, c. 35, s. 1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 572, s. 2.)

§ 150B‑23.1.  Mediated settlement conferences.

(a)       Purpose. – This section authorizes a mediation program in the Office of Administrative Hearings in which the chief administrative law judge may require the parties in a contested case to attend a prehearing settlement conference conducted by a mediator. The purpose of the program is to determine whether a system of mediated settlement conferences may make the operation of the Office of Administrative Hearings more efficient, less costly, and more satisfying to the parties.

(b)       Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:

(1)       Mediated settlement conference. – A conference ordered by the chief administrative law judge involving the parties to a contested case and conducted by a mediator prior to a contested case hearing.

(2)       Mediator. – A neutral person who acts to encourage and facilitate a resolution of a contested case but who does not make a decision on the merits of the contested case.

(c)       Conference. – The chief administrative law judge may order a mediated settlement conference for all or any part of a contested case to which an administrative law judge is assigned to preside. All aspects of the mediated settlement conference shall be conducted insofar as possible in accordance with the rules adopted by the Supreme Court for the court‑ordered mediation pilot program under G.S. 7A‑38.

(d)       Attendance. – The parties to a contested case in which a mediated settlement conference is ordered, their attorneys, and other persons having authority to settle the parties' claims shall attend the settlement conference unless excused by the presiding administrative law judge.

(e)       Mediator. – The parties shall have the right to stipulate to a mediator. Upon the failure of the parties to agree within a time limit established by the presiding administrative law judge, a mediator shall be appointed by the presiding administrative law judge.

(f)        Sanctions. – Upon failure of a party or a party's attorney to attend a mediated settlement conference ordered under this section, the presiding administrative law judge may impose any sanction authorized by G.S. 150B‑33(b)(8) or (10).

(g)       Standards. – Mediators authorized to conduct mediated settlement conferences under this section shall comply with the standards adopted by the Supreme Court for the court‑ordered mediation pilot program under G.S. 7A‑38.

(h)       Immunity. – A mediator acting pursuant to this section shall have judicial immunity in the same manner and to the same extent as a judge of the General Court of Justice.

(i)        Costs. – Costs of a mediated settlement conference shall be paid one share by the petitioner, one share by the respondent, and an equal share by any intervenor, unless otherwise apportioned by the administrative law judge.

(j)        Inadmissibility of Negotiations. – All conduct or communications made during a mediated settlement conference are presumed to be made in compromise negotiations and shall be governed by Rule 408 of the North Carolina Rules of Evidence.

(k)       Right to Hearing. – Nothing in this section restricts the right to a contested case hearing. (1993, c. 321, s. 25(b); c. 363, ss. 1, 3; 1995, c. 145, s. 1.)

§ 150B‑24.  Venue of hearing.

(a)       The hearing of a contested case shall be conducted:

(1)       In the county in this State in which any person whose property or rights are the subject matter of the hearing maintains his residence;

(2)       In the county where the agency maintains its principal office if the property or rights that are the subject matter of the hearing do not affect any person or if the subject matter of the hearing is the property or rights of residents of more than one county; or

(3)       In any county determined by the administrative law judge in his discretion to promote the ends of justice or better serve the convenience of witnesses.

(b)       Any person whose property or rights are the subject matter of the hearing waives his objection to venue by proceeding in the hearing. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1987, c. 878, s. 6.)

§ 150B‑25.  Conduct of hearing; answer.

(a)       If a party fails to appear in a contested case after proper service of notice, and if no adjournment or continuance is granted, the administrative law judge may proceed with the hearing in the absence of the party.

(b)       Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 35, s. 2.

(c)       The parties shall be given an opportunity to present arguments on issues of law and policy and an opportunity to present evidence on issues of fact.

(d)       A party may cross‑examine any witness, including the author of a document prepared by, on behalf of, or for use of the agency and offered in evidence. Any party may submit rebuttal evidence. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1022, s. 1(13); 1987, c. 878, s. 6; 1991, c. 35, s. 2.)

§ 150B‑26.  Consolidation.

When contested cases involving a common question of law or fact or multiple proceedings involving the same or related parties are pending, the Director of the Office of Administrative Hearings may order a joint hearing of any matters at issue in the cases, order the cases consolidated, or make other orders to reduce costs or delay in the proceedings. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1985, (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1022, s. 1(1), 1(14).)

§ 150B‑27.  Subpoena.

After the commencement of a contested case, subpoenas may be issued and served in accordance with G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 45.  In addition to the methods of service in G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 45, a State law enforcement officer may serve a subpoena on behalf of an agency that is a party to the contested case by any method by which a sheriff may serve a subpoena under that Rule.  Upon a motion, the administrative law judge may quash a subpoena if, upon a hearing, the administrative law judge finds that the evidence the production of which is required does not relate to a matter in issue, the subpoena does not describe with sufficient particularity the evidence the production of which is required, or for any other reason sufficient in law the subpoena may be quashed.

     Witness fees shall be paid by the party requesting the subpoena to subpoenaed witnesses in accordance with G.S. 7A‑314.  However, State officials or employees who are subpoenaed shall not be entitled to witness fees, but they shall receive their normal salary and they shall not be required to take any annual leave for the witness days.  Travel expenses of State officials or employees who are subpoenaed shall be reimbursed as provided in G.S. 138‑6. (1973, c. 1331, s. 1; 1975, 2nd Sess., c. 983, s. 66; 1985, c. 746, s. 1; 1987, c. 878, s. 6; 1991, c. 35, s. 3.)

§ 150B‑28.  Depositions and discovery.

(a)       A deposition may be used in lieu of other evidence when taken in compliance with the Rules of Civil Procedure, G.S. 1A‑1. Parties in co