GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2011

H                                                                                                                                                    1

HOUSE BILL 836

Short Title:        Compensation Study/State Bds. and Comms.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Representative McElraft (Primary Sponsor). For a complete list of Sponsors, see Bill Information on the NCGA Web Site.
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

April 7, 2011

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT creating the study committee on the compensation of state board and commission employees.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  The Study Committee on the Compensation of State Board and Commission Employees (Committee) is created. The purpose of the Committee is to examine the compensation of the employees serving various State boards and commissions created by the General Statutes and to determine the need to modify any of those compensation schemes in order to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of State government. This examination shall include, but is not limited to, reviewing the compensation and benefits of employees of the Lottery Commission, the Banking Commission, and the Credit Union Commission.

Specifically, the Committee shall study all of the following with respect to the compensation of State board and commission employees:

(1)        Pay, benefits, classification, and banding plans afforded those employees compared to (i) the compensation of other State employees and (ii) the compensation of similar positions and persons in other states.

(2)        Factors affecting how State boards and commissions make employee compensation decisions, including justifications for any salaries and benefits that appear to be excessive or unwarranted.

(3)        Costs and effects of differing, alternative, or special compensation systems established by boards and commissions upon State government as a whole.

(4)        Any other matters the Committee finds appropriate.

SECTION 1.(b)  The Committee shall consist of 15 members, as follows:

(1)        Five persons appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, at least three of whom shall be members of the Senate.

(2)        Five persons appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, at least three of whom shall be members of the House.

(3)        Five persons appointed by the Governor from the general public.

SECTION 1.(c)  The Committee shall make an interim report to the 2012 Regular Session of the 2011 General Assembly by May 1, 2012. The Committee shall report the final results of its study and any recommendations and legislative proposals to the 2013 General Assembly upon its convening.  The Committee shall terminate upon filing the final report.

SECTION 2.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each appoint a cochair for the Committee. The Committee shall meet upon the call of the cochairs.  A majority of the members constitutes a quorum. Vacancies shall be filled by the initial appointing officer. The Committee may contract for consultant services as provided by G.S. 120-32.02. Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Committee. Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Committee through the offices of the House of Representatives and Senate Supervisors of Clerks. The Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission. Members of the Committee shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5, and 138-6, as appropriate. From funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission may allocate funds for the expenses of the Committee.

SECTION 3.  The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120-9 and G.S. 120-9.1 through G.S. 120-19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them and the power to subpoena witnesses. The State Personnel Director and the State Budget Director shall each designate appropriate staff to serve as liaisons to the Committee.

SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.