GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

 SESSION 2011

H                                                                                                                                                   4

HOUSE BILL 950

Committee Substitute Favorable 5/29/12

Third Edition Engrossed 5/30/12

Senate Pensions & Retirement and Aging Committee Substitute Adopted 6/12/12

 

Short Title:        Modify 2011 Appropriations Act.

(Public)

Sponsors:

 

Referred to:

 

May 17, 2012

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to modify the current operations and capital improvements appropriations act of 2011 and for other purposes.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

PART I. Introduction and Title of Act

 

INTRODUCTION

SECTION 1.1.  The appropriations made in this act are for maximum amounts necessary to provide the services and accomplish the purposes described in the budget. Savings shall be effected where the total amounts appropriated are not required to perform these services and accomplish these purposes and, except as allowed by the State Budget Act, or this act, the savings shall revert to the appropriate fund at the end of each fiscal year as provided in G.S. 143C-1-2(b).

 

TITLE OF ACT

SECTION 1.2.  This act shall be known as "The Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2012."

 

PART II. Current Operations and Expansion/General Fund

 

CURRENT OPERATIONS AND EXPANSION/GENERAL FUND

SECTION 2.1.  Appropriations from the General Fund of the State for the maintenance of the State departments, institutions, and agencies, and for other purposes as enumerated, are adjusted for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, according to the schedule that follows. Amounts set out in parentheses are reductions from General Fund appropriations for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

 

Current Operations - General Fund                                                                           2012-2013

 

EDUCATION

 

Community Colleges System Office                                                                   $              (4,177,523)

 

Department of Public Instruction                                                                                      34,142,118

 

University of North Carolina - Board of Governors

      Appalachian State University                                                                                           260,876

      East Carolina University

            Academic Affairs                                                                                                   4,447,287

            Health Affairs                                                                                                                      0

      Elizabeth City State University                                                                                                    0

      Fayetteville State University                                                                                            473,656

      NC A&T State University                                                                                                          0

      NC Central University                                                                                                               0

      NC State University

            Academic Affairs                                                                                                   5,346,252

            Agricultural Research                                                                                                           0

            Agricultural Extension                                                                                                          0

      UNC-Asheville                                                                                                                          0

      UNC-Chapel Hill

            Academic Affairs                                                                                                                 0

            Health Affairs                                                                                                                      0

            AHEC                                                                                                                                 0

      UNC-Charlotte                                                                                                                         0

      UNC-Greensboro                                                                                                          103,534

      UNC-Pembroke                                                                                                                       0

      UNC-School of the Arts                                                                                                            0

      UNC-Wilmington                                                                                                           434,038

      Western Carolina University                                                                                                       0

      Winston-Salem State University                                                                                                 0

      General Administration                                                                                               10,558,141

      University Institution Programs                                                                                   14,560,828

      Related Educational  Programs                                                                                 (12,139,141)

      UNC Financial Aid Private Colleges                                                                                          0

      NC School of Science & Math                                                                                                  0

      UNC Hospitals                                                                                                                          0

Total University of North Carolina - Board of Governors                                  $             24,045,471

 

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Department of Health and Human Services

      Division of Central Management and Support                                              $            (28,697,345)

      Division of Aging and Adult Services                                                                          35,300,000

      Division of Services for Blind/Deaf/Hard of Hearing                                                                    0

      Division of Child Development                                                                                  (10,000,000)

      Division of Health Service Regulation                                                                                         0

      Division of Medical Assistance                                                                                 229,575,042

      Division of Mental Health, Dev. Disabilities and Sub. Abuse                                         3,245,954

      NC Health Choice                                                                                                                     0

      Division of Public Health                                                                                              5,077,450

      Division of Social Services                                                                                                         0

      Division of Vocational Rehabilitation                                                                                           0

Total Health and Human Services                                                                      $           234,501,101

 

NATURAL AND ECONOMIC RESOURCES

 

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services                                           $               45,794,624

 

Department of Commerce

      Commerce                                                                                                                12,050,590

      Commerce State-Aid                                                                                                 (2,843,040)

      NC Biotechnology Center                                                                                             (351,034)

      Rural Economic Development Center                                                                          (7,007,535)

 

Department of Environment and Natural Resources                                                         (41,893,545)

 

DENR Clean Water Management Trust Fund                                                                                  0

 

Department of Labor                                                                                                           (316,738)

 

Wildlife Resources Commission                                                                                            434,397

 

JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

 

Department of Public Safety                                                                              $            (35,437,508)

 

Judicial Department                                                                                                          (4,279,349)

Judicial Department - Indigent Defense                                                                                            0

 

Department of Justice                                                                                                       (6,375,063)

 

GENERAL GOVERNMENT

 

Department of Administration                                                                            $                 (907,061)

 

Department of State Auditor                                                                                                (213,521)

 

Office of State Controller                                                                                                      780,018

 

Department of Cultural Resources

      Cultural Resources                                                                                                     (1,233,940)

      Roanoke Island Commission                                                                                            (24,070)

 

State Board of Elections                                                                                                       461,404

 

General Assembly                                                                                                              1,570,422

 

Office of the Governor

      Office of the Governor                                                                                                     (94,823)

      Office of State Budget and Management                                                                        (116,973)

      OSBM - Reserve for Special Appropriations                                                                  (61,612)

      Housing Finance Agency                                                                                            (8,064,634)

 

Department of Insurance

      Insurance                                                                                                                        (73,550)

      Insurance - Volunteer Safety Workers' Compensation                                                               0

 

Office of Lieutenant Governor                                                                                              (144,150)

 

Office of Administrative Hearings                                                                                           (82,845)

 

Department of Revenue                                                                                                    (1,563,991)

 

Department of Secretary of State                                                                                         (213,091)

 

Department of State Treasurer

      State Treasurer                                                                                                                          0

      State Treasurer - Retirement for Fire and Rescue Squad Workers                                              0

 

RESERVES, ADJUSTMENTS AND DEBT SERVICE

 

Information Technology Fund                                                                            $                 (750,000)

Reserve for Job Development Investment Grants (JDIG)                                                   (6,500,000)

Judicial Retirement System Contribution                                                                                100,000

Continuation Review Reserve                                                                                         (35,576,758)

Performance Pay Reserve                                                                                             (121,105,840)

Reserve for Compensation Increases and Personnel Flexibility                                        159,984,426

Disability Income Plan Rate Reduction                                                                              (8,688,000)

One North Carolina Fund                                                                                                  9,000,000

Reserve for VIPER                                                                                                          25,000,000

 

Debt Service

      General Debt Service                                                                                               (52,904,635)

 

TOTAL CURRENT OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND                        $           206,863,742

 

GENERAL FUND AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

SECTION 2.2.(a)  Section 2.2(a) of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 2(b) of S.L. 2011-391 and Section 5(a) of S.L. 2011-395, is repealed. The General Fund availability used in adjusting the 2012-2013 budget is shown below:

 

                                                                                                                                   FY 2012-2013

Unappropriated Balance Remaining                                                                   $             41,232,325

Anticipated Overcollections from FY 2011-2012                                                           232,500,000

Anticipated Reversions for FY 2011-2012                                                                     205,500,000

Net Supplemental Medicaid Appropriation (S.L. 2012-2)                                             (154,000,000)

Less Earmarkings of Year-End Fund Balance

      Savings Reserve Account                                                                                       (139,339,925)

      Repairs and Renovations Reserve Account                                                               (39,339,925)

Beginning Unreserved Fund Balance                                                           $           146,552,475

 

Revenue Based on Existing Tax Structure                                                          18,931,200,000

 

Nontax Revenue                                                                                                                            

      Investment Income                                                                                                     21,600,000

      Judicial Fees                                                                                                            258,700,000

      Disproportionate Share                                                                                            115,000,000

      Insurance                                                                                                                   73,700,000

      Other Nontax Revenues                                                                                           304,400,000

      Highway Trust Fund Transfer                                                                                     27,600,000

      Highway Fund Transfer                                                                                            212,280,000

            Total - Nontax Revenues                                                                           1,013,280,000

 

Subtotal General Fund Availability                                                                       20,091,032,475

 

Adjustments to Availability:  2012 Session                                                                                  

      E-Commerce Reserve Cash Balance                                                                            2,470,642

      One North Carolina Fund Cash Balance                                                                    50,000,000

      Sale of State Assets Receipt                                                                                     (25,000,000)

      Information Technology Internal Service Fund Cash Balance                                      14,000,000

      National Mortgage Settlement                                                                                      9,610,000

      Highway Fund Transfer - Technical Adjustment                                                           8,000,000

      Work Opportunity Tax Credit Extension                                                                        (800,000)

 

      Subtotal Adjustments to Availability:                                                                    58,280,642

 

Revised Total General Fund Availability                                                             20,149,313,117

      Less General Fund Appropriations                                                                 20,149,313,117

 

      Balance Remaining                                                                                                                 0

 

SECTION 2.2.(b)  Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 143C-4-3, the State Controller shall transfer only thirty-nine million six hundred eighty-nine thousand nine hundred twenty-five dollars ($39,689,925) from the unreserved fund balance to the Repairs and Renovations Reserve Account on June 30, 2012.

SECTION 2.2.(c)  Funds transferred under this section to the Repairs and Renovations Reserve Account are appropriated for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to be used in accordance with G.S. 143C-4-3.

SECTION 2.2.(d)  Notwithstanding G.S. 143C-4-2 and pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the State Controller shall transfer one hundred thirty-nine million six hundred eighty-nine thousand nine hundred twenty-five dollars ($139,689,925) from the unreserved fund balance to the Savings Reserve Account on June 30, 2012.

This is not an "appropriation made by law," as that phrase is used in Section 7(1) of Article V of the North Carolina Constitution.

SECTION 2.2.(e)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the sum of fourteen million dollars ($14,000,000) shall be transferred from the Information Technology Internal Service Fund ending balance for State fiscal year 2011-2012, Budget Code 74660, to the State Controller to be deposited in the appropriate budget code as determined by the State Controller for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

SECTION 2.2.(g)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the sum of fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) from the Department of Commerce, One North Carolina Fund, shall be transferred to the State Controller to be deposited in the appropriate budget code as determined by the State Controller for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

SECTION 2.2.(h)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the sum of two million four hundred seventy thousand six hundred forty-two dollars ($2,470,642) from the E-Commerce Reserve, Budget Code 24100, shall be transferred to the State Controller to be deposited in the appropriate budget code as determined by the State Controller for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

SECTION 2.2.(k)  This section becomes effective June 30, 2012.

 

PART III. Current Operations/Highway Fund

 

CURRENT OPERATIONS/HIGHWAY FUND

SECTION 3.1.  Appropriations from the State Highway Fund for the maintenance and operation of the Department of Transportation and for other purposes as enumerated are adjusted for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, according to the following schedule. Amounts set out in parentheses are reductions from Highway Fund Appropriations for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

 

Current Operations - Highway Fund                                                                          2012-2013

 

Department of Transportation

      Administration                                                                                                  $         1,595,705

 

Division of Highways                                                                                                                        

      Administration                                                                                                               (164,266)

      Construction                                                                                                             (17,737,270)

      Maintenance                                                                                                             (40,866,948)

      Planning and Research                                                                                                               0

      OSHA Program                                                                                                                        0

 

Ferry Operations                                                                                                              (3,000,000)

 

State Aid

      Municipalities                                                                                                                (912,604)

      Public Transportation                                                                                                (28,972,845)

      Airports                                                                                                                                     0

      Railroads                                                                                                                                   0

 

Governor's Highway Safety Program                                                                                                0

Division of Motor Vehicles                                                                                               50,173,639

Other State Agencies, Reserves, and Transfers                                                               (64,065,411)

Capital Improvements                                                                                                                      0

 

Total                                                                                                                     $    (103,950,000)

 

HIGHWAY FUND AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

SECTION 3.2.  Section 3.2 of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed. The Highway Fund availability used in adjusting the 2012-2013 fiscal year budget is shown below:

 

Highway Fund Availability Statement                                                                      2012-2013

 

Unreserved Fund Balance                                                                                  $            33,000,000

Revenue Based On Existing Law                                                                                 2,062,680,000

Adjustment to Revenue Availability (Motor Fuels Tax)                                        $          (46,650,000)

Adjustment to Revenue Availability (Civil Penalties)                                            $          (22,000,000)

Adjustment to Revenue Availability (Limited Learner's Permit)                            $              3,180,000

 

Revised Total Highway Fund Availability                                                     $       2,030,210,000

 

Unappropriated Balance                                                                                  $                           0

 

PART IV. Highway Trust Fund Appropriations

 

CURRENT OPERATIONS/HIGHWAY TRUST FUND

SECTION 4.1.  Appropriations from the State Highway Trust Fund for the maintenance and operation of the Department of Transportation and for other purposes as enumerated are adjusted for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, according to the following schedule. Amounts set out in brackets are reductions from Highway Trust Fund Appropriations for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

 

Current Operations - Highway Trust Fund                                                                2012-2013

 

Intrastate System                                                                                                        $    (9,338,145)

Aid to Municipalities                                                                                                            (979,789)

Secondary Roads                                                                                                                (979,789)

Urban Loops                                                                                                                    (3,775,957)

Program Administration                                                                                                    (1,516,320)

Turnpike Authority                                                                                                         (32,500,000)

 

Transfer to General Fund                                                                                                                 0

Transfer to Highway Fund                                                                                                                0

Debt Service                                                                                                                                   0

Mobility Fund                                                                                                                  77,500,000

Reserves                                                                                                                        (45,000,000)

 

 

Grand Total Current Operations                                                      $  (16,590,000)

 

HIGHWAY TRUST FUND AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

SECTION 4.2.  Section 4.2 of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.  The Highway Trust Fund availability used in developing the 2012-2013 fiscal year budget is shown below:

 

Highway Trust Fund Availability                                                                                2012-2013

 

Unreserved Fund Balance                                                                                        $      15,000,000

Revenue Based on Existing Law                                                                                  1,070,870,000

Adjustment to Revenue Availability (Motor Fuels Tax)                                                    (15,550,000)

 

Revised Total Highway Trust Fund Availability                                                  $1,070,320,000

 

PART V. Other Appropriations

 

ELIMINATE REPORTING REQUIREMENT/APPROPRIATION OF OTHER FUNDS/USE OF DEPARTMENTAL RECEIPTS

SECTION 5.1.  Section 5.1 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 5.1.(a)  State funds, as defined in G.S. 143C-1-1(d)(25), are appropriated as provided in G.S. 143C-1-2 for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, with the adjustments made to the continuation budget as reflected in the Governor's Recommended Budget and Budget Support Document, as follows:

(1)        For all budget codes listed in "The State of North Carolina Governor's Recommended Budget, 2011-2013" and in the Budget Support Document, cash balances and receipts are appropriated up to the amounts specified, as adjusted by the General Assembly, for the 2011-2012 fiscal year and the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Funds may be expended only for the programs, purposes, objects, and line items or as otherwise authorized by the General Assembly. Expansion budget funds listed in those documents are appropriated only as otherwise provided in this act.

(2)        Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection:

a.         Any receipts that are required to be used to pay debt service requirements for various outstanding bond issues and certificates of participation are appropriated up to the actual amounts received for the 2011-2012 fiscal year and the 2012-2013 fiscal year and shall be used only to pay debt service requirements.

b.         Other funds, cash balances, and receipts of funds that meet the definition issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board of a trust or agency fund are appropriated for and in the amounts required to meet the legal requirements of the trust agreement for the 2011-2012 fiscal year and the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

"SECTION 5.1.(b)  Receipts collected in a fiscal year in excess of the amounts authorized by this section shall remain unexpended and unencumbered until appropriated by the General Assembly in a subsequent fiscal year, unless the expenditure of overrealized receipts in the fiscal year in which the receipts were collected is authorized by the State Budget Act. Overrealized receipts are appropriated up to the amounts necessary to implement this subsection.

"SECTION 5.1.(c)  In addition to the consultation and reporting requirements set out in G.S. 143C-6-4, the Office of State Budget and Management shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and to the Fiscal Research Division within 30 days after the end of each quarter on any overrealized receipts approved for expenditure under this subsection by the Director of the Budget. The report shall include the source of the receipt, the amount overrealized, the amount authorized for expenditure, and the rationale for expenditure.

"SECTION 5.1.(d)  Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, there is appropriated from the Reserve for Reimbursements to Local Governments and Shared Tax Revenues for each fiscal year an amount equal to the amount of the distributions required by law to be made from that reserve for that fiscal year. Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the following additional appropriations are hereby made:

(1)        There is appropriated from the Reserve for Reimbursements to Local Governments and Shared Tax Revenues for each fiscal year an amount equal to the amount of the distributions required by law to be made from that reserve for that fiscal year.

(2)        There is appropriated from the General Fund an amount equal to the amount required to issue refunds for tax overpayments, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 105 of the General Statutes or any other applicable law.

(3)        There is appropriated from the Escheat Fund any escheated property awarded to a claimant in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 116B of the General Statutes or any other applicable law.

(4)        There is appropriated from the appropriate fund, an amount equal to the amount required to refund any other overpayment made to a State agency, in accordance with applicable law."

 

Expenditure of Funds Received from Grants Awarded Subsequent to Budget Enactment

SECTION 5.2.  Section 5.2(a) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 5.2.(a)  Notwithstanding G.S. 143C-6-4, State agencies may, with approval of the Director of the Budget and after consultation with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations,Budget, spend funds received from grants awarded subsequent to the enactment of this act. A State agency shall report expenditures of any grants received subsequent to the enactment of The Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2012 to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations within 30 days."

 

EDUCATION LOTTERY

SECTION 5.3.(a)  Notwithstanding G.S. 18C-164, the revenue used to support appropriations made in this act is transferred from the State Lottery Fund in the amount of four hundred forty-one million three hundred fifty-nine thousand four hundred one dollars ($441,359,401) for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

SECTION 5.3.(b)  Notwithstanding G.S. 18C-164, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission shall not transfer funds to the Education Lottery Reserve Fund for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

SECTION 5.3.(c)  Section 5.4(f) of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

SECTION 5.3.(d)  Notwithstanding G.S. 18C-164(f) or any other provision of law, excess lottery receipts realized in the 2011-2012 fiscal year in the amount of twenty-five million five hundred eighty-eight thousand three hundred seventy dollars ($25,588,370) shall be allocated for UNC Need-Based Financial Aid.

SECTION 5.3.(g)  Notwithstanding G.S. 18C-164, the appropriations made from the Education Lottery Fund for the 2012-2013 fiscal year are as follows:

Teachers in Early Grades                                        $  220,643,188

Prekindergarten Program                                        $    63,135,709

Public School Building Capital Fund                        $  100,000,000

Scholarships for Needy Students                             $    30,450,000

UNC Need-Based Financial Aid                            $    52,718,874

Total Appropriation                                                $  466,947,771

SECTION 5.3.(h)  Notwithstanding G.S. 18C-164(c), G.S. 115C-546.2(d), or any other provision of law, funds appropriated in this section to the Public School Building Capital Fund for the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be allocated to counties on the basis of average daily membership (ADM).

SECTION 5.3.(i)  Notwithstanding G.S. 18C-164(c), Article 35A of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes, or any other provision of law, the funds appropriated in this section for UNC Need-Based Financial Aid shall be administered in accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina.

SECTION 5.3.(j)  Notwithstanding G.S. 18C-164(f), if the actual net lottery revenues for the 2012-2013 fiscal year exceed the amounts appropriated in subsection (g) of this section, the excess net lottery revenues shall be allocated for UNC Need-Based Financial Aid and are appropriated for that purpose.

 

PART VI. General Provisions

 

REMOVE CONSULTATION BY GOVERNOR REQUIREMENT/INTERIM APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES

SECTION 6.1.  Section 6.5 of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

 

EXTEND REPORTING DATE/UTILIZATION REVIEW/PUBLIC SCHOOL AND PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES

SECTION 6.2.  Section 6.9(b) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 6.9.(b)  By May December 1, 2012, the Fiscal Research Division shall report to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees."

 

VOICE INTEROPERABILITY PLAN FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE (VIPER) SYSTEM

SECTION 6.3.(a)  It is the intent of the General Assembly to continue to support development and implementation of the State's Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Response (VIPER) system in subsequent fiscal years. However, no State agency, office, commission, or non-State entity shall enter into a new contract or amend any existing contract that would commit or otherwise spend any State funds, as defined in G.S. 143C-1-1(d)(25), during the 2011-2012 fiscal year unless those funds were expressly appropriated by the General Assembly for the State's VIPER system.

SECTION 6.3.(b)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any unexpended, unencumbered State funds remaining on June 30, 2012, allotted to or received by the Department of Public Safety (Department) or any unexpended, unencumbered State funds allotted to or received by and remaining in the budgets of the previous agencies that now constitute the Department shall revert to the State's General Fund. For purposes of this section, the term "expenditure" means any purchase, advance, conveyance, deposit, distribution, transfer of funds, loan, payment, gift, pledge, or subscription of money or anything of value whatsoever, and any contract, agreement, promise or other obligation. For purposes of this section, the term "encumbrance" means a financial obligation created by a purchase order, contract, salary commitment, unearned or prepaid collections for services provided by the State, or other legally binding agreement.

SECTION 6.3.(c)  Effective July 1, 2012, the Department is hereby authorized to commit or spend up to twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) in the 2012-2013 fiscal year to continue development and implementation of the State's VIPER system.

SECTION 6.3.(d)  The Department of Public Safety shall report to the Joint Legislative Committee on Information Technology and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety on a quarterly basis on the progress of the State's VIPER system.

 

EXTEND MATURITY DATE/GLOBAL TRANSPARK

SECTION 6.4.  G.S. 147-69.2(b)(11), as amended by Section 7 of S.L. 2005-144, Section 2 of S.L. 2005-201, Section 28.17 of S.L. 2005-276, Section 27.7 of S.L. 2007-323, Section 25.2 of S.L. 2009-451, Section 6.10(a) of S.L. 2011-145, and Section 4(b) of S.L. 2011-340, reads as rewritten:

"(b)      It shall be the duty of the State Treasurer to invest the cash of the funds enumerated in subsection (a) of this section in excess of the amount required to meet the current needs and demands on such funds. The State Treasurer may invest the funds as provided in this subsection. If an investment was authorized by this subsection at the time the investment was made or contractually committed to be made, then none of the percentage or other limitation on investments set forth in this subsection shall be construed to require the State Treasurer to subsequently dispose of the investment or fail to honor any contractual commitments as a result of changes in market values, ratings, or other investment qualifications.

(11)      With respect to assets of the Escheat Fund, obligations of the North Carolina Global TransPark Authority authorized by G.S. 63A-4(a)(22), not to exceed twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000), that have a final maturity not later than October 1, 2012.2014. The obligations shall bear interest at the rate set by the State Treasurer. No commitment to purchase obligations may be made pursuant to this subdivision after September 1, 1993, and no obligations may be purchased after September 1, 1994. In the event of a loss to the Escheat Fund by reason of an investment made pursuant to this subdivision, it is the intention of the General Assembly to hold the Escheat Fund harmless from the loss by appropriating to the Escheat Fund funds equivalent to the loss.

                  If any part of the property owned by the North Carolina Global TransPark Authority now or in the future is divested, proceeds of the divestment shall be used to fulfill any unmet obligations on an investment made pursuant to this subdivision.

…."

 

NATIONAL MORTGAGE SETTLEMENT APPROPRIATIONS

SECTION 6.5.(a)  The Consent Judgment in U.S. v. Bank of America, Civil Action No. 12-CV-0361, dated April 4, 2012, provides for monetary payments to the State and, therefore, the General Assembly authorizes the expenditure of these State revenues as set forth in subsection (b) of this section.

SECTION 6.5.(b)  Settlement funds received by the State pursuant to the Consent Judgment in U.S. v. Bank of America, Civil Action No. 12-CV-0361, dated April 4, 2012, shall be deposited and credited in accordance with the North Carolina Constitution and Chapter 143C of the General Statutes and are appropriated for the 2012-2013 fiscal year as follows:

(1)        The sum of four million seven hundred eighty thousand dollars ($4,780,000) to the Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Division, for financial fraud detection and prevention efforts.

(2)        The sum of six million six hundred ninety thousand dollars ($6,690,000) to the Administrative Office of the Courts to be administered by the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys. Funds shall be used for grants and training for prosecutorial offices to expand prosecution of lending and financial crimes.

(3)        The sum of thirty million five hundred twenty thousand dollars ($30,520,000) to the Housing Finance Agency for housing counselors and other assistance to help distressed homeowners.

(4)        The sum of five million seven hundred forty thousand dollars ($5,740,000) in civil penalties shall be deposited in the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund.

(5)        The sum of two million eight hundred seventy thousand dollars ($2,870,000) to the Department of Justice, State Bureau of Investigation, to expand its accounting and financial investigative ability and its expertise to investigate financial and lending crimes.

SECTION 6.5.(c)  No State agency receiving money from the National Mortgage Settlement may make expenditures for purposes not authorized by the General Assembly, nor may a State agency spend an amount totaling more than that appropriated by the General Assembly; however, a State agency may use the funds to offset 2012-2013 fiscal year nonrecurring reductions. Any positions established by State agencies with funds appropriated pursuant to this section shall be temporary or time-limited positions.

SECTION 6.5.(d)  Nothing in this section is intended to be in conflict with the mandatory provisions of the Consent Judgment.

 

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 115/HURRICANE IRENE DISASTER LOANS

SECTION 6.7.(a)  Notwithstanding Executive Order No. 115, Proclamation of a State of Disaster for Pamlico and Tyrrell Counties,  issued on February 21, 2012, or any other law to the contrary, the Counties of Pamlico and Tyrrell, upon proof of flood insurance coverage to the Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Section, shall not be held liable for that portion of funds borrowed under Executive Order No. 115 to cover damage sustained to their county school buildings and county school structures as a result of Hurricane Irene.

SECTION 6.7.(b)  If Pamlico or Tyrrell County allows the flood insurance coverage required in subsection (a) of this section to lapse at any time, that county shall be liable for the full repayment of funds borrowed under Executive Order No. 115. 

 

Authorize Certain Modifications of the Certified Budget

SECTION 6.9.  Section 6.1(b) of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 5 of S.L. 2011-391, reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 6.1.(b)  For the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, and notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes or any other provision of law, the certified budget for each State agency shall reflect only the total of all appropriations enacted for each State agency by the General Assembly in this act as modified by this act; therefore, the Director of the Budget shall modify the certified budget only to reflect the following actions and only to the extent that they are authorized by this act:

(1)        The allocation of funds set out in reserves.

(2)        Government reorganizations.

(3)        Funds The allocation of funds authorized by G.S. 116-30.3A and G.S. 116-40.22(c).

(4)        The allocation of funds carried forward from one fiscal year to another.

(5)        Changes required by acts that become law after the effective date of this section, irrespective of whether they are authorized by this act.

The Director of the Budget shall set out all other budget modifications in the authorized budget."

 

ESTABLISHING OR INCREASING FEES UNDER THIS ACT

SECTION 6.10.(a)  Notwithstanding G.S. 12-3.1, an agency is not required to consult with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations prior to establishing or increasing a fee to the level authorized or anticipated in this act.

SECTION 6.10.(b)  Notwithstanding G.S. 150B-21.1A(a), an agency may adopt an emergency rule in accordance with G.S. 150B-21.1A to establish or increase a fee as authorized by this act if the adoption of a rule would otherwise be required under Article 2A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.

 

consultation with a legislative committee

SECTION 6.11.  G.S. 12-3 reads as rewritten:

"§ 12-3.  Rules for construction of statutes.

In the construction of all statutes the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the General Assembly, or repugnant to the context of the same statute, that is to say:

(15)      Requirement to consult with a committee or commission of the General Assembly. - All words purporting to require an individual or other entity to consult with a committee or commission of the General Assembly before taking an action shall be construed to require the entity to do all of the following:

a.         Submit a report of the action under consideration to the chairs and staff of the committee or commission. The report shall include all information required by statute and the rules of that committee or commission. The staff of the committee or commission shall make the report available electronically to the members of the committee or commission and to the public.

b.         Appear at a meeting of the committee or commission at which the matter is heard. Unless another period of time is specified by statute, the requirement to appear is satisfied if the committee or commission does not have a meeting at which the matter is heard within 90 days of receiving the required submission."

 

MEDICAID PROGRAM DISCLOSURES TO THE FISCAL RESEARCH DIVISION

SECTION 6.12.  G.S. 120-32.01 reads as rewritten:

"§ 120-32.01.  Information to be supplied.

(a)        Every State department, State agency, or State institution shall furnish the Legislative Services Office and the Research, Fiscal Research, Program Evaluation, and Bill Drafting Divisions any information or records requested by them and access to any facilities and personnel requested by them. Except when accessibility is prohibited by a federal statute, federal regulation, or State statute, every State department, State agency, or State institution shall give the Legislative Services Office and these divisions access to any data base or stored information maintained by computer, telecommunications, or other electronic data processing equipment, whether stored on tape, disk, or otherwise, and regardless of the medium for storage or transmission.

(b)        Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, access to the BEACON/HR payroll system by the Research and Bill Drafting Divisions shall only be through the Fiscal Research Division and access to the system by the Program Evaluation Division shall only be through the Division Director and two employees of the Division designated by the Division Director.

(c)        Consistent with subsection (a) of this section and notwithstanding any other law relating to privacy of personnel records, the Retirement Systems Division of the Department of State Treasurer shall furnish the Fiscal Research Division direct online read-only access to active and retired member information or records maintained by the Retirement Systems Division in online information systems. Direct online read-only access shall not include access to medical records of individual members. Nothing in this subsection shall limit the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

(d)        For the purpose of ensuring financial transparency, accountability, and efficient operation of the Medicaid program finances by the Department of Health and Human Services, employees of the Fiscal Research Division designated by the Director of Fiscal Research shall have access to all records related to the Medicaid program. The Department of Health and Human Services shall cooperate fully with the designated employees of the Fiscal Research Division to facilitate (i) the evaluation of all financial and policy components of the Medicaid program, including financial projections, (ii) the evaluation of the budgetary construction and management of the Medicaid program, and (iii) the identification of unusual financial events. The Department shall also provide the Fiscal Research Division with electronic access to any departmental data for assessing or predicting Medicaid financial outcomes, and to any modeling software used for assessing or predicting Medicaid program financial outcomes. Employees of the Department shall not impede, delay, or restrict the provision of information or limit access to any departmental personnel necessary for the Fiscal Research Division to perform its monitoring and analysis of the Medicaid program.

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to grant Fiscal Research Division employees access to medical records of individuals or other information protected under the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Nothing in this subsection shall limit the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

(e)        The Department of Health and Human Services shall provide its annual financial projection of Medicaid program expenditures and requirements for any future fiscal years to the Chairs of the House Appropriations Committee and to the Chairs of the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee no later than the date the Governor presents budget recommendations in accordance with G.S. 143C-3-5. Prior to providing this projection, the Secretary shall cooperatively engage designated employees of the Fiscal Research Division in ongoing bilateral analytical discussions about historical, current, and unanticipated factors that may impact projected Medicaid program financial outcomes that may affect the formulation of an official departmental annual financial projection.

Nothing in this subsection shall limit the provisions of subsection (a) of this section."

 

State Contracts Shall Include A Clause Making Them Subject to the Availability of Appropriations

SECTION 6.13.(a)  G.S. 143C-6-8 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143C-6-8.  State agencies may incur financial obligations only if authorized by the Director of the Budget and subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

(a)        Limitation. - Unless otherwise authorized by the Director as provided by law, purchase orders, contracts, salary commitments, and any other financial obligations by State agencies shall be subject to the availability of appropriated funds or available funds that are not State funds as defined in this Chapter. Any employment contract or salary commitment that is  paid in whole or in part with State funds shall also be subject to this limitation.

(b)        Notice. - Any written purchase order, contract, salary commitment, or other financial obligation subject to this section shall include a clause that sets forth the limitation imposed by subsection (a) of this section. Where this section applies but there is no written document to which the limitation may be added, the entity that administers the State funds at issue shall notify the person or entity of the limitation."

SECTION 6.13.(b)  The Office of State Personnel shall adopt a policy implementing the relevant portions of G.S. 143C-6-8, as amended by this section, for State employees.

SECTION 6.13.(c)  This section becomes effective September 1, 2012.

 

management flexibility reductions to ensure adequate funds are available to cover medicaid shortfalls

SECTION 6.14.(a)  The General Assembly finds that:

(1)        In recent fiscal years, Medicaid program costs have grown disproportionately more than the remainder of the State budget.

(2)        Addressing large and frequent Medicaid program shortfalls has required the reallocation of funds that could have been used for other purposes.

(3)        To cover an early draw down of Medicaid funds during the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the 2011 General Assembly was required to make an additional one hundred twenty-five million dollars ($125,000,000) available to the Medicaid program.

(4)        To cover a shortfall in the 2011-2012 Medicaid budget, the 2012 Session of the 2011 General Assembly was required to make an additional two hundred five million five hundred thousand dollars ($205,500,000) available to the Medicaid program.

(5)        To ensure that adequate funds are available to cover any potential shortfall in the 2012-2013 Medicaid budget, it is necessary to implement management flexibility reductions across State government.

SECTION 6.14.(b)  In order to provide adequate funds to cover any potential shortfall in the 2012-2013 Medicaid budget while minimizing the impact on State government services, the Director of the Budget shall ensure that cost savings required through the management flexibility reductions in this act are realized so that at least fifty percent (50%) of the cost savings are realized by December 31, 2012.

 

Part VI-A. Information Technology

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FUND/AVAILABILITY

SECTION 6A.1.  Section 6A.1(a) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 6A.1.(a)  The availability used to support appropriations made in this act from the Information Technology Fund established in G.S. 147-33.72H is as follows:

                                                                                                FY 2011-2012       FY 2012-2013

 

Appropriation from General Fund                                      $ 4,458,142               $   6,158,142

Interest                                                                             $     25,000               $        25,000

IT Fund Balance June 30                                                   $   792,000               $    0794,928

Transfer to General Fund                                                                                    $     (750,000)

 

Total Funds Available                                                    $ 5,275,142               $   6,183,142

                                                                                                                          $   6,228,070

 

Appropriations are made from the Information Technology Fund for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium as follows:

                                                                                                FY 2011-2012           FY 2012-2013

Information Technology Operations

Center for Geographic Information and Analysis                $   599,347      $599,347$461,871

Enterprise Security Risk Management                                $   864,148               $      864,148

Enterprise Project Management Office                               $ 1,473,285               $   1,473,285

Architecture and Engineering                                             $   581,986    $ 581,986$ 851,986

Criminal Justice Information Network                                $   166,422      $166,422$178,826

Statewide IT Procurement                                                 $              0               $                 0

State Web site                                                                  $   100,000        $        0 $150,000

ITS Overhead Reduction                                                   $    (91,486)              $      (91,486)

Subtotal Information Technology Operations                      $ 3,693,702               $   3,593,702

                                                                                                                            $ 3,888,630

Information Technology Projects

State Portal                                                                       $              0               $                 0

IT Consolidation                                                               $   776,440      $784,440$534,440

Transfer to OSC for E-Forms                                           $   500,000               $      500,000

Subtotal Information Technology Projects                          $1,276,440$1,284,440$1,034,440

Data Integration License Funding Transfer to State

Agencies                                                                     $   200,000               $   1,200,000

Position Transfer to Office of State

Budget and Management                                             $   105,000               $      105,000

Total                                                                                $ 5,275,142$6,183,142$ 6,228,070".

 

OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES/CENTER FOR GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS/GIS FUNCTIONS AND COST RECOVERY

SECTION 6A.2.  G.S. 147-33.82(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

"(a)       In addition to any other functions required by this Article, the Office of Information Technology Services shall:

(10)      Provide geographic information systems services through the Center for Geographic Information and Analysis on a cost recovery basis. The Office of Information Technology Services and the Center for Geographic Information and Analysis may contract for funding from federal or other sources to conduct or provide geographic information systems services for public purposes."

 

TAX INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ADDITIONAL PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AUTHORIZED

SECTION 6A.3.(a)  Additional Public-Private Partnership. - The Secretary of Revenue may enter into an additional public-private arrangement in order to expand the implementation of the Tax Information Management System (TIMS). All such arrangements will terminate June 30, 2018. The public-private arrangement may include terms necessary to implement additional revenue-increasing or cost-savings components if all of the following conditions are met:

(1)        The funding of the project under the arrangement comes from revenue generated by or cost savings resulting from the project.

(2)        The funding of the project is dependent on increased-revenue or cost-savings streams that are different from the existing benefits stream for the implementation of TIMS.

(3)        The project involves additional identified initiatives that will be integrated into the TIMS solution.

SECTION 6A.3.(b)  Contracts. - Work under an additional public-private arrangement that is authorized by this section may be contracted by requests for proposals, modifications to the existing contracts, purchases using existing contracts, or other related contract vehicles.

SECTION 6A.3.(c)  Management/Performance Measurement. - The Secretary of Revenue shall follow the existing model for public-private arrangement oversight and shall establish a measurement process to determine the increased revenue or cost savings attributed to the additional public-private arrangement authorized by this section. To accomplish this, the Secretary shall consult subject matter experts in the Department of Revenue, in other governmental units, and in the private sector, as necessary. At a minimum, the measurement process shall include all of the following:

(1)        Calculation of a revenue baseline against which the increased revenue attributable to the project is measured and a cost-basis baseline against which the cost savings resulting from the project are measured.

(2)        Periodic evaluation to determine whether the baselines need to be modified based on significant measurable changes in the economic environment.

(3)        Monthly calculation of increased revenue and cost savings attributable to contracts executed under this section.

SECTION 6A.3.(d)  Funding. - Of funds generated from increased revenues or cost savings as compared to the baselines established by subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section, in the General Fund,  the Highway Fund, and that State portion of the Unauthorized Substance Tax collections of the Special Revenue Fund, the sum of up to a total of sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) may be used by the Office of State Budget and Management to make purchases related to the implementation of the additional public-private arrangement authorized by this section, including payment for services from non-State entities.

SECTION 6A.3.(e)  Internal Costs. - For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, in addition to the funding authorized in subsection (d) of this section and Section 6A.5(a) of S.L. 2011-145, the Department of Revenue may retain both of the following:

(1)        An additional sum of ten million two hundred twenty-eight thousand dollars ($10,228,000) from benefits generated for the General Fund since the beginning of the public-private partnership described under Section 6A.5(a) of S.L. 2011-145. These funds shall be used as payment of internal costs for the fiscal biennium, and such funds are hereby appropriated for this purpose.

(2)        An additional sum of six million dollars ($6,000,000) from benefits generated for the General Fund since the beginning of the public-private partnership described under Section 6A.5(a) of S.L. 2011-145. These funds shall be used to support internal costs and any new resources necessary to provide additional electronic services, to include payments and returns. Any requirements for electronic forms and digital signatures resulting from the electronic services expansion shall be coordinated with the Office of the State Controller.

SECTION 6A.3.(f)  Expert Counsel Required. - Notwithstanding G.S. 114-2.3, the Department of Revenue shall engage the services of private counsel with the pertinent information technology and computer law expertise to negotiate and review contracts associated with an additional public-private arrangement authorized under this section.

SECTION 6A.3.(g)  Oversight Committee. - The Oversight Committee established under Section 6A.5(c) of S.L. 2011-145 shall have the same responsibilities and duties with respect to an additional public-private arrangement authorized by this section as it does with respect to public-private arrangements to implement TIMS and the additional PDP components.

SECTION 6A.3.(h)  Reporting. - Beginning August 1, 2012, and quarterly thereafter, the Department of Revenue shall submit detailed written reports to the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Appropriations, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology, and to the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly. The report shall include an explanation of all of the following:

(1)        Details of each public-private contract.

(2)        The benefits from each contract.

(3)        A comprehensive forecast of the benefits of using public-private agreements to implement TIMS, the additional PDP components, and additional components authorized by this section, including cost savings and the acceleration of the project timeline.

(4)        Any issues associated with the operation of the public-private partnership.

SECTION 6A.3.(i)  Information Technology Project Oversight. - In addition to the oversight provided by the Oversight Committee established in Section 6A.5(c) of S.L. 2011-145, the additional public-private arrangement authorized by this section shall be subject to existing State information technology project oversight laws and statutes, and the project management shall comply with all statutory requirements and other criteria established by the State Chief Information Officer and the Office of State Budget and Management for information technology projects. The State Chief Information Officer and the Office of State Budget and Management shall immediately report any failure to do so to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology, the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Appropriations, and the Fiscal Research Division.

SECTION 6A.3.(j)  Extension. - Section 6A.5(c) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 6A.5.(c)  There is established within the Department of Revenue the Oversight Committee for reviewing and approving the benefits measurement methodology and calculation process. The Oversight Committee shall review and approve in writing all contracts, including change orders, amendments to contracts, and addendums to contracts, before they are executed under this section. This shall include (i) details of each public-private contract, (ii) the benefits from each contract, and (iii) a comprehensive forecast of the benefits of using public-private agreements to implement TIMS and the additional PDP components, including the measurement process established for the Secretary of Revenue. The Oversight Committee shall approve all of the fund transfers for this project. Within five days of entering into a contract, the Department shall provide copies of each contract and all associated information to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology, the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Appropriations, and the Fiscal Research Division.

The members of the Committee shall include the following:

(1)        The State Budget Director;

(2)        The Secretary of the Department of Revenue;

(3)        The State Chief Information Officer;

(4)        Two persons appointed by the Governor;

(5)        One member of the general public having expertise in information technology appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(6)        One member of the general public having expertise in economic and revenue forecasting appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

The State Budget Director shall serve as chair of the Committee. The Committee shall set its meeting schedule and adopt its rules of operation by majority vote. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority. Administrative support staff shall be provided by the Department of Revenue. Members of the Committee shall receive reimbursements for subsistence and travel expenses as provided by Chapter 138 of the General Statutes. The Committee shall terminate on June 30, 2015.June 30, 2018.

The Department shall provide copies of the minutes of each meeting and all associated information to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology, the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Appropriations, and the Fiscal Research Division."

SECTION 6A.3.(k)  One-Time Payment. - To accelerate the implementation of the Tax Information Management System, including any additional components authorized by subsection (a) of this section, the Office of State Budget and Management may authorize the Secretary of Revenue to make a one-time payment of two million dollars ($2,000,000) to the vendor of TIMS for implementation of TIMS if all of the conditions of this section are satisfied. The one-time payment shall be paid within 90 days of satisfaction of all conditions of this section or when sufficient funds are available, whichever is later. The source of funds for this payment is the same increased-revenue and cost-savings streams identified under subsection (a) of this section. The payment authorized by this subsection is in addition to the payments authorized by subsection (a) of this section. The mandatory conditions of this subsection are as follows:

(1)        Release 5 of the Enterprise Technology Management (ETM) project is initially implemented on or before July 31, 2013.

(2)        The post-implementation defect rate for Release 5 of the ETM project is within standards agreed to by the Secretary and the vendor. For purposes of this section, the post-implementation period is the period from the date of initial implementation until 90 days after initial implementation.

(3)        All defects identified as part of Release 5 of the ETM project before the end of the post-implementation period are resolved within time frames agreed to by the Secretary and the vendor.

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS/REPORTING CHANGE

SECTION 6A.4.  Section 6A.6(c) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 6A.6.(c)  Beginning August 1, 2011, August 1, 2012, and monthly quarterly thereafter, each State agency, department, and institution employing information technology personal services contractors, or contract personnel performing information technology functions, shall provide a detailed report on those contracts to the Office of State Budget and Management, the Office of State Personnel, the Office of Information Technology Services, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology, and the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly. Each State agency's report shall include at least the following:

(1)        For each contracted information technology position:

a.         The title of the position, a brief synopsis of the essential functions of the position, and how long the position has existed.

b.         The name of the individual filling the position and the vendor company, if any, that regularly employs that individual.

c.         The type of contract, start date, and termination date.

d.         The length of time that the individual filling the contracted position has been employed by the State as a contractor in any position.

e.         The contracted position salary or hourly rate, the number of hours per year, and the total annualized cost of the contracted position.

f.          The salary and benefits cost for a State employee performing the same function.

g.         The purchase order number for the position.

h.         Whether the position can be converted to a State employee position. This determination will be certified by the State Information Technology Purchasing Office.

i.          When the agency anticipates converting the position to a State employee.

(2)        The total annual cost for information technology contractors and the total annual salary and benefits cost for filling the contract positions with State employees.

(3)        A determination of whether the information technology functions performed by the contractor can be performed by State employees.

(4)        All information required by this subsection related to information technology contractors regardless of the contracting source."

 

OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES/INTERNAL SERVICE FUND RATE ESTABLISHED/CASH MANAGEMENT

SECTION 6A.5.(a)  Section 6A.8(a) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"ITS/INTERNAL SERVICE FUND RATE ESTABLISHMENT/CASH MANAGEMENT

"SECTION 6A.8.(a)  For each year of the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, the 2011-2012 fiscal year, receipts for the Information Technology Internal Service Fund shall not exceed one hundred ninety million dollars ($190,000,000), excluding a 60-day 40-day balance for contingencies. Notwithstanding G.S. 147-33.88, for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, all receipts, regardless of the source, including agency allocations and fund-to-fund transfers, for the Information Technology Internal Service shall not exceed one hundred seventy-five million dollars ($175,000,000). Rates established by the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) to support the IT Internal Service Fund shall be based on this the required fund limit. Established rates shall be adjusted within 30 days in the event the fund exceeds the prescribed limit. In the event that an increase in receipts for the IT Internal Service Fund is required, the Office of Information Technology Services State Chief Information Officer may implement the increase only after consultation with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations. Overhead applied to IT Internal Service Fund rates shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the rate."

SECTION 6A.5.(b)  Section 6A.8 of S.L. 2011-145 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"SECTION 6A.8.(a1)  The 40-day balance for contingencies shall be based on the maximum receipts permitted for each fiscal year, and any balance in excess of the limit must be refunded within 30 days of the first day when the fund balance exceeded the limitation amount. The Office of Information Technology Services shall limit collections each quarter to an amount not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the year's limit. For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, a 40-day balance shall be maintained."

SECTION 6A.5.(c)  The State Chief Information Officer shall consult with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations prior to:

(1)        Eliminating any services currently provided by the Office of Information Technology Services or the State Chief Information Officer.

(2)        Transferring positions currently funded by the Information Technology Fund to the IT Internal Service Fund.

SECTION 6A.5.(d)  Agency IT Expenses Cannot Exceed Appropriations. - During the 2012-2013 fiscal year, no State agency shall be charged more for information technology services provided by the Office of the State Chief Information Officer or the Office of Information Technology Services than the lower of the amount charged or the amount actually paid less refunds from available appropriations for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, unless the increase is agreed to in writing by the agency and the Office of the State Chief Information Officer.

SECTION 6A.5.(e)  Limitation on Charges for Alternate Services. - In the event that the State Chief Information Officer discontinues or privatizes a service during the 2012-2013 fiscal year, if the agencies choose to use an alternate service provided by the Office of Information Technology Services or their vendor, the amount that State agencies are charged for alternate services, inclusive of any service charge the State Chief Information Officer adds to the vendor charge, shall not exceed the IT Internal Service Fund charges for the same service in effect on May 31, 2012.

SECTION 6A.5.(f)  The State Chief Information Officer shall report on a monthly basis to the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Appropriations, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology, and to the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly. The reports required by this section shall include:

(1)        How close the receipts of the Information Technology Internal Service are to the limits set forth in Section 6A.8(a) of S.L. 2011-145.

(2)        The rates established by the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) to support the IT Internal Service Fund.

(3)        The amount charged to date to each State agency for services provided by the Office of the State Chief Information Officer or the Office of Information Technology Services during the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

(4)        The amount that State agencies are charged for alternate services in the event that a service is discontinued or privatized during the 2012-2013 fiscal year, inclusive of any service charge the State Chief Information Officer adds to the vendor charge.

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PRIVATIZATION

SECTION 6A.6.(a)  Section 6A.9 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 6A.9.(a)  Any privatization of any grouping of information technology services, or "towers," identified in the Infrastructure Study and Assessment (INSA) or any privatization to provide a new service or privatize an existing service shall require prior approval from the General Assembly. Funding to support any outsourcing of any of these towers or any privatization involving a new or existing service shall be specifically appropriated by the General Assembly for that purpose, to include any use of Information Technology Internal Service Fund receipts. No new privatization shall occur until the Office of the State Chief Information Officer and the Office of Information Technology Services accomplish the following:

(1)        The establishment and presentation to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology of a budget for the Information Technology Internal Service Fund with rates for services that accurately reflect costs.

(2)        The development and implementation of an accurate, comprehensive asset management system for executive branch agencies and report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology the results of the implementation.

(3)        Issuance of a new request for proposal to solicit bids for any privatization initiative.

(4)        Consultation with and approval from the State Treasurer.

"SECTION 6A.9.(a1)  The limitations set forth in this section shall apply to the IT Services Management Services Desk (Help Desk), the Application Development and Support Services (Hosting Services), and the video portfolio and to any other IT service privatization.

"SECTION 6A.9.(b)  Before privatizing any major information technology functionnew or existing information technology service during the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, the State Chief Information Officer shall do all of the following:

(1)        Develop a detailed plan for implementing any privatization initiative to include the following:

a.         A governance and accountability structure for the privatization effort.

b.         Detailed time line with milestones.

c.         Any costs necessary to accomplish outsourcing with funding sources identified.

d.         Estimated monthly cost for each participating agency for the first five years of privatization.

e.         Risks associated with privatization, measures being taken to mitigate those risks, and any costs associated with the mitigation measures.

f.          Any security issues associated with outsourcing each application impacted by the outsourcing, with a detailed plan to mitigate those issues.

g.         A list of State employees to be terminated with information on their job description and how long they have been employed by the State, a schedule of when the terminations are to occur, the cost of terminating each employee, and plans to assist each terminated employee.

The State Chief Information Officer shall consult the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology on the completed plan prior to any implementation of privatization.

(2)        Have a detailed plan in place, to include associated costs and sources of funding, to return the function to State control in the event privatization fails to provide anticipated cost­savings or required service levels.

(3)        Privatize only those individual functions where verifiable market data collected after January 1, 2012, by a disinterested third-party consultant shows that privatization will result in cost­savings to the State and there is no data identifying alternatives that generate greater savings, ensuring that agencies receive at a minimum the same level of service and functionality as the level prior to privatization.

(4)        Document and certify any anticipated savings resulting from privatization by individual function.

(5)        Ensure full disclosure of any privatization decisions that combine multiple services or towers into a single contract, including the costs associated with each specific service or tower included in the contract.

(6)        Ensure that any changes are made across the entire executive branch.

(7)        Consult the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology regarding the plan for funding any requirements formerly covered by the receipts from the privatized function.

"SECTION 6A.9.(b1)  Agency Participation in Privatization Initiatives Is Voluntary. - Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a State-administered information technology service is privatized, or a new service is provided through a private vendor, continued receipt of or participation in the service by State agencies shall be voluntary.

"SECTION 6A.9.(b2)  Agency Options in the Event of Privatization. - If a State-administered information technology service is privatized, or a new privatized service is offered, State agencies may do any of the following:

(1)        Elect to discontinue receiving or participating in the service and to provide the service within the agency. If an agency elects to provide the service internally, any positions previously transferred to the Office of Information Technology Services to support the service shall be transferred back to that agency. The Office of the State Chief Information Officer and the Office of Information Technology Services shall provide necessary support to facilitate the transfers of positions.

(2)        Submit their own requests for proposal and contract with a vendor to provide the privatized service.

(3)        Enter into agreements with other agencies to independently obtain information technology services that have been privatized, either by participating in the other agency's current service or by executing contracts for services.

(4)        Elect to receive or participate in a new or newly privatized service.

"SECTION 6A.9.(b3)  Council of State Approval Required. - Notwithstanding any other provision of law, both requests for proposal and contracts privatizing State-administered information technology services must be approved by the Council of State.

"SECTION 6A.9.(c)  After privatizing any major information technology function, the State Chief Information Officer shall do all of the following:

(1)        Report quarterly on the results of the privatization, including a detailed comparison of projected savings to actual cost, data on whether or not the vendor is meeting service level agreements, and an explanation of the reasons for any deficiency or difference.

(2)        Immediately notify the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations of any outsourcing effort that does not meet projected savings or required service levels for two quarters in a row or during any two quarters of a fiscal year, and develop a corrective action plan.

(3)        Terminate any contract where privatization fails to achieve projected savings or meet service levels over a period of 12 months.

"SECTION 6A.9.(d)  Reporting. - The State Chief Information Officer shall consult with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations prior to issuing a request for proposal to privatize any State-administered information technology service.

"SECTION 6A.9.(e)  Access by Private Vendors. - If the State Chief Information Officer provides to a potential vendor any information or access to State facilities in connection with or anticipation of the privatization of a State-administered information technology service, the State Chief Information Officer shall provide the same information or access to all potential vendors. The State Chief Information Officer shall certify the Officer's compliance with this subsection to the General Assembly."

SECTION 6A.6.(b)  This section applies to all contracts entered into prior to February 1, 2013.

SECTION 6A.6.(c)  This section expires February 1, 2013.

 

MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE REPORTING CHANGE

SECTION 6A.7.  Section 6A.14(a) of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 11(f) of S.L. 2011-391, reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 6A.14.(a)  Every executive branch agency within State government shall develop a policy to limit the issuance and use of mobile electronic devices to the minimum required to carry out the agency's mission. As used herein, mobile communication device includes goods provided by commercial mobile radio service providers and services for mobile telecommunications governed by Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations. By September 1, 2011, each agency shall provide a copy of its policy to the Chairs of the Appropriations Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government of the House of Representatives, the Chairs of the Appropriations/Base Budget Committee and the Appropriations Committee on General Government and Information Technology of the Senate, the Chairs of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology, the Fiscal Research Division, and the Office of State Budget and Management.

State-issued mobile electronic devices shall be used only for State business. Agencies shall limit the issuance of cell phones, smart phones, and any other mobile electronic devices to employees for whom access to a mobile electronic device is a critical requirement for job performance. The device issued and the plan selected shall be the minimum required to support the employees' work requirements. This shall include considering the use of pagers in lieu of a more sophisticated device. The requirement for each mobile electronic device issued shall be documented in a written justification that shall be maintained by the agency and reviewed annually. All State agency heads, in consultation with the Office of Information Technology Services and the Office of State Budget and Management, shall document and review all authorized cell phone, smart phone, and other mobile electronic communications device procurement, and related phone, data, Internet, and other usage plans for and by their employees. Agencies shall conduct periodic audits of mobile device usage to ensure that State employees and contractors are complying with agency policies and State requirements for their use.

Beginning October 1, 2011, October 1, 2012, each agency shall report quarterly annually to the Chairs of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations and the House of Representatives Subcommittee on General Government, the Chairs of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Appropriations Committee on General Government and Information Technology, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology, the Fiscal Research Division, and the Office of State Budget and Management on the following:

(1)        Any changes to agency policies on the use of mobile devices.

(2)        The number and types of new devices issued since the last report.

(3)        The total number of mobile devices issued by the agency.

(4)        The total cost of mobile devices issued by the agency.

(5)        The number of each type of mobile device issued, with the total cost for each type."

 

ENHANCE ENTERPRISE-LEVEL BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY IN STATE GOVERNMENT

SECTION 6A.7A.(a)  Creation of Initiative. -

(1)        Creation. - The enterprise-level business intelligence initiative (initiative) is established in the Office of State Controller. The purpose of the initiative is to support the effective and efficient development of State agency business intelligence capability in a coordinated manner and reduce unnecessary information silos and technological barriers. The initiative is not intended to replace transactional systems, but is instead intended to leverage the data from those systems for enterprise-level State business intelligence.

The initiative shall include a comprehensive evaluation of existing data analytics projects and plans in order to identify data integration and business intelligence opportunities that will generate greater efficiencies in, and improved service delivery by, State agencies. The Office of State Controller may partner with current vendors and providers to assist in the initiative. However, to limit the cost to the State, the Office of the State Controller shall use current licensing agreements wherever feasible.

(2)        Application to State government. - The initiative shall include all State agencies, departments, and institutions, including The University of North Carolina.

(3)        Governance. - The State Controller shall lead the initiative established pursuant to this section. The Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court and the Legislative Services Commission each shall designate an officer or agency to advise and assist the State Controller with respect to implementation of the initiative in their respective branches of government. The judicial and legislative branches shall fully cooperate in the initiative mandated by this section in the same manner as is required of State agencies.

SECTION 6A.7A.(b)  Government Business Intelligence Competency Center. -

(1)        GBICC established. - There is established in the Office of the State Controller the Government Business Intelligence Competency Center (GBICC). GBICC shall assume the work, purpose, and resources of the current data integration effort in the Office of the State Controller and shall otherwise advise and assist the State Controller in the management of the initiative. The State Controller shall make any organizational changes necessary to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of GBICC.

(2)        Powers and duties of the GBICC. - The State Controller shall, through the GBICC, do all of the following:

a.         Continue and coordinate ongoing enterprise data integration efforts, including:

1.         The deployment, support, technology improvements, and expansion for CJLEADS.

2.         The pilot and subsequent phase initiative for NC FACTS.

3.         Individual-level student data and workforce data from all levels of education and the State workforce.

4.         Other capabilities developed as part of the initiative.

b.         Identify technologies currently used in North Carolina that have the capability to support the initiative.

c.         Identify other technologies, especially those with unique capabilities, that could support the State's business intelligence effort.

d.         Compare capabilities and costs across State agencies.

e.         Ensure implementation is properly supported across State agencies.

f.          Ensure that data integration and sharing is performed in a manner that preserves data privacy and security in transferring, storing, and accessing data, as appropriate.

g.         Immediately seek any waivers and enter into any written agreements that may be required by State or federal law to effectuate data sharing and to carry out the purposes of this section.

h.         Coordinate data requirements and usage for State business intelligence applications in a manner that (i) limits impacts on participating State agencies as those agencies provide data and business knowledge expertise and (ii) assists in defining business rules so the data can be properly used.

i.          Recommend the most cost-effective and reliable long-term hosting solution for enterprise-level State business intelligence as well as data integration, notwithstanding Section 6A.2(f) of S.L. 2011-145.

SECTION 6A.7A.(c)  Implementation of the Enterprise-Level Business Intelligence Initiative. -

(1)        Phases of the initiative. - The initiative shall commence no later than August 1, 2012, and shall be phased in accordance with this subsection. The initiative shall cycle through these phases on an ongoing basis:

a.         Phase I requirements. - In the first phase, the State Controller through GBICC shall:

1.         Inventory existing State agency business intelligence projects, both completed and under development.

2.         Develop a plan of action that does all of the following:

I.          Defines the program requirements, objectives, and end state of the initiative.

II.         Prioritizes projects and stages of implementation in a detailed plan and benchmarked timeline.

III.       Includes the effective coordination of all of the State's current data integration initiatives.

IV.       Utilizes a common approach that establishes standards for business intelligence initiatives for all State agencies and prevents the development of projects that do not meet the established standards.

V.        Determines costs associated with the development effort and identifies potential sources of funding.

VI.       Includes a privacy framework for business intelligence consisting of adequate access controls and end user security requirements.

VII.      Estimates expected savings.

3.         Inventory existing external data sources that are purchased by State agencies to determine whether consolidation of licenses is appropriate for the enterprise.

4.         Determine whether current, ongoing projects support the enterprise-level objectives.

5.         Determine whether current applications are scalable, or are applicable for multiple State agencies, or both.

b.         Phase II requirements. - In the second phase, the State Controller through the GBICC shall:

1.         Identify redundancies and determine which projects should be discontinued.

2.         Determine where gaps exist in current or potential capabilities.

c.         Phase III requirements. - In the third phase:

1.         The State Controller through GBICC shall incorporate or consolidate existing projects, as appropriate.

2.         The State Controller shall, notwithstanding G.S. 147-33.76 or any rules adopted pursuant thereto, eliminate redundant business intelligence projects, applications, software, and licensing.

3.         The State Controller through GBICC shall complete all necessary steps to ensure data integration in a manner that adequately protects privacy.

(2)        Commencement of projects. - Subject to the availability of funds, and subsequent to the submission of the written report required by sub-subdivision a. of subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of this section, the State Controller shall begin projects to carry out the purposes of this section no later than November 1, 2012. The State Controller may also expand existing data integration or business intelligence contracts with current data integration efforts, as appropriate, in order to implement the plan required by this section in accordance with the schedule established and the priorities developed during Phase I of the initiative, and may use public-private partnerships as appropriate to implement the plan.

SECTION 6A.7A.(d)  Funding. -

(1)        Allocation. - Of the funds appropriated from the General Fund to the General Assembly for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) shall be used to fund the initiative established by this section. The Office of the State Controller shall use up to seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) to cover the cost of administering the initiative.

(2)        Federal funds. - The Office of State Controller, with the support of the Office of State Budget and Management, shall identify and make all efforts to secure any matching funds or other resources to assist in funding this initiative.

(3)        Use of savings. - Savings resulting from the cancellation of projects, software, and licensing, as well as any other savings from the initiative, shall be returned to the General Fund and shall remain unexpended and unencumbered until appropriated by the General Assembly in a subsequent fiscal year. It is the intent of the General Assembly that expansion of the initiative in subsequent fiscal years be funded with these savings and that the General Assembly appropriate funds for projects in accordance with the priorities identified by the Office of the State Controller in Phase I of the initiative.

SECTION 6A.7A.(e)  Reporting. -

(1)        Routine reports. - The Office of the State Controller shall submit and present the following reports:

a.         By no later than October 1, 2012, a written report on the implementation of Phase I of the initiative and the plan developed as part of that phase to the Chairs of the House of Representatives Appropriations and Senate Base Budget/Appropriations Committees, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology, and to the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly. The State Controller shall submit this report prior to implementing any improvements, expending funding for expansion of existing business intelligence efforts, or establishing other projects as a result of its evaluations.

b.         By February 1, 2013, and quarterly thereafter, a written report detailing progress on, and identifying any issues associated with, State business intelligence efforts.

(2)        Extraordinary reports. - The Office of the State Controller shall report the following information as needed:

a.         Any failure of a State agency to provide information requested pursuant to this section. The failure shall be reported to the Joint Legislative Committee on Information Technology and to the Chairs of the House of Representatives Appropriations and Senate Base Budget/Appropriations Committees.

b.         Any additional information to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology that is requested by those entities.

SECTION 6A.7A.(f)  Duties of State Agencies. -

(1)        Duties of State agencies. - The head of each State agency shall do all of the following:

a.         Grant the Office of the State Controller access to all information required to develop and support State business intelligence applications pursuant to this section. The State Controller and the GBICC shall take all necessary actions and precautions, including training, certifications, background checks, and governance policy and procedure, to ensure the security, integrity, and privacy of the data in accordance with State and federal law and as may be required by contract.

b.         Provide complete information on the State agency's information technology, operational, and security requirements.

c.         Provide information on all of the State agency's information technology activities relevant to the State business intelligence effort.

d.         Forecast the State agency's projected future business intelligence information technology needs and capabilities.

e.         Ensure that the State agency's future information technology initiatives coordinate efforts with the GBICC to include planning and development of data interfaces to incorporate data into the initiative and to ensure the ability to leverage analytics capabilities.

f.          Provide technical and business resources to participate in the initiative by providing, upon request and in a timely and responsive manner, complete and accurate data, business rules and policies, and support.

g.         Identify potential resources for deploying business intelligence in their respective State agencies and as part of the enterprise-level effort.

h.         Immediately seek any waivers and enter into any written agreements that may be required by State or federal law to effectuate data sharing and to carry out the purposes of this section, as appropriate.

SECTION 6A.7A.(g)  Miscellaneous Provisions. -

(1)        Status with respect to certain information. - The State Controller and the GBICC shall be deemed to be all of the following for the purposes of this section:

a.         With respect to criminal information, and to the extent allowed by federal law, a criminal justice agency (CJA), as defined under Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy. The State CJIS Systems Agency (CSA) shall ensure that CJLEADS receives access to federal criminal information deemed to be essential in managing CJLEADS to support criminal justice professionals.

b.         With respect to health information covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), as amended, and to the extent allowed by federal law:

1.         A business associate with access to protected health information acting on behalf of the State's covered entities in support of data integration, analysis, and business intelligence.

2.         Authorized to access and view individually identifiable health information, provided that the access is essential to the enterprise fraud, waste, and improper payment detection program or required for future initiatives having specific definable need for the data.

c.         Authorized to access all State and federal data, including revenue and labor information, deemed to be essential to the enterprise fraud, waste, and improper payment detection program or future initiatives having specific definable need for the data.

d.         Authorized to develop agreements with the federal government to access data deemed to be essential to the enterprise fraud, waste, and improper payment detection program or future initiatives having specific definable need for such data.

(2)        Release of information. - The following limitations apply to (i) the release of information compiled as part of the initiative, (ii) data from State agencies that is incorporated into the initiative, and (iii) data released as part of the implementation of the initiative:

a.         Information compiled as part of the initiative. - Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, information compiled by the State Controller and the GBICC related to the initiative may be released as a public record only if the State Controller, in that officer's sole discretion, finds that the release of information is in the best interest of the general public and is not in violation of law or contract.

b.         Data from State agencies. - Any data that is not classified as a public record under G.S. 132-1 shall not be deemed a public record when incorporated into the data resources comprising the initiative. To maintain confidentiality requirements attached to the information provided to the State Controller and GBICC, each source agency providing data shall be the sole custodian of the data for the purpose of any request for inspection or copies of the data under Chapter 132 of the General Statutes.

c.         Data released as part of implementation. - Information released to persons engaged in implementing the State's business intelligence strategy under this section that is used for purposes other than official State business is not a public record pursuant to Chapter 132 of the General Statutes.

SECTION 6A.7A.(h)  G.S. 75-66(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d)      Nothing in this section shall:

(1)        Limit the requirements or obligations under any other section of this Article, including, but not limited to, G.S. 75-62 and G.S. 75-65.

(2)        Apply to the collection, use, or release of personal information for a purpose permitted, authorized, or required by any federal, State, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.

(3)        Apply to data integration efforts to implement the State's business intelligence strategy as provided by law or under contract."

 

STATE PRIVATE CLOUD

SECTION 6A.9.(a)  Findings. - The General Assembly finds that:

(1)        The wide distribution of information technology facilities across multiple locations causes infrastructure and operational inefficiencies.

(2)        Infrastructure as a service, also known as cloud computing, has the potential to increase efficiency and enhance operations by reducing information technology costs and accelerating the provision of services.

(3)        The creation of a secure and flexible State private cloud is in the best interest of the people of this State.

SECTION 6A.9.(b)  Plan Required. - The State Chief Information Officer shall create a plan for the development and implementation of a State-owned, State-hosted infrastructure as a service, or private cloud, project to be operated and managed by the State.

SECTION 6A.9.(c)  Components of the Plan. - The State private cloud plan created pursuant to this section shall include:

(1)        Requirements for:

a.         The State to have complete control and ownership of all components of the private cloud, including hardware, software, network infrastructure, security, and data.

b.         All components of the private cloud to be maintained at State-owned, State-operated facilities.

c.         The private cloud to fully comply with all legislative, regulatory, policy, and security requirements that apply to State agencies and entities conducting business with the State.

d.         The State's existing information technology infrastructure to be used to support the private cloud.

e.         Documentation of any redundancy built into the infrastructure to support requirements for increased availability and disaster recovery.

f.          A service-centric approach to computing resources. Users of computing resources shall be able to efficiently access powerful, predefined computing environments based on their requirements.

g.         A self-service ability to provision and deprovision, as requested by users, while maintaining high levels of security.

h.         A fully functional, efficient, fair system to bill State agencies for private cloud usage. This requirement includes mechanisms to capture usage data and enable chargeback integration within the billing system.

i.          A plan to manage infrastructure resources that can be scaled in response to State agency requirements.

j.          An inventory of all potential resources, both public and private, available to support the development, implementation, operation, and management of the private cloud, and the costs and benefits associated with each.

(2)        A detailed timeline, documentation of agency requirements, identification and resolution of security issues, and an assessment of the impact on any ongoing projects or current applications.

(3)        Identification of costs associated with developing the private cloud.

(4)        Identification and documentation of private cloud management and monitoring tools to facilitate the maintenance of complete control of private cloud resources; automate provisioning, deprovisioning, and scheduling; and maintain system capacity.

(5)        Identification of ways to improve the private cloud's supporting infrastructure.

(6)        Identification of potential sources of savings to support development, implementation, and maintenance of the State private cloud.

SECTION 6A.9.(d)  Funding and Implementation. - No funds from any source shall be used for the development and implementation of a private cloud without specific authorization by the General Assembly appropriating funds for this purpose.

SECTION 6A.9.(e)  Report. - The State Chief Information Officer shall report the plan created pursuant to this section to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology no later than January 1, 2013.

SECTION 6A.9.(f)  Access by Private Vendors. - If the State Chief Information Officer provides to a potential vendor any information or access to State facilities in connection with or anticipation of the private cloud project described in this section, the State Chief Information Officer shall provide the same information or access to all potential vendors. The State Chief Information Officer shall certify the Officer's compliance with this subsection to the General Assembly.

 

enterprise grants management

SECTION 6A.10.  Section 6A.7 of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 11B of S.L. 2011-391,  reads as rewritten:

"STATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSOLIDATION

"SECTION 6A.7.(b)  Beginning July 1, 2011, the State CIO shall plan and implement an enterprise level grants management system. Similar systems currently under development may be suspended by the State CIO with funding reprogrammed to support development of the enterprise level grants management system.

In coordination with the State CIO, the Department of Health and Human Services shall develop a plan to implement a single case management system throughout that Department, beginning in the 2012-2013 fiscal year, and shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology by February 1, 2012, on its initiatives to implement the system. The report shall include a detailed time line for completion and an explanation of the costs associated with case management consolidation.

"SECTION 6A.7.(b1)  There is established a Grants Management Oversight Committee to coordinate the development of an enterprise grants management system. The Committee shall be chaired by the State Controller. Committee membership shall include the Senior Deputy State Controller, the Director of the Office of State Budget and Management, and the State Auditor.

The Committee shall:

(1)        Establish priorities for agency projects.

(2)        Establish priorities for development and implementation of system capabilities.

(3)        Review and approve system requirements.

(4)        Review and approve plans associated with system development and implementation.

(5)        Review and approve costs and funding sources for system development and implementation.

(6)        Ensure system benefits are realistic and realized.

"SECTION 6A.7.(b2)  By August 1, 2013, the Office of State Budget and Management shall provide a detailed plan to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology and the Fiscal Research Division for the development and implementation of the enterprise grants management system, including a time line, cost for each participating agency, a comprehensive business plan, and information on the anticipated benefits of system implementation.

"SECTION 6A.7.(b3)  Beginning August 1, 2012, the Office of State Budget and Management shall report monthly to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology and the Fiscal Research Division on the status of the system, including the following information:

(1)        Agencies currently participating in the system.

(2)        Specific requirements for each agency project included in the system development.

(3)        Cost and funding sources for each agency participating in the system.

(4)        Status of each agency project included in the system.

(5)        Comparison of the status of each project to the time line, with an explanation of any differences.

(6)        Detailed descriptions of milestones to be completed that month and the following month.

(7)        Any changes in project cost for any participating agency, the reasons, and the source of funding.

(8)        Actual expenditures by agency, to date and during that month.

(9)        Any potential funding shortfalls and their impact.

(10)      Any issues identified during the month, with a corrective action plan and a time line for resolving them.

(11)      Impact of any issues on schedule or cost.

(12)      Any changes to agency projects or the system as a whole.

(13)      Any change requests and their cost.

 "SECTION 6A.7.(b4)  The State CIO shall provide all required assistance and support for the development and implementation of the enterprise grants management system. Similar systems currently under development may be suspended by the State CIO with funding reprogrammed to support development of the enterprise grants management system.

"SECTION 6A.7.(b5)  In coordination with the State CIO, the Department of Health and Human Services shall develop a plan to implement a single case management system throughout that Department, beginning in the 2012-2013 fiscal year, and shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology by February 1, 2012, on its initiatives to implement the system. The report shall include a detailed time line for completion and an explanation of the costs associated with case management consolidation.

"SECTION 6A.7.(c)  Beginning September 1, 2011, and quarterly thereafter, the Office of State Budget and Management, in conjunction with the State CIO, shall provide written reports to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology, and the Fiscal Research Division relating to State information technology consolidation."

 

PART VII. Public Schools

 

FUNDS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

SECTION 7.1.  The State Board of Education shall allocate additional funds for children with disabilities on the basis of three thousand seven hundred nine dollars ($3,709) per child. Each local school administrative unit shall receive funds for the lesser of (i) all children who are identified as children with disabilities or (ii) twelve and five-tenths percent (12.5%) of its 2012-2013 allocated average daily membership in the local school administrative unit. The dollar amounts allocated under this section for children with disabilities shall also adjust in accordance with legislative salary increments, retirement rate adjustments, and health benefit adjustments for personnel who serve children with disabilities.

 

FUNDS FOR ACADEMICALLY GIFTED CHILDREN

SECTION 7.2.  The State Board of Education shall allocate additional funds for academically or intellectually gifted children on the basis of one thousand two hundred twenty-three dollars and ninety-nine cents ($1,223.99) per child for fiscal year 2012-2013. A local school administrative unit shall receive funds for a maximum of four percent (4%) of its 2012-2013 allocated average daily membership, regardless of the number of children identified as academically or intellectually gifted in the unit. The dollar amounts allocated under this section for academically or intellectually gifted children shall also adjust in accordance with legislative salary increments, retirement rate adjustments, and health benefit adjustments for personnel who serve academically or intellectually gifted children.

 

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS AT RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS

SECTION 7.3.(a)  In order to improve student performance, the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf, the Governor Morehead School for the Blind, and the North Carolina School for the Deaf each shall develop a school improvement plan that takes into consideration the annual performance goal for that school that is set by the State Board of Education. The principal of each school, instructional personnel and residential life personnel assigned to that school, and a minimum of five parents of children enrolled in the school shall constitute a school improvement team to develop a school improvement plan to improve student performance.

Representatives of the instructional and residential life personnel shall be elected by their respective groups by secret ballot.

Parents shall be elected by parents of children enrolled in the school in an election conducted by the parent and teacher organization of the school or, if none exists, by the largest organization of parents formed for this purpose. To the extent possible, parents serving on school improvement teams shall reflect the composition of the students enrolled in that school. No more than two parents on the team may be employees of the school. Parental involvement is a critical component of school success and positive student achievement; therefore, it is the intent of the General Assembly that parents, along with instructional and residential life personnel, have a substantial role in developing school improvement plans. To this end, school improvement team meetings shall be held at a convenient time to assure substantial parent participation. Parents who are elected to serve on school improvement teams and who are not employees of the school shall receive travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with G.S. 138-5 and, if appropriate, may receive a stipend.

All school improvement plans shall be, to the greatest extent possible, data driven. School improvement teams shall use the Education Value Added Assessment System (EVAAS), or a compatible and comparable system approved by the State Board of Education, to analyze student data to identify root causes for problems and to determine actions to address them. School improvement plans shall contain clear, unambiguous targets, explicit indicators and actual measures, and expeditious time frames for meeting the measurement standards.

SECTION 7.3.(b)  The strategies for improving student performance shall include the following:

(1)        A plan for the use of staff development funds that may be made available to the school to implement the school improvement plan. The plan may provide that a portion of these funds is used for mentor training and for release time and substitute teachers while teachers are meeting with mentors.

(2)        A plan for preparing students to read at grade level by the time they enter second grade. The plan shall require kindergarten and first grade teachers to notify parents or guardians when a child is not reading at grade level and is at risk of not reading at grade level by the time the child enters second grade. The plan may include the use of assessments to monitor students' progress in learning to read and strategies for teachers and parents to implement that will help students improve and expand their reading ability, as well as provide for the recognition of teachers and strategies that appear to be effective at preparing students to read at grade level.

(3)        A comprehensive plan to encourage parent involvement.

(4)        A plan designed to provide that the school is safe, secure, and orderly; that there is a climate of respect in the school; and that appropriate personal conduct is a priority for all students and all residential school personnel.

(5)        A plan that specifies the effective instructional practices and methods to be used to improve the academic performance of students identified as at risk of academic failure or at risk of dropping out of school.

SECTION 7.3.(c)  Support among affected staff members is essential to successful implementation of a school improvement plan to address improved student performance at that school. The principal of the school shall present the proposed school improvement plan to all of the instructional personnel assigned to the school for their review and vote. The vote shall be by secret ballot. The principal shall submit the school improvement plan to the State Board of Education only if the proposed school improvement plan has the approval of a majority of the instructional personnel who voted on the plan.

SECTION 7.3.(d)  The State Board of Education shall accept or reject the school improvement plan within 60 days after the submission plan. If the State Board rejects a school improvement plan, the State Board shall state with specificity the reasons for rejecting the plan to the principal and shall direct that the principal work with the school improvement team to resolve the disagreements. The school improvement team may then prepare another plan, present it to the instructional personnel assigned to the school for a vote, and submit it to the State Board to accept or reject. If there is no resolution within 30 days, then the State Board may develop a school improvement plan for the school; however, the General Assembly urges the State Board to utilize the school's proposed school improvement plan to the maximum extent possible when developing this plan.

SECTION 7.3.(e)  A school improvement plan shall remain in effect for no more than three years; however, the school improvement team may amend the plan as often as is necessary or appropriate. If, at any time, any part of a school improvement plan becomes unlawful or the State Board finds that a school improvement plan is impeding student performance at a school, the State Board may vacate the relevant portion of the plan and may direct the school to revise that portion. The procedures set out in this section shall apply to amendments and revisions to school improvement plans.

SECTION 7.3.(f)  Any funds the State Board makes available to a school to meet the goals for that school under the ABCs Program and to implement the school improvement plan at that school shall be used in accordance with those goals and the school improvement plan.

SECTION 7.3.(g)  The State Board shall develop a list of recommended strategies that it determines to be effective, which building-level committees may use to establish parent involvement programs designed to meet the specific needs of their schools.

SECTION 7.3.(h)  Once the plan is developed, the principal shall ensure the plan is available and accessible to parents and the school community.

 

SCHOOL CALENDAR PILOT PROGRAM

SECTION 7.4.(a)  The State Board of Education shall establish a school calendar pilot program in the Wilkes County Schools. The purpose of the pilot program is to determine whether and to what extent a local school administrative unit can save money during this extreme fiscal crisis by consolidating the school calendar.

Notwithstanding G.S. 115C-84.2(a)(1), the school calendar for the 2012-2013 calendar year for the pilot school system shall include a minimum of 180 days or 1,000 hours of instruction covering at least nine calendar months.

If the local board of education in a pilot school system adds instructional hours to previously scheduled days under this section, the local school administrative unit is deemed to have a minimum of 180 days of instruction, and teachers employed for a 10-month term are deemed to have been employed for the days being made up and shall be compensated as if they had worked the days being made up.

SECTION 7.4.(b)  The State Board of Education shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 15, 2013, on the administration of the pilot program, cost savings realized by it, and its impact on student achievement.

SECTION 7.4.(c)  The pilot program shall terminate at the end of the 2012-2013 school calendar year.

 

REPEAL PROHIBITION ON TEACHER PREPAYMENT

SECTION 7.6.  Section 5 of S.L. 2011-379 is repealed.

 

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS

SECTION 7.8.(a)  Section 7.25(a) of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

SECTION 7.8.(b)  The Department of Public Instruction shall not transfer any school-based personnel from the residential schools to central office administrative positions.

SECTION 7.8.(c)  Notwithstanding G.S. 146-30 or any other provision of law, the Department of Public Instruction shall retain all proceeds generated from the rental of building space on the residential school campuses. The Department of Public Instruction shall use all receipts generated from these leases to staff and operate the North Carolina School for the Deaf, the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf, and the Governor Morehead School. These receipts shall not be used to support administrative functions within the Department.

 

CLARIFYING COOPERATIVE INNOVATIVE HIGH SCHOOL STATUTES

SECTION 7.11.(a)  G.S. 115C-238.50A reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-238.50A.  Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Part:

(1)        Constituent institution. - A constituent institution as defined in G.S. 116-2(4).

(1a)      Cooperative innovative high school. - A high school approved by the State Board of Education and the applicable governing Board that meets the following criteria:

a.         It has no more than 100 students per grade level.

b.         It partners with an institution of higher education to enable students to concurrently obtain a high school diploma and begin or complete an associate degree program, master a certificate or vocational program, or earn up to two years of college credit within five years.

c.         It is located on the campus of the partner institution of higher education, unless the governing board Board or the local board of trustees for a private North Carolina college specifically waives the requirement through adoption of a formal resolution.

(1b)      Cooperative innovative high school allotment. - Funds appropriated by the General Assembly to the Department of Public Instruction to provide additional resources to approved cooperative innovative high schools.

(2)        Education partner. - An education partner as provided in G.S. 115C-238.52.

(3)        Governing board.Board. - The State Board of Education, the State Board of Community Colleges,Colleges or the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, or the Board of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.Carolina.

(3a)      Local board of education. - A local board as defined in G.S. 115C-5(5) or a regional school board of directors as defined in G.S. 115C-238.61(5).

(4)        Local board of trustees. - The board of trustees of a community college, constituent institution of The University of North Carolina, or private college located in North Carolina.

(5)        Partner institution of higher education. - A community college, constituent institution of The University of North Carolina, or private college located in North Carolina."

SECTION 7.11.(b)  G.S. 115C-238.51 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-238.51.  Application process.

(a)        A local board of education and at least one local board of trustees shall jointly apply to establish a cooperative innovative high school program under this Part.

(b)        The application shall contain at least the following information:

(1)        A description of a program that implements the purposes in G.S. 115C-238.50.

(2)        A statement of how the program relates to the Economic Vision Plan adopted for the economic development region in which the program cooperative innovative high school is to be located.

(3)        The facilities to be used by the programcooperative innovative high school and the manner in which administrative services of the programschool are to be provided.

(4)        A description of student academic and vocational achievement goals and the method of demonstrating that students have attained the skills and knowledge specified for those goals.

(5)        A description of how the programcooperative innovative high school will be operated, including budgeting, curriculum, transportation, and operating procedures.

(6)        The process to be followed by the programcooperative innovative high school to ensure parental involvement.

(7)        The process by which students will be selected for and admitted to the program.cooperative innovative high school.

(8)        A description of the funds that will be used and a proposed budget for the first five years of the implementation of the program.cooperative innovative high school. This description shall identify how the average daily membership (ADM) and full-time equivalent (FTE) students are counted. If additional funds are requested, a description of how those additional funds will be used shall be submitted. Additional funds may include the cooperative innovative high school allotment and tuition payments. For cooperative innovative high schools that have a community college as their partner institution of higher education, the proposed budget shall include the cost of including their students in calculations of budget full-time equivalent students for the North Carolina Community College System.

(9)        The qualifications required for individuals employed in the program.cooperative innovative high school.

(10)      The number of students to be served.

(11)      A description of how the program'scooperative innovative high school's effectiveness in meeting the purposes in G.S. 115C-238.50 will be measured.

(c)        The application shall be submitted to the State Board of Education and the applicable governing Boards.Board. If the partner institution of higher education is a private North Carolina college, the application shall be submitted solely to the State Board of Education. The Boards shall appoint a joint advisory committee to review the applications and to recommend to the Boards those programs that meet the requirements of this Part and that achieve the purposes set out in G.S. 115C-238.50.

(d)        The Boards may approve programs recommended by the joint advisory committee or may approve other programs that were not recommended. The Boards shall approve all applications by June 30 of each year. No application shall be approved unless the State Board of Education and the applicable governing Board find that the application meets the requirements set out in this Part and that granting the application would achieve the purposes set out in G.S. 115C-238.50. Priority shall be given to applications that are most likely to further State education policies, to address the economic development needs of the economic development regions in which they are located, and to strengthen the educational programs offered in the local school administrative units in which they are located.

(e)        No additional State funds shall be provided to approved programs unless appropriated by the General Assembly."

SECTION 7.11.(c)  Part 9 of Article 16 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 115C-238.51A.  Approval process.

(a)        Joint Advisory Committee. - The State Board of Education and the applicable governing Board of the local board of trustees shall appoint a joint advisory committee to review the applications and to recommend approval for those applications that meet the requirements of this Part and achieve purposes set out in G.S. 115C-238.50. The recommendation shall indicate whether additional funds were requested in the application.

(b)        No Additional Funds. - For applications which have not requested additional funds, the State Board of Education and the applicable governing Board may approve cooperative innovative high schools. In granting approval, consideration shall be given to the proposed budget and demonstration of sources of sustainable funding for the operation of the cooperative innovative high school. Approvals shall be made by June 30 of each year. No additional State funds, position allotments, earning of budget full-time equivalent students, or payments of tuition shall be provided to cooperative innovative high schools approved under this subsection.

(c)        Additional Funds. - For applications which have requested additional funds, the State Board of Education and the applicable governing Board may approve cooperative innovative high schools contingent upon appropriation of the additional funds by the General Assembly. Contingent approval shall be made by April 1 of each year. The contingent approval shall expire if no appropriation is made by the General Assembly for the additional funds within one calendar year. No cooperative innovative high school shall open prior to the appropriation by the General Assembly of the full amount of the additional funds as requested in the application for that school under G.S. 115C-238.51 for the upcoming fiscal year or fiscal biennium, as appropriate. If no appropriation is made by the General Assembly, a revised application may be submitted under subsection (b) of the section."

SECTION 7.11.(d)  G.S. 115C-238.52 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-238.52.  Participation by other education partners.

(a)        Any or all of the following education partners may participate in the development of a cooperative innovative program high school under this Part that is targeted to high school students who would benefit from accelerated academic instruction:

(1),       (2)  Repealed by Session Laws 2005-276, s. 7.33(a), effective July 1, 2005.

(3)        A private business or organization.

(4)        The county board of commissioners in the county in which the program cooperative innovative high school is located.

(b)        Any or all of the education partners listed in subsection (a) of this section that participate shall:

(1)        Jointly apply with the local board of education and the local board of trustees to establish a cooperative innovative programhigh school under this Part.

(2)        Be identified in the application.

(3)        Sign the written agreement under G.S. 115C-238.53(b)."

SECTION 7.11.(e)  G.S. 115C-238.53 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-238.53.  Program operation.Operation of cooperative innovative high schools.

(a)        A programcooperative innovative high school approved by the State is accountable to the local board of education.

(b)        A programcooperative innovative high school approved under this Part shall operate under the terms of a written agreement signed by the local board of education, local board of trustees, State Board of Education, and applicable governing Board. The agreement shall incorporate the information provided in the application, as modified during the approval process, and any terms and conditions imposed on the program school by the State Board of Education and the applicable governing Board. The agreement may be for a term of no longer than five school years.

(c)        A programcooperative innovative high school may be operated in a facility owned or leased by the local board of education, the local board of trustees, or the education partner, if any.

(d)        A programcooperative innovative high school approved under this Part shall provide instruction each school year for at least 180 185 days during nine calendar months, shall comply with laws and policies relating to the education of students with disabilities, and shall comply with Article 27 of this Chapter.

(e)        A programcooperative innovative high school approved under this Part may use State, federal, and local funds allocated to the local school administrative unit, to the applicable governing Board, and to the college or universitypartner institution of higher education to implement theits program. If there is an education partner and if it is a public body, the programcooperative innovative high school may use State, federal, and local funds allocated to that body.

(f)         Except as provided in this Part and under the terms of the agreement:agreement, cooperative innovative high schools:

(1)        A program shall Shall have the same exemptions from statutes and rules as charter schools operating under Part 6A of this Article, other than those pertaining to personnel.

(2)        A program may May be exempted by the State Board of Education or by the applicable governing Board from laws and rules applicable to a local board of education, a local school administrative unit, a community college, a constituent institution, or a local board of trustees."

SECTION 7.11.(f)  G.S. 115C-238.54 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-238.54.  Funds for programs.cooperative innovative high schools.

(a)        The Department of Public Instruction shall assign a school code for each programcooperative innovative high school that is approved under this Part. Notwithstanding G.S. 115C-105.25, once the programcooperative innovative high school has been assigned a school code, the local board of education may use these funds for the programschool and may transfer these funds between funding allotment categories.

(a1)      Repealed by Session Laws 2011-145, s. 7.1A(j), effective January 1, 2012.

(b)        The local board of trustees may allocate State and federal funds for a program cooperative innovative high school that is approved under this Part.

(c)        An education partner under G.S. 115C-238.52 that is a public body may allocate State, federal, and local funds for a programcooperative innovative high school that is approved under this Part.

(d)        If not an education partner under G.S. 115C-238.52, a county board of commissioners in a county where a programcooperative innovative high school is located may nevertheless appropriate funds to a programthe school approved under this Part.

(e)        The local board of education and the local board of trustees are strongly encouraged to seek funds from sources other than State, federal, and local appropriations. They are strongly encouraged to seek funds the Education Cabinet identifies or obtains under G.S. 116C-4.

(f)         Students in cooperative innovative high schools shall not be charged tuition for courses taken through the partner institution of higher education.

(g)        Students in cooperative innovative high schools that have a community college as their partner institution of higher education and were approved under G.S. 115C-238.51A(c) shall be included in calculations of budget full-time equivalent students for the North Carolina Community College System. Students in cooperative innovative high schools that have a community college as their partner institution of higher education and were approved under G.S. 115C-238.51A(b) shall not be included in calculations of budget full-time equivalent students for the North Carolina Community College System.

(h)        The State Board of Education shall reimburse The University of North Carolina for tuition for courses taken by students at cooperative innovative high schools that have a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina as their partner institution of higher education and were approved under G.S. 115C-238.51A(c). Tuition payments shall not exceed the annual Board of Governors-approved undergraduate resident tuition rate calculated on a per credit hour basis and shall not include fees. In addition, the cooperative innovative high school students' credit hours shall be nonfundable under The University of North Carolina Semester Credit Hour Enrollment Change Funding Model. The State Board of Education shall not reimburse The University of North Carolina for tuition for courses taken by students at cooperative innovative high schools that have a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina as their partner institution of higher education approved under G.S. 115C-238.51A(b).

(i)         The State Board of Education shall reimburse private North Carolina colleges for tuition for courses taken by students at cooperative innovative high schools that have a private North Carolina college as their partner institution of higher education and were approved under G.S. 115C-238.51A(c). Tuition payments shall not exceed the highest undergraduate resident rate approved by the Board of Governors for the University of North Carolina constituent institutions and shall not include fees. The State Board of Education shall not reimburse private North Carolina colleges for tuition for courses taken by students at cooperative innovative high schools that have a private North Carolina college as their partner institution of higher education and were approved under G.S. 115C-238.51A(b)."

SECTION 7.11.(g)  G.S. 115C-238.55 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-238.55.  Evaluation of programs.cooperative innovative high schools.

The State Board of Education and the governing Boards shall evaluate the success of students in programscooperative innovative high schools approved under this Part. Success shall be measured by high school retention rates, high school completion rates, high school dropout rates, certification and associate degree completion, admission to four-year institutions, postgraduation employment in career or study-related fields, and employer satisfaction of employees who participated in and graduated from the programs.schools. The Boards shall jointly report by January 15 of each year to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on the evaluation of these programs.schools."

SECTION 7.11.(h)  Section 7.21(e) of S.L. 2010-31 is repealed.

SECTION 7.11.(i)  This section is effective when it becomes law.

 

NORTH CAROLINA VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SECTION 7.12.  Section 7.22(k) of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

 

REPEAL OBSOLETE REPORTS

SECTION 7.13.(a)  Section 7.19(d) of S.L. 2007-323 is repealed.

SECTION 7.13.(b) Section 7.21 of S.L. 2007-323 is repealed.

SECTION 7.13.(c)  G.S. 115C-276(t) is repealed.

SECTION 7.13.(d)  Subsections (c) and (g) of Section 7.5 of S.L. 2010-31 are repealed.

SECTION 7.13.(e)  Section 7.19(c) of S.L. 2010-31 is repealed.

SECTION 7.13.(f)  G.S. 115C-12(26) is repealed.

 

TEACHER/TEACHER ASSISTANT LEAVE ON INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS.

SECTION 7.14.(a)  G.S. 115C-302.1(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c)       Vacation. - Included within the 10-month term shall be annual vacation leave at the same rate provided for State employees, computed at one-twelfth of the annual rate for State employees for each month of employment. Local boards shall provide at least 10 days of annual vacation leave at a time when students are not scheduled to be in regular attendance. However, instructional personnel who do not require a substitute may use annual vacation leave on days that students are in attendance. Vocational and technical education teachers who are employed for 11 or 12 months may, with prior approval of the principal, work on annual vacation leave days designated in the school calendar and may use those annual vacation leave days during the eleventh or twelfth month of employment. Local boards of education may adopt policies permitting instructional personnel employed for 11 or 12 months in year-round schools to, with the approval of the principal, take vacation leave at a time when students are in attendance; local funds shall be used to cover the cost of substitute teachers.

On a day that pupils are not required to attend school due to inclement weather, but employees are required to report for a workday, a teacher may elect not to report due to hazardous travel conditions and to take an annual vacation day or to make up the day at a time agreed upon by the teacher and the teacher's immediate supervisor or principal. On a day that school is closed to employees and pupils due to inclement weather, a teacher shall work on the scheduled makeup day.

All vacation leave taken by the teacher will be upon the authorization of the teacher's immediate supervisor and under policies established by the local board of education. Annual vacation leave shall not be used to extend the term of employment.

Notwithstanding any provisions of this subsection to the contrary, no person shall be entitled to pay for any vacation day not earned by that person."

SECTION 7.14.(b)  G.S. 115C-316(a)(3) reads as rewritten:

"(3)      Notwithstanding any provisions of this section to the contrary no person shall be entitled to pay for any vacation day not earned by that person. The first 10 days of annual leave earned by a 10- or 11-month employee during any fiscal year period shall be scheduled to be used in the school calendar adopted by the respective local boards of education. Vacation days shall not be used for extending the term of employment of individuals. Ten- or 11-month employees may accumulate annual vacation leave days as follows: annual leave may be accumulated without any applicable maximum until June 30 of each year. On June 30 of each year, any of these employees with more than 30 days of accumulated leave shall have the excess accumulation converted to sick leave so that only 30 days are carried forward to July 1 of the same year. All vacation leave taken by these employees shall be upon the authorization of their immediate supervisor and under policies established by the local board of education. The policies may permit teacher assistants who require a substitute and are employed for 11 or 12 months in year-round schools to take vacation leave at a time when students are in attendance; local funds shall be used to cover the cost of substitutes. Vacation leave for instructional personnel who do not require a substitute shall not be restricted to days that students are not in attendance. An employee shall be paid in a lump sum for accumulated annual leave not to exceed a maximum of 240 hours or 30 days when separated from service due to resignation, dismissal, reduction in force, death or service retirement. Upon separation from service due to service retirement, any annual vacation leave over 30 days will convert to sick leave and may be used for creditable service at retirement in accordance with G.S. 135-4(e). If the last day of terminal leave falls on the last workday in the month, payment shall be made for the remaining nonworkdays in that month. Employees retiring on disability retirement may exhaust annual leave rather than be paid in a lump sum. The provisions of this subdivision shall be accomplished without additional State and local funds being appropriated for this purpose. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and regulations for the administration of this subdivision."

SECTION 7.14.(c)  This section applies beginning with the 2012-2013 school year.

 

Education Value Added Assessment System (EVAAS)

SECTION 7.15.  The State Board of Education shall continue to further implement the Education Value Added Assessment System (EVAAS) by (i) enabling direct access to value-added information for teachers who teach classes with an End-of-Course/End-of-Grade test; (ii) creating the capability for users to export EVAAS data and merge it with other relevant analyses; and (iii) enabling further development of student-teacher linkages for measuring student growth.

 

GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED SCHOOLS

SECTION 7.16.  A local school administrative unit receiving special allotments for a small, geographically isolated school shall continue to receive one-half of that special allotment funding for the fiscal year after the school is closed.  These funds shall be used to assist in the transition of students from the closed school to other schools in the local school administrative unit.

 

INVESTING IN INNOVATION GRANT

SECTION 7.17.(a)  The federal Investing in Innovation Fund Grant: Validating Early College Strategies for Traditional Comprehensive High Schools awarded to the North Carolina New Schools Project for 2012-2017, requires students to enroll in a community college course in the tenth grade.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, specified local school administrative units may offer one community college course to participating sophomore (tenth grade) students.  Participating local school administrative units are Alleghany, Beaufort, Hertford, Jones, Madison, Richmond, Rutherford, Sampson, Surry, Wilkes, and Yancey County Schools.

SECTION 7.17.(b)  Grant funds shall be used to pay for all costs incurred by the local school administrative units and the community college partners to implement the grant, including community college FTE.  Community colleges shall not earn budget FTE for student course enrollments supported with this grant.

SECTION 7.17.(c)  Research for the project shall address the effects of Early College strategies in preparing students for Career and College Promise. The North Carolina New Schools Project shall report on the implementation of the grant to the State Board of Education, State Board of Community Colleges, Office of the Governor, and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than March 15, 2013, and annually thereafter until the end of the grant period.

 

PART VII-A. EXCELLENt PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACT

 

IMPROVE K-3 LITERACY

SECTION 7A.1.(a)  G.S. 115C-81.2 is repealed.

SECTION 7A.1.(b)  Article 8 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:

"Part 1A. North Carolina Read to Achieve Program.

"§ 115C-83.1A.  State goal.

The goal of the State is to ensure that every student read at or above grade level by the end of third grade and continue to progress in reading proficiency so that he or she can read, comprehend, integrate, and apply complex texts needed for secondary education and career success.

"§ 115C-83.1B.  Purposes.

(a)        The purposes of this Part are to ensure that (i) difficulty with reading development is identified as early as possible; (ii) students receive appropriate instructional and support services to address difficulty with reading development and to remediate reading deficiencies; and (iii) each student and his or her parent or guardian be continuously informed of the student's academic needs and progress.

(b)        In addition to the purposes listed in subsection (a) of this section, the purpose of this Part is to determine that progression from one grade to another be based, in part, upon proficiency in reading.

"§ 115C-83.1C.  Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Part:

(1)        "Accelerated reading class" means a class where focused instructional supports and services are provided to increase a student's reading level at least two grades in one school year.

(2)        "Alternative assessment" means a valid and reliable standardized assessment of reading comprehension, approved by the State Board of Education, that is not the same test as the State approved standardized test of reading comprehension administered to third grade students.

(3)        "Instructional supports and services" mean intentional strategies used with a majority of students to facilitate reading development and remediate emerging difficulty with reading development. Instructional supports and services include, but are not limited to, small group instruction, reduced teacher-student ratios, frequent progress monitoring, and extended learning time.

(4)        "Difficulty with reading development" means not demonstrating appropriate developmental abilities in any of the major reading areas, including, but not limited to, oral language, phonological or phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, or comprehension, according to observation-based, diagnostic, or formative assessments.

(5)        "Reading interventions" mean evidence-based strategies frequently used to remediate reading deficiencies and include, but are not limited to, individual instruction, tutoring, or mentoring that target specific reading skills and abilities.

(6)        "Reading proficiency" means reading at or above the third grade level by the end of a student's third grade year, demonstrated by the results of the State-approved standardized test of reading comprehension administered to third grade students.

(7)        "Reading deficiency" means not reading at the third grade level by the end of the student's third grade year, demonstrated by the results of the State-approved standardized test of reading comprehension administered to third grade students.

(8)        "Student reading portfolio" means a compilation of independently produced student work selected by the student's teacher, and signed by the teacher and principal, as an accurate picture of the student's reading ability. The student reading portfolio shall include an organized collection of evidence of the student's mastery of the State's reading standards that are assessed by the State-approved standardized test of reading comprehension administered to third grade students. For each benchmark, there shall be three examples of student work demonstrating mastery by a grade of seventy percent (70%) or above.

(9)        "Summer reading camp" means an additional educational program outside of the instructional calendar provided by the local school administrative unit to any student who does not demonstrate reading proficiency. Parents or guardians of the student not demonstrating reading proficiency shall make the final decision regarding the student's summer camp attendance. Summer camps shall (i) be six to eight weeks long, four or five days per week; (ii) include at least three hours of instructional time per day; (iii) be taught by compensated, licensed teachers selected based on demonstrated student outcomes in reading proficiency; and (iv) allow volunteer mentors to read with students.

(10)      "Transitional third and fourth class combination" means a classroom specifically designed to produce learning gains sufficient to meet fourth grade performance standards while continuing to remediate areas of reading deficiency.

"§ 115C-83.1D.  Comprehensive plan for reading achievement.

(a)        The State Board of Education shall develop, implement, and continuously evaluate a comprehensive plan to improve reading achievement in the public schools. The plan shall be based on reading instructional practices with strong evidence of effectiveness in current empirical research in reading development. The plan shall be developed with the active involvement of teachers, college and university educators, parents and guardians of students, and other interested parties. The plan shall, when appropriate to reflect research, include revision of the standard course of study or other curricular standards, revision of teacher licensure and renewal standards, and revision of teacher education program standards.

(b)        The State Board of Education shall report biennially to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by October 1 of each even-numbered year on the implementation, evaluation, and revisions to the comprehensive plan for reading achievement and shall include recommendations for legislative changes to enable implementation of current empirical research in reading development.

"§ 115C-83.1E.  Developmental screening and kindergarten entry assessment.

(a)        The State Board of Education shall ensure that every student entering kindergarten shall be administered a developmental screening of early language, literacy, and math skills within 30 days of enrollment.

(b)        The State Board of Education shall ensure that every student entering kindergarten shall complete a kindergarten entry assessment within 60 days of enrollment.

(c)        The developmental screening instrument may be composed of subsections of the kindergarten entry assessment.

(d)        The kindergarten entry assessment shall address the five essential domains of school readiness: language and literacy development, cognition and general knowledge, approaches toward learning, physical well-being and motor development, and social and emotional development.

(e)        The kindergarten entry assessment shall be (i) administered at the classroom level in all local school administrative units; (ii) aligned to North Carolina's early learning and development standards and to the standard course of study; and (iii) reliable, valid, and appropriate for use with all children, including those with disabilities and those who are English language learners.

(f)         The results of the developmental screening and the kindergarten entry assessment shall be used to inform the following:

(1)        The status of children's learning at kindergarten entry.

(2)        Instruction of each child.

(3)        Efforts to reduce the achievement gap at kindergarten entry.

(4)        Continuous improvement of the early childhood system.

"§ 115C-83.1F.  Facilitating early grade reading proficiency.

(a)        Kindergarten, first, second, and third grade students shall be assessed with valid, reliable, formative, and diagnostic reading assessments made available to local school administrative units by the State Board of Education pursuant to G.S. 115C-174.11(a). Difficulty with reading development identified through administration of formative and diagnostic assessments shall be addressed with instructional supports and services. To the greatest extent possible, kindergarten through third grade reading assessments shall yield data that can be used with the Education Value Added Assessment System (EVAAS), or a compatible and comparable system approved by the State Board of Education, to analyze student data to identify root causes for difficulty with reading development and to determine actions to address them.

(b)        Formative and diagnostic assessments and resultant instructional supports and services shall address oral language, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension using developmentally appropriate practices.

(c)        Local school administrative units are encouraged to partner with community organizations, businesses, and other groups to provide volunteers, mentors, or tutors to assist with the provision of instructional supports and services that enhance reading development and proficiency.

"§ 115C-83.1G.  Elimination of social promotion.

(a)        The State Board of Education shall require that a student be retained in the third grade if the student fails to demonstrate reading proficiency appropriate for a third grade student, as demonstrated on a State-approved standardized test of reading comprehension administered to third grade students. The test may be re-administered once prior to the end of the school year.

(b)        Students may be exempt from mandatory retention in third grade for good cause but shall continue to receive instructional supports and services and reading interventions appropriate for their age and reading level. Good cause exemptions shall be limited to the following:

(1)        Limited English Proficient students with less than two years of instruction in an English as a Second Language program.

(2)        Students with disabilities, as defined in G.S. 115C-106.3(1), whose individualized education program indicates the use of alternative assessments and reading interventions.

(3)        Students who demonstrate reading proficiency appropriate for third grade students on an alternative assessment approved by the State Board of Education. Teachers may administer the alternative assessment following the administration of the State-approved standardized test of reading comprehension typically given to third grade students at the end of the school year, or after a student's participation in the local school administrative unit's summer reading camp.

(4)        Students who demonstrate, through a student reading portfolio, reading proficiency appropriate for third grade students. Teachers may submit the student reading portfolio at the end of the school year, or after a student's participation in the local school administrative unit's summer reading camp. The student reading portfolio and review process shall be established by the State Board of Education.

(5)        Students who have (i) received reading intervention and (ii) previously been retained more than once in kindergarten, first, second, or third grades.

(c)        The superintendent shall determine whether a student may be exempt from mandatory retention on the basis of a good cause exemption. The following steps shall be taken in making the determination:

(1)        The teacher of a student eligible for a good cause exemption shall submit documentation of the relevant exemption and evidence that promotion of the student is appropriate based on the student's academic record to the principal. Such evidence shall be limited to the student's personal education plan, individual education program, if applicable, alternative assessment, or student reading portfolio.

(2)        The principal shall review the documentation and make an initial determination whether the student should be promoted. If the principal determines the student should be promoted, the principal shall make a written recommendation of promotion to the superintendent for final determination. The superintendent's acceptance or rejection of the recommendation shall be in writing.

"§ 115C-83.1H.  Successful reading development for retained students.

(a)        Students not demonstrating reading proficiency shall be enrolled in a summer reading camp provided by the local school administrative unit prior to being retained. Students who demonstrate reading proficiency on an alternative assessment of reading comprehension or student reading portfolio after completing a summer reading camp shall be promoted to the fourth grade. Students who do not demonstrate reading proficiency on these measures after completing a summer reading camp shall be retained under G.S. 115C-83.1G(a) and provided with the instruction listed in subsection (b) of this section during the retained year.

(b)        Students retained under G.S. 115C-83.1G(a) shall be provided with a teacher selected based on demonstrated student outcomes in reading proficiency and placed in an accelerated reading class or a transitional third and fourth grade class combination, as appropriate. Classroom instruction shall include at least 90 minutes of daily, uninterrupted, evidence-based reading instruction, not to include independent reading time, and other appropriate instructional supports and services and reading interventions.

(c)        The State Board of Education shall establish a midyear promotion policy for any student retained under G.S. 115C-83.1G(a) who, by November 1, demonstrates reading proficiency through administration of the alternative assessment of reading comprehension, or student reading portfolio review.

(d)        Parents or guardians of students who have been retained once under the provisions of G.S. 115C-83.1G(a) shall be provided with a plan for reading at home, including participation in shared and guided reading workshops for the parent or guardian, and outlined in a parental or guardian contract.

(e)        Parents or guardians of students who have been retained twice under the provisions of G.S. 115C-83.1G(a) shall be offered supplemental tutoring for the retained student in evidence-based reading services outside the instructional day.

"§ 115C-83.1I.  Notification requirements to parents and guardians.

(a)        Parents or guardians shall be notified in writing, and in a timely manner, that the student shall be retained, unless he or she is exempt from mandatory retention for good cause, if the student is not demonstrating reading proficiency by the end of third grade. Parents or guardians shall receive this notice when a kindergarten, first, second or third grade student (i) is demonstrating difficulty with reading development; (ii) is not reading at grade level; or (iii) has a personal education plan under G.S. 115C-105.41.

(b)        Parents or guardians of any student who is to be retained under the provisions of G.S. 115C-83.1G(a) shall be notified in writing of the reason the student is not eligible for a good cause exemption as provided in G.S. 115C-83.1G(b). Written notification shall also include a description of proposed reading interventions that will be provided to the student to remediate identified areas of reading deficiency.

(c)        Parents or guardians of students retained under G.S. 115C-83.1G(a) shall receive at least monthly written reports on student progress towards reading proficiency. The evaluation of the student's progress shall be based upon the student's classroom work, observations, tests, assessments, and other relevant information.

(d)        Teachers and principals shall provide opportunities to discuss with parents and guardians the notifications listed in this section.

"§ 115C-83.1J.  Accountability measures.

(a)        Each local board of education shall publish annually on a Web site maintained by that local school administrative unit and report in writing to the State Board of Education by September 1 of each year the following information on the prior school year:

(1)        The number and percentage of third grade students demonstrating and not demonstrating reading proficiency on the State-approved standardized test of reading comprehension administered to third grade students.

(2)        The number and percentage of third grade students who take and pass the alternative assessment of reading comprehension.

(3)        The number and percentage of third grade students retained for not demonstrating reading proficiency.

(4)        The number and percentage of third grade students exempt from mandatory third grade retention by category of exemption as listed in G.S. 115C-83.1G(b).

(b)        Each local board of education shall report annually in writing to the State Board of Education by September 1 of each year a description of all reading interventions provided to students who have been retained under G.S. 115C-83.1G(a).

(c)        The State Board of Education shall establish a uniform format for local boards of education to report the required information listed in subsections (a) and (b) of this section and shall provide the format to local boards of education no later than 90 days prior to the annual due date. The State Board of Education shall compile annually this information and submit a State-level summary to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by October 1 of each year, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

(d)        The State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction shall provide technical assistance as needed to aid local school administrative units to implement all provisions of this Part."

SECTION 7A.1.(c)  G.S. 115C-105.27(b)(1a) is repealed.

SECTION 7A.1.(d)  G.S. 115C-105.41 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-105.41.  Students who have been placed at risk of academic failure; personal education plans.

In order to implement Part 1A of Article 8 of this Chapter, Local local school administrative units shall identify students who are at risk for academic failure and who are not successfully progressing toward grade promotion and graduation, beginning no later than the fourth grade.in kindergarten. Identification shall occur as early as can reasonably be done and can be based on grades, observations, diagnostic and formative assessments, State assessments, and other factors, including reading on grade level, that impact student performance that teachers and administrators consider appropriate, without having to await the results of end-of-grade or end-of-course tests. No later than the end of the first quarter, or after a teacher has had up to nine weeks of instructional time with a student, a personal education plan for academic improvement with focused intervention and performance benchmarks shall be developed or updated for any student at risk of academic failure who is not performing at least at grade level, as identified by the State end-of-grade test and other factors noted above. Focused instructional supports and services, reading intervention interventions and accelerated activities should include research-based best evidence-based practices that meet the needs of students and may include coaching, mentoring, tutoring, summer school, Saturday school, and extended days. Local school administrative units shall provide these activities free of charge to students. Local school administrative units shall also provide transportation free of charge to all students for whom transportation is necessary for participation in these activities.

Local school administrative units shall give notice of the personal education plan and a copy of the personal education plan to the student's parent or guardian. Parents should be included in the implementation and ongoing review of personal education plans.

Local school administrative units shall certify that they have complied with this section annually to the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall periodically review data on the progress of identified students and report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.

No cause of action for monetary damages shall arise from the failure to provide or implement a personal education plan under this section."

SECTION 7A.1.(e)  G.S. 115C-174.11(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a)       Assessment Instruments for First and Second Grades.Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third Grades. - The State Board of Education shall adopt develop, adopt, and provide to the local school administrative units developmentally appropriate individualized assessment instruments consistent with the Basic Education Program and Part 1A of Article 8 of this Chapter for the first and second grades, rather than standardized tests. kindergarten, first, second, and third grades. Local school administrative units may shall use these assessment instruments provided to them by the State Board for first and second grade students,kindergarten, first, second, and third grade students to assess progress, diagnose difficulties, and to inform instruction and remediation needs. and Local school administrative units shall not use standardized tests for summative assessment of kindergarten, first, and second grade students except as required as a condition of receiving federal grants."

SECTION 7A.1.(f)  G.S. 115C-238.29F is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(d1)    Reading Proficiency and Student Promotion. -

(1)        Students in the third grade shall be retained if the student fails to demonstrate reading proficiency by reading at or above the third grade level as demonstrated by the results of the State-approved standardized test of reading comprehension administered to third grade students. The charter school shall provide reading interventions to retained students to remediate reading deficiency, which may include 90 minutes of daily, uninterrupted, evidence-based reading instruction, accelerated reading classes, transition classes containing third and fourth grade students, and summer reading camps.

(2)        Students may be exempt from mandatory retention in third grade for good cause but shall continue to receive instructional supports and services and reading interventions appropriate for their age and reading level. Good cause exemptions shall be limited to the following:

a.         Limited English Proficient students with less than two years of instruction in an English as a Second Language program.

b.         Students with disabilities, as defined in G.S. 115C-106.3(1), whose individualized education program indicates the use of alternative assessments and reading interventions.

c.         Students who demonstrate reading proficiency appropriate for third grade students on an alternative assessment of reading comprehension. The charter school shall notify the State Board of Education of the alternative assessment used to demonstrate reading proficiency.

d.         Students who demonstrate, through a student reading portfolio, reading proficiency appropriate for third grade students.

e.         Students who have (i) received reading intervention and (ii) previously been retained more than once in kindergarten, first, second, or third grades.

(3)        The charter school shall provide notice to parents and guardians when a student is not reading at grade level. The notice shall state that if the student's reading deficiency is not remediated by the end of third grade, the student shall be retained unless he or she is exempt from mandatory retention for good cause. Notice shall also be provided to parents and guardians of any student who is to be retained under this subsection of the reason the student is not eligible for a good cause exemption, as well as a description of proposed reading interventions that will be provided to the student to remediate identified areas of reading deficiency.

(4)        The charter school shall annually publish on the charter school's Web site and report in writing to the State Board of Education by September 1 of each year the following information on the prior school year:

a.         The number and percentage of third grade students demonstrating and not demonstrating reading proficiency on the State-approved standardized test of reading comprehension administered to third grade students.

b.         The number and percentage of third grade students not demonstrating reading proficiency and who do not return to the charter school for the following school year.

c.         The number and percentage of third grade students who take and pass the alternative assessment of reading comprehension.

d.         The number and percentage of third grade students retained for not demonstrating reading proficiency.

e.         The number and percentage of third grade students exempt from mandatory third grade retention by category of exemption as listed in subdivision (2) of this subsection."

SECTION 7A.1.(g)  G.S. 115C-288(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a)       To Grade and Classify Pupils. - The principal shall have authority to grade and classify pupilspupils, except as provided in G.S. 115C-83.1G(a). In determining the appropriate grade for a pupil who is already attending a public school, the principal shall consider the pupil's classroom work and grades, the pupil's scores on standardized tests, and the best educational interests of the pupil. The principal shall not make the decision solely on the basis of standardized test scores. If a principal's decision to retain a child in the same grade is partially based on the pupil's scores on standardized tests, those test scores shall be verified as accurate.

A principal shall not require additional testing of a student entering a public school from a school governed under Article 39 of this Chapter if test scores from a nationally standardized test or nationally standardized equivalent measure that are adequate to determine the appropriate placement of the child are available."

SECTION 7A.1.(h)  G.S. 130A-440(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      A health assessment shall include a medical history and physical examination with screening for vision and hearing and, if appropriate, testing for anemia and tuberculosis. Vision screening shall be conducted in accordance with G.S. 130A-440.1. The health assessment may also include dental screening and developmental screening for cognition, language, and motor function. The developmental screening of cognition and language abilities may be conducted in accordance with G.S. 115C-83.1E(a)."

SECTION 7A.1.(i)  Of the funds appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the sum of thirty-three million nine hundred fourteen thousand five  hundred three dollars ($33,914,503) shall be used to implement the requirements of this section. It is the intent of the General Assembly to increase this appropriation for the 2013-2014 fiscal year to implement additional requirements in that fiscal year.

SECTION 7A.1.(j)  This section is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2013-2014 school year. The developmental screening and kindergarten entry assessment required by this section shall be administered beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

 

STATE EMPLOYEE LITERACY VOLUNTEER LEAVE TIME

SECTION 7A.2.(a)  G.S. 126-4 reads as rewritten:

"§ 126-4.  Powers and duties of State Personnel Commission.

Subject to the approval of the Governor, the State Personnel Commission shall establish policies and rules governing each of the following:

(5b)      A leave program that allows employees to volunteer in a literacy program in a public school for up to five hours each month.

…."

SECTION 7A.2.(b)  This section is effective when it becomes law.

 

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE GRADES

SECTION 7A.3.(a)  G.S. 115C-12(9)c1. reads as rewritten:

"c1.      To issue an annual "report card" for the State and for each local school administrative unit, assessing each unit's efforts to improve student performance based on the growth in performance of the students in each school and taking into account progress over the previous years' level of performance and the State's performance in comparison with other states. This assessment shall take into account factors that have been shown to affect student performance and that the State Board considers relevant to assess the State's efforts to improve student performance. As a part of the annual "report card" for each local school administrative unit, the State Board shall award an overall numerical school performance score on a scale of zero to 100 and a corresponding letter grade of A, B, C, D, or F earned by each school within the local school administrative unit. The school performance score and grade shall reflect student performance on annual subject-specific assessments, college and workplace readiness measures, and graduation rates. For schools serving students in any grade from kindergarten to eighth grade, separate performance scores and grades shall also be awarded based on the school performance in reading and mathematics respectively. The annual "report card" for schools serving students in third grade also shall include the number and percentage of third grade students who (i) take and pass the alternative assessment of reading comprehension; (ii) were retained in third grade for not demonstrating reading proficiency as indicated in G.S. 115C-83.1G(a); and (iii) were exempt from mandatory third grade retention by category of exemption as listed in G.S. 115C-83.1G(b)."

SECTION 7A.3.(b)  G.S. 115C-47(58) reads as rewritten:

"(58)    To Inform the Public About the North Carolina School Report Cards Issued by the State Board of Education. - Each local board of education shall ensure that the report card issued for it by the State Board of Education receives wide distribution to the local press or otherwise.is otherwise provided to the public. Each local board of education shall ensure that the overall school performance score and grade earned by each school in the local school administrative unit for the current and previous four school years is prominently displayed on the Web site of the local school administrative unit. If any school in the local school administrative unit is awarded a grade of D or F, the local board of education shall provide notice of the grade in writing to the parent or guardian of all students enrolled in that school."

SECTION 7A.3.(c)  G.S. 115C-238.29F is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(l)        North Carolina School Report Cards. - A charter school shall ensure that the report card issued for it by the State Board of Education receives wide distribution to the local press or is otherwise provided to the public. A charter school shall ensure that the overall school performance score and grade earned by the charter school for the current and previous four school years is prominently displayed on the school Web site. If a charter school is awarded a grade of D or F, the charter school shall provide notice of the grade in writing to the parent or guardian of all students enrolled in that school."

SECTION 7A.3.(d)  G.S. 115C-238.66 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

"(11)    North Carolina School Report Cards. - A regional school shall ensure that the report card issued for it by the State Board of Education receives wide distribution to the local press or is otherwise provided to the public. A regional school shall ensure that the overall school performance score and grade earned by the regional school for the current and previous four school years is prominently displayed on the school Web site. If a regional school is awarded a grade of D or F, the regional school shall provide notice of the grade in writing to the parent or guardian of all students enrolled in that school."

SECTION 7A.3.(e)  The State Board of Education shall award school performance scores and grades as required by G.S. 115C-12(9)c1. as follows:

(1)        The State Board of Education shall calculate school performance scores by totaling the sum of points earned by the school and converting the sum of points to a 100-point scale. Subsections (2) and (3) of this section provide the school performance elements for schools serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Subsection (4) of this section provides the school performance elements for schools serving grades nine through twelve. The school performance score shall be used to determine the school performance grade based on the following scale:

a.         At least 90 performance grade points for an overall school performance grade of A.

b.         At least 80 performance grade points for an overall school performance grade of B.

c.         At least 70 performance grade points for an overall school performance grade of C.

d.         At least 60 performance grade points for an overall school performance grade of D.

e.         A school that accumulates less than 60 points shall be assigned an overall school performance grade of F.

(2)        For schools serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade the overall school performance score shall be calculated based on the sum of three school performance elements.

a.         The score shall be calculated as follows:

1.         One point for each percent of students who score at or above proficient on annual assessments for mathematics in grades three through eight.

2.         One point for each percent of students who score at or above proficient on annual assessments for reading in grades three through eight.

3.         One point for each percent of students who score at or above proficient on annual assessments for science in grades five and eight.

(3)        For schools serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade, the school performance scores in reading and mathematics, respectively, shall be earned as follows:

a.         The literacy school performance score shall be based on the percent of students who score at or above proficient on annual assessments for reading assessments in grades three through eight.

b.         The mathematics school performance score shall be based on the percent of students who score at or above proficient on annual assessments for mathematics in grades three through eight.

(4)        The school performance score earned by schools serving students in ninth through twelfth grades shall be calculated based on the sum of seven school performance elements.

a.         The score shall be calculated as follows:

1.         One point for each percent of students who score at or above proficient on annual assessments for mathematics.

2.         One point for each percent of students who score at or above proficient on annual assessments for English.

3.         One point for each percent of students who score at or above proficient on annual assessments for biology.

4.         One point for each percent of students who complete a higher-level mathematics class with a passing grade.

5.         One point for each percent of students who score at or above a level demonstrating college readiness on a nationally normed test of college readiness.

6.         One point for each percent of students who graduate within four years of entering high school.

7.         One point for each percent of students who demonstrate workplace readiness on a nationally normed test of workplace readiness.

(5)        In calculating the overall school performance score earned by schools, the State Board of Education shall proportionally adjust the scale to account for the absence of a school performance element for award of scores to a school that does not have a measure of one of the school performance elements annually assessed for the grades taught at that school.

(6)        The State Board of Education shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee annually by January 15 on recommended adjustments to the school performance grade elements and scales for award of scores and grades.

SECTION 7A.3.(f)  This section is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2012-2013 school year.

 

MAXIMIZE INSTRUCTIONAL TIME

SECTION 7A.4.(a)  G.S. 115C-174.12(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a)       The State Board of Education shall establish policies and guidelines necessary for minimizing the time students spend taking tests administered through State and local testing programs, for minimizing the frequency of field testing at any one school, and for otherwise carrying out the provisions of this Article. These policies and guidelines shall include the following:

(1)        Schools shall devote no more than two days of instructional time per year to the taking of practice tests that do not have the primary purpose of assessing current student learning;

(2)        Students in a school shall not be subject to field tests or national tests during the two-week period preceding the administration of end-of-grade tests, end-of-course tests, or the school's regularly scheduled final exams; and

(3)        No school shall participate in more than two field tests at any one grade level during a school year unless that school volunteers, through a vote of its school improvement team, to participate in an expanded number of field tests.year.

(4)        All annual assessments of student achievement adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to G.S. 115C-174.11(c)(1) and (3) and all final exams for courses shall be administered within the final 10 instructional days of the school year for year-long courses and within the final five instructional days of the semester for semester courses. Exceptions shall be permitted to accommodate a student's individualized education program and section 504 (29 U.S.C. § 794) plans, and for the administration of final exams for courses with national or international curriculums required to be held at designated times.

These policies shall reflect standard testing practices to insure reliability and validity of the sample testing. The results of the field tests shall be used in the final design of each test. The State Board of Education's policies regarding the testing of children students with disabilities shall (i) provide broad accommodations and alternate methods of assessment that are consistent with a child's student's individualized education program and section 504 (29 U.S.C. § 794) plans, (ii) prohibit the use of statewide tests as the sole determinant of decisions about a child'sstudent's graduation or promotion, and (iii) provide parents with information about the Statewide Testing Program and options for students with disabilities. The State Board shall report its proposed policies and proposed changes in policies to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee prior to adoption.

The State Board of Education may appoint an Advisory Council on Testing to assist in carrying out its responsibilities under this Article."

SECTION 7A.4.(b)  This section is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2012-2013 school year.

 

ADJUSTMENTS TO SCHOOL CALENDAR

SECTION 7A.5.(a)  G.S. 115C-84.2 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-84.2.  School calendar.

(a)        School Calendar. - Each local board of education shall adopt a school calendar consisting of 215 days all of which shall fall within the fiscal year. A school calendar shall include the following:

(1)        A minimum of 185 days and or 1,025 hours of instruction covering at least nine calendar months. The local board shall designate when the 185 instructional days shall occur. The number of instructional hours in an instructional day may vary according to local board policy and does not have to be uniform among the schools in the administrative unit. Local boards may approve school improvement plans that include days with varying amounts of instructional time. If school is closed early due to inclement weather, the day and the scheduled amount of instructional hours may count towards the required minimum to the extent allowed by State Board policy. The school calendar shall include a plan for making up days and instructional hours missed when schools are not opened due to inclement weather.

(4a)      Three days, as designated by the local board, for use as teacher workdays. These days shall be protected to allow teachers to complete instructional and classroom administrative duties. The local school administrative unit shall not impose any additional tasks on these days. The local board shall schedule at least one of these days at the beginning of the school year and at least one at the end of the school year.

(5)        The remaining days scheduled by the local board in consultation with each school's principal for use as teacher workdays, additional instructional days, or other lawful purposes. Before consulting with the local board, each principal shall work with the school improvement team to determine the days to be scheduled and the purposes for which they should be scheduled. Days may be scheduled and planned for different purposes for different personnel and there is no requirement to schedule the same dates for all personnel. In order to make up days for school closing because of inclement weather, the local board may designate any of the days in this subdivision as additional make-up days to be scheduled after the last day of student attendance.

If the State Board of Education finds that it will enhance student performance to do so, the State Board may grant a local board of education a waiver to use up to five of the instructional days required by subdivision (1) of this subsection as teacher workdays. For each instructional day waived, the State Board shall waive an equivalent number of instructional hours.

Local boards and individual schools are encouraged to use the calendar flexibility in order to meet the annual performance standards set by the State Board. Local boards of education shall consult with parents and the employed public school personnel in the development of the school calendar.

Local boards shall designate at least two days scheduled under subdivision (5) of this subsection as days on which teachers may take accumulated vacation leave. Local boards may designate the remaining days scheduled in subdivision (5) of this subsection as days on which teachers may take accumulated vacation leave, but local boards shall give teachers at least 14 calendar days' notice before requiring a teacher to work instead of taking vacation leave on any of these days. A teacher may elect to waive this notice requirement for one or more of these days.

(d)        Opening and Closing Dates. - Local boards of education shall determine the dates of opening and closing the public schools under subdivision (a)(1) of this section. Except for year-round schools, the opening date for students shall not be before August 25,be no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26, and the closing date for students shall not be after June 10.be no later than the Friday closest to June 11. On a showing of good cause, the State Board of Education may waive this requirement the requirement that the opening date for students be no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26 and may allow the local board of education to set an opening date no earlier than the Monday closest to August 19, to the extent that school calendars are able to provide sufficient days to accommodate anticipated makeup days due to school closings. A local board may revise the scheduled closing date if necessary in order to comply with the minimum requirements for instructional days or instructional time. For purposes of this subsection, the term "good cause" means either that:that schools in any local school administrative unit in a county have been closed eight days per year during any four of the last 10 years because of severe weather conditions, energy shortages, power failures, or other emergency situations.

(1)        Schools in any local school administrative unit in a county have been closed eight days per year during any four of the last 10 years because of severe weather conditions, energy shortages, power failures, or other emergency situations; or

(2)        Schools in any local school administrative unit in a county have been closed for all or part of eight days per year during any four of the last 10 years because of severe weather conditions. For purposes of this subdivision, a school shall be deemed to be closed for part of a day if it is closed for two or more hours.

The State Board also may waive this requirement for an educational purpose. The term "educational purpose" means a local school administrative unit establishes a need to adopt a different calendar for (i) a specific school to accommodate a special program offered generally to the student body of that school, (ii) a school that primarily serves a special population of students, or (iii) a defined program within a school. The State Board may grant the waiver for an educational purpose for that specific school or defined program to the extent that the State Board finds that the educational purpose is reasonable, the accommodation is necessary to accomplish the educational purpose, and the request is not an attempt to circumvent the opening and closing dates set forth in this subsection. The waiver requests for educational purposes shall not be used to accommodate system-wide class scheduling preferences.

The required opening and closing dates under this subsection shall not apply to any school that a local board designated as having a modified calendar for the 2003-2004 school year or to any school that was part of a planned program in the 2003-2004 school year for a system of modified calendar schools, so long as the school operates under a modified calendar.

…."

SECTION 7A.5.(b)  G.S. 115C-238.29F(d)(1) reads as rewritten:

"(1)      The school shall provide instruction each year for at least 185 days.days or 1,025 hours over nine calendar months. If the State Board of Education finds that it will enhance student performance to do so, the State Board may grant a charter school a waiver to use up to five of these instructional days as teacher workdays."

SECTION 7A.5.(c)  G.S. 115C-238.53(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d)      A program approved under this Part shall provide instruction each school year for at least 180 days185 days or 1,025 instructional hours during nine calendar months, shall comply with laws and policies relating to the education of students with disabilities, and shall comply with Article 27 of this Chapter. The requirements of G.S. 115C-84.2 shall not apply to the school calendar of a program approved under this Part."

SECTION 7A.5.(d)  G.S. 115C-238.66(1)d. reads as rewritten:

"d.        The board of directors shall adopt a school calendar consisting of a minimum of 185 days or 1,025 hours of instruction covering at least nine calendar months."

SECTION 7A.5.(e)  This section is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.

 

FUNDING FOR THE ADDITION OF FIVE INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS WITHIN THE EXISTING SCHOOL CALENDAR

SECTION 7A.6.(a)  To fully provide for the expansion of five additional instructional days in accordance with S.L. 2011-145, Section 7.29 for those days for which a local school administrative unit has not requested and received a waiver from the State Board of Education for the 2012-2013 school year:

(1)        Of the funds appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the sum of forty thousand one hundred sixty-eight dollars ($40,168) shall be used to increase the amount appropriated for the noninstructional support personnel allotment.

(2)        Of the funds appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the sum of three hundred fifty-one thousand four hundred sixty-nine dollars ($351,469) shall be used to increase the amount appropriated for the transportation allotment.

SECTION 7A.6.(b)  This section becomes effective July 1, 2012.

 

ESTABLISH NC TEACHER CORPS

SECTION 7A.7.(a)  Article 20 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 115C-296.7.  North Carolina Teacher Corps.

(a)        There is established the North Carolina Teacher Corps (NC Teacher Corps) to recruit and place recent graduates of colleges and universities and mid-career professionals as teachers in high needs public schools.

(b)        The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina and the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, shall develop and administer the NC Teacher Corps. In the development of the NC Teacher Corps, the State Board of Education shall consider examples of other successful teacher recruitment models used nationally and in other states.

(c)        Applications shall be received annually for admission to the NC Teacher Corps. The State Board of Education shall establish application criteria, including, at a minimum, an award of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. The State Board of Education may establish a committee to annually evaluate and select candidates for admission to the NC Teacher Corps.

(d)        The State Board of Education shall identify local school administrative units with unmet recruitment needs and high needs schools and shall coordinate placement of NC Teacher Corps members in those schools.

(e)        The State Board of Education, in coordination with the Board of Governors, shall develop an intensive summer training institute for NC Teacher Corps members to provide coursework and training on essential teaching frameworks, curricula, and lesson planning skills, as well as identification and education of students with disabilities, positive management of student behavior, effective communication for defusing and deescalating disruptive and dangerous behavior, and safe and appropriate use of seclusion and restraint. The intensive summer training institute also shall address identification of difficulty with reading development and of reading deficiencies, and the provision of reading instruction, intervention, and remediation strategies.

(f)         The State Board of Education, in coordination with the Board of Governors, shall provide ongoing support to NC Teaching Corps members through coaching, mentoring, and continued professional development.

(g)        NC Teaching Corps members shall be granted lateral entry teaching licenses pursuant to G.S. 115C-296(c)."

SECTION 7A.7.(b)  This section is effective when it becomes law.  The State Board of Education shall recruit and place an initial cohort of NC Teacher Corps members no later than the 2012-2013 school year.

 

STRENGTHEN TEACHER LICENSURE

SECTION 7A.8.(a)  G.S. 115C-296 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-296.  Board sets licensure requirements; reports; lateral entry and mentor programs.

(a)        The State Board of Education shall have entire control of licensing all applicants for teaching positions in all public elementary and high schools of North Carolina; and it shall prescribe the rules and regulations for the renewal and extension of all licenses and shall determine and fix the salary for each grade and type of license which it authorizes.

The State Board of Education may require an applicant for an initial bachelors degree certificate or graduate degree certificate to demonstrate the applicant's academic and professional preparation by achieving a prescribed minimum score on a standard examination appropriate and adequate for that purpose. Elementary Education (K-6) teachers shall also achieve a prescribed minimum score on subtests or standard examinations specific to teaching reading and mathematics. The State Board of Education shall permit an applicant to fulfill any such testing requirement before or during the applicant's second year of teaching provided the applicant took the examination at least once during the first year of teaching. The State Board of Education shall make any required standard initial licensure exam sufficiently rigorous and raise the prescribed minimum score as necessary to ensure that each applicant has adequate received high quality academic and professional preparation to teach.teach effectively.

(b)        It is the policy of the State of North Carolina to maintain the highest quality teacher education programs and school administrator programs in order to enhance the competence of professional personnel licensed in North Carolina. To the end that teacher preparation programs are upgraded to reflect a more rigorous course of study, the State Board of Education, as lead agency in coordination and cooperation with the University Board of Governors, the Board of Community Colleges and such other public and private agencies as are necessary, shall continue to refine the several licensure requirements, standards for approval of institutions of teacher education, standards for institution-based innovative and experimental programs, standards for implementing consortium-based teacher education, and standards for improved efficiencies in the administration of the approved programs. The licensure program shall provide for initial licensure after completion of preservice training, continuing licensure after three years of teaching experience, and license renewal every five years thereafter, until the retirement of the teacher. The last license renewal received prior to retirement shall remain in effect for five years after retirement. The licensure program shall also provide for lifetime licensure after 50 years of teaching.

The State Board of Education, as lead agency in coordination with the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina and any other public and private agencies as necessary, shall continue to raise standards for entry into teacher education programs.

The State Board of Education, in consultation with local boards of education and the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, shall evaluate and modify, as necessary, the academic requirements for students preparing to teach science in middle and high schools to ensure that there is adequate preparation in issues related to science laboratory safety.

The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, shall evaluate and develop enhanced requirements for continuing licensure. The new requirements shall reflect more rigorous standards for continuing licensure and to the extent possible shall be aligned with quality professional development programs that reflect State priorities for improving student achievement. Standards for continuing licensure shall include at least three continuing education credits related to literacy for elementary and middle school teachers. Literacy renewal credits shall include assessment, diagnosis, and intervention strategies for students not demonstrating reading proficiency. Oral language, phonemic and phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension shall be addressed in literacy-related activities leading to certification renewal for elementary school teachers.

The State Board of Education, in consultation with local boards of education and the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, shall reevaluate and enhance the requirements for renewal of teacher licenses. The State Board shall consider modifications in the license renewal achievement and to make it a mechanism for teachers to renew continually their knowledge and professional skills. The State Board shall adopt new standards for the renewal of teacher licenses by May 15, 1998.

The standards for approval of institutions of teacher education shall require that teacher education programs for all students include demonstrated competencies in (i) the identification and education of children with disabilities and (ii) positive management of student behavior and effective communication techniques for defusing and deescalating disruptive or dangerous behavior. The standards for approval of institutions of teacher education shall require that elementary teacher education programs include demonstrated competencies in (i) teaching of reading, including a substantive understanding of reading as a process involving oral language, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension; (ii) evidence-based assessment and diagnosis of specific areas of difficulty with reading development and of reading deficiencies; and (iii) appropriate application of instructional supports and services and reading interventions to ensure reading proficiency for all students. The State Board of Education shall incorporate the criteria developed in accordance with G.S. 116-74.21 for assessing proposals under the School Administrator Training Program into its school administrator program approval standards.

All North Carolina institutions of higher education that offer teacher education programs, masters degree programs in education, or masters degree programs in school administration shall provide performance reports to the State Board of Education. The performance reports shall follow a common format, shall be submitted according to a plan developed by the State Board, and shall include the information required under the plan developed by the State Board.

(c)        It is the policy of the State of North Carolina to encourage lateral entry into the profession of teaching by skilled individuals from the private sector. To this end, before the 1985-86 school year begins, the State Board of Education shall develop criteria and procedures to accomplish the employment of such individuals as classroom teachers. Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year, the criteria and procedures shall include preservice training in (i) the identification and education of children with disabilities and (ii) positive management of student behavior, effective communication for defusing and deescalating disruptive or dangerous behavior, and safe and appropriate use of seclusion and restraint. Skilled individuals who choose to enter the profession of teaching laterally may be granted a provisionallateral entry teaching license for no more than three years and shall be required to obtain licensure before contracting for a fourth year of service with any local administrative unit in this State.

.…"

SECTION 7A.8.(b)  This section is effective when it becomes law and applies  beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.

 

PROOF OF STATE-FUNDED LIABILITY INSURANCE

SECTION 7A.9.(a)  G.S. 115C-12 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-12.  Powers and duties of the Board generally.

The general supervision and administration of the free public school system shall be vested in the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall establish policy for the system of free public schools, subject to laws enacted by the General Assembly. The powers and duties of the State Board of Education are defined as follows:

(9)        Miscellaneous Powers and Duties. - All the powers and duties exercised by the State Board of Education shall be in conformity with the Constitution and subject to such laws as may be enacted from time to time by the General Assembly. Among such duties are:

f.          To annually notify public school employees of the availability and coverage of professional liability insurance.

.…"

SECTION 7A.9.(b)  This section is effective when it becomes law and applies  beginning with the 2012-2013 school year.

 

PAY FOR EXCELLENCE

SECTION 7A.10.(a)  Each local board of education shall develop a plan of performance pay for all licensed personnel employed by the local board.  Under the performance pay plan, licensed employees should be eligible to receive bonuses or adjustments to base salary for meeting certain performance criteria. Criteria for award of bonuses or adjustments to base salary should include, but are not limited to, the following factors:

(1)        Annual growth in student achievement of students assigned to a teacher's classroom, when applicable.

(2)        Annual growth in student achievement of students assigned to a specific school.

(3)        Assignment of additional academic responsibilities.

(4)        Assignment to a hard-to-staff school.

(5)        Assignment to a hard-to-staff subject area.

Local boards of education shall submit plans to the State Board of Education no later than March 1, 2013. The State Board of Education shall report on these plans and the achievement-based compensation models developed as part of the federal Race to the Top grant and shall submit the report and all plans to the Fiscal Research Division, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, and the respective Subcommittees on Education Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives no later than April 15, 2013. Members of the public may also submit plans for performance pay no later than April 15, 2013, to the Fiscal Research Division, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, and the respective Subcommittees on Education Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives.

SECTION 7A.10.(b)  This section is effective when it becomes law.

 

CLARIFY NC PRE-K PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

SECTION 7A.11.(a)  Section 10.7(f) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 10.7.(f)  The prekindergarten program may continue to serve at-risk children identified through the existing "child find" methods in which at-risk children are currently served within the Division of Child Development. The Division of Child Development shall serve at-risk children regardless of income. However, the total number of at-risk children served shall constitute no more than twenty percent (20%) of the four-year-olds served within the prekindergarten program. Any The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall establish income eligibility requirements for the program not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the State median income. Up to twenty percent (20%) of children enrolled may have family incomes in excess of seventy-five percent (75%) of median income if they have other designated risk factors. Furthermore, any age-eligible child who is a child of either of the following shall be eligible for the program: (i) an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who was ordered to active duty by the proper authority within the last 18 months or is expected to be ordered within the next 18 months or (ii) a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty. Eligibility determinations for prekindergarten participants may continue through local education agencies and local North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., partnerships."

SECTION 7A.11.(b)  Section 10.7(h) of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

SECTION 7A.11.(c)  Of the funds appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the sum of eleven million three hundred eight thousand three hundred sixty-three dollars ($11,308,363) shall be used to add 2,261 slots to be used in the NC Pre-K program.

SECTION 7A.11.(d)  This section is effective when it becomes law.

 

REPEAL PROHIBITION ON TEACHER PREPAYMENT

SECTION 7A.12.(a)  Section 5 of S.L. 2011-379 is repealed.

SECTION 7A.12.(b)  This section becomes effective July 1, 2012.

 

TAX DEDUCTION FOR EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES

SECTION 7A.13.(a)  G.S. 105-134.6(d) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

"(d)      Other Adjustments. - The following adjustments to taxable income shall be made in calculating North Carolina taxable income:

(9)        To the extent a deduction has not been claimed for educator expenses in determining federal adjusted gross income, an eligible educator may deduct an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) paid or incurred in connection with items listed in this subdivision. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "eligible educator" has the same meaning as defined in section 62 of the Code, as it existed on December 31, 2011. In the case of a married couple filing a joint return where both spouses are eligible educators, the maximum dollar amount is five hundred dollars ($500.00).

a.         Books.

b.         Supplies, other than nonathletic supplies for courses of instruction in health or physical education.

c.         Computer equipment, including related software and services.

d.         Supplementary materials used by the eligible educator in the classroom."

SECTION 7A.13.(b)  This section becomes effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012.

 

TEACHER CONTRACTS

SECTION 7A.14.(a)  G.S. 115C-325 is repealed.

SECTION 7A.14.(b)  Part 3 of Article 22 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding new sections to read:

"§ 115C-325.1.  Definitions.

As used in this Part, the following definitions apply:

(1)        "Day" means calendar day. In computing any period of time, Rule 6 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply.

(2)        "Demote" means to reduce the salary of a person who is classified or paid by the State Board of Education as a classroom teacher or as a school administrator. The word "demote" does not include (i) a suspension without pay pursuant to G.S. 115C-325.5(a); (ii) the elimination or reduction of bonus payments, including merit-based supplements, or a systemwide modification in the amount of any applicable local supplement; or (iii) any reduction in salary that results from the elimination of a special duty, such as the duty of an athletic coach or a choral director.

(3)        "Disciplinary suspension" means a final decision to suspend a teacher or school administrator without pay for no more than 60 days under G.S. 115C-325.5(b).

(4)        "School administrator" means a principal, assistant principal, supervisor, or director whose major function includes the direct or indirect supervision of teaching or any other part of the instructional program as provided in G.S. 115C-287.1(a)(3).

(5)        "Teacher" means a person meeting each of the following requirements:

a.         Who holds at least one of the following licenses issued by the State Board of Education:

1.         A current standard professional educator's license.

2.         A current lateral entry teaching license.

3.         A regular, not expired, vocational license.

b.         Whose major responsibility is to teach or directly supervise teaching or who is classified by the State Board of Education or is paid either as a classroom teacher or instructional support personnel.

c.         Who is employed to fill a full-time, permanent position.

"§ 115C-325.2.  Personnel files.

(a)        Maintenance of Personnel File. - The superintendent shall maintain in his or her office a personnel file for each teacher that contains any complaint, commendation, or suggestion for correction or improvement about the teacher's professional conduct, except that the superintendent may elect not to place in a teacher's file (i) a letter of complaint that contains invalid, irrelevant, outdated, or false information or (ii) a letter of complaint when there is no documentation of an attempt to resolve the issue. The complaint, commendation, or suggestion shall be signed by the person who makes it and shall be placed in the teacher's file only after five days' notice to the teacher. Any denial or explanation relating to such complaint, commendation, or suggestion that the teacher desires to make shall be placed in the file. Any teacher may petition the local board of education to remove any information from the teacher's personnel file that the teacher deems invalid, irrelevant, or outdated. The board may order the superintendent to remove said information if it finds the information is invalid, irrelevant, or outdated.

(b)        Inspection of Personnel Files. - The personnel file shall be open for the teacher's inspection at all reasonable times but shall be open to other persons only in accordance with such rules and regulations as the board adopts. Any preemployment data or other information obtained about a teacher before the teacher's employment by the board may be kept in a file separate from the teacher's personnel file and need not be made available to the teacher. No data placed in the preemployment file may be introduced as evidence at a hearing on the dismissal or demotion of a teacher, except the data may be used to substantiate G.S. 115C-325.4(a)(7) or G.S. 115C-325.4(a)(14) as grounds for dismissal or demotion.

"§ 115C-325.3.  Teacher contracts.

(a)        Length of Contract. - A contract between the local board of education and a teacher who has been employed by the local board of education for less than three years shall be for a term of one school year. A contract or renewal of contract between the local board of education and a teacher who has been employed by the local board of education for three years or more shall be for a term of one, two, three, or four school years.

(b)        Superintendent Recommendation to Local Board. - Local boards of education shall employ teachers upon the recommendation of the superintendent. If a superintendent intends to recommend to the local board of education that a teacher be offered a new or renewed contract, the superintendent shall submit the recommendation to the local board for action and shall include in the recommendation the length of the term of contract. A superintendent shall only recommend a teacher for a contract of a term longer than one school year if the teacher has shown effectiveness as demonstrated on the teacher evaluation instrument. The local board may approve the superintendent's recommendation, may decide not to offer the teacher a new or renewed contract, or may decide to offer the teacher a renewed contract for a different term than recommended by the superintendent.

(c)        Dismissal During Term of Contract. - A teacher shall not be dismissed or demoted during the term of the contract except for the grounds and by the procedure set forth in G.S. 115C-325.4.

(d)        Recommendation on Nonrenewal. - If a superintendent decides not to recommend that the local board of education offer a renewed contract to a teacher, the superintendent shall give the teacher written notice of the decision no later than May 15.

(e)        Right to Petition for Hearing. - A teacher shall have the right to petition the local board of education for a hearing no later than June 1. The local board may, in its discretion, grant a hearing regarding the superintendent's recommendation for nonrenewal. The local board of education shall notify the teacher making the petition of its decision whether to grant a hearing. If the request for a hearing is granted, the local board shall conduct a hearing pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 115C-45(c) and make a final decision on whether to offer the teacher a renewed contract. The board shall notify a teacher whose contract will not be renewed for the next school year of its decision by June 15; provided, however, if a teacher submits a request for a hearing, the board shall provide the nonrenewal notification by July 1 or such later date upon the written consent of the superintendent and teacher. A decision not to offer a teacher a renewed contract shall not be on any basis prohibited by State or federal law.

(f)         Local boards of education and teachers employed by the local board may mutually modify the terms of the contract to permit part-time employment.

"§ 115C-325.4.  Dismissal or demotion for cause.

(a)        Grounds. - No teacher shall be dismissed or demoted or reduced to employment on a part-time basis for disciplinary reasons during the term of the contract except for one or more of the following:

(1)        Inadequate performance. In determining whether the professional performance of a teacher is adequate, consideration shall be given to regular and special evaluation reports prepared in accordance with the published policy of the employing local school administrative unit and to any published standards of performance which shall have been adopted by the board. Inadequate performance for a teacher shall mean (i) the failure to perform at a proficient level on any standard of the evaluation instrument or (ii) otherwise performing in a manner that is below standard.

(2)        Immorality.

(3)        Insubordination.

(4)        Neglect of duty.

(5)        Physical or mental incapacity.

(6)        Habitual or excessive use of alcohol or nonmedical use of a controlled substance as defined in Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.

(7)        Conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude.

(8)        Advocating the overthrow of the government of the United States or of the State of North Carolina by force, violence, or other unlawful means.

(9)        Failure to fulfill the duties and responsibilities imposed upon teachers or school administrators by the General Statutes of this State.

(10)      Failure to comply with such reasonable requirements as the board may prescribe.

(11)      Any cause which constitutes grounds for the revocation of the teacher's teaching license or the school administrator's administrator license.

(12)      Failure to maintain his or her license in a current status.

(13)      Failure to repay money owed to the State in accordance with the provisions of Article 60 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes.

(14)      Providing false information or knowingly omitting a material fact on an application for employment or in response to a preemployment inquiry.

(b)        Dismissal Procedure. - The procedures provided in G.S. 115C-325.6 shall be followed for dismissals, demotions, or reductions to part-time employment for disciplinary reasons for any reason specified in subsection (a) of this section.

"§ 115C-325.5.  Teacher suspension.

(a)        Immediate Suspension Without Pay. - If a superintendent believes that cause exists for dismissing a teacher for any reason specified in G.S. 115C-325.4 and that immediate suspension of the teacher is necessary, the superintendent may suspend the teacher without pay. Before suspending a teacher without pay, the superintendent shall meet with the teacher and give him or her written notice of the charges against the teacher, an explanation of the basis for the charges, and an opportunity to respond. Within five days after a suspension under this paragraph, the superintendent shall initiate a dismissal, demotion, or disciplinary suspension without pay as provided in this section. If it is finally determined that no grounds for dismissal, demotion, or disciplinary suspension without pay exist, the teacher shall be reinstated immediately, shall be paid for the period of suspension, and all records of the suspension shall be removed from the teacher's personnel file.

(b)        Disciplinary Suspension Without Pay. - A teacher recommended for disciplinary suspension without pay may request a hearing before the board. If no request is made within 15 days, the superintendent may file his or her recommendation with the board. If, after considering the recommendation of the superintendent and the evidence adduced at the hearing if one is held, the board concludes that the grounds for the recommendation are true and substantiated by a preponderance of the evidence, the board, if it sees fit, may by resolution order such suspension.

(1)        Board hearing for disciplinary suspensions for more than 10 days or for certain types of intentional misconduct. - The procedures for a board hearing under G.S. 115C-325.8 shall apply if any of the following circumstances exist:

a.         The recommended disciplinary suspension without pay is for more than 10 days; or

b.         The disciplinary suspension is for intentional misconduct, such as inappropriate sexual or physical conduct, immorality, insubordination, habitual or excessive alcohol or nonmedical use of a controlled substance as defined in Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes, any cause that constitutes grounds for the revocation of the teacher's or school administrator's license, or providing false information.

(2)        Board hearing for disciplinary suspensions of no more than 10 days. - The procedures for a board hearing under G.S. 115C-325.7 shall apply to all disciplinary suspensions of no more than 10 days that are not for intentional misconduct as specified in G.S. 115C-325.5(b)(1).

(c)        Suspension with Pay. - If a superintendent believes that cause may exist for dismissing or demoting a teacher for any reasons specified in G.S. 115C-325.4 but that additional investigation of the facts is necessary and circumstances are such that the teacher should be removed immediately from the teacher's duties, the superintendent may suspend the teacher with pay for a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 90 days. The superintendent shall notify the board of education within two days of the superintendent's action and shall notify the teacher within two days of the action and the reasons for it. If the superintendent has not initiated dismissal or demotion proceedings against the teacher within the 90-day period, the teacher shall be reinstated to the teacher's duties immediately and all records of the suspension with pay shall be removed from the teacher's personnel file at the teacher's request. However, if the superintendent and the teacher agree to extend the 90-day period, the superintendent may initiate dismissal or demotion proceedings against the teacher at any time during the period of the extension.

"§ 115C-325.6.  Procedure for dismissal or demotion of a teacher for cause.

(a)        Recommendation of Dismissal or Demotion. - A teacher may not be dismissed, demoted, or reduced to part-time employment for disciplinary reasons during the term of the contract except upon the superintendent's recommendation based on one or more of the grounds in G.S. 115C-325.4.

(b)        Notice of Recommendation. - Before recommending to a board the dismissal or demotion of a teacher, the superintendent shall give written notice to the teacher by certified mail or personal delivery of the superintendent's intention to make such recommendation and shall set forth as part of the superintendent's recommendation the grounds upon which he or she believes such dismissal or demotion is justified. The superintendent also shall meet with the teacher and provide written notice of the charges against the teacher, an explanation of the basis for the charges, and an opportunity to respond if the teacher has not done so under G.S. 115C-325.5(a). The notice shall include a statement to the effect that the teacher, within 14 days after the date of receipt of the notice, may request a hearing before the board on the superintendent's recommendation. A copy of Part 3 of Article 22 of Chapter 115C shall also be sent to the teacher.

(c)        Request for Hearing. - Within 14 days after receipt of the notice of recommendation, the teacher may file with the superintendent a written request for a hearing before the board on the superintendent's recommendation. The superintendent shall submit his or her recommendation to the board. Within five days after receiving the superintendent's recommendation and before taking any formal action, the board shall set a time and place for the hearing and shall notify the teacher by certified mail or personal delivery of the date, time, and place of the hearing. The time specified shall not be less than 10 nor more than 30 days after the board has notified the teacher, unless both parties agree to an extension. The hearing shall be conducted as provided in G.S. 115C-325.7.

(d)        No Request for Hearing. - If the teacher does not request a hearing before the board within the 14 days provided, the superintendent may submit his or her recommendation to the board. The board, if it sees fit, may by resolution (i) reject the superintendent's recommendation or (ii) accept or modify the superintendent's recommendation and dismiss, demote, reinstate, or suspend the teacher without pay.

"§ 115C-325.7.  Hearing before board.

(a)        Board Hearing. - The following procedures shall apply to a hearing conducted by the board:

(1)        The hearing shall be private.

(2)        The board shall receive the following:

a.         Any documentary evidence the superintendent intends to use to support the recommendation. The superintendent shall provide the documentary evidence to the teacher seven days before the hearing.

b.         Any documentary evidence the teacher intends to use to rebut the superintendent's recommendation. The teacher shall provide the superintendent with the documentary evidence three days before the hearing.

c.         The superintendent's recommendation and the grounds for the recommendation.

(3)        The superintendent and teacher may submit a written statement not less than three days before the hearing.

(4)        The superintendent and teacher shall be permitted to make oral arguments to the board based on the record before the board.

(5)        The board shall make findings of fact based upon a preponderance of the evidence.

(6)        Within two days following the hearing, the board shall send a written copy of its findings and determination to the teacher and the superintendent.

(7)        If the board elects to make a transcript, the teacher may request and shall receive at no charge a transcript of the proceedings. A teacher may have the hearing transcribed by a court reporter at the teacher's expense.

(b)        The procedures of this section shall not apply to board hearings for disciplinary suspensions without pay under G.S. 115C-325.5(b)(1). Board hearings for G.S. 115C-325.5(b)(1) shall be conducted as provided in G.S. 115C-325.8.

"§ 115C-325.8.  Board hearing for certain disciplinary suspensions.

(a)        The following procedures shall apply for a board hearing under G.S. 115C-325.5(b), disciplinary suspensions without pay:

(1)        The hearing shall be private.

(2)        The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with reasonable rules adopted by the State Board of Education to govern such hearings.

(3)        At the hearing, the teacher and the superintendent shall have the right to be present and to be heard, to be represented by counsel, and to present through witnesses any competent testimony relevant to the issue of whether grounds exist for a disciplinary suspension without pay.

(4)        Rules of evidence shall not apply to a hearing under this subsection and the board may give probative effect to evidence that is of a kind commonly relied on by reasonably prudent persons in the conduct of serious affairs.

(5)        At least eight days before the hearing, the superintendent shall provide to the teacher a list of witnesses the superintendent intends to present, a brief statement of the nature of the testimony of each witness, and a copy of any documentary evidence the superintendent intends to present.

(6)        At least six days before the hearing, the teacher shall provide the superintendent a list of witnesses the teacher intends to present, a brief statement of the nature of the testimony of each witness, and a copy of any documentary evidence the teacher intends to present.

(7)        No new evidence may be presented at the hearing except upon a finding by the board that the new evidence is critical to the matter at issue and the party making the request could not, with reasonable diligence, have discovered and produced the evidence according to the schedule provided in this section.

(8)        The board may subpoena and swear witnesses and may require them to give testimony and to produce records and documents relevant to the grounds for suspension without pay.

(9)        The board shall decide all procedural issues, including limiting cumulative evidence, necessary for a fair and efficient hearing.

(10)      The superintendent shall provide for making a transcript of the hearing. The teacher may request and shall receive at no charge a transcript of the proceedings.

"§ 115C-325.9.  Teacher resignation.

(a)        Teacher Resignation Following Recommendation for Dismissal. - If a teacher has been recommended for dismissal under G.S. 115C-325.4 and the teacher chooses to resign without the written agreement of the superintendent, then:

(1)        The superintendent shall report the matter to the State Board of Education.

(2)        The teacher shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the placement in the teacher's personnel file of the written notice of the superintendent's intention to recommend dismissal and (ii) the release of the fact that the superintendent has reported this teacher to the State Board of Education to prospective employers, upon request. The provisions of G.S. 115C-321 shall not apply to the release of this particular information.

(3)        The teacher shall be deemed to have voluntarily surrendered his or her license pending an investigation by the State Board of Education in a determination whether or not to seek action against the teacher's license. This license surrender shall not exceed 45 days from the date of resignation. Provided further that the cessation of the license surrender shall not prevent the State Board of Education from taking any further action it deems appropriate. The State Board of Education shall initiate investigation within five working days of the written notice from the superintendent and shall make a final decision as to whether to revoke or suspend the teacher's license within 45 days from the date of resignation.

(b)        30 Days' Notice Resignation Requirement. - A teacher who is not recommended for dismissal should not resign during the term of the contract without the consent of the superintendent unless he or she has given at least 30 days' notice. If a teacher who is not recommended for dismissal does resign during the term of the contract without giving at least 30 days' notice, the board may request that the State Board of Education revoke the teacher's license for the remainder of that school year. A copy of the request shall be placed in the teacher's personnel file.

"§ 115C-325.10.  Application to certain institutions.

Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary, this Part shall apply to all persons employed in teaching and related educational classes in the schools and institutions of the Departments of Health and Human Services, Public Instruction, Correction, or the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Public Safety, regardless of the age of the students.

"§ 115C-325.11.  Dismissal of school administrators and teachers employed in low-performing residential schools.

(a)        Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or any other law, this section shall govern the dismissal by the State Board of Education of teachers, principals, assistant principals, directors, supervisors, and other licensed personnel assigned to a residential school that the State Board has identified as low-performing and to which the State Board has assigned an assistance team. The State Board shall dismiss a teacher, principal, assistant principal, director, supervisor, or other licensed personnel when the State Board receives two consecutive evaluations that include written findings and recommendations regarding that person's inadequate performance from the assistance team. These findings and recommendations shall be substantial evidence of the inadequate performance of the teacher or school administrator.

(b)        The State Board may dismiss a teacher, principal, assistant principal, director, supervisor, or other licensed personnel when:

(1)        The State Board determines that the school has failed to make satisfactory improvement after the State Board assigned an assistance team to that school.

(2)        That assistance team makes the recommendation to dismiss the teacher, principal, assistant principal, director, supervisor, or other licensed personnel for one or more grounds established in G.S. 115C-325.4 for dismissal or demotion of a teacher.

Within 30 days of any dismissal under this subsection, a teacher, principal, assistant principal, director, supervisor, or other licensed personnel may request a hearing before a panel of three members designated by the State Board. The State Board shall adopt procedures to ensure that due process rights are afforded to persons recommended for dismissal under this subsection. Decisions of the panel may be appealed on the record to the State Board.

(c)        Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or any other law, this subsection shall govern the dismissal by the State Board of licensed staff members who have engaged in a remediation plan under G.S. 115C-105.38A(c) but who, after one retest, fail to meet the general knowledge standard set by the State Board. The failure to meet the general knowledge standard after one retest shall be substantial evidence of the inadequate performance of the licensed staff member.

Within 30 days of any dismissal under this subsection, a licensed staff member may request a hearing before a panel of three members designated by the State Board. The State Board shall adopt procedures to ensure that due process rights are afforded to licensed staff members recommended for dismissal under this subsection. Decisions of the panel may be appealed on the record to the State Board.

(d)        The State Board or the superintendent of a residential school may terminate the contract of a school administrator dismissed under this section. Nothing in this section shall prevent the State Board from refusing to renew the contract of any person employed in a school identified as low-performing.

(e)        Neither party to a school administrator or teacher contract is entitled to damages under this section.

(f)         The State Board shall have the right to subpoena witnesses and documents on behalf of any party to the proceedings under this section.

"§ 115C-325.12.  Procedure for dismissal of Principals employed in low-performing schools.

(a)        Dismissal of Principals Assigned to Low-Performing Schools With Assistance Teams. - Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part or any other law, this section governs the State Board's dismissal of principals assigned to low-performing schools to which the State Board has assigned an assistance team.

(b)        Authority of State Board to Dismiss Principal. - The State Board through its designee may, at any time, recommend the dismissal of any principal who is assigned to a low-performing school to which an assistance team has been assigned. The State Board through its designee shall recommend the dismissal of any principal when the State Board receives from the assistance team assigned to that principal's school two consecutive evaluations that include written findings and recommendations regarding the principal's inadequate performance.

(c)        Procedures for Dismissal of Principal. -

(1)        If the State Board through its designee recommends the dismissal of a principal under this section, the principal shall be suspended with pay pending a hearing before a panel of three members of the State Board. The purpose of this hearing, which shall be held within 60 days after the principal is suspended, is to determine whether the principal shall be dismissed.

(2)        The panel shall order the dismissal of the principal if it determines from available information, including the findings of the assistance team, that the low performance of the school is due to the principal's inadequate performance.

(3)        The panel may order the dismissal of the principal if (i) it determines that the school has not made satisfactory improvement after the State Board assigned an assistance team to that school; and (ii) the assistance team makes the recommendation to dismiss the principal for one or more grounds established in G.S. 115C-325.4 for dismissal or demotion of a teacher.

(4)        If the State Board or its designee recommends the dismissal of a principal before the assistance team assigned to the principal's school has evaluated that principal, the panel may order the dismissal of the principal if the panel determines from other available information that the low performance of the school is due to the principal's inadequate performance.

(5)        In all hearings under this section, the burden of proof is on the principal to establish that the factors leading to the school's low performance were not due to the principal's inadequate performance. In all hearings under this section, the burden of proof is on the State Board to establish that the school failed to make satisfactory improvement after an assistance team was assigned to the school and to establish one or more of the grounds established for dismissal or demotion of a teacher under G.S. 115C-325.4.

(6)        In all hearings under this section, two consecutive evaluations that include written findings and recommendations regarding that principal's inadequate performance from the assistance team are substantial evidence of the inadequate performance of the principal.

(7)        The State Board shall adopt procedures to ensure that due process rights are afforded to principals under this section. Decisions of the panel may be appealed on the record to the State Board.

(d)        The State Board of Education or a local board may terminate the contract of a principal dismissed under this section.

(e)        Neither party to a school administrator contract is entitled to damages under this section.

(f)         The State Board shall have the right to subpoena witnesses and documents on behalf of any party to the proceedings under this section.

"§ 115C-325.13.  Procedure for dismissal of teachers employed in low-performing schools.

(a)        Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part or any other law, this section shall govern the State Board's dismissal of teachers, assistant principals, directors, and supervisors assigned to schools that the State Board has identified as low-performing and to which the State Board has assigned an assistance team under Article 8B of this Chapter. The State Board shall dismiss a teacher, assistant principal, director, or supervisor when the State Board receives two consecutive evaluations that include written findings and recommendations regarding that person's inadequate performance from the assistance team. These findings and recommendations shall be substantial evidence of the inadequate performance of the teacher, assistant principal, director, or supervisor.

(b)        The State Board may dismiss a teacher, assistant principal, director, or supervisor when:

(1)        The State Board determines that the school has failed to make satisfactory improvement after the State Board assigned an assistance team to that school under G.S. 115C-105.38; and

(2)        That assistance team makes the recommendation to dismiss the teacher, assistant principal, director, or supervisor for one or more grounds established in G.S. 115C-325.4 for dismissal or demotion for cause.

A teacher, assistant principal, director, or supervisor may request a hearing before a panel of three members of the State Board within 30 days of any dismissal under this section. The State Board shall adopt procedures to ensure that due process rights are afforded to persons recommended for dismissal under this section. Decisions of the panel may be appealed on the record to the State Board.

(c)        Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part or any other law, this section shall govern the State Board's dismissal of licensed staff members who have engaged in a remediation plan under G.S. 115C-105.38A(c) but who, after one retest, fail to meet the general knowledge standard set by the State Board. The failure to meet the general knowledge standard after one retest shall be substantial evidence of the inadequate performance of the licensed staff member.

(d)        A licensed staff member may request a hearing before a panel of three members of the State Board within 30 days of any dismissal under this section. The State Board shall adopt procedures to ensure that due process rights are afforded to licensed staff members recommended for dismissal under this section. Decisions of the panel may be appealed on the record to the State Board.

(e)        The State Board of Education or a local board may terminate the contract of a teacher, assistant principal, director, or supervisor dismissed under this section.

(f)         Neither party to a school administrator or teacher contract is entitled to damages under this section.

(g)        The State Board shall have the right to subpoena witnesses and documents on behalf of any party to the proceedings under this section."

SECTION 7A.14.(c)  G.S. 115C-45(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c)       Appeals to Board of Education and to Superior Court. - An appeal shall lie to the local board of education from any final administrative decision in the following matters:

(1)        The discipline of a student under G.S. 115C-390.7, 115C-390.10, or 115C-390.11;

(2)        An alleged violation of a specified federal law, State law, State Board of Education policy, State rule, or local board policy, including policies regarding grade retention of students;

(3)        The terms or conditions of employment or employment status of a school employee; and

(4)        Any other decision that by statute specifically provides for a right of appeal to the local board of education and for which there is no other statutory appeal procedure.

As used in this subsection, the term "final administrative decision" means a decision of a school employee from which no further appeal to a school administrator is available.

Any person aggrieved by a decision not covered under subdivisions (1) through (4) of this subsection shall have the right to appeal to the superintendent and thereafter shall have the right to petition the local board of education for a hearing, and the local board may grant a hearing regarding any final decision of school personnel within the local school administrative unit. The local board of education shall notify the person making the petition of its decision whether to grant a hearing.

In all appeals to the board it is the duty of the board of education to see that a proper notice is given to all parties concerned and that a record of the hearing is properly entered in the records of the board conducting the hearing.

The board of education may designate hearing panels composed of not less than two members of the board to hear and act upon such appeals in the name and on behalf of the board of education.

An appeal of right brought before a local board of education under subdivision (1), (2), (3), or (4) of this subsection may be further appealed to the superior court of the State on the grounds that the local board's decision is in violation of constitutional provisions, is in excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the board, is made upon unlawful procedure, is affected by other error of law, is unsupported by substantial evidence in view of the entire record as submitted, or is arbitrary or capricious. However, the right of a noncertified employee to appeal decisions of a local board under subdivision (3) of this subsection shall only apply to decisions concerning the dismissal, demotion, or suspension without pay of the noncertified employee. A noncertified employee may request and shall be entitled to receive written notice as to the reasons for the employee's dismissal, demotion, or suspension without pay. The notice shall be provided to the employee prior to any local board of education hearing on the issue. This subsection shall not alter the employment status of a noncertified employee."

SECTION 7A.14.(d)  G.S. 115C-105.26(b)(2) reads as rewritten:

"(2)      State rules and policies, except those pertaining to public school State salary schedules and employee benefits for school employees, the instructional program that must be offered under the Basic Education Program, the system of employment for public school teachers and administrators set out in G.S. 115C-287.1 and G.S. 115C-325,in Part 3 of Article 22 of this Chapter, health and safety codes, compulsory attendance, the minimum lengths of the school day and year, and the Uniform Education Reporting System."

SECTION 7A.14.(e)  G.S. 115C-105.37B(a)(2) reads as rewritten:

"(2)      Restart model, in which the State Board of Education would authorize the local board of education to operate the school with the same exemptions from statutes and rules as a charter school authorized under Part 6A of Article 16 of this Chapter, or under the management of an educational management organization that has been selected through a rigorous review process. A school operated under this subdivision remains under the control of the local board of education, and employees assigned to the school are employees of the local school administrative unit with the protections provided by G.S. 115C-325.Part 3 of Article 22 of this Chapter."

SECTION 7A.14.(f)  G.S. 115C-105.38A(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d)      Retesting; Dismissal. - Upon completion of the remediation plan required under subsection (c) of this section, the certified staff member shall take the general knowledge test a second time. If the certified staff member fails to acquire a passing score on the second test, the State Board shall begin a dismissal proceeding under G.S. 115C-325(q)(2a).G.S. 115C-325.13."

SECTION 7A.14.(g)  G.S. 115C-105.38A(f) reads as rewritten:

"(f)       Other Actions Not Precluded. - Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or postpone the following actions:

(1)        The dismissal of a principal under G.S. 115C-325(q)(1);G.S. 115C-325.12.

(2)        The dismissal of a teacher, assistant principal, director, or supervisor under G.S. 115C-325(q)(2);G.S. 115C-325.13.

(3)        The dismissal or demotion of a career an employee for any of the grounds listed under G.S. 115C-325(e);G.S. 115C-325.4.

(4)        The nonrenewal of a school administrator's or probationary teacher's contract of employment; oremployment.

(5)        The decision to grant career status."

SECTION 7A.14.(h)  G.S. 115C-105.39 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-105.39.  Dismissal or removal of personnel; appointment of interim superintendent.

(a)        Within 30 days of the initial identification of a school as low-performing, whether by the local school administrative unit under G.S. 115C-105.37(a1) or by the State Board under G.S. 115C-105.37(a), the superintendent shall take one of the following actions concerning the school's principal: (i) recommend to the local board that the principal be retained in the same position, (ii) recommend to the local board that the principal be retained in the same position and a plan of remediation should be developed, (iii) recommend to the local board that the principal be transferred, or (iv) proceed under G.S. 115C-325G.S. 115C-325.4 to dismiss or demote the principal. The principal may be retained in the same position without a plan for remediation only if the principal was in that position for no more than two years before the school is identified as low-performing. The principal shall not be transferred to another principal position unless (i) it is in a school classification in which the principal previously demonstrated at least 2 years of success, (ii) there is a plan to evaluate and provide remediation to the principal for at least one year following the transfer to assure the principal does not impede student performance at the school to which the principal is being transferred; and (iii) the parents of the students at the school to which the principal is being transferred are notified. The principal shall not be transferred to another low-performing school in the local school administrative unit. If the superintendent intends to recommend demotion or dismissal, the superintendent shall notify the local board. Within 15 days of (i) receiving notification that the superintendent intends to proceed under G.S. 115C-325,G.S. 115C-325.4 or (ii) its decision concerning the superintendent's recommendation, but no later than September 30, the local board shall submit to the State Board a written notice of the action taken and the basis for that action. If the State Board does not assign an assistance team to that school or if the State Board assigns an assistance team to that school and the superintendent proceeds under G.S. 115C-325G.S. 115C-325.4 to dismiss or demote the principal, then the State Board shall take no further action. If the State Board assigns an assistance team to the school and the superintendent is not proceeding under G.S. 115C-325G.S. 115C-325.4 to dismiss or demote the principal, then the State Board shall vote to accept, reject, or modify the local board's recommendations. The State Board shall notify the local board of its action within five days. If the State Board rejects or modifies the local board's recommendations and does not recommend dismissal of the principal, the State Board's notification shall include recommended action concerning the principal's assignment or terms of employment. Upon receipt of the State Board's notification, the local board shall implement the State Board's recommended action concerning the principal's assignment or terms of employment unless the local board asks the State Board to reconsider that recommendation. The State Board shall provide an opportunity for the local board to be heard before the State Board acts on the local board's request for a reconsideration. The State Board shall vote to affirm or modify its original recommended action and shall notify the local board of its action within five days. Upon receipt of the State Board's notification, the local board shall implement the State Board's final recommended action concerning the principal's assignment or terms of employment. If the State Board rejects or modifies the local board's action and recommends dismissal of the principal, the State Board shall proceed under G.S. 115C-325(q)(1).G.S. 115C-325.12.

(b)        The State Board shall proceed under G.S. 115C-325(q)(2)G.S. 115C-325.13 for the dismissal of teachers, assistant principals, directors, and supervisors assigned to a school identified as low-performing in accordance with G.S. 115C-325(q)(2).G.S. 115C-325.13.

…."

SECTION 7A.14.(i)  G.S. 115C-238.29F(e)(3) reads as rewritten:

"(3)      If a teacher employed by a local school administrative unit makes a written request for a leave of absence to teach at a charter school, the local school administrative unit shall grant the leave for one year. For the initial year of a charter school's operation, the local school administrative unit may require that the request for a leave of absence be made up to 45 days before the teacher would otherwise have to report for duty. After the initial year of a charter school's operation, the local school administrative unit may require that the request for a leave of absence be made up to 90 days before the teacher would otherwise have to report for duty. A local board of education is not required to grant a request for a leave of absence or a request to extend or renew a leave of absence for a teacher who previously has received a leave of absence from that school board under this subdivision. A teacher who has career status under G.S. 115C-325 prior to receivingreceived a leave of absence to teach at a charter school may return to a public school in the local school administrative unit with career status at the end of the leave of absence or upon the end of employment at the charter school if an appropriate position is available. If an appropriate position is unavailable, the teacher's name shall be placed on a list of available teachers and that teacher shall have priority on all positions for which that teacher is qualified in accordance with G.S. 115C-325(e)(2)."

SECTION 7A.14.(j)  G.S. 115C-238.68(3) reads as rewritten:

"(3)      Career status.Leave of absence from local school administrative unit. - Employees of the board of directors shall not be eligible for career status. If a teacher employed by a local school administrative unit makes a written request for a leave of absence to teach at the regional school, the local school administrative unit shall grant the leave for one year. For the initial year of the regional school's operation, the local school administrative unit may require that the request for a leave of absence be made up to 45 days before the teacher would otherwise have to report for duty. After the initial year of the regional school's operation, the local school administrative unit may require that the request for a leave of absence be made up to 90 days before the teacher would otherwise have to report for duty. A local board of education is not required to grant a request for a leave of absence or a request to extend or renew a leave of absence for a teacher who previously has received a leave of absence from that school board under this subdivision. A teacher who has career status under G.S. 115C-325 prior to receivingreceived a leave of absence to teach at the regional school may return to a public school in the local school administrative unit with career status at the end of the leave of absence or upon the end of employment at the regional school if an appropriate position is available. If an appropriate position is unavailable, the teacher's name shall be placed on a list of available teachers in accordance with G.S. 115C-325(e)(2)."

SECTION 7A.14.(k)  G.S. 115C-276(l) reads as rewritten:

"(l)        To Maintain Personnel Files and to Participate in Firing and Demoting of Staff. - The superintendent shall maintain in his or her office a personnel file for each teacher that contains complaints, commendations, or suggestions for correction or improvement about the teacher and shall participate in the firing and demoting of staff, as provided in G.S. 115C-325.Part 3 of Article 22 of this Chapter."

SECTION 7A.14.(l)  G.S. 115C-285(7) reads as rewritten:

"(7)      All persons employed as principals in the schools and institutions listed in subsection (p) of G.S. 115C-325 G.S. 115C-325.10 shall be compensated at the same rate as are teachers in the public schools in accordance with the salary schedule adopted by the State Board of Education."

SECTION 7A.14.(m)  G.S. 115C-287.1 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-287.1.  Method of employment of principals, assistant principals, supervisors, and directors.

(a)        (1)        Beginning July 1, 1995, allAll persons employed as school administrators shall be employed pursuant to this section.

(2)        Notwithstanding G.S. 115C-287.1(a)(1), the following school administrators shall be employed pursuant to G.S. 115C-325:

a.         School administrators who, as of July 1, 1995, are serving in a principal or supervisor position with career status in that position; and

b.         School administrators who, as of July 1, 1995, are serving in a principal or supervisor position and who are eligible to achieve career status on or before June 30, 1997.

A school administrator shall cease to be employed pursuant to G.S. 115C-325 if the school administrator: (i) voluntarily relinquishes career status or the opportunity to achieve career status through promotion, resignation, or otherwise; or (ii) is dismissed or demoted or whose contract is not renewed pursuant to G.S. 115C-325.

(3)        For purposes of this section, school administrator means a:

a.         Principal;

b.         Assistant principal;

c.         Supervisor; or

d.         Director,

whose major function includes the direct or indirect supervision of teaching or of any other part of the instructional program.

(4)        Nothing in this section shall be construed to confer career status on any assistant principal or director, or to make an assistant principal eligible for career status as an assistant principal or a director eligible for career status as a director.

(b)        Local boards of education shall employ school administrators who are ineligible for career status as provided in G.S. 115C-325(c)(3), upon the recommendation of the superintendent. The initial contract between a school administrator and a local board of education shall be for two to four years, ending on June 30 of the final 12 months of the contract. In the case of a subsequent contract between a principal or assistant principal and a local board of education, the contract shall be for a term of four years. In the case of an initial contract between a school administrator and a local board of education, the first year of the contract may be for a period of less than 12 months provided the contract becomes effective on or before September 1. A local board of education may, with the written consent of the school administrator, extend, renew, or offer a new school administrator's contract at any time after the first 12 months of the contract so long as the term of the new, renewed, or extended contract does not exceed four years. Rolling annual contract renewals are not allowed. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the filling of an administrative position on an interim or temporary basis.

(c)        The term of employment shall be stated in a written contract that shall be entered into between the local board of education and the school administrator. The school administrator shall not be dismissed or demoted during the term of the contract except for the grounds and by the procedure by which a career teacher may be dismissed or demoted for cause as set forth in G.S. 115C-325.G.S. 115C-325.4.

(d)        If a superintendent intends to recommend to the local board of education that the school administrator be offered a new, renewed, or extended contract, the superintendent shall submit the recommendation to the local board for action. The local board may approve the superintendent's recommendation or decide not to offer the school administrator a new, renewed, or extended school administrator's contract.

If a superintendent decides not to recommend that the local board of education offer a new, renewed, or extended school administrator's contract to the school administrator, the superintendent shall give the school administrator written notice of his or her decision and the reasons for his or her decision no later than May 1 of the final year of the contract. The superintendent's reasons may not be arbitrary, capricious, discriminatory, personal, or political. No action by the local board or further notice to the school administrator shall be necessary unless the school administrator files with the superintendent a written request, within 10 days of receipt of the superintendent's decision, for a hearing before the local board. Failure to file a timely request for a hearing shall result in a waiver of the right to appeal the superintendent's decision. If a school administrator files a timely request for a hearing, the local board shall conduct a hearing pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 115C-45(c) and make a final decision on whether to offer the school administrator a new, renewed, or extended school administrator's contract.

If the local board decides not to offer the school administrator a new, renewed, or extended school administrator's contract, the local board shall notify the school administrator of its decision by June 1 of the final year of the contract. A decision not to offer the school administrator a new, renewed, or extended contract may not be for any cause that is not arbitrary, capricious, discriminatory, personal, or political. prohibited by State or federal law. The local board's decision not to offer the school administrator a new, renewed, or extended school administrator's contract is subject to judicial review in accordance with Article 4 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.

(e)        Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 369, s. 1.

(f)         If the superintendent or the local board of education fails to notify a school administrator by June 1 of the final year of the contract that the school administrator will not be offered a new school administrator's contract, the school administrator shall be entitled to 30 days of additional employment or severance pay beyond the date the school administrator receives written notice that a new contract will not be offered.

(g)        If, prior to appointment as a school administrator, the school administrator held career status as a teacher in the local school administrative unit in which he or she is employed as a school administrator, a school administrator shall retain career status as a teacher if the school administrator is not offered a new, renewed, or extended contract by the local board of education, unless the school administrator voluntarily relinquished that right or is dismissed or demoted pursuant to G.S. 115C-325.

(h)        An individual who holds a provisional assistant principal's certificate and who is employed as an assistant principal under G.S. 115C-284(c) shall be considered a school administrator for purposes of this section. Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, a local board may enter into one-year contracts with a school administrator who holds a provisional assistant principal's certificate. If the school administrator held career status as a teacher in the local school administrative unit prior to being employed as an assistant principal and the State Board for any reason does not extend the school administrator's provisional assistant principal's certificate, the school administrator shall retain career status as a teacher unless the school administrator voluntarily relinquished that right or is dismissed or demoted under G.S. 115C-325. Nothing in this subsection or G.S. 115C-284(c) shall be construed to require a local board to extend or renew the contract of a school administrator who holds a provisional assistant principal's certificate."

SECTION 7A.14.(n)  G.S. 115C-288(g) reads as rewritten:

"(g)       To Report Certain Acts to Law Enforcement and the Superintendent. - When the principal has personal knowledge, a reasonable belief, or actual notice from school personnel that an act has occurred on school property involving assault resulting in serious personal injury, sexual assault, sexual offense, rape, kidnapping, indecent liberties with a minor, assault involving the use of a weapon, possession of a firearm in violation of the law, possession of a weapon in violation of the law, or possession of a controlled substance in violation of the law, the principal shall immediately report the act to the appropriate local law enforcement agency.

A principal who willfully fails to make a report to law enforcement required by this subsection may be subject to demotion or dismissal pursuant to G.S. 115C-325.G.S. 115C-325.4.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Board of Education shall not require the principal to report to law enforcement acts in addition to those required to be reported by this subsection.

For purposes of this subsection, "school property" shall include any public school building, bus, public school campus, grounds, recreational area, or athletic field, in the charge of the principal.

The principal or the principal's designee shall notify the superintendent or the superintendent's designee in writing or by electronic mail regarding any report made to law enforcement under this subsection. This notification shall occur by the end of the workday in which the incident occurred when reasonably possible but not later than the end of the following workday. The superintendent shall provide the information to the local board of education.

Nothing in this subsection shall be interpreted to interfere with the due process rights of school employees or the privacy rights of students."

SECTION 7A.14.(o)  G.S. 115C-304 is repealed.

SECTION 7A.14.(p)  G.S. 115C-333 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-333.  Evaluation of licensed employees including certain superintendents; mandatory improvement plans; State board notification upon dismissal of employees.

(a)        Annual Evaluations; Low-Performing Schools. - Local school administrative units shall evaluate at least once each year all licensed employees assigned to a school that has been identified as low-performing. The evaluation shall occur early enough during the school year to provide adequate time for the development and implementation of a mandatory improvement plan if one is recommended under subsection (b) of this section. If the employee is a teacher as defined under G.S. 115C-325(a)(6),G.S. 115C-325.1(5), either the principal, the assistant principal who supervises the teacher, or an assistance team assigned under G.S. 115C-105.38 shall conduct the evaluation. If the employee is a school administrator as defined under G.S. 115C-287.1(a)(3), either the superintendent or the superintendent's designee shall conduct the evaluation.

All teachers in low-performing schools who have not attained career statusbeen employed for less than three consecutive years shall be observed at least three times annually by the principal or the principal's designee and at least once annually by a teacher and shall be evaluated at least once annually by a principal. This section shall not be construed to limit the duties and authority of an assistance team assigned to a low-performing school under G.S. 115C-105.38.

A local board shall use the performance standards and criteria adopted by the State Board and may adopt additional evaluation criteria and standards. All other provisions of this section shall apply if a local board uses an evaluation other than one adopted by the State Board.

(b)        Mandatory Improvement Plans. -

(1)        Repealed by Session Laws 2011-348, s. 2, effective July 1, 2011, and applicable to persons recommended for dismissal or demotion on or after that date.

(1a)      A mandatory improvement plan is an instrument designed to improve a teacher's performance or the performance of any licensed employee in a low-performing school by providing the individual with notice of specific performance areas that have substantial deficiencies and a set of strategies, including the specific support to be provided to the individual, so that the individual, within a reasonable period of time, should satisfactorily resolve such deficiencies.

(2)        Repealed by Session Laws 2011-348, s. 2, effective July 1, 2011, and applicable to persons recommended for dismissal or demotion on or after that date.

(2a)      If a licensed employee in a low-performing school receives a rating on any standard on an evaluation that is below proficient or otherwise represents unsatisfactory or below standard performance in an area that the licensed employee was expected to demonstrate, the individual or team that conducted the evaluation shall recommend to the superintendent that (i) the employee receive a mandatory improvement plan designed to improve the employee's performance or performance, (ii) the superintendent recommend to the local board that the employee be dismissed or demoted.employee's contract not be recommended for renewal, or (iii) if the employee engaged in inappropriate conduct or performed inadequately to such a degree that such conduct or performance causes substantial harm to the educational environment that a proceeding for immediate dismissal or demotion be instituted. If the individual or team that conducted the evaluation elects not to make either any of the above recommendations, the said individual or team shall notify the superintendent of this decision. The superintendent shall determine whether to develop a mandatory improvement planplan, to not recommend renewal of the employee's contract, or to recommend a dismissal proceeding.

(3)        If at any time a licensed employee engages in inappropriate conduct or performs inadequately to such a degree that such conduct or performance causes substantial harm to the educational environment, and immediate dismissal or demotion is not appropriate, then the principal may immediately institute a mandatory improvement plan regardless of any ratings on previous evaluations. The principal shall document the exigent reason for immediately instituting such a plan.

(4)        Mandatory improvement plans shall be developed by the person who evaluated the licensed employee or the employee's supervisor unless the evaluation was conducted by an assistance team. If the evaluation was conducted by an assistance team, that team shall develop the mandatory improvement plan in collaboration with the employee's supervisor. Mandatory improvement plans shall be designed to be completed within 90 instructional days or before the beginning of the next school year. The State Board shall develop guidelines that include strategies to assist local boards in evaluating licensed employees and developing effective mandatory improvement plans within the time allotted under this section. Local boards may adopt policies for the development and implementation of mandatory improvement plans and policies for the implementation of monitored and directed growth plans.

(c)        Reassessment of Employee in a Low-Performing School. - After the expiration of the time period for the mandatory improvement plan under subdivision (2a) of subsection (b) of this section, the superintendent, the superintendent's designee, or the assistance team shall assess the performance of the employee of the low-performing school a second time. If the superintendent, superintendent's designee, or assistance team determines that the employee has failed to become proficient in any of the performance standards articulated in the mandatory improvement plan or demonstrate sufficient improvement toward such standards, the superintendent shall recommend that the employee employee's contract not be renewed, or that the employee be immediately dismissed or demoted under G.S. 115C-325.G.S. 115C-325.4. The results of the second assessment shall constitute substantial evidence of the employee's inadequate performance.

(d)        State Board Notification. - If a local board dismisses an employee of a low-performing school for any reasonfor cause or elects to not renew an employee's contract as a result of a superintendent's recommendation under subsection (b) or (c) of this section, except a reduction in force under G.S. 115C-325(e)(1)l., it shall notify the State Board of the action, and the State Board annually shall provide to all local boards the names of those individuals. If a local board hires one of these individuals, within 60 days the superintendent or the superintendent's designee shall observe the employee, develop a mandatory improvement plan to assist the employee, and submit the plan to the State Board. The State Board shall review the mandatory improvement plan and may provide comments and suggestions to the superintendent. If on the next evaluation the employee receives a rating on any standard that was identified as an area of concern on the mandatory improvement plan that is again below proficient or otherwise represents unsatisfactory or below standard performance, the local board shall notify the State Board and the State Board shall initiate a proceeding to revoke the employee's license under G.S. 115C-296(d). If on this next evaluation the employee receives at least a proficient rating on all of the performance standards that were identified as areas of concern on the mandatory improvement plan, the local board shall notify the State Board that the employee is in good standing and the State Board shall not continue to provide the individual's name to local boards under this subsection unless the employee is subsequently dismissed under G.S. 115C-325 except for a reduction in force. G.S. 115C-325.4.

…."

SECTION 7A.14.(q)  G.S. 115C-333.1 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115C-333.1.  Evaluation of teachers in schools not identified as low-performing; mandatory improvement plans; State Board notification upon dismissal of teachers.

(a)        Annual Evaluations. - All teachers who are assigned to schools that are not designated as low-performing and who have not attained career statusbeen employed for at least three consecutive years shall be observed at least three times annually by the principal or the principal's designee and at least once annually by a teacher and shall be evaluated at least once annually by a principal. All teachers with career statuswho have been employed for three or more years who are assigned to schools that are not designated as low-performing shall be evaluated annually unless a local board adopts rules that allow teachers with career statusemployed for three or more years to be evaluated more or less frequently, provided that such rules are not inconsistent with State or federal requirements. Local boards also may adopt rules requiring the annual evaluation of nonlicensed employees. A local board shall use the performance standards and criteria adopted by the State Board and may adopt additional evaluation criteria and standards. All other provisions of this section shall apply if a local board uses an evaluation other than one adopted by the State Board.

(b)        Mandatory Improvement Plans for Teachers. - If, in an observation report or year-end evaluation, a teacher receives a rating that is below proficient or otherwise represents unsatisfactory or below standard performance on any standard that the teacher was expected to demonstrate, the principal may place the teacher on a mandatory improvement plan as defined in G.S. 115C-333(b)(1a). The mandatory improvement plan shall be utilized only if the superintendent or superintendent's designee determines that an individual, monitored, or directed growth plan will not satisfactorily address the deficiencies.

If at any time a teacher engages in inappropriate conduct or performs inadequately to such a degree that such conduct or performance causes substantial harm to the educational environment, and immediate dismissal or demotion is not appropriate, then the principal may immediately institute a mandatory improvement plan regardless of any ratings on previous evaluations. The principal shall document the exigent reason for immediately instituting such a plan. The mandatory improvement plan shall be developed by the principal in consultation with the teacher. The teacher shall have five instructional days from receipt of the proposed mandatory improvement plan to request a modification of such plan before it is implemented, and the principal shall consider such suggested modifications before finalizing the plan. The teacher shall have at least 60 instructional days to complete the mandatory improvement plan. The State Board shall develop guidelines that include strategies to assist local boards in evaluating teachers and developing effective mandatory improvement plans. Local boards may adopt policies for the implementation of mandatory improvement plans under this section.

(c)        Observation by a Qualified Observer. -

(1)        The term "qualified observer" as used in this section is any administrator or teacher who is licensed by the State Board of Education and working in North Carolina; any employee of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction who is trained in evaluating licensed employees; or any instructor or professor who teaches in an accredited North Carolina school of education and holds an educator's license.

(2)        The local board of education shall create a list of qualified observers who are employed by that board and available to do observations of employees on mandatory improvement plans. This list shall be limited to names of administrators and teachers selected by the local board of education. The local board of education shall strive to select administrators and teachers with excellent reputations for competence and fairness.

(3)        Any teacher, other than a teacher assigned to a school designated as low-performing, who has been placed on a mandatory improvement plan shall have a right to be observed by a qualified observer in the area or areas of concern identified in the mandatory improvement plan. The affected teacher and the principal shall jointly choose the qualified observer within 20 instructional days after the commencement of the mandatory improvement plan. If the teacher and the principal cannot agree on a qualified observer within this time period, they each shall designate a person from the list of qualified observers created pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, and these two designated persons shall choose a qualified observer within five instructional days of their designation. The qualified observer shall draft a written report assessing the teacher in the areas of concern identified in the mandatory improvement plan. The report shall be submitted to the principal before the end of the mandatory improvement plan period. If a teacher or administrator from the same local school administrative unit is selected to serve as the qualified observer, the administration of the local school administrative unit shall provide such qualified observer with the time necessary to conduct the observation and prepare a report. If someone who is not employed by the same local school administrative unit is selected to serve as the qualified observer, the teacher who is the subject of the mandatory improvement plan will be responsible for any expenses related to the observations and reports prepared by the qualified observer. The qualified observer shall not unduly disrupt the classroom when conducting an observation.

(4)        No local board of education or employee of a local board of education shall discharge, threaten, or otherwise retaliate against another employee of the board regarding that employee's compensation, terms, conditions, location, or privileges of employment because of the employee's service or completion of a report as an objective observer pursuant to this subsection, unless the employee's report contained material information that the employee knew was false.

(d)        Reassessment of the Teacher. - Upon completion of a mandatory improvement plan under subsection (b) of this section, the principal shall assess the performance of the teacher a second time. The principal shall also review and consider any report provided by the qualified observer under subsection (c) of this section if one has been submitted before the end of the mandatory improvement plan period. If, after the second assessment of the teacher and consideration of any report from the qualified observer, the superintendent or superintendent's designee determines that the teacher has failed to become proficient in any of the performance standards identified as deficient in the mandatory improvement plan or demonstrate sufficient improvement toward such standards, the superintendent may recommend that the teacher's contract not be renewed, or if the teacher has engaged in inappropriate conduct or performed inadequately to such a degree that such conduct or performance causes substantial harm to the educational environment, that the teacher be immediately dismissed or demoted under G.S. 115C-325.G.S. 115C-325.4. The results of the second assessment produced pursuant to the terms of this subsection shall constitute substantial evidence of the teacher's inadequate performance.

(e)        Dismissal Proceedings Without a Mandatory Improvement Plan. - The absence of a mandatory improvement plan as described in this section shall not prohibit a superintendent from initiating a dismissal proceeding against a teacher under the provisions of G.S. 115C-325.G.S. 115C-325.4. However, the superintendent shall not be entitled to the substantial evidence provision in subsection (d) of this section if such mandatory improvement plan is not utilized.

(f)         State Board Notification. - If a local board dismisses a teacher for cause or elects to not renew an employee's contract as a result of a superintendent's recommendation under subsection (d) of this section, for any reason except a reduction in force under G.S. 115C-325(e)(1)l., it shall notify the State Board of the action, and the State Board annually shall provide to all local boards the names of those teachers. If a local board hires one of these teachers, within 60 days the superintendent or the superintendent's designee shall observe the teacher, develop a mandatory improvement plan to assist the teacher, and submit the plan to the State Board. The State Board shall review the mandatory improvement plan and may provide comments and suggestions to the superintendent. If on the next evaluation the teacher receives a rating on any standard that was an area of concern on the mandatory improvement plan that is again below proficient or a rating that otherwise represents unsatisfactory or below standard performance, the local board shall notify the State Board, and the State Board shall initiate a proceeding to revoke the teacher's license under G.S. 115C-296(d). If on the next evaluation the teacher receives at least a proficient rating on all of the overall performance standards that were areas of concern on the mandatory improvement plan, the local board shall notify the State Board that the teacher is in good standing, and the State Board shall not continue to provide the teacher's name to local boards under this subsection unless the teacher is subsequently dismissed under G.S. 115C-325G.S. 115C-325.4. except for a reduction in force. If, however, on this next evaluation the teacher receives a developing rating on any standards that were areas of concern on the mandatory improvement plan, if the local board elects to renew the teacher's contract and the teacher shall have one more year to bring the rating to proficient. If, by the end of this second year, the teacher is not proficient in all standards that were areas of concern on the mandatory improvement plan, the local board shall notify the State Board, and the State Board shall initiate a proceeding to revoke the teacher's license under G.S. 115C-296(d).

…."

SECTION 7A.14.(r)  G.S. 115C-335(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      Training. - The State Board, in collaboration with the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, shall develop programs designed to train principals and superintendents in the proper administration of the employee evaluations developed by the State Board. The Board of Governors shall use the professional development programs for public school employees that are under its authority to make this training available to all principals and superintendents at locations that are geographically convenient to local school administrative units. The programs shall include methods to determine whether an employee's performance has improved student learning, the development and implementation of appropriate professional growth and mandatory improvement plans, the process for contract nonrenewal, and the dismissal process under G.S. 115C-325.Part 3 of Article 22 of this Chapter. The Board of Governors shall ensure that the subject matter of the training programs is incorporated into the masters in school administration programs offered by the constituent institutions. The State Board, in collaboration with the Board of Governors, also shall develop in-service programs for licensed public school employees that may be included in a mandatory improvement plan created under G.S. 115C-333(b) or G.S. 115C-333.1(b). The Board of Governors shall use the professional development programs for public school employees that are under its authority to make this training available at locations that are geographically convenient to local school administrative units."

SECTION 7A.14.(s)  Article 23 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 115C-344.  Employment benefits for exchange teachers.

An exchange teacher is a nonimmigrant alien teacher participating in an exchange visitor program designated by the United States Department of State pursuant to 22 C.F.R. Part 62 or by the United States Department of Homeland Security pursuant to 8 C.F.R. Part 214.2(q). For purposes of determining eligibility to receive employment benefits under this Chapter, including personal leave, annual vacation leave, and sick leave, an exchange teacher shall be considered a permanent teacher if employed with the expectation of at least six full consecutive monthly pay periods of employment and if employed at least 20 hours per week. An exchange teacher is not a teacher for purposes of the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System of North Carolina as provided in G.S. 135-1(25)."

SECTION 7A.14.(t)  G.S. 115C-404(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      Documents received under this section shall be used only to protect the safety of or to improve the education opportunities for the student or others. Information gained in accordance with G.S. 7B-3100 shall not be the sole basis for a decision to suspend or expel a student. Upon receipt of each document, the principal shall share the document with those individuals who have (i) direct guidance, teaching, or supervisory responsibility for the student, and (ii) a specific need to know in order to protect the safety of the student or others. Those individuals shall indicate in writing that they have read the document and that they agree to maintain its confidentiality. Failure to maintain the confidentiality of these documents as required by this section is grounds for the dismissal of an employee who is not a career employee and is grounds for dismissal of an employee who is a career employee, in accordance with G.S. 115C-325(e)(1)i.G.S. 115C-325.4(a)(9)."

SECTION 7A.14.(u)  G.S. 143B-146.7(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      At any time after the State Board identifies a school as low-performing under this Part, the Secretary State Board shall proceed under G.S. 115C-325(p1)G.S. 115C-325.11 for the dismissal of certificated instructional personnel assigned to that school."

SECTION 7A.14.(v)  G.S. 143B-146.8 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143B-146.8.  Evaluation of certificated licensed personnel and principals; action plans; State Board notification.

(a)        Annual Evaluations; Low-Performing Schools. - The principal shall evaluate at least once each year all certificated licensed personnel assigned to a participating school that has been identified as low-performing but has not received an assistance team. The evaluation shall occur early enough during the school year to provide adequate time for the development and implementation of an action plan if one is recommended under subsection (b) of this section. If the employee is a teacher as defined under G.S. 115C-325(a)(6),G.S. 115C-325.1(5), either the principal or an assessment team assigned under G.S. 143B-146.9 shall conduct the evaluation. If the employee is a school administrator as defined under G.S. 115C-287.1(a)(3), the Superintendent shall conduct the evaluation.

Notwithstanding this subsection or any other law, the principal shall observe at least three times annually, a teacher shall observe at least once annually, and the principal shall evaluate at least once annually, all teachers who have not attained career status.been employed for less than three consecutive years. All other employees who have been employed for three or more years and are defined as teachers under G.S. 115C-325(a)(6)G.S. 115C-325.1(5) who are assigned to participating schools that are not designated as low-performing shall be evaluated annually unless the Secretary adopts rules that allow specified categories of teachers with career statusthree or more years of employment to be evaluated more or less frequently. The Secretary also may adopt rules requiring the annual evaluation of noncertificated nonlicensed personnel. This section shall not be construed to limit the duties and authority of an assistance team assigned to a low-performing school.

The Secretary shall use the State Board's performance standards and criteria unless the Secretary develops an alternative evaluation that is properly validated and that includes standards and criteria similar to those adopted by the State Board. All other provisions of this section shall apply if an evaluation is used other than one adopted by the State Board.

(b)        Action Plans. - If a certificated licensed employee in a participating school that has been identified as low-performing receives an unsatisfactory or below standard rating on any function of the evaluation that is related to the employee's instructional duties, the individual or team that conducted the evaluation shall recommend to the principal that: (i) the employee receive an action plan designed to improve the employee's performance; (ii) the employee's contract not be recommended for renewal, or (iii) if the employee engages in inappropriate conduct or performs inadequately to such a degree that such conduct or performance causes substantial harm to the educational environment that a proceeding for immediate dismissal or demotion be instituted. or (ii) the principal recommend to the Secretary that the employee be dismissed or demoted. The principal shall determine whether to develop an action planplan, to not recommend renewal of the employee's contract, or to recommend a dismissal proceeding. The person who evaluated the employee or the employee's supervisor shall develop the action plan unless an assistance team or assessment team conducted the evaluation. If an assistance team or assessment team conducted the evaluation, that team shall develop the action plan in collaboration with the employee's supervisor. Action plans shall be designed to be completed within 90 instructional days or before the beginning of the next school year. The State Board, in consultation with the Secretary, shall develop guidelines that include strategies to assist in evaluating certificated licensed personnel and developing effective action plans within the time allotted under this section. The Secretary may adopt policies for the development and implementation of action plans or professional development plans for personnel who do not require action plans under this section.

(c)        Reevaluation. - Upon completion of an action plan under subsection (b) of this section, the principal or the assessment team shall evaluate the employee a second time. If on the second evaluation the employee receives one unsatisfactory or more than one below standard rating on any function that is related to the employee's instructional duties, the principal shall recommend that the employee's contract not be renewed, or if the employee engages in inappropriate conduct or performs inadequately to such a degree that such conduct or performance causes substantial harm to the educational environment, that the employee be dismissed or demoted under G.S. 115C-325.G.S. 115C-325.4. The results of the second evaluation shall constitute substantial evidence of the employee's inadequate performance.

(d)        State Board Notification. - If the Secretary dismisses an employee for cause or elects to not renew an employee's contract as a result of a superintendent's recommendation under subsection (b) or (c) of this section, any reason except a reduction in force under G.S. 115C-325(e)(1)l., the Secretary shall notify the State Board of the action, and the State Board annually shall provide to all local boards of education the names of those individuals. If a local board hires one of these individuals, that local board shall proceed under G.S. 115C-333(d).

…."

SECTION 7A.14.(w)  Notwithstanding the requirements for terms of contracts in G.S. 115C-325.3, for the 2012-2013 school year all teachers shall be employed on a contract for a term of one year.  This section becomes effective July 1, 2012, and applies to all school employees employed on or after that date. 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 7A.15.  Except as otherwise provided, this part is effective when it becomes law.

 

PART VIII. Community Colleges

 

CARRYFORWARD FOR EQUIPMENT

SECTION 8.2.(a)  In accordance with G.S. 115D-31, funds appropriated to the Community Colleges System Office for equipment for the 2011-2012 fiscal year shall not revert at the end of the fiscal year but shall be made available to the Community Colleges System Office for equipment for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

SECTION 8.2.(b)  This section becomes effective June 30, 2012.

 

REPEAL OBSOLETE REPORTS

SECTION 8.3.(a)  G.S. 115D-5(o) reads as rewritten:

"(o)      The General Assembly finds that additional data are needed to determine the adequacy of multicampus and off-campus center funds; therefore, multicampus colleges and colleges with off-campus centers shall report annually, beginning September 1, 2005, to the Community Colleges System Office on all expenditures by line item of funds used to support their multicampuses and off-campus centers. The Community Colleges System Office shall report on these expenditures to the Education Appropriation Subcommittees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Office of State Budget and Management, and the Fiscal Research Division by December 1 of each year.

All multicampus centers approved by the State Board of Community Colleges shall receive funding under the same formula. The State Board of Community Colleges shall not approve any additional multicampus centers without identified recurring sources of funding."

SECTION 8.3.(b)  G.S. 116D-3(c) is repealed.

SECTION 8.3.(c)  Section 9.11(e) of S.L. 1999-237 is repealed.

SECTION 8.3.(d)  Section 4 of S.L. 2005-198, as amended by Section 35 of S.L. 2007-484, is repealed.

 

REPEAL DUPLICATIVE AUDIT REQUIREMENT

SECTION 8.4.  G.S. 147-64.6A is repealed.

 

UPDATE COLLEGE PERFORMANCE MEASURES

SECTION 8.5.  G.S. 115D-31.3 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115D-31.3.  Institutional performance accountability.

(a)        Creation of Accountability Measures and Performance Standards. - The State Board of Community Colleges shall create new accountability measures and performance standards for the Community College System. Survey results shall be used as a performance standard only if the survey is statistically valid. The State Board of Community Colleges shall review annually the accountability measures and performance standards to ensure that they are appropriate for use in recognition of successful institutional performance.

(b)        through (d) Repealed by Session Laws 2000-67, s. 9.7, effective July 1, 2000.

(e)        Mandatory Performance Standards.Measures. - The State Board of Community Colleges shall evaluate each college on the following eight performance standards:measures:

(1)        Progress of basic skills students,students.

(2)        Passing rate for licensure and certification examinations,General Educational Development (GED) diploma examinations.

(3)        Performance of students who transfer to a four-year institution,institution.

(4)        PassingSuccess rates inof developmental courses,students in subsequent college-level English courses.

(5)        Success rates of developmental students in subsequent college-level courses,math courses.

(5a)      Progress of first-year curriculum students.

(6)        The level of satisfaction of students who complete programs and those who do not complete programs,

(7)        Curriculum student retention and graduation, andgraduation.

(8)        Client satisfaction with customized training.

(9)        Passing rate for licensure and certification examinations.

The State Board may also evaluate each college on additional performance standards.measures.

(f)         Publication of Performance Ratings. - Each college shall publish its performance on the eight standardsmeasures set out in subsection (e) of this section (i) annually in its electronic catalog or on the Internet and (ii) in its printed catalog each time the catalog is reprinted.

The Community Colleges System Office shall publish the performance of all colleges on all eight standards.measures.

(g)        Recognition for Successful Institutional Performance. - For the purpose of recognition for successful institutional performance, the State Board of Community Colleges shall evaluate each college on the eight performance standards.measures. For each of these eight performance standardsmeasures on which a college performs successfully, the college may retain and carry forward into the next fiscal year one-fourth of one percent (¼ of 1%) of its final fiscal year General Fund appropriations. If a college demonstrates significant improvement on a standard that has been in use for three years or less, the college may also carry forward one-fourth of one percent (¼ of 1%) of its final fiscal year General Fund appropriations for that standard.

(h)        Recognition for Exceptional Institutional Performance. - Funds not allocated to colleges in accordance with subsection (g) of this section shall be used to reward exceptional institutional performance. A college is deemed to have achieved exceptional institutional performance if it succeeds on all eight performance measures. After all State aid budget obligations have been met, the State Board of Community Colleges shall distribute the remainder of these funds equally to colleges that perform successfully on eight performance standards and meet the following criteria:achieve exceptional institutional performance status based on the pro rata share of total full time equivalent (FTE) students served at each college.

(1)        The passing rate on all reported licensure and certification examinations for which the community colleges have authority over who sits for the examination must meet or exceed seventy percent (70%) for first-time test takers; and

(2)        The percentage of college transfer students with a grade point average of at least 2.0 after two semesters at a four-year institution must equal or exceed the performance of students who began college at that four-year institution.

The State Board may withhold the portion of funds for which a college may qualify as an exceptional institution while the college is under investigation by a State or federal agency or if its performance does not meet the standards established by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the State Auditor's Office, or the State Board of Community Colleges. The State Board may release the funds at such time as the investigations are complete and the issues are resolved.

(i)         Permissible Uses of Funds. - Funds retained by colleges or distributed to colleges pursuant to this section shall be used for the purchase of equipment, initial program start-up costs including faculty salaries for the first year of a program, and one-time faculty and staff bonuses. These funds shall not be used for continuing salary increases or for other obligations beyond the fiscal year into which they were carried forward. These funds shall be encumbered within 12 months of the fiscal year into which they were carried forward.

(j)         Use of funds in low-wealth counties. - Funds retained by colleges or distributed to colleges pursuant to this section may be used to supplement local funding for maintenance of plant if the college does not receive maintenance of plant funds pursuant to G.S. 115D-31.2, and if the county in which the main campus of the community college is located meets all of the following:

(1)        Is designated as a Tier 1 county in accordance with G.S. 143B-437.08.

(2)        Had an unemployment rate of at least two percent (2%) above the State average or greater than seven percent (7%), whichever is higher, in the prior calendar year.

(3)        Is a county whose wealth, as calculated under the formula for distributing supplemental funding for schools in low-wealth counties, is eighty percent (80%) or less of the State average.

Funds may be used for this purpose only after all local funds appropriated for maintenance of plant have been expended."

 

MODIFY INSTITUTIONAL PERFORMANCE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ONE YEAR

SECTION 8.6.  Effective for the 2011-2012 reporting year, and notwithstanding G.S. 115D-31.3, the State Board of Community Colleges shall not require a college to report its performance on the progress of basic skills students as one of the mandatory performance standards prescribed by G.S. 115D-31.3(e). A college shall not be evaluated on the progress of basic skills students for the purpose of recognizing successful institutional performance or exceptional institutional performance. For each of the remaining seven performance standards on which a college performs successfully, the college may retain and carry forward into the 2013-2014 fiscal year two-sevenths of one percent (2/7 of 1%) of its final fiscal year General Fund appropriations.

 

COMMUNITY COLLEGE TUITION WAIVER

SECTION 8.8.  G.S. 115D-5(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      In order to make instruction as accessible as possible to all citizens, the teaching of curricular courses and of noncurricular extension courses at convenient locations away from institution campuses as well as on campuses is authorized and shall be encouraged. A pro rata portion of the established regular tuition rate charged a full-time student shall be charged a part-time student taking any curriculum course. In lieu of any tuition charge, the State Board of Community Colleges shall establish a uniform registration fee, or a schedule of uniform registration fees, to be charged students enrolling in extension courses for which instruction is financed primarily from State funds. The State Board of Community Colleges may provide by general and uniform regulations for waiver of tuition and registration fees for the following:

(1)        Persons not enrolled in elementary or secondary schools taking courses leading to a high school diploma or equivalent certificate.

(2)        Courses requested by the following entities that support the organizations' training needs and are on a specialized course list approved by the State Board of Community Colleges:

a.         Volunteer fire departments.

b.         Municipal, county, or State fire departments.

c.         Volunteer EMS or rescue and lifesaving departments.

d.         Municipal, county, or State EMS or rescue and lifesaving departments.

d1.       Law enforcement, fire, EMS or rescue and lifesaving entities serving a lake authority that was created by a county board of commissioners prior to July 1, 2012.

e.         Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams (REACT) under contract to a county as an emergency response agency.

(v) (vi) municipal county, or State law-enforcement officers

f.          Municipal, county, or State law enforcement agencies.

g.         The Division of Adult Correction of the Department of Public Safety for the training of full-time custodial employees and employees of the Division's Section of Community Corrections of the Division of Adult Correction required to be certified under Chapter 17C of the General Statutes and the rules of the Criminal Justice and Training Standards Commission.

h.         The Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Public Safety for the training of employees required to be certified under Chapter 17C of the General Statutes and the rules of the Criminal Justice and Training Standards Commission.

i.          The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians law enforcement, fire, EMS or rescue and lifesaving tribal government departments or programs.

(3)        Repealed by Session Laws 2011-145, s. 8.12(a), effective July 1, 2011.

(4)        Trainees enrolled in courses conducted under the Customized Training Program.

(5)        through (9) Repealed by Session Laws 2011-145, s. 8.12(a), effective July 1, 2011.

(10)      Elementary and secondary school employees enrolled in courses in first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

(11)      Up to six hours of credit instruction and one course of noncredit instruction per academic semester for senior citizens age 65 or older who are qualified as legal residents of North Carolina.

(12)      All curriculum courses taken by high school students at community colleges, in accordance with G.S. 115D-20(4) and this section.

(13)      Human resources development courses for any individual who (i) is unemployed; (ii) has received notification of a pending layoff; (iii) is working and is eligible for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (FEITC); or (iv) is working and earning wages at or below two hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty guidelines.

(14)      Repealed by Session Laws 2011-145, s. 8.12(a), effective July 1, 2011.

The State Board of Community Colleges shall not waive tuition and registration fees for other individuals."

 

INCREASE MAXIMUM PARKING FINE

SECTION 8.9.  G.S. 115D-21 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115D-21.  Traffic regulations; fines and penalties.

(a)        All of the provisions of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes relating to the use of highways of the State of North Carolina and the operation of motor vehicles thereon shall apply to the streets, roads, alleys and driveways on the campuses of all institutions in the North Carolina Community College System. Any person violating any of the provisions of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes in or on the streets, roads, alleys and driveways on the campuses of institutions in the North Carolina Community College System shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished as prescribed in this section and as provided by Chapter 20 of the General Statutes relating to motor vehicles. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as in any way interfering with the ownership and control of the streets, roads, alleys and driveways on the campuses of institutions in the system as is now vested by law in the trustees of each individual institution in the North Carolina Community College System.

(b)        The trustees are authorized and empowered to make additional rules and regulations and to adopt additional ordinances with respect to the use of the streets, roads, alleys and driveways and to establish parking areas on or off the campuses not inconsistent with the provisions of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. Upon investigation, the trustees may determine and fix speed limits on streets, roads, alleys, and driveways subject to such rules, regulations, and ordinances, lower than those provided in G.S. 20-141. The trustees may make reasonable provisions for the towing or removal  of unattended vehicles found to be in violation of rules, regulations and ordinances. All rules, regulations and ordinances adopted pursuant to the authority of this section shall be recorded in the proceedings of the trustees; shall be printed; and copies of such rules, regulations and ordinances shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State of North Carolina. Violation of any such rules, regulations, or ordinances, is an infraction punishable by a penalty of not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00).

Regardless of whether an institution does its own removal and disposal of motor vehicles or contracts with another person to do so, the institution shall provide a hearing procedure for the owner. For purposes of this subsection, the definitions in G.S. 20-219.9 apply.

(1)        If the institution operates in such a way that the person who tows the vehicle is responsible for collecting towing fees, all provisions of Article 7A, Chapter 20, apply.

(2)        If the institution operates in such a way that it is responsible for collecting towing fees, it shall:

a.         Provide by contract or ordinance for a schedule of reasonable  towing fees,

b.         Provide a procedure for a prompt fair hearing to contest the towing,

c.         Provide for an appeal to district court from that hearing,

d.         Authorize release of the vehicle at any time after towing by the posting of a bond or paying of the fees due, and

e.         If the institution chooses to enforce its authority by sale of the vehicle, provide a sale procedure similar to that provided in G.S. 44A-4, 44A-5, and 44A-6, except that no hearing in addition to the probable cause hearing is required. If no one purchases the vehicle at the sale and if the value of the vehicle is less than the amount of the lien, the institution may destroy it.

(c)        The trustees may by rules, regulations, or ordinances provide for a system of registration of all motor vehicles where the owner or operator does park on the campus or keeps said vehicle on the campus. The trustees shall cause to be posted at appropriate places on campus notice to the public of applicable parking and traffic rules, regulations, and ordinances governing the campus over which it has jurisdiction. The trustees may by rules, regulations, or ordinances establish or cause to have established a system of citations that may be issued to owners or operators of motor vehicles who violate established rules, regulations, or ordinances. The trustees shall provide for the administration of said system of citations; establish or cause to be established a system of fines to be levied for the violation of established rules, regulations and ordinances; and enforce or cause to be enforced the collection of said fines. The fine for each offense shall not exceed five dollars ($5.00), which funds shall be retained in the institution and expended in the discretion of the trustees.twenty-five dollars ($25.00). The trustees shall be empowered to exercise the right to prohibit repeated violators of such rules, regulations, or ordinances from parking on the campus.

(d)        The clear proceeds of all civil penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C-457.2."

 

POWERS OF THE STATE BOARD OF PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS

SECTION 8.9A.(a)  Article 8 of Chapter 115D of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 115D-89.4.  Powers of the State Board of Proprietary Schools.

(a)        In order to carry out the purposes of this Article, the State Board of Proprietary Schools, subject to other provisions of this Article, shall:

(1)        Have the powers of a body corporate, including the power to make contracts and to alter the same as may be deemed expedient;

(2)        Be authorized and empowered to rent and lease such property, real or personal, as the State Board of Proprietary Schools may deem proper to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Article, all or any of them;

(3)        Establish an office for the transaction of its business at such place or places as, in the opinion of the State Board of Proprietary Schools, shall be advisable or necessary in carrying out the purposes of this Article;

(4)        Be authorized and empowered to pay from the Commercial Education Fund all necessary costs and expenses involved in and incident to the formation, organization, and administration of the State Board of Proprietary Schools and all other costs and expenses reasonably necessary or expedient in carrying out and accomplishing the purposes of this Article; and

(5)        Be authorized and empowered to do any and all other acts and things in this Article authorized or required to be done, whether or not included in the general powers listed in this section.

(b)        The purchase of goods and services by the State Board of Proprietary Schools shall be exempt from the requirements of Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes."

SECTION 8.9A.(b)  G.S. 115D-89.2 reads as rewritten:

"§ 115D-89.2.  Office of Proprietary Schools; staff.

The Office of Proprietary Schools shall be the principal administrative unit under the direction of the State Board of Proprietary Schools. Unless otherwise specified in G.S. 115D-89.3, the State Board of Proprietary Schools has authority to recommend for adoption and to administer all policies, regulations, and standards which it deems necessary for the operation of the Office of Proprietary Schools.

The State Board of Proprietary Schools shall hire an executive director of the Office of Proprietary Schools, who shall serve as chief administrative officer of the Office of Proprietary Schools, or contract with an outside consultant to serve as the executive director. The compensation of this position shall be fixed by the State Board of Proprietary Schools from funds provided by fees deposited in the Commercial Education Fund.

The State Board of Proprietary Schools may hire other employees as it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this Article. The compensation of the staff members hired by the State Board of Proprietary Schools shall be fixed by the State Board of Proprietary Schools upon recommendation of the Executive Director of the Office of Proprietary Schools. The Executive Director shall provide an annual projected operating budget to the State Board of Proprietary Schools at a time each year designated by the State Board of Proprietary Schools. The budget will be approved by the State Board of Proprietary Schools from funds provided by fees deposited in the Commercial Education Fund."

SECTION 8.9A.(c)  G.S. 126-5(c2) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

"(c2)     The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to:

(1)        Public school superintendents, principals, teachers, and other public school employees.

(2)        Recodified as G.S. 126-5(c)(4) by Session Laws 1985 (Regular Session, 1986), c. 1014, s. 41.

(3)        Employees of community colleges whose salaries are fixed in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 115D-5 and G.S. 115D-20, and employees of the Community Colleges System Office whose salaries are fixed by the State Board of Community Colleges in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 115D-3.

(4)        Employees of the Office of Proprietary Schools whose salaries are fixed by the State Board of Proprietary Schools in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 115D-89.2."

 

authorization to spend funds for certain purposes

SECTION 8.9B.  Notwithstanding G.S. 143C-6-5, the State Board of Community Colleges may authorize the use of funds within the Community College System budget to do the following:

(1)        Fund college-level mathematics at the Tier 1 level.

(2)        Eliminate the scheduled continuing education fee increase.

(3)        Restructure the multicampus funding formula and provide up to two million nine hundred twenty-two thousand five hundred forty-two dollars ($2,922,542) in additional funds for that program.

 

FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS

SECTION 8.11.(a)  Subsection (a) of Section 9.8 of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 2(b) of S.L. 2011-340, reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 9.8.(a)  There is appropriated from the Escheat Fund income to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of forty-nine million six hundred twenty-two thousand two hundred forty-two dollars ($49,622,242) for the 2011-2012 fiscal year and the sum of thirty-two million one hundred twenty-two thousand two hundred forty-two dollars ($32,122,242) thirty-seven million two hundred eighty-seven thousand two hundred forty-two dollars ($37,287,242) for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to be used for The University of North Carolina Need-Based Financial Aid Program."

SECTION 8.11.(b)  Subsection (c) of Section 9.8 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 9.8.(c)  There is appropriated from the Escheat Fund income to the State Board of Community Colleges the sum of sixteen million five hundred thousand dollars ($16,500,000) for the 2011-2012 fiscal year and the sum of sixteen million five hundred thousand dollars ($16,500,000) sixteen million three hundred thirty-five thousand dollars ($16,335,000) for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to be used for community college grants."

SECTION 8.11.(c)  G.S. 115D-40.1(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c)       Administration of Program. - The State Board shall adopt rules and policies for the disbursement of the financial assistance provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Degree, diploma, and certificate students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for financial assistance. The State Board may contract with the State Education Assistance Authority for administration of these financial assistance funds. These funds shall not revert at the end of each fiscal year but shall remain available until expended for need-based financial assistance. The interest earned on the funds provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section may be used to support the costs of administering the Community College Grant Program. If the interest earnings are not adequate to support the administrative costs, up to one percent (1%) of funds provided in subsection (a) of this section may be used to support the costs of administering the Community College Grant Program."

 

PART IX. Universities

 

student financial aid/TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS

SECTION 9.2.(a)  Section 9.18(d) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 9.18.(d)  The State Education Assistance Authority shall report no later than June 1, 2013,September 1, 2013, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee regarding the implementation of this section. The report shall contain, for the 2012-2013 academic year, the amount of scholarship and grant money disbursed, the number of students eligible for the funds, the number of eligible students receiving the funds, and a breakdown of the eligible private postsecondary institutions that received the funds."

SECTION 9.2.(b)  Section 9.18(i) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 9.18.(i)  Subsections (a), (d), and (i) of this section become effective July 1, 2011. Article 34 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes, as enacted by subsection (a) of this section, applies to the 2012-2013 academic year and each subsequent academic year, except that the rule-making authority for the State Education Assistance Authority under G.S. 116-283(a) becomes effective immediately on July 1, 2011. Subsections (b), (c), (e), (f), (g), and (h) of this section become effective July 1, 2012.2012, except that the State Education Assistance Authority may continue to make payments pursuant to G.S. 116-43.5 until August 1, 2012, to students who attended certain private institutions of higher education in the 2011-2012 academic year."

SECTION 9.2.(c)  Of the funds appropriated by this act to the Board of Governors for the 2012-2013 fiscal year and allocated to the State Education Assistance Authority for the North Carolina Need-Based Scholarships for Students Attending Private Institutions of Higher Education pursuant to Article 34 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes, the State Education Assistance Authority may use up to two hundred eighty-one thousand five hundred seventeen dollars ($281,517) to make the payments authorized by subsection (b) of this section to students who attended certain private institutions of higher education in the 2011-2012 academic year.

 

UNC/REPEAL OBSOLETE OR REDUNDANT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 9.4.(a)  G.S. 116-11(10a) reads as rewritten:

"(10a)   The Board of Governors, the State Board of Community Colleges, and the State Board of Education, in consultation with nonprofit postsecondary educational institutions shall plan a system to provide an exchange of information among the public schools and institutions of higher education to be implemented no later than June 30, 1995. As used in this section, "institutions of higher education" shall mean (i) public higher education institutions defined in G.S. 116-143.1(a)(3), and (ii) those nonprofit postsecondary educational institutions as described in G.S. 116-280 that choose to participate in the information exchange. The information shall include:

a.         The number of high school graduates who apply to, are admitted to, and enroll in institutions of higher education;

b.         College performance of high school graduates for the year immediately following high school graduation including each student's: need for remedial coursework at the institution of higher education that the student attends; performance in standard freshmen courses; and continued enrollment in a subsequent year in the same or another institution of higher education in the State;

c.         The progress of students from one institution of higher education to another; and

d.         Consistent and uniform public school course information including course code, name, and description.

The Department of Public Instruction shall generate and the local school administrative units shall use standardized transcripts in an automated format for applicants to higher education institutions. The standardized transcript shall include grade point average, class rank, end-of-course test scores, and uniform course information including course code, name, units earned toward graduation, and credits earned for admission from an institution of higher education. The grade point average and class rank shall be calculated by a standard method to be devised by the institutions of higher education. The Board of Governors shall coordinate a joint progress report on the implementation of the system to provide an exchange of information among the public and independent colleges and universities, the community colleges, and the public schools. The report shall be made to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than February 15, 1993, and annually thereafter."

SECTION 9.4.(b)  G.S. 116-11(12a) reads as rewritten:

"(12a)   The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall implement, administer, and revise programs for meaningful professional development for professional public school employees based upon the evaluations and recommendations made by the State Board of Education under G.S. 115C-12(26). The programs shall be aligned with State education goals and directed toward improving student academic achievement. The Board of Governors shall submit to the State Board of Education an annual report evaluating the professional development programs administered by the Board of Governors."

SECTION 9.4.(c)  G.S. 116D-3(a)(1) is repealed.

SECTION 9.4.(d)  Section 7 of S.L. 1989-936, as amended by S.L. 1991-346, reads as rewritten:

"Sec. 7. The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall adopt standards to create and enhance an organized program of public service and technical assistance to the public schools. This program shall:

(1)        Provide systematic access for public schools to consultation and advice available from members of the faculties of the constituent institutions;

(2)        Facilitate and encourage research in the public schools and the application of the results of this research;

(3)        Link the education faculties of the constituent institutions with public school teachers and administrators through public service requirements for the education faculties; and

(4)        Create partnerships among all constituent institutions, their schools or departments of education, and the maximum number of public schools that could benefit from these partnerships.

The Board of Governors shall report on an annual basis to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on its progress in implementing the provisions of this section."

SECTION 9.4.(e)  Section 1.1 of S.L. 2000-3 reads as rewritten:

"Section 1.1. The General Assembly finds that although The University of North Carolina is one of the State's most valuable assets, the current facilities of the University have been allowed to deteriorate due to decades of neglect and have unfortunately fallen into a state of disrepair because of inadequate attention to maintenance. It is the intent of the General Assembly to reverse this trend and to provide a mechanism to assure that the University's capital assets are adequately maintained. The General Assembly commits to responsible stewardship of these assets to protect their value over the years, as follows:

(1)        The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall require each constituent and affiliated institution to monitor the condition of its facilities and their needs or repair and renovation, and to assure that all necessary maintenance is carried out within funds available.

(2)        The Board of Governors shall report annually to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on the condition of the University's capital facilities, the repair, renovation, and maintenance projects being undertaken, and all needs for additional funding to maintain the facilities.

(3)        It is the intent of the General Assembly to assure that adequate oversight, funding, and accountability are continually provided so that the capital facilities of the University are properly maintained to preserve the level of excellence the citizens of this State deserve. To this end, the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee shall report to the General Assembly annually its recommendations for legislative changes to implement this policy."

SECTION 9.4.(f)  Section 6 of S.L. 2000-3 reads as rewritten:

"Section 6. Repair and Renovation Reports. - The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall report annually to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on the condition of all of the University's capital facilities, including a status report on all repair, renovation, and maintenance projects being undertaken and an assessment of needs for additional funding to repair, renovate, and maintain the facilities.

The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall also study the repairs and renovations formula currently utilized with respect to funding for the Repairs and Renovations Reserve Account to determine whether it adequately takes into account all of the appropriate maintenance needs of each constituent and affiliated institution, and shall recommend to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee any changes necessary to improve the formula. The Board shall make recommendations on the scope and adequacy of the methodology used to calculate the funding for the repairs and renovations reserve as specified in G.S. 143-15.2."

SECTION 9.4.(g)  Section 13 of S.L. 2001-496 is repealed.

 

NC GRADUATES IN PRIMARY CARE CENTERS/CHANGE REPORT DATE

SECTION 9.5.  G.S. 143-613(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d)      The progress of the private and State-operated medical schools and State-operated health professional schools towards increasing the number and proportion of graduates entering primary care shall be monitored annually by the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina. Monitoring data shall include (i) the entry of State-supported graduates into primary care residencies and clinical training programs, and (ii) the specialty practices by a physician and each midlevel provider who were State-supported graduates as of a date five years after graduation. The Board of Governors shall certify data on graduates, their residencies and clinical training programs, and subsequent careers by October 1 November 15 of each calendar year, beginning in October of 1995,November of 2011, to the Fiscal Research Division of the Legislative Services Office and to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee."

 

PERMANENT TRANSFER OF FUNDING FOR MILITARY ONE-STOP & BRAC OUTREACH

SECTION 9.7.  The Military One-Stop & BRAC Outreach program previously vested in Fayetteville State University is transferred to The University of North Carolina General Administration with all of the elements of a Type I transfer as defined in G.S. 143A-6. The program transfer shall include the sum of two hundred fifty-one thousand five hundred dollars ($251,500).

 

STUDY UNC TUITION SURCHARGE

SECTION 9.8.  The Fiscal Research Division, in cooperation with The University of North Carolina, shall study the tuition surcharge mandated by G.S. 116-143.7.   As part of the study, the Fiscal Research Division shall examine the surcharge's effect, if any, on the number of credit hours taken by students at constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and the resulting effect on the timely achievement of graduation; the number of students subject to the surcharge in each of the last five academic years; and the revenue generated by the surcharge.  In its study, the Fiscal Research Division shall also examine the methods that The University of North Carolina employs to provide notice to a student that the student is approaching the credit hour limit and will be charged the tuition surcharge if the student exceeds that limit.

The Fiscal Research Division shall report its findings and recommendations, including any legislative recommendations, by January 1, 2013, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and to the Education Appropriation Subcommittees of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

 

UNC Student Fees/Institutional Trust Funds

SECTION 9.9.  G.S. 116-36.1(g) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

"(12)    Any other moneys collected by an institution as student fees previously approved by the Board of Governors."

 

UNC Acquisition and Disposition of Real Property

SECTION 9.10.(a)  G.S. 116-31.12 reads as rewritten:

"§ 116-31.12.  Acquisition of real property by lease.

Notwithstanding G.S. 143-341(4), and in addition to the powers granted in G.S. 116-198.34(5), the Board of Governors may authorize the constituent institutions and the General Administration to acquire or dispose of real property by lease if the lease is for a term of not more than 10 years. The Board of Governors shall establish a policy for acquiring and disposing of an interest in real property for the use of The University of North Carolina and its constituent institutions by lease. This policy may delegate authorization of the acquisition or disposition of real property by lease to the boards of trustees of the constituent institutions or to the President of The University of North Carolina. The Board of Governors shall submit all initial policies adopted pursuant to this section to the State Property Office for review prior to adoption by the Board. Any subsequent changes to these policies adopted by the Board of Governors shall be submitted to the State Property Office for review. Any comments by the State Property Office shall be submitted to the President of The University of North Carolina. After the acquisition or disposition of an interest in real property by lease, The University of North Carolina shall promptly file a report concerning the acquisition or disposition to the Secretary of Administration. Acquisitions and dispositions of an interest in real property by lease pursuant to this section shall not be subject to the provisions of Article 36 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes or to the provisions of Article 6 Article 6 or 7 of Chapter 146 of the General Statutes."

SECTION 9.10.(b)  G.S. 116-198.34(5) reads as rewritten:

"(5)      To acquire, hold, lease, and dispose of real and personal property in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties hereunder and to lease all or any part of any project or projects and any existing facilities upon such terms and conditions as the Board determines, subject to the provisions of G.S. 143-341 and Chapter 146 of the General Statutes.

Notwithstanding G.S. 143-341 and Chapter 146 of the General Statutes, a disposition by easement, lease, or rental agreement of space in any building on the Centennial Campus, on the Horace Williams Campus, or on a Millennial Campus Campus, or on the Kannapolis Research Campuses made for a period of 10 years or less shall not require the approval of the Governor and the Council of State. All other acquisitions and dispositions made under this subdivision for a period in excess of 10 years are subject to the provisions of G.S. 143-341 and Chapter 146 of the General Statutes."

 

ECU Physicians Interest and Penalty Fees Collection Practice

SECTION 9.11.(a)  G.S. 143-553(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a)       All persons employed by an employing entity as defined by this Part who owe money to the State and whose salaries are paid in whole or in part by State funds must make full restitution of the amount owed as a condition of continuing employment; provided, however, that no employing entity shall terminate for failure to make full restitution the employment of such an employee who owes money to the University of North Carolina Health Care System or to East Carolina University's Division of Health Sciences for health care services."

SECTION 9.11.(b)  G.S. 147-86.11(e) reads as rewritten:

"(e)       Elements of Plan. - For moneys received or to be received, the statewide cash management plan shall provide at a minimum that:

(1)        Except as otherwise provided by law, moneys received by employees of State agencies in the normal course of their employment shall be deposited as follows:

a.         Moneys received in trust for specific beneficiaries for which the employee-custodian has a duty to invest shall be deposited with the State Treasurer under the provisions of G.S. 147-69.3.

b.         All other moneys received shall be deposited with the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 147-77 and G.S. 147-69.1.

(2)        Moneys received shall be deposited daily in the form and amounts received, except as otherwise provided by statute.

(3)        Moneys due to a State agency by another governmental agency or by private persons shall be promptly billed, collected and deposited.

(4)        Unpaid billings due to a State agency other than amounts owed by patients to the University of North Carolina Health Care System or East Carolina University's Division of Health Sciences shall be turned over to the Attorney General for collection no more than 90 days after the due date of the billing, except that a State agency need not turn over to the Attorney General unpaid billings of less than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or (for institutions where applicable) amounts owed by all patients which are less than the federally established deductible applicable to Part A of the Medicare program, and instead may handle these unpaid bills pursuant to agency debt collection procedures.

(4a)      The University of North Carolina Health Care System and East Carolina University's Division of Health Sciences may turn over to the Attorney General for collection accounts owed by patients.

(5)        Moneys received in the form of warrants drawn on the State Treasurer shall be deposited by the State agency directly with the State Treasurer and not through the banking system, unless otherwise approved by the State Treasurer.

(6)        State agencies shall accept payment by electronic payment in accordance with G.S. 147-86.22 to the maximum extent possible consistent with sound business practices."

SECTION 9.11.(c)  G.S. 147-86.23 reads as rewritten:

"§ 147-86.23.  Interest and penalties.

A State agency shall charge interest at the rate established pursuant to G.S. 105-241.21 on a past-due account receivable from the date the account receivable was due until it is paid. A State agency shall add to a past-due account receivable a late payment penalty of no more than ten percent (10%) of the account receivable. A State agency may waive a late-payment penalty for good cause shown. If another statute requires the payment of interest or a penalty on a past-due account receivable, this section does not apply to that past-due account receivable. This section does not apply to money owed to the University of North Carolina Health Care System or to East Carolina University's Division of Health Sciences for health care services."

 

ECU May Retain Rental Receipts from Health Care Service Providers Co-located in campus facilities

SECTION 9.12.  G.S. 146-30(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c)       The amount or rate of such service charge shall be fixed by rules and regulations adopted by the Governor and approved by the Council of State, but as to any particular sale, lease, rental, or other disposition, it shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the gross amount received from such sale, lease, rental, or other disposition. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Subchapter, the net proceeds derived from the sale of land or products of land owned by or under the supervision and control of the Wildlife Resources Commission, or acquired or purchased with funds of that Commission, shall be paid into the Wildlife Resources Fund. Provided, however, the net proceeds derived from the sale of land or timber from land owned by or under the supervision and control of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall be deposited with the State Treasurer in a capital improvement account to the credit of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, to be used for such specific capital improvement projects or other purposes as are provided by transfer of funds from those accounts in the Capital Improvement Appropriations Act. Provided further, the net proceeds derived from the sale of park land owned by or under the supervision and control of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall be deposited with the State Treasurer in a capital improvement account to the credit of the Department of Administration to be used for the purpose of park land acquisition as provided by transfer of funds from those accounts in the Capital Improvement Appropriations Act. In the Capital Improvement Appropriations Act, line items for purchase of park and agricultural lands will be established for use by the Departments of Administration and Agriculture. The use of such funds for any specific capital improvement project or land acquisition is subject to approval by the Director of the Budget. No other use may be made of funds in these line items without approval by the General Assembly except for incidental expenses related to the project or land acquisition. Additionally with the approval of the Director of the Budget, either Department may request funds from the Contingency and Emergency Fund when the necessity of prompt purchase of available land can be demonstrated and funds in the capital improvement accounts are insufficient. Provided further, the net proceeds derived from the sale of any portion of the land owned by the State in or around the Butner Reservation on or after July 1, 1980, shall be deposited with the State Treasurer in a capital improvement account to the credit of the Department of Health and Human Services to make capital improvements on or to property owned by the State in the Butner Reservation subject to approval by the Office of State Budget and Management, and may be used to build industrial access roads to industries located or to be located on the Butner Reservation, to construct new city streets in the Butner Reservation, extend water and sewer service on the Butner Reservation, repair storm drains on the Butner Reservation, and for other capital uses on the Reservation as determined by the Secretary. Provided further, notwithstanding any other provision of this Subchapter, the proceeds derived from the lease dispositions of land or facilities owned or under the supervision and control of East Carolina University's Division of Health Sciences for the delivery of health care services shall be deposited in clinical accounts at East Carolina University to be used to improve access to patient care."

 

UNC Partnership for National Security

SECTION 9.13.  The University of North Carolina may use funds available to it for   the 2012-2013 fiscal year to continue and expand its work on the UNC Partnership for National Security to benefit the United States Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune and to build further its faculty and student capabilities in developing technologies for the special operations community. The Partnership works to connect the resources of The University of North Carolina system to the needs of our military, its service members, veterans, their families, and the defense industry in North Carolina. Partnership activities include all of the following: degree program development for service members and the defense industry; short courses, training, and subject matter expertise exchange; science and technology product development for the battle space; and scholar support, such as internships for The University of North Carolina system students, faculty research, and senior service college fellows. The Partnership's work has included the expansion of a "UNC at Fort Bragg" program that was previously in place for the Army.

 

UNC/Funds for Campuses specializing in the Arts and Sciences

SECTION 9.14.(a)  Of the funds appropriated to The University of North Carolina by this act for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the sum of five million six hundred seventy-seven thousand nine hundred seven dollars ($5,677,907) shall be allocated to the following campuses specializing in the arts and sciences in the following amounts:

(1)        $2,485,144 for the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

(2)        $1,556,495 for the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

(3)        $1,636,268 for the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.

SECTION 9.14.(b)  It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Board of Governors shall not otherwise reduce appropriations to these three campuses as a result of the allocations directed in subsection (a) of this section.

 

Liability insurance

SECTION 9.15.  G.S. 116-11 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

"(13a)   The Board of Governors may authorize the President to purchase commercial insurance of any kind to cover all risks or potential liability of the University, the Board of Governors, President, the University benefit plan administrators, and employees and agents of the University relating to the management, direction, and administration of University employee benefit plans, including the risks and potential liability related to benefit plan investments managed by the University.

                  Members of the Board of Governors and employees of the University shall be considered State employees for purposes of Articles 31 and 31A of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. To the extent that the President purchases commercial liability insurance coverage in excess of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) per claim for liability arising under Article 31 or 31A of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, the provisions of G.S. 143-299.4 shall not apply. To the extent that the President purchases commercial insurance coverage for liability arising under Article 31 or 31A of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, the provisions of G.S. 143-300.6(a) shall not apply.

                  The purchase of insurance by the President under this section shall not be construed to waive sovereign immunity or any other defense available to the University, the Board of Governors, President, University benefit plan administrators, and employees and agents of the University in an action or contested matter in any court, agency, or tribunal. The purchase of insurance by the President shall not be construed to alter or expand the limitations on claims or payments established in G.S. 143-299.2 or limit the right of the University, the Board of Governors, President, University benefit plan administrators, and employees and agents of the University to defense by the State as provided by G.S. 143-300.3."

 

PART X. Department of Health and Human Services

 

NC PRE-K

SECTION 10.1.(a)  The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall require the NC Pre-K contractor to issue multiple-year contracts for licensed private child care centers providing NC Pre-K classrooms.

SECTION 10.1.(b)  The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall continue the implementation of the NC Pre-K program. The NC Pre-K shall serve children who reach the age of four on or before August 31 of that school year and who meet eligibility criteria.

SECTION 10.1.(c)  G.S. 110-91(2) reads as rewritten:

"(2)      Health-Related Activities. - The Commission shall adopt rules for child care facilities to ensure that all children receive nutritious food and beverages according to their developmental needs. The Commission shall consult with the Division of Child Development of the Department of Health and Human Services to develop nutrition standards to provide for requirements appropriate for children of different ages. In developing nutrition standards, the Commission shall consider the following recommendations:

a.         Limiting or prohibiting the serving of sweetened beverages, other than 100% fruit juice, to children of any age.

b.         Limiting or prohibiting the serving of whole milk to children two years of age or older or flavored milk to children of any age.

c.         Limiting or prohibiting the serving of more than six ounces of juice per day to children of any age.

d.         Limiting or prohibiting the serving of juice from a bottle.

e.         Creating an exception from the rules for parents of children who have medical needs, special diets, or food allergies.

f.          Creating an exception from the rules to allow a parent or guardian, or to allow the center upon the request of a parent or guardian, to provide to a child food and beverages that may not meet the nutrition standards.

g.         Nutrition standards. - The Commission shall adopt rules for child care facilities to ensure that food and beverages provided by a child care facility are nutritious and align with children's developmental needs. The Commission shall consult with the Division of Child Development and Early Education of the Department of Health and Human Services to develop nutrition standards to provide for requirements appropriate for children of different ages. In developing nutrition standards, the Commission shall consider the following recommendations:

1.         Limiting or prohibiting the serving of sweetened beverages, other than one hundred percent (100%) fruit juice to children of any age.

2.         Limiting or prohibiting the serving of whole milk to children two years of age or older or flavored milk to children of any age.

3.         Limiting or prohibiting the serving of more than six ounces of juice per day to children of any age.

4.         Limiting or prohibiting the serving of juice from a bottle.

h.         Parental exceptions. -

1.         Parents or guardians of a child enrolled in a child care facility may (i) provide food and beverages to their child that may not meet the nutrition standards adopted by the Commission and (ii) opt out of any supplemental food program provided by the child care facility. The child care facility shall not provide food or beverages to a child whose parent or guardian has opted out of any supplemental food program provided by the child care facility and whose parent or guardian is providing food and beverages for the child.

2.         The Commission, the Division of Child Development and Early Education of the Department of Health and Human Services, or any State agency or contracting entity with a State agency shall not evaluate the nutritional value or adequacy of the components of food and beverages provided by a parent or guardian to his or her child enrolled in a child care facility as an indicator of environmental quality ratings.

i.          Rest time. - Each child care facility shall have a rest period for each child in care after lunch or at some other appropriate time and arrange for each child in care to be out-of-doors each day if weather conditions permit."

SECTION 10.1.(d)  The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall establish a standard decision-making process to be used by local NC Pre-K committees in awarding NC Pre-K classroom slots and student selection.

SECTION 10.1.(e)  The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall submit an annual report no later than March 15 of each year to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Office of State Budget and Management, and the Fiscal Research Division. The report shall include the following:

(1)        The number of children participating in the NC Pre-K program.

(2)        The number of children participating in the NC Pre-K program who have never been served in other early education programs, such as child care, public or private preschool, Head Start, Early Head Start, or early intervention programs.

(3)        The expected NC Pre-K expenditures for the programs and the source of the local contributions.

(4)        The results of an annual evaluation of the NC Pre-K program.

SECTION 10.1.(f)  If House Bill 966, 2012 Regular Session of the 2011 General Assembly, becomes law, then Section 10.7(f) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 10.7.(f)  The prekindergarten program may continue to serve at-risk children identified through the existing "child find" methods in which at-risk children are currently served within the Division of Child Development. The Division of Child Development shall serve at-risk children regardless of income. However, the total number of at-risk children served shall constitute no more than twenty percent (20%) of the four-year-olds served within the prekindergarten program. Any The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall establish income eligibility requirements for the program not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the State median income. Up to twenty percent (20%) of children enrolled may have family incomes in excess of seventy-five percent (75%) of median income if they have other designated risk factors. Furthermore, any age-eligible child who is a child of either of the following shall be eligible for the program: (i) an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who was ordered to active duty by the proper authority within the last 18 months or is expected to be ordered within the next 18 months or (ii) a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty. Eligibility determinations for prekindergarten participants may continue through local education agencies and local North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., partnerships."

SECTION 10.1.(g)  If House Bill 966, 2012 Regular Session of the 2011 General Assembly, becomes law, then Section 10.7(h) of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

 

REVISE CHILD CARE SUBSIDY RATES PROVISION

SECTION 10.2.  Section 10.1 of S.L. 2011-145 is amended by adding the following new subsection to read:

"SECTION 10.1.(g1)  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, shall require all county departments of social services to include on any forms used to determine eligibility for child care subsidy whether the family waiting for subsidy is receiving assistance through the NC Pre-K program or Head Start."

 

CHILD CARE ALLOCATION FORMULA/DIRECTION

SECTION 10.2A.  Section 10.2(a) of S.L. 2011-145 is amended by adding the following new subdivision to read:

"SECTION 10.2.(a)  The Department of Health and Human Services shall allocate child care subsidy voucher funds to pay the costs of necessary child care for minor children of needy families. The mandatory thirty percent (30%) Smart Start subsidy allocation under G.S. 143B-168.15(g) shall constitute the base amount for each county's child care subsidy allocation. The Department of Health and Human Services shall use the following method when allocating federal and State child care funds, not including the aggregate mandatory thirty percent (30%) Smart Start subsidy allocation:

(1)        Funds shall be allocated to a county based upon the projected cost of serving children under age 11 in families with all parents working who earn less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the State median income.

(2)        No county's allocation shall be less than ninety percent (90%) of its State fiscal year 2001-2002 initial child care subsidy allocation.

(3)        For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the Division of Child Development and Early Education shall base the formula identified in subdivision (1) of this subsection on the same data source used for the 2011-2012 fiscal year."

 

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES ENHANCEMENTS/SALARY SCHEDULE/MATCH REQUIREMENT ADJUSTMENTS

SECTION 10.3.(a)  Section 10.5(c) of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

SECTION 10.3.(b)  Section 10.5 of S.L. 2011-145 is amended by adding the following new subsection to read:

"SECTION 10.5.(c1)  The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall develop and implement a salary schedule for the Executive Director of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., and the directors of local partnerships. The salary schedule shall set the maximum amount of State funds that may be used for the salary of the Executive Director of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., and the directors of the local partnerships. In establishing a salary schedule, the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall base the schedule on the following criteria:

(1)        The population of the area serviced by a local partnership.

(2)        The amount of State funds administered.

(3)        The amount of total funds administered.

(4)        The professional experience of the individual to be compensated.

(5)        Any other relevant factors pertaining to salary, as determined by the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.

The salary schedule shall be used only to determine the maximum amount of State funds that may be used for compensation. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a local partnership from using non-State funds to supplement an individual's salary in excess of the amount set by the salary schedule established under this subsection."

SECTION 10.3.(c)  Section 10.5(e) of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 21A of S.L. 2011-391, reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 10.5.(e)  The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., and all local partnerships shall, in the aggregate, be required to match one hundred percent (100%) of the total amount budgeted for the program in each fiscal year of the biennium. Of the funds the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., and the local partnerships are required to match, contributions of cash shall equal to at least seven percent (7%)ten percent (10%) and in-kind donated resources equal to no more than three percent (3%) for a total match requirement of ten percent (10%)thirteen percent (13%) for each fiscal year. The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., may carry forward any amount in excess of the required match for a fiscal year in order to meet the match requirement of the succeeding fiscal year. Only in-kind contributions that are quantifiable shall be applied to the in-kind match requirement. Volunteer services may be treated as an in-kind contribution for the purpose of the match requirement of this subsection. Volunteer services that qualify as professional services shall be valued at the fair market value of those services. All other volunteer service hours shall be valued at the statewide average wage rate as calculated from data compiled by the Employment Security Commission in the Employment and Wages in North Carolina Annual Report for the most recent period for which data are available. Expenses, including both those paid by cash and in-kind contributions, incurred by other participating non-State entities contracting with the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., or the local partnerships, also may be considered resources available to meet the required private match. In order to qualify to meet the required private match, the expenses shall:

(1)        Be verifiable from the contractor's records.

(2)        If in-kind, other than volunteer services, be quantifiable in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for nonprofit organizations.

(3)        Not include expenses funded by State funds.

(4)        Be supplemental to and not supplant preexisting resources for related program activities.

(5)        Be incurred as a direct result of the Early Childhood Initiatives Program and be necessary and reasonable for the proper and efficient accomplishment of the Program's objectives.

(6)        Be otherwise allowable under federal or State law.

(7)        Be required and described in the contractual agreements approved by the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., or the local partnership.

(8)        Be reported to the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., or the local partnership by the contractor in the same manner as reimbursable expenses.

Failure to obtain a ten percent (10%)thirteen percent (13%) match by June 30 of each fiscal year shall result in a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the appropriation for the Program for a subsequent fiscal year. The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall be responsible for compiling information on the private cash and in-kind contributions into a report that is submitted to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations in a format that allows verification by the Department of Revenue. The same match requirements shall apply to any expansion funds appropriated by the General Assembly."

 

MEDICAID THERAPIES LIMIT REVISED

SECTION 10.5.  Section 10.37(a)(2) of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

 

MODIFY AND IMPROVE PHARMACY SERVICES

SECTION 10.8.(a) The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance, shall lower the fees paid to pharmacies for dispensing prescription drugs to achieve a savings of at least two million six hundred thirty-nine thousand eight hundred one dollars ($2,639,801) in the 2012-2013 fiscal year and an annualized savings of five million two hundred seventy-nine thousand six hundred one dollars ($5,279,601) thereafter.

SECTION 10.8.(b)  The Division of Medical Assistance shall implement a tiered payment structure for generic prescriptions dispensed through the Medicaid Program so that the statewide average fee paid to pharmacies is no more than five dollars and sixty cents ($5.60) per prescription. Each of the four tiered payment amounts for generic prescriptions as set forth in the Medicaid State Plan, effective as of June 1, 2012, shall be reduced by thirteen and eighty-five hundredths percent (13.85%).  The pharmacy dispensing fees shall be implemented as follows:

(1)        Three dollars and forty-five cents ($3.45) shall be paid to pharmacies with generic dispensing rates below seventy percent (70%).

(2)        Three dollars and seventy-nine cents ($3.79) shall be paid to pharmacies with generic dispensing rates that are at least seventy percent (70%) but lower than seventy-five percent (75%).

(3)        Five dollars and sixty cents ($5.60) shall be paid to pharmacies with generic dispensing rates that are at least seventy-five percent (75%) but lower than eighty percent (80%).

(4)        Seven dollars and seventy-five cents ($7.75) shall be paid to pharmacies with generic dispensing rates of eighty percent (80%) or higher.

SECTION 10.8.(c)  The fee to be paid for dispensing brand drugs through the Medicaid Program shall be reduced by one dollar ($1.00).

SECTION 10.8.(d)  For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the Department shall achieve a savings of one million three hundred ninety-one thousand nine hundred six dollars ($1,391,906) through the implementation of a special pharmacy program for hemophilia drugs. The savings shall be achieved through the use of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program for the dispensing of hemophilia drugs under the Medicaid Program.

SECTION 10.8.(e)  The Department of Health and Human Services shall apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for any necessary approvals to implement the changes required by this section.

 

Study Electronic prior authorization for Medicaid Prescriptions

SECTION 10.8A.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall study the implementation of a system for the Medicaid program that would exchange standard electronic prior authorization requests with health care providers for drugs and devices using electronic data interchange standards consistent with those adopted by the National Council of Prescription Drug Programs for pharmacy benefits managers to exchange standard electronic prior authorization requests with health care providers. As part of its study, the Department shall review the experience of other states, including start-up costs and annual savings, to provide an estimate of the potential costs and savings for this State. No later than March 1, 2013, the Department shall report its findings to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services.

 

PROHIBIT SMART CARD PILOT PROGRAM

SECTION 10.9.(a)  S.L. 2011-117 is repealed.

SECTION 10.9.(b)  The Department of Health and Human Services shall not establish or operate a smart card pilot program or any other type of smart card program. If the Department is currently operating such a program, the Department shall end the program immediately.

 

STATE AUDITOR AUDIT DIVISION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

SECTION 10.9A. The State Auditor shall conduct a performance audit of the North Carolina Medicaid Program and the Division of Medical Assistance operated within the Department of Health and Human Services. The audit shall examine the program's effectiveness, results of the program, and compliance with requirements of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the requirements of State law. The State Auditor shall give a preliminary report on the performance audit to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and to the Fiscal Research Division by November 1, 2012, and shall complete the performance audit by February 1, 2013.

 

PED/FRD JOINT STUDY MEDICAID ORGANIZATION

SECTION 10.9B.(a)  The Program Evaluation Division and the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly shall jointly study the feasibility of creating a separate Department of Medicaid and make a joint recommendation on this issue to the 2013 Regular Session of the General Assembly no later than February 15, 2013.

SECTION 10.9B.(b)  The joint study directed by subsection (a) of this section shall include the following:

(1)        A review of how other states administer Medicaid programs, including the following aspects:

a.         State Plan development and policy management.

b.         Payment of claims.

c.         Budget forecasting.

d.         Rate-setting.

e.         Appeals.

f.          Involvement in management of care.

(2)        An analysis of benefits and disadvantages of Medicaid becoming a stand-alone State department, including the following considerations:

a.         Overhead costs to be saved or increased as a result of any proposed changes.

b.         Identification of any efficiencies to be gained from such reorganization.

c.         Identification of any costs that would be incurred as a result of this reorganization.

d.         Whether it is feasible to also move any other divisions or programs within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) into a new Department of Medicaid.

(3)        Whether moving Medicaid into its own department would have any adverse impact on funding streams to and administration of other agencies within DHHS.

(4)        Identification of various Medicaid organizational structures and their costs and savings.

 

REMOVE AUTHORITY FOR MEDICAID PROVIDER RATE AND SERVICE REDUCTION

SECTION 10.9C.(a)  Except as otherwise provided in this act to achieve Medicaid pharmacy program savings or in Section 10.48 of S.L. 2011-145, notwithstanding any other provision of law for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the Department of Health and Human Services shall not reduce Medicaid provider payment rates or Medicaid optional services.

SECTION 10.9C.(b)  In achieving the management flexibility reductions set forth in the Report on the Continuation, Expansion, and Capital Budgets, the Department shall not further reduce Medicaid program funds in excess of the reductions authorized in S.L. 2011-145 and this act.  To achieve management flexibility reductions, the Department shall make reductions in areas such as administrative costs, Information Technology Services (ITS), and the elimination of vacant positions. To the extent possible, the Department shall not further reduce services throughout the Department of Health and Human Services to achieve the management flexibility reductions.

SECTION 10.9C.(c)  In achieving the management flexibility reductions set forth in the Report on the Continuation, Expansion, and Capital Budgets, the Department shall not reduce the funding appropriated in this act for the plan to provide temporary, short-term assistance to adult care homes and the Transitions to Community Living Initiative.

SECTION 10.9C.(d)  The requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall not affect (i) a Medicaid provider payment rate reduction or Medicaid optional service reduction made prior to the effective date of this act or (ii) any applications for Medicaid program modifications authorized by S.L. 2011-145 that are in the process of being approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as of the effective date of this act.

 

OUTPATIENT IMAGING SERVICES

SECTION 10.9D.  Prior to March 31, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services shall not issue any request for proposals for the provision of outpatient imaging services for the Medicaid program.

 

MEDICAID OPTION/SPECIAL CARE AND MEMORY CARE UNITS

SECTION 10.9E.(a)  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance, shall develop and submit a home- and community-based services program under Medicaid State Plan 1915(i) authority for individuals typically served in special care and memory care units that meet the criteria of the State/County Special Assistance Program.

SECTION 10.9E.(b)  The Division shall implement the program upon approval of the application by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

SECTION 10.9E.(c)  On or before April 1, 2013, the Division shall provide a report on the status of approval and implementation of the program to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division.

 

PERSONAL CARE SERVICES/ADL ELIGIBILITY

SECTION 10.9F.(a)  Section 10.38 of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

SECTION 10.9F.(b)  Section 10.37(a)(1) of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 25 of S.L. 2011-391, reads as rewritten:

"AUTHORIZE THE DIVISION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO TAKE CERTAIN STEPS TO EFFECTUATE COMPLIANCE WITH BUDGET REDUCTIONS IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM

"SECTION 10.37.(a)  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance, may take the following actions, notwithstanding any other provision of this act or other State law or rule to the contrary:

(1)        In-HomePersonal Care Services for Children provision. - In order to enhance in-home aide services to Medicaid recipients, theThe Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance,Assistance (DMA), shall:

a.         No longer provideProvide services under PCS and PCS-Plus whenever CMS approves the elimination of the PCS and PCS-Plus programs and the implementation of the following two new services:

1.         In-Home Care for Children (IHCC). - Services to assist families to meet the in-homepersonal care needs of children, including those individuals under the age of 21 receiving comprehensive and preventive child health services through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program.

2.         In-Home Care for Adults (IHCA). - Services to meet the eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, and mobility needs of individuals 21 years of age or older who, because of a medical condition, disability, or cognitive impairment, demonstrate unmet needs for, at a minimum, (i) three of the five qualifying activities of daily living (ADLs) with limited hands-on assistance; (ii) two ADLs, one of which requires extensive assistance; or (iii) two ADLs, one of which requires assistance at the full dependence level. The five qualifying ADLs are eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, and mobility. IHCA shall serve individuals at the highest level of need for in-home care who are able to remain safely in the home.

b.         Establish, in accordance with G.S. 108A-54.2, a Medical Coverage Policy for each of these programs, to include:include up

1.         For IHCC, up to 60 hours per month in accordance with an assessment conducted by DMA or its designee and a plan of care developed by the service provider and approved by DMA or its designee. Additional hours may be authorized when the services are required to correct or ameliorate defects and physical and mental illnesses and conditions in this age group, as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1396d(r)(5), in accordance with a plan of care approved by DMA or its designee.

2.         For IHCA, up to 80 hours per month in accordance with an assessment conducted by DMA or its designee and a plan of care developed by the service provider and approved by DMA or its designee.

c.         Implement the following program limitations and restrictions to apply to both IHCC and IHCAthe provision of personal care services to children:

1.         Additional services to children required under federal EPSDT requirements shall be provided to qualified recipients in the IHCC Program.recipients.

2.         Services shall be provided in a manner that supplements, rather than supplants, family roles and responsibilities.

3.         Services shall be authorized in amounts based on assessed need of each recipient, taking into account care and services provided by the family, other public and private agencies, and other informal caregivers who may be available to assist the family. All available resources shall be utilized fully, and services provided by such agencies and individuals shall be disclosed to the DMA assessor.

4.         Services shall be directly related to the hands-on assistance and related tasks to complete each qualifying ADL in accordance with the IHCC or IHCAthe personal care service assessment and plan of care, as applicable.

5.         Services provided under IHCC and IHCA shall not include household chores not directly related to the qualifying ADLs, nonmedical transportation, financial management, and non-hands-on assistance such as cueing, prompting, guiding, coaching, or babysitting.

6.         Essential errands that are critical to maintaining the health and welfare of the recipient may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the DMA assessor when there is no family member, other individual, program, or service available to meet this need. Approval, including the amount of time required to perform this task, shall be documented on the recipient's assessment form and plan of care.

d.         Utilize the following process for admissionevaluation or reevaluation to the IHCC and IHCA programs:provide personal care services to children:

1.         The recipient shall be seen by his or her primary or attending physician, who shall provide written authorization for referral for the service and written attestation to the medical necessity for the service.

2.         All assessments for admission to IHCC and IHCA,the provision of services, continuation of these services, and change of status reviews for these services shall be performed by DMA or its designee. The DMA designee may not be an owner of a provider business or provider of in-home or personal care services of any type.

3.         DMA or its designee shall determine and authorize the amount of service to be provided on a "needs basis," as determined by its review and findings of each recipient's degree of functional disability and level of unmet needs for hands-on personal assistance in the five qualifying ADLs.needs.

e.         Take all appropriate actions to manage the cost, quality, program compliance, and utilization of personal care services provided under the IHCC and IHCA programs, including, but not limited to:

1.         Priority independent reassessment of recipients before the anniversary date of their initial admission or reassessment for those recipients likely to qualify for the restructured IHCC and IHCA programs.

2.         Priority independent reassessment of recipients requesting a change of service provider.

3.         Targeted reassessments of recipients prior to their anniversary dates when the current provider assessment indicates they may not qualify for the program or for the amount of services they are currently receiving.

4.         Targeted reassessment of recipients receiving services from providers with a history of program noncompliance.noncompliance in providing personal care services to children.

5.         Provider desk and on-site reviews and recoupment of all identified overpayments or improper payments.

6.         Recipient reviews, interviews, and surveys.

7.         The use of mandated electronic transmission of referral forms, plans of care, and reporting forms.

8.         The use of mandated electronic transmission of uniform reporting forms for recipient complaints and critical incidents.

9.         The use of automated systems to monitor, evaluate, and profile provider performance against established performance indicators.

10.       Establishment of rules that implement the requirements of 42 C.F.R. § 441.16.

f.          Time line for implementation of new IHCC and IHCA programs.

1.         Subject to approvals from CMS, DMA shall make every effort to implement the new IHCC and IHCA programs by January 1, 2013.

2.         DMA shall ensure that individuals who qualify for the IHCC and IHCA programs shall not experience a lapse in service and, if necessary, shall be admitted on the basis of their current provider assessment when an independent reassessment has not yet been performed and the current assessment documents that the medical necessity requirements for the IHCC or IHCA program, as applicable, have been met.

3.         Prior to the implementation date of the new IHCC and IHCA programs, all recipients in the PCS and PCS-Plus programs shall be notified pursuant to 42 C.F.R. § 431.220(b) and discharged, and the Department shall no longer provide services under the PCS and PCS-Plus programs, which shall terminate. Recipients who qualify for the new IHCC and IHCA programs shall be admitted and shall be eligible to receive services immediately."

SECTION 10.9F.(c)  A Medicaid recipient who meets each of the following criteria is eligible for personal care services:

(1)        The recipient has a medical condition, disability, or cognitive impairment, and demonstrates unmet needs for, at a minimum, (i) two activities of daily living (ADLs), one of which requires extensive assistance; or (ii) two ADLs, one of which requires assistance at the full dependence level.

(2)        The recipient resides either in a private living arrangement or a residential facility licensed by the State of North Carolina as an adult care home.

The five qualifying ADLs are eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, and mobility. Personal care services shall be available for up to 80 hours per month in accordance with an assessment conducted under subsection (d) of this section and a plan of care developed by the service provider and approved by the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance (DMA), or its designee. Personal care services shall not include nonmedical transportation; financial management; non-hands-on assistance such as cueing, prompting, guiding, coaching, or babysitting; and household chores not directly related to the qualifying ADLs.

SECTION 10.9F.(d)  All assessments for personal care services, continuation of service, and change of status reviews shall be performed by an independent assessment entity (IAE). The IAE shall not be an owner of a provider business or provider of personal care services of any type.

A recipient shall be assessed by the IAE after the recipient's primary or attending physician provides written authorization for referral for the service and written attestation to the medical necessity for the service. The IAE shall determine and authorize the amount of service to be provided as determined by its review and findings of each recipient's degree of functional disability and level of unmet needs for personal care services in the five qualifying ADLs.

SECTION 10.9F.(e)  The Department of Health and Human Services shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by September 1, 2012, on the implementation of this section and on its progress in making independent assessments of recipients.

SECTION 10.9F.(f)  The Department of Health and Human Services shall apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by July 15, 2012, for a Medicaid State Plan Amendment to implement this section.

SECTION 10.9F.(g)  Subsections (c) and (d) of this section become effective January 1, 2013.

 

FUNDS FOR INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC BEDS OR BED DAYS

SECTION 10.10.  Section 10.8(b) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 10.8.(b)  Of the funds appropriated in this act to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, the sum of twenty-nine million one hundred twenty-one thousand six hundred forty-four dollars ($29,121,644) for the 2011-2012 fiscal year and the sum of twenty-nine million one hundred twenty-one thousand six hundred forty-four dollars ($29,121,644) for the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be allocated for the purchase of local inpatient psychiatric beds or bed days. In addition, at the discretion of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, existing funds allocated to LMEs for community-based mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services may be used to purchase additional local inpatient psychiatric beds or bed days. These beds or bed days shall be distributed across the State in LME catchment areasareas, including any catchment areas served by managed care organizations, and according to need as determined by the Department. The Department shall enter into contracts with the LMEs and community hospitals for the management of these beds or bed days. The Department shall work to ensure that these contracts are awarded equitably around all regions of the State. Local inpatient psychiatric beds or bed days shall be managed and controlled by the LME, including the determination of which local or State hospital the individual should be admitted to pursuant to an involuntary commitment order. Funds shall not be allocated to LMEs but shall be held in a statewide reserve at the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services to pay for services authorized by the LMEs and billed by the hospitals through the LMEs. LMEs shall remit claims for payment to the Division within 15 working days of receipt of a clean claim from the hospital and shall pay the hospital within 30 working days of receipt of payment from the Division. If the Department determines (i) that an LME is not effectively managing the beds or bed days for which it has responsibility, as evidenced by beds or bed days in the local hospital not being utilized while demand for services at the State psychiatric hospitals has not reduced, or (ii) the LME has failed to comply with the prompt payment provisions of this subsection, the Department may contract with another LME to manage the beds or bed days, or, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, may pay the hospital directly. The Department shall develop reporting requirements for LMEs regarding the utilization of the beds or bed days. Funds appropriated in this section for the purchase of local inpatient psychiatric beds or bed days shall be used to purchase additional beds or bed days not currently funded by or through LMEs and shall not be used to supplant other funds available or otherwise appropriated for the purchase of psychiatric inpatient services under contract with community hospitals, including beds or bed days being purchased through Hospital Utilization Pilot funds appropriated in S.L. 2007-323. Not later than March 1, 2012, the Department shall report to the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, and the Fiscal Research Division on a uniform system for beds or bed days purchased (i) with local funds, (ii) from existing State appropriations, (iii) under the Hospital Utilization Pilot, and (iv) purchased using funds appropriated under this subsection."

 

FUNDS FOR FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES BY LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

SECTION 10.12.  Of the funds appropriated in this act to the Department of Health and Human Services for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, none shall be allocated to renewing, extending, or entering into new contracts for the provision of family planning services and pregnancy prevention activities with providers other than local health departments. Upon the expiration of any contracts in effect during the 2011-2012 fiscal year between the Division of Public Health and private providers of family planning services and pregnancy prevention activities, the Department shall reallocate three hundred forty-three thousand dollars ($343,000) of these contract funds to local health departments. Local health departments receiving funds under this section shall not contract with private providers for the provision of family planning services or pregnancy prevention activities. These services and activities shall be provided directly by local health department recipients or by other governmental entities contracted by local health department recipients. This section does not apply to contracts administered by the Department pursuant to G.S. 130A-131.15A.

 

DELAY LOCAL RECEIPT OF LARGER PORTION OF FOOD & LODGING FEES

SECTION 10.15.  Section 31.11A(c) of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 61A of S.L. 2011-391, reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 31.11A.(c)  Subsection (a) of this section becomes effective July 1, 2012.July 1, 2013."

 

REDUCE FUNDING FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

SECTION 10.18.(a)  Section 10.18 of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

SECTION 10.18.(b)  For fiscal year 2012-2013, the Department of Health and Human Services shall reduce the amount of funds allocated to nonprofit organizations by five million dollars ($5,000,000) on a recurring basis. The Department shall not, under any circumstances, use any funds, including State funds, federal funds, special revenue funds, or departmental receipts, to supplement the reduced amount of funding to be allocated to nonprofit organizations pursuant to this subsection. In achieving the reductions required by this subsection, the Department (i) shall minimize reductions to funds allocated to nonprofit organizations for the provision of direct services and (ii) shall not reduce funds allocated to nonprofit organizations to pay for direct services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

 

REPORT ON LAPSED SALARY FUNDS

SECTION 10.20.  Beginning no later than November 1, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services shall submit quarterly reports to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division on the use of lapsed salary funds by each Division within the Department. For each Division, the report shall include the following information about the preceding calendar quarter:

(1)        The total amount of lapsed salary funds.

(2)        The number of full-time equivalent positions comprising the lapsed salary funds.

(3)        The Fund Code for each full-time equivalent position included in the number reported pursuant to subdivision (2) of this section.

(4)        The purposes for which the Department expended lapsed salary funds.

 

REVISE DATES/TANF BENEFIT IMPLEMENTATION

SECTION 10.22.  Section 10.55 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 10.55.(a)  The General Assembly approves the plan titled "North Carolina Temporary Assistance for Needy Families State Plan FY 2010-2012,"2012-2015," prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services and presented to the General Assembly. The North Carolina Temporary Assistance for Needy Families State Plan covers the period October 1, 2010,2012, through September 30, 2012.2015. The Department shall submit the State Plan, as revised in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, as amended by this act or any other act of the 2011 General Assembly.

"SECTION 10.55.(b)  The counties approved as Electing Counties in the North Carolina Temporary Assistance for Needy Families State Plan FY 2010-2012,2012-2015, as approved by this section are Beaufort, Caldwell, Catawba, Lenoir, Lincoln, Macon, and Wilson.

"SECTION 10.55.(c)  Counties that submitted the letter of intent to remain as an Electing County or to be redesignated as an Electing County and the accompanying county plan for fiscal year 2011 years 2012 through 2012,2015, pursuant to G.S. 108A-27(e), shall operate under the Electing County budget requirements effective July 1, 2009.2012. For programmatic purposes, all counties referred to in this subsection shall remain under their current county designation through September 30, 2012.2015.

"SECTION 10.55.(d)  For  the 2011-20122012-2013 fiscal year, Electing Counties shall be held harmless to their Work First Family Assistance allocations for the 2010-20112011-2012 fiscal year, provided that remaining funds allocated for Work First Family Assistance and Work First Diversion Assistance are sufficient for payments made by the Department on behalf of Standard Counties pursuant to G.S. 108A-27.11(b).

"SECTION 10.55.(e)  In the event that departmental projections of Work First Family Assistance and Work First Diversion Assistance for the 2011-20122012-2013 fiscal year indicate that remaining funds are insufficient for Work First Family Assistance and Work First Diversion Assistance payments to be made on behalf of Standard Counties, the Department is authorized to deallocate funds, of those allocated to Electing Counties for Work First Family Assistance in excess of the sums set forth in G.S. 108A-27.11, up to the requisite amount for payments in Standard Counties. Prior to deallocation, the Department shall obtain approval by the Office of State Budget and Management. If the Department adjusts the allocation set forth in subsection (d) of this section, then a report shall be made to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division."

 

TRANSITIONS TO COMMUNITY LIVING INITIATIVE

SECTION 10.23A.(a)  The General Assembly finds that the State's long-term care industry plays a vital role in ensuring that citizens are afforded opportunities for safe housing and adequate client-centered supports in order to live as independently as possible in their homes and communities across the State. This role is consistent with citizens of the State having the opportunity to live in the most appropriate, integrated settings of their choice. The General Assembly also is committed to the development of a plan that continues to advance the State's current system into a statewide system of person-centered, affordable services and supports that emphasize an individual's dignity, choice, and independence and provides new opportunities and increased capacity for community housing and community supports.

SECTION 10.23A.(b)  Blue Ribbon Commission on Transitions to Community Living. - There is established the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transitions to Community Living (Commission).  The Commission shall (i) examine the State's system of community housing and community supports for people with severe mental illness, severe and persistent mental illness, and intellectual and developmental disabilities and (ii) develop a plan that continues to advance the State's current system into a statewide system of person-centered, affordable services and supports that emphasize an individual's dignity, choice, and independence.  In the execution of its duties, the Commission shall consider the following:

(1)        Policies that alter the State's current practices with respect to institutionally based services to community-based services delivered as close to an individual's home and family as possible.

(2)        Best practices in both the public and private sectors in managing and administering long-term care to the disabled.

(3)        An array of services and supports for people with severe mental illness and severe and persistent mental illness, such as respite, community-based supported housing and community-based mental health services, to include evidence-based, person-centered recovery supports and crisis services and supported employment.

(4)        For adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, expansion of community-based services and supports, housing options, and supported work. Maximize the use of habilitation services that may be available via the Medicaid "I" option for individuals who do not meet the ICF-MR level of need.

(5)        Methods to responsibly manage the growth in long-term care spending, including use of Medicaid waivers.

(6)        Options for repurposing existing resources while considering the diverse economic challenges in communities across the State.

(7)        Opportunities for systemic change and maximization of housing, and service and supports funding streams, including State-County Special Assistance and the State's Medicaid program.

(8)        The appropriate role of adult care homes and other residential settings in the State.

(9)        Other resources that might be leveraged to enhance reform efforts.

SECTION 10.23A.(c)  The Commission shall be composed of 32 members as follows:

(1)        Six members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(2)        Six members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(3)        Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or the Secretary's designee.

(4)        Director of the Housing Finance Agency or the Director's designee.

(5)        Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services of DHHS or the Director's designee.

(6)        Two mental health consumers or their family representatives.

(7)        Two developmental disabilities consumers or their family representatives.

(8)        Two persons in the field of banking or representing a financial institution with housing finance expertise.

(9)        Two representatives of local management entities or managed care organizations.

(10)      A county government representative.

(11)      A North Carolina Association, Long-Term Care Facilities representative.

(12)      A North Carolina Assisted Living Association representative.

(13)      A family care home representative.

(14)      A developmentally disabled adult group home representative.

(15)      A mental health group home representative.

(16)      Two representatives of service providers with proven experience in innovated housing and support services in the State.

(17)      Director of the Division of Medical Assistance of DHHS or the Director's designee.

The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall ensure adequate staff representation and support from the following: Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, Division of Health Services Regulations, Division of Social Services, and other areas as needed.

The Commission shall appoint a Subcommittee on Housing composed of 15 members and a Subcommittee on Adult Care Homes.

The chairs shall jointly appoint members described in subdivisions (6) through (16) of this subsection and shall fill vacancies in those positions. The Commission shall meet at the call of the chairs. Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel expenses as provided in G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5, or 138-6, as appropriate. The Commission may contract for consultant services as provided in G.S. 120-32.02. Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional staff to assist the Commission in its work. Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the House of Representatives and Senate Directors of Legislative Assistants. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Commission may exercise all of the powers provided under G.S. 120-19 through G.S. 120-19.4 while in the discharge of its official duties. The funds needed to support the cost of the Commission's work shall be transferred from the Department of Health and Human Services upon request of the Legislative Services Director.

SECTION 10.23A.(d)  Transitions to Community Living Fund. - There is established the Transitions to Community Living Fund (Fund) to facilitate implementation of the plans required in subsections (e) and (f) of this section.  Accordingly, the State Controller shall reserve the sum of thirty-five million three hundred thousand dollars ($35,300,000) for transfer and appropriation into the Fund as directed by this section.

SECTION 10.23A.(e)  Of the total reserved in subsection (d) of this section for the Fund, the sum of ten million three hundred thousand dollars ($10,300,000) is appropriated to support the Department of Health and Human Services in its plan for transitioning individuals with severe mental illness and severe and persistent mental illness into community living arrangements, including establishing a rental assistance program. If the State executes an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) in response to the USDOJ findings dated July 28, 2011, or implements a plan in response to the USDOJ findings, these funds shall be used to implement the requirements of the first year of the agreement or the plan. In the event such an agreement is reached, a recurring appropriation will be necessary to fully implement it. The Department may issue temporary rules to implement this subsection.

SECTION 10.23A.(f)  Of the total reserved in subsection (d) of this section for the Fund, the sum of twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) is designated for implementation of the State's plan to provide temporary, short-term assistance to adult care homes as they transition into the State's Transitions to Community Living Initiative. The General Assembly recognizes that while transformation of the system is being undertaken, adult care homes provide stable and safe housing and care to many of North Carolina's frail and elderly population, and it is necessary during this time of transition and transformation of the statewide system that the industry remain able to provide such care.

Upon certification by the Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with a local discharge team, that an individual cannot be safely and timely discharged into the community, the Department may pay a monthly stipend to the adult care home for the number of individuals it continues to serve who are no longer eligible to receive Medicaid reimbursable assistance but for whom a community placement has not yet been arranged.

The Department of Health and Human Services shall administer these funds but may, as needed, contract with a vendor for administration.

SECTION 10.23A.(g)  The Department shall report its progress in complying with subsection (e) of this section to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division no later than January 2, 2013, and submit a final report no later than April 1, 2013.

SECTION 10.23A.(h)  The Commission shall issue an interim report by October 1, 2012, and a final plan to the 2013 General Assembly no later than February 1, 2013, at which time the Commission shall expire.

 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICE

SECTION 10.24.(a)  G.S. 62-157(d1) reads as rewritten:

"(d1)    The Department of Health and Human Services shall may utilize revenues from the wireless surcharge collected under subsection (i) of this section to fund the Regional Resource Centers withinsupport the Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, in accordance with G.S. 143B-216.33, G.S. 143B-216.34, and Chapter 8B of the General Statutes."

SECTION 10.24.(b)  G.S. 62-157(e) reads as rewritten:

"(e)       Administration of Service. - The Department of Health and Human Services shall administer the statewide telecommunications relay service program, including its establishment, operation, and promotion. The Department may contract out the provision of this service for four-year periods to one or more service providers, using the provisions of G.S. 143-129. The Department shall administer all programs and services, including the Regional Resource Centers within the Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing in accordance with G.S. 143B-216.33, G.S. 143B-216.34, and Chapter 8B of the General Statutes."

 

DHHS BLOCK GRANTS

SECTION 10.25.(a)  Appropriations from federal block grant funds are made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, according to the following schedule:

 

TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES

(TANF) FUNDS

 

Local Program Expenditures

 

Division of Social Services

 

01.       Work First Family Assistance                                                            $ 61,671,297

 

02.       Work First County Block Grants                                                          83,386,330

 

03.       Work First Electing Counties                                                                  2,378,213

 

04.       Adoption Services - Special Children's Adoption Fund                           2,026,877

 

05.       Child Protective Services - Child Welfare

            Workers for Local DSS                                                                        13,066,507

 

06.       Child Welfare Collaborative                                                                       754,115

 

Division of Child Development

 

07.       Subsidized Child Care Program                                                            59,645,662

 

08.       Swap Child Care Subsidy                                                                       6,352,644

 

Division of Public Health

 

09.       Teen Pregnancy Initiatives                                                                       2,500,000

 

DHHS Administration

 

10.       Division of Social Services                                                                      2,482,260

 

11.       Office of the Secretary                                                                                 34,042

 

Transfers to Other Block Grants

 

Division of Child Development

 

12.       Transfer to the Child Care and Development Fund                                71,773,001

 

13.       Transfer to Social Services Block Grant for Child

            Protective Services - Child Welfare Training in

            Counties                                                                                                 1,300,000

 

14.       Transfer to Social Services Block Grant for Child

            Protective Services                                                                                 5,040,000

 

15.       Transfer to Social Services Block Grant for County

            Departments of Social Services for Children's Services                            4,148,001

 

TOTAL TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES

(TANF) FUNDS                                                                                              $ 316,558,949

 

TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF)

EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY FUNDS

 

Local Program Expenditures

 

Division of Social Services

 

01.       Work First County Block Grants                                                       $ 11,066,985

 

TOTAL TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF)

EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY FUNDS                                                       $ 11,066,985

 

SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT

 

Local Program Expenditures

 

Divisions of Social Services and Aging and Adult Services

 

01.       County Departments of Social Services                                              $ 34,977,206

            (Transfer from TANF $4,148,001)

 

02.       Child Protective Services (Transfer from TANF)                                     5,040,000

 

03.       State In-Home Services Fund                                                                 2,101,113

 

04.       Adult Protective Services                                                                        1,346,047

 

05.       State Adult Day Care Fund                                                                     2,155,301

 

06.       Child Protective Services/CPS Investigative Services-

            Child Medical Evaluation Program (Carousel Center for

            Abused Children $134,592)                                                                      744,047

 

07.       Special Children Adoption Incentive Fund                                                  500,000

 

08.       Child Protective Services-Child Welfare Training

            for Counties (Transfer from TANF)                                                        1,300,000

 

09.       Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG)                               1,834,077

 

10.       Maternity Homes                                                                                       925,085

 

11.       Child Advocacy Centers                                                                            375,000

 

12.       Work First - Boys and Girls Clubs                                                         2,452,500

 

13.       Food Banks                                                                                           1,000,000

 

14.       Child Care Subsidy                                                                                 2,452,500

 

15.       Guardianship                                                                                          4,356,604

 

16.       UNC Cares Contract                                                                                247,920

 

Division of Public Health

 

17.       HIV/STD Prevention and Community Planning                                           145,819

 

18.       Prevent Blindness                                                                                      150,000

 

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

 

19.       Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Easter Seal Society/UCP

            Community Health Program                                                                       188,263

 

Division of Central Management and Support

 

19A.    ALS Association Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter                                           100,000

 

DHHS Program Expenditures

 

Division of Services for the Blind

 

20.       Independent Living Program                                                                   3,633,077

 

21.       Accessible Electronic Information for Blind and Disabled Persons                 75,000

 

Division of Health Service Regulation

 

22.       Adult Care Licensure Program                                                                   411,897

 

23.       Mental Health Licensure and Certification Program                                     205,668

 

DHHS Administration

 

24.       Division of Aging and Adult Services                                                          624,454

 

25.       Division of Social Services                                                                         604,311

 

26.       Office of the Secretary/Controller's Office                                                  138,058

 

27.       Division of Child Development                                                                     15,000

 

28.       Division of Mental Health, Developmental

            Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services                                                   29,665

 

29.       Division of Health Service Regulation                                                         128,562

 

TOTAL SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT                                               $ 68,257,174

 

LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE BLOCK GRANT

 

Local Program Expenditures

 

Division of Social Services

 

01.       Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)                             $ 14,688,575

 

02.       Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)                                                         33,255,130

 

Local Administration

 

Division of Social Services

 

03.       County DSS Administration                                                                    4,444,717

 

DHHS Administration

 

04.       Office of the Secretary/DIRM                                                                    219,490

 

05.       Office of the Secretary/Controller's Office                                                      9,779

 

Transfers to Other State Agencies

 

Department of Commerce

 

06.       Weatherization Program                                                                          8,464,517

 

07.       Heating Air Repair and Replacement

            Program (HARRP)                                                                                 4,073,690

 

08.       Local Residential Energy Efficiency Service

            Providers - Weatherization                                                                          19,825

 

09.       Local Residential Energy Efficiency Service

            Providers - HARRP                                                                                  180,041

 

10.       Department of Commerce Administration -

            Weatherization                                                                                             19,825

 

11.       Department of Commerce Administration -

            HARRP                                                                                                    180,041

 

Department of Administration

 

12.       N.C. Commission on Indian Affairs                                                              87,736

 

TOTAL LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE

BLOCK GRANT                                                                                               $ 65,643,366

 

CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND BLOCK GRANT

 

Local Program Expenditures

 

Division of Child Development

 

01.       Child Care Services

            (Smart Start $10,000,000)                                                              $ 158,179,897

 

02.       Electronic Tracking System                                                                     3,000,000

 

03.       Transfer from TANF Block Grant

            for Child Care Subsidies                                                                       71,773,001

 

04.       Quality and Availability Initiatives                                                          23,000,000

            (TEACH Program $3,800,000)

 

DHHS Administration

 

Division of Child Development

 

05.       DCDEE Administrative Expenses                                                            6,000,000

 

06.       Local Subsidized Child Care Services Support

            (4% Administrative Allowance)                                                             15,898,602

 

Division of Central Administration

 

07.       DHHS Central Administration - DIRM

            Technical Services                                                                                     775,000

 

TOTAL CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND

BLOCK GRANT                                                                                           $   278,626,500

 

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES BLOCK GRANT

 

Local Program Expenditures

 

01.       Mental Health Services - Adult                                                          $   8,870,595

 

02.       Mental Health Services - Child                                                               5,121,991

 

03.       Administration                                                                                           100,000

 

TOTAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES BLOCK GRANT                              $ 14,092,586

 

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT BLOCK GRANT

 

Local Program Expenditures

 

Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services

 

01.       Substance Abuse Services - Adult                                                     $ 15,328,802

 

02.       Substance Abuse Treatment Alternative for Women                                6,050,300

 

03.       Substance Abuse - HIV and IV Drug                                                     3,919,723

 

04.       Substance Abuse Prevention - Child                                                       7,186,857

 

05.       Substance Abuse Services - Child                                                          4,940,500

 

06.       Administration                                                                                           454,000

 

Division of Public Health

 

07.       Risk Reduction Projects                                                                             575,654

 

08.       Aid-to-Counties                                                                                        190,295

 

TOTAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION

AND TREATMENT BLOCK GRANT                                                              $ 38,646,131

 

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH BLOCK GRANT

 

Local Program Expenditures

 

Division of Public Health

 

01.       Children's Health Services

            (Nurse-Family Partnership $375,000)                                                $   8,487,547

 

02.       Women's Health

            (March of Dimes $350,000; Teen Pregnancy

            Prevention Initiatives $650,000; Perinatal

            Quality Collaborative $250,000; 17P Project $47,000)                           8,404,244

 

03.       Oral Health                                                                                                  42,268

 

DHHS Program Expenditures

 

Division of Public Health

 

04.       Children's Health Services                                                                       1,250,000

 

05.       Women's Health                                                                                        136,628

 

06.       State Center for Health Statistics                                                                164,318

 

07.       Quality Improvement in Public Health                                                             2,774

 

08.       Health Promotion                                                                                         89,374

 

DHHS Administration

 

Division of Public Health

 

09.       Division of Public Health Administration                                                     600,000

 

TOTAL MATERNAL AND CHILD

HEALTH BLOCK GRANT                                                                               $ 19,259,071

 

PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES BLOCK GRANT

 

Local Program Expenditures

 

Division of Public Health

 

01.       Services to Rape Victims                                                                           180,470

 

02.       HIV/STD Prevention and Community Planning

            (Transfer from Social Services Block Grant)                                               145,819

 

DHHS Program Expenditures

 

Division of Public Health

 

03.       State Center for Health Statistics                                                                160,000

 

TOTAL PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES BLOCK GRANT                           $ 486,289

 

COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT

 

Local Program Expenditures

 

Office of Economic Opportunity

 

01.       Community Action Agencies                                                              $ 18,075,488

 

02.       Limited Purpose Agencies                                                                       1,004,194

 

DHHS Administration

 

03.       Office of Economic Opportunity                                                              1,004,194

 

TOTAL COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT                                   $ 20,083,876

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 10.25.(b)  Information to Be Included in Block Grant Plans. - The Department of Health and Human Services shall submit a separate plan for each Block Grant received and administered by the Department, and each plan shall include the following:

(1)        A delineation of the proposed allocations by program or activity, including State and federal match requirements.

(2)        A delineation of the proposed State and local administrative expenditures.

(3)        An identification of all new positions to be established through the Block Grant, including permanent, temporary, and time-limited positions.

(4)        A comparison of the proposed allocations by program or activity with two prior years' program and activity budgets and two prior years' actual program or activity expenditures.

(5)        A projection of current year expenditures by program or activity.

(6)        A projection of federal Block Grant funds available, including unspent federal funds from the current and prior fiscal years.

SECTION 10.25.(c)  Changes in Federal Fund Availability. - If the Congress of the United States increases the federal fund availability for any of the Block Grants or contingency funds and other grants related to existing Block Grants administered by the Department of Health and Human Services from the amounts appropriated in this section, the Department shall allocate the increase proportionally across the program and activity appropriations identified for that Block Grant in this section. In allocating an increase in federal fund availability, the Office of State Budget and Management shall not approve funding for new programs or activities not appropriated in this section.

If the Congress of the United States decreases the federal fund availability for any of the Block Grants or contingency funds and other grants related to existing Block Grants administered by the Department of Health and Human Services from the amounts appropriated in this section, the Department shall develop a plan to adjust the block grants based on reduced federal funding.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, increases in the federal fund availability for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant shall be used for the North Carolina Child Care Subsidy program to pay for child care in four- or five-star rated facilities for four-year-old children.

Prior to allocating the change in federal fund availability, the proposed allocation must be approved by the Office of State Budget and Management. If the Department adjusts the allocation of any Block Grant due to changes in federal fund availability, then a report shall be made to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division.

SECTION 10.25.(d)  Appropriations from federal Block Grant funds are made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, according to the schedule enacted for State fiscal year 2012-2013 or until a new schedule is enacted by the General Assembly.

SECTION 10.25.(e)  All changes to the budgeted allocations to the Block Grants or contingency funds and other grants related to existing Block Grants administered by the Department of Health and Human Services that are not specifically addressed in this section shall be approved by the Office of State Budget and Management, and the Office of State Budget and Management shall consult with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations for review prior to implementing the changes. The report shall include an itemized listing of affected programs, including associated changes in budgeted allocations. All changes to the budgeted allocations to the Block Grants shall be reported immediately to the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division. This subsection does not apply to Block Grant changes caused by legislative salary increases and benefit adjustments.

SECTION 10.25.(f)  If the Preventive Health Services Block Grant is funded at the federal level and the State receives a block grant for Preventive Health Services, the 2011-2012 allocation plan shall remain in effect for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

 

TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) FUNDS

SECTION 10.25.(g)  The sum of eighty-three million three hundred eighty-six thousand three hundred thirty dollars ($83,386,330) appropriated in this section in TANF funds to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, for the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be used for Work First County Block Grants. The Division shall certify these funds in the appropriate State-level services based on prior year actual expenditures. The Division has the authority to realign the authorized budget for these funds among the State-level services based on current year actual expenditures.

SECTION 10.25.(h)  The sum of two million four hundred eighty-two thousand two hundred sixty dollars ($2,482,260) appropriated in this section in TANF funds to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, for the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be used to support administration of TANF-funded programs.

SECTION 10.25.(i)  The sum of thirteen million sixty-six thousand five hundred seven dollars ($13,066,507) appropriated in this section to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, in TANF funds for the 2012-2013 fiscal year for child welfare improvements shall be allocated to the county departments of social services for hiring or contracting staff to investigate and provide services in Child Protective Services cases; to provide foster care and support services; to recruit, train, license, and support prospective foster and adoptive families; and to provide interstate and post-adoption services for eligible families.

Counties shall maintain their level of expenditures in local funds for Child Protective Services' workers. Of the block grant funds appropriated for Child Protective Services' workers, the total expenditures from State and local funds for the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall not be less than the total expended from State and local funds for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

SECTION 10.25.(j)  The sum of two million twenty-six thousand eight hundred seventy-seven dollars ($2,026,877) appropriated in this section in TANF funds to the Department of Health and Human Services, Special Children Adoption Fund, for the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be used in accordance with G.S. 108A-50.2, as enacted in Section 10.48 of S.L. 2009-451. The Division of Social Services, in consultation with the North Carolina Association of County Directors of Social Services and representatives of licensed private adoption agencies, shall develop guidelines for the awarding of funds to licensed public and private adoption agencies upon the adoption of children described in G.S. 108A-50 and in foster care. Payments received from the Special Children Adoption Fund by participating agencies shall be used exclusively to enhance the adoption services program. No local match shall be required as a condition for receipt of these funds.

SECTION 10.25.(k)  The sum of seven hundred fifty-four thousand one hundred fifteen dollars ($754,115) appropriated in this section to the Department of Health and Human Services in TANF funds for the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be used to continue support for the Child Welfare Collaborative.

 

SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT

SECTION 10.25.(l)  The sum of thirty-five million two hundred eleven thousand seven hundred ninety-eight dollars ($35,211,798) appropriated in this section in the Social Services Block Grant to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, for the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be used for County Block Grants. The Division shall certify these funds in the appropriate State-level services based on prior year actual expenditures. The Division has the authority to realign the authorized budget for these funds among the State-level services based on current year actual expenditures.

SECTION 10.25.(m)  The sum of one million three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000) appropriated in this section in the Social Services Block Grant to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, for the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be used to support various child welfare training projects as follows:

(1)        Provide a regional training center in southeastern North Carolina.

(2)        Provide training for residential child caring facilities.

(3)        Provide for various other child welfare training initiatives.

SECTION 10.25.(n)  The Department of Health and Human Services is authorized, subject to the approval of the Office of State Budget and Management, to transfer Social Services Block Grant funding allocated for departmental administration between divisions that have received administrative allocations from the Social Services Block Grant.

SECTION 10.25.(o)  Social Services Block Grant funds appropriated for the Special Children's Adoption Incentive Fund will require a fifty percent (50%) local match.

SECTION 10.25.(p)  The sum of five million forty thousand dollars ($5,040,000) appropriated in this section in the Social Services Block Grant for the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be allocated to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services.  The Division shall allocate these funds to local departments of social services to replace the loss of Child Protective Services State funds that are currently used by county government to pay for Child Protective Services staff at the local level. These funds shall be used to maintain the number of Child Protective Services workers throughout the State.  These Social Services Block Grant funds shall be used to pay for salaries and related expenses only and are exempt from 10A NCAC 71R .0201(3) requiring a local match of twenty-five percent (25%).

SECTION 10.25.(q)  The sum of two million four hundred fifty-two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,452,500) appropriated in this section to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, in the Social Services Block Grant for Boys and Girls Clubs for the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be used to make grants for approved programs. The Department of Health and Human Services, in accordance with federal regulations for the use of Social Services Block Grant funds, shall administer a grant program to award funds to the Boys and Girls Clubs across the State in order to implement programs that improve the motivation, performance, and self-esteem of youths and to implement other initiatives that would be expected to reduce gang participation, school dropout, and teen pregnancy rates. The Department shall facilitate collaboration between the Boys and Girls Clubs and Support Our Students, Communities in Schools, and similar programs and encourage them to submit joint applications for the funds if appropriate. These funds are exempt from the provisions of 10A NCAC 71R .0201(3).

SECTION 10.25.(r)  The sum of nine hundred twenty-five thousand eighty-five dollars ($925,085) appropriated in this section in the Social Services Block Grant for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, shall be used for maternity homes. These funds are exempt from the provisions of 10A NCAC 71R .0201(3).

SECTION 10.25.(s)  The sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) appropriated in this section in the Social Services Block Grant for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, shall be allocated to Prevent Blindness North Carolina to be used for direct service programs. These funds are exempt from the provisions of 10A NCAC 71R .0201(3).

SECTION 10.25.(s1)  The sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) appropriated in this section in the Social Services Block Grant for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Central Management and Support, shall be allocated to the ALS Association, Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter, to be used to provide patient care and community services to persons with ALS and their families. These funds are exempt from the provisions of 10A NCAC 71R .0201(3).

SECTION 10.25.(t)  The sum of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) appropriated in this section in the Social Services Block Grant for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Services for the Blind, shall be used to provide accessible electronic information for blind and disabled persons. These funds are exempt from the provisions of 10A NCAC 71R .0201(3).

SECTION 10.25.(u)  The sum of three hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($375,000) appropriated in this section in the Social Services Block Grant for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, shall be used to continue support for the Child Advocacy Centers and are exempt from the provisions of 10A NCAC 71R .0201(3).

SECTION 10.25.(v)  Social Services Block Grant funds allocated for the 2012-2013 fiscal year for child medical evaluations and the Carousel Center for Abused Children are exempt from the provisions of 10A NCAC 71R .0201(3).

SECTION 10.25.(w)  The sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) appropriated in this section in the Social Services Block Grant for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, shall be allocated to North Carolina Food Bank agencies to be used to purchase and distribute food staples for emergency food assistance. These funds are exempt from the provisions of 10A NCAC 71R .0201(3).

SECTION 10.25.(w1)  The sum of four million three hundred fifty-six thousand six hundred four dollars ($4,356,604) appropriated in this section in the Social Services Block Grant for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services, Divisions of Social Services and Aging and Adult Services, shall be used for guardianship services pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 35A of the General Statutes.  The Department may expend funds appropriated in this section to support existing State and local level corporate guardianship contracts entered into during the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

 

LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE BLOCK GRANT

SECTION 10.25.(x)  Additional emergency contingency funds received may be allocated for Energy Assistance Payments or Crisis Intervention Payments without prior consultation with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations. Additional funds received shall be reported to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the Fiscal Research Division upon notification of the award. The Department of Health and Human Services shall not allocate funds for any activities, including increasing administration, other than assistance payments, without prior consultation with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations.

SECTION 10.25.(y)  The sum of fourteen million six hundred eighty-eight thousand five hundred seventy-five dollars ($14,688,575) appropriated in this section in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Block Grant for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, shall be used for energy assistance payments for the households of (i) elderly persons age 60 and above with income up to one hundred thirty percent (130%) of the federal poverty level and (ii) disabled persons eligible for services funded through the Division of Aging and Adult Services. County departments of social services shall submit to the Division of Social Services an outreach plan for targeting households with 60-year-old household members no later than August 1 of each year.

 

CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND BLOCK GRANT

SECTION 10.25.(z)  Payment for subsidized child care services provided with federal TANF funds shall comply with all regulations and policies issued by the Division of Child Development for the subsidized child care program.

SECTION 10.25.(aa)  If funds appropriated through the Child Care and Development Fund Block Grant for any program cannot be obligated or spent in that program within the obligation or liquidation periods allowed by the federal grants, the Department may move funds to child care subsidies, unless otherwise prohibited by federal requirements of the grant, in order to use the federal funds fully.

 

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH BLOCK GRANT

SECTION 10.25.(bb)  If federal funds are received under the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant for abstinence education, pursuant to section 912 of Public Law 104-193 (42 U.S.C. § 710), for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, then those funds shall be transferred to the State Board of Education to be administered by the Department of Public Instruction. The Department of Public Instruction shall use the funds to establish an abstinence until marriage education program and shall delegate to one or more persons the responsibility of implementing the program and G.S. 115C-81(e1)(4) and (4a). The Department of Public Instruction shall carefully and strictly follow federal guidelines in implementing and administering the abstinence education grant funds.

SECTION 10.25.(cc)  The Department of Health and Human Services shall ensure that there will be follow-up testing in the Newborn Screening Program.

 

PART XI. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

 

B.R.I.D.G.E. YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS/PRIORITY AND REPORTING

SECTION 11.1.(a)  The Division of Adult Correction of the Department of Public Safety shall give priority to the B.R.I.D.G.E. Youthful Offenders Program operated in cooperation with the North Carolina Forest Service when assigning youthful offenders from the Western Youth Institution to work programs.

SECTION 11.1.(b)  The North Carolina Forest Service shall submit an annual report on the B.R.I.D.G.E. Youthful Offenders Program no later than October 1 of each year beginning October 1, 2012, to the Fiscal Research Division, the Chairs of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Natural and Economic Resources, the Chairs of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Justice and Public Safety and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Justice and Public Safety, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety.  The report shall include the following information for the prior fiscal year:

(1)        The number of youthful offenders within the custody of the Division of Adult Correction eligible for B.R.I.D.G.E.

(2)        The number of youthful offenders participating in B.R.I.D.G.E.

(3)        The average daily participation in B.R.I.D.G.E.

(4)        The average duration of participation in B.R.I.D.G.E.

(5)        Summary of activities of B.R.I.D.G.E. participants.

 

FOREST FIRES/ANNUAL REPORT

SECTION 11.2.  Article 75 of Chapter 106 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 106-911.  Annual report on wildfires.

No later than October 1 of each year, beginning October 1, 2012, the Commissioner shall submit a written report on wildfires in the State to the chairs of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Natural and Economic Resources, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, and the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly. The report shall include the following information for all major or project wildfires during the prior fiscal year:

(1)        The date, location, and impacts (property damage and any casualties) from the wildfire.

(2)        The following data for firefighters and related support personnel involved in fighting the wildfire:

a.         Total overtime hours worked.

b.         Total compensation paid for overtime.

c.         The portion of compensation paid that was reimbursed to the State.

(3)        The fiscal impact of the wildfire, including total costs, reimbursable costs, and costs incurred by the State."

 

Clarify Requirements to Receive NC Agriculture Cost Share Program Funds or Agriculture Water Resources Assistance

SECTION 11.2A.(a)  G.S. 106-850(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      The program shall be subject to the following requirements and limitations:

(10)      To be eligible for cost share funds under this program, each applicant must establish that he or she is engaged in farming by providing any of the following to the Soil and Water Conservation Commission with his or her application a copy of the applicant's federal tax Schedule F (Form 1040) for the most recent tax year showing the applicant's profit or loss from farming.application:

a.         A copy of the farm owner's or operator's federal tax Schedule F (Form 1040) or an equivalent form for the most recent tax year showing the owner's or operator's profit or loss from farming.

b.         A copy of the farm sales tax exemption certificate issued to the farm owner or operator by the Department of Revenue.

c.         For forestland actively engaged in the commercial growing of trees under a sound management program as defined in G.S. 105-277.2(6), a copy of the sound forest management plan described in G.S. 105-277.3(g).

(11)      In extraordinary circumstances, the Commission may permit an applicant to establish that he or she is engaged in farming with an alternate form of documentation if the farm has a conservation plan that meets the statutory purposes of the program."

SECTION 11.2A.(b)  G.S. 139-60 reads as rewritten:

"§ 139-60.  Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program.

(c1)      To be eligible for assistance under this program, each applicant must establish that he or she is engaged in farming by providing to the Soil and Water Conservation Commission with his or her application a copy of the applicant's federal tax Schedule F (Form 1040) for the most recent tax year showing the applicant's profit or loss from farming.application:

(1)        A copy of the farm owner's or operator's federal tax Schedule F (Form 1040) or an equivalent form for the most recent tax year showing the owner's or operator's profit or loss from farming.

(2)        A copy of the farm sales tax exemption certificate issued to the farm owner or operator by the Department of Revenue.

(3)        For forestland actively engaged in the commercial growing of trees under a sound management program as defined in G.S. 105-277.2(6), a copy of the sound forest management plan described in G.S. 105-277.3(g).

(c2)      In extraordinary circumstances, the Commission may permit an applicant to establish that he or she is engaged in farming with an alternate form of documentation if the farm has a conservation plan that meets the statutory purposes of the program.

…."

 

PART Xii. Department of Environment and Natural Resources

 

Water infrastructure fund closing Fee Conforming Changes

SECTION 12.01.  G.S. 159G-24 reads as rewritten:

"§ 159G-24.  Fee imposed on a loan or grant from Wastewater Reserve or Drinking Water Reserve.Water Infrastructure Fund.

(a)        Amount. - A loan awarded from the Wastewater Reserve or the Drinking Water Reserve Water Infrastructure Fund is subject to a fee of two and one-half percent (2 ½%)(2%) of the loan. A grant awarded from the Wastewater Reserve or the Drinking Water Reserve Water Infrastructure Fund is subject to a fee of one and one-half percent (1 ½%) of the grant. The fee is payable when a loan or grant is awarded.

(b)        Departmental Receipt. - The fee on a loan from the Wastewater Reserve or the Drinking Water Reserve Water Infrastructure Fund is a departmental receipt and must be applied to the Department's and the Local Government Commission's costs in administering loans from these Reserves. The Department and the Local Government Commission must determine how to allocate the fee receipts between their agencies. The fee on a grant from the Wastewater Reserve or the Drinking Water Reserve Water Infrastructure Fund is a departmental receipt of the Department and must be applied to the Department's costs in administering grants from these Reserves."

 

DENR POSITIONS TO STAFF FOSSIL FUEL OVERSIGHT BODY

SECTION 12.1.  Should the recommended legislation contained in the report of the Legislative Research Commission's Committee on Energy Policy Issues and filed as Senate Bill 820/House Bill 1054 become law and require the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to provide staff to an oil and gas board (or substantially similar fossil fuel oversight body), then the Department may fund the staff positions using savings from reclassifying and consolidating salaries, benefits, and associated operating costs from vacant positions and shall fill these reclassified and consolidated positions in a timely manner in order to provide support for implementation of the recommendations.

 

DENR TO CENTRALIZE OVERSIGHT OF ITS REGIONAL OFFICES

SECTION 12.2.(a)  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall centralize and expand its oversight of the Department's regional offices by taking the following actions:

(1)        The Department shall create a mission statement for the regional offices.

(2)        In order to gather comparative data across the regional offices measuring their performance in carrying out their mission, the Department shall expand its existing performance measures pertinent to customer service delivery and process consistency. The expanded performance measures shall include timelines and milestones.

(3)        The Department shall implement a new customer survey during the 2012-2013 fiscal year and use the findings of the survey to craft future goals for addressing customer service concerns. In order to consistently track customer service data, the survey shall be repeated every other year.

(4)        The Department shall conduct a review of its regional offices and divisions to identify best practices for ensuring consistency across the Department and create a plan for implementing those best practices across regional offices and divisions.

SECTION 12.2.(b)  The Department shall report no later than February 1, 2013, to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division regarding (i) its progress, findings, and recommendations regarding the requirements of this section and (ii) its progress in establishing and implementing findings and recommendations regarding its operations from the public listening sessions conducted by the Department in 2011.

 

DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND

SECTION 12.3.  Notwithstanding G.S. 159G-22, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources may transfer State funds from the Drinking Water Reserve to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.  The funds shall be used to match maximum available federal grant moneys authorized by section 1453 of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1996, 42 U.S.C. § 300j-12, as amended.

 

TRANSFER GEODETIC SURVEY SECTION FROM DENR TO THE DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

SECTION 12.4.(a)  All functions, powers, duties, and obligations previously vested in the Geodetic Survey Section of the Division of Land Resources of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are transferred to and vested in the Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Public Safety by a Type I transfer, as defined in G.S. 143A-6.

SECTION 12.4.(b)  G.S. 102-1.1 reads as rewritten:

"§ 102-1.1.  Name and description in relation to 1983 North American Datum.

From and after the date and time the North Carolina Geodetic Survey Section in the Division of Land Resources of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Public Safety receives from the National Geodetic Survey, official notice of a complete, published definition of the North American Datum of 1983 including the State plane coordinate constants applicable to North Carolina, the official survey base for North Carolina shall be a system of plane coordinates to be known as the "North Carolina Coordinate System of 1983," said system being defined as a Lambert conformal projection of the "Geodetic Reference System (GRS 80 Ellipsoid)" having a central meridian of 79° - 00' west from Greenwich and standard parallels of latitude of 34° - 20' and 36° - 10' north of the equator, along which parallels the scale shall be exact. All coordinates of the system are expressed in metres, the x coordinate being measured easterly along the grid and the y coordinate being measured northerly along the grid. The U.S. Survey Foot, 1 meter = 39.37 inches or 3.2808333333 feet, shall be used as a conversion factor. The origin of the coordinates is hereby established on the meridian 79° - 00' west from Greenwich at the intersection of the parallels 33° - 45' north latitude, such origin being given the coordinates x = 609,601.22 metres, y = 0 metres. The precise position of said system shall be as marked on the ground by triangulation or traverse stations or monuments established in conformity with the standards adopted by the National Geodetic Survey for first- and second-order work, whose geodetic positions have been rigidly adjusted on the North American Datum of 1983, and whose plane coordinates have been computed on the system defined. Whenever plane coordinates are used in the description or identification of surface area or location within this State, the coordinates shall be identified as "NAD 83", indicating North American Datum of 1983, or as "NAD 27", indicating North American Datum of 1927."

SECTION 12.4.(c)  G.S. 102-8 reads as rewritten:

"§ 102-8.  Administrative agency.

The administrative agency of the North Carolina Coordinate System shall be the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Department of Public Safety through its appropriate division hereinafter called the "agency.""

SECTION 12.4.(d)  G.S. 102-10 reads as rewritten:

"§ 102-10.  Prior work.

The system of stations, monuments, traverses, computations, and other work which has been done or is under way in North Carolina by the so-called North Carolina Geodetic Survey, under the supervision of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, is, where consistent with the provisions of this Chapter, hereby made a part of the North Carolina Coordinate System. The surveys, notes, computations, monuments, stations, and all other work relating to the coordinate system, which has been done by said North Carolina Geodetic Survey, under the supervision of and in cooperation with the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey and federal relief agencies, hereby are placed under the direction of, and shall become the property of, the administrative agency. All persons or agencies having in their possession any surveys, notes, computations, or other data pertaining to the aforementioned coordinate system, shall turn over to the Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesPublic Safety such data upon request."

SECTION 12.4.(e)  G.S. 102-12 reads as rewritten:

"§ 102-12.  Control system map.

The agency shall prepare for publication and cause to be published before July 1, 1962,published a map or maps setting forth the location of monuments for both horizontal and vertical control, together with such other pertinent data as the agency may direct for implementation of the North Carolina Coordinate System. The agency shall furnish such map or maps to any person or may make such charge as will defray the expense of printing and distribution. It shall be the responsibility of the agency to maintain this map, make revisions as often as necessary to provide up-to-date information and furnish up-to-date copies to the register of deeds of each county in the State."

SECTION 12.4.(f)  G.S. 47-30(f) reads as rewritten:

"§ 47-30.  Plats and subdivisions; mapping requirements.

(f)         Plat to Contain Specific Information. - Every plat shall contain the following specific information:

(9)        Where the plat is the result of a survey, one or more corners shall, by a system of azimuths or courses and distances, be accurately tied to and coordinated with a horizontal control monument of some United States or State Agency survey system, such as the North Carolina Geodetic Survey where the monument is within 2,000 feet of the subject property. Where the North Carolina Grid System coordinates of the monument are on file in the North Carolina Geodetic Survey Section in the Division of Land Resources of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Public Safety, the coordinates of both the referenced corner and the monuments used shall be shown in X (easting) and Y (northing) coordinates on the plat. The coordinates shall be identified as based on "NAD 83," indicating North American Datum of 1983, or as "NAD 27," indicating North American Datum of 1927. The tie lines to the monuments shall also be sufficient to establish true north or grid north bearings for the plat if the monuments exist in pairs. Within a previously recorded subdivision that has been tied to grid control, control monuments within the subdivision may be used in lieu of additional ties to grid control. Within a previously recorded subdivision that has not been tied to grid control, if horizontal control monuments are available within 2,000 feet, the above requirements shall be met; but in the interest of bearing consistency with previously recorded plats, existing bearing control should be used where practical. In the absence of grid control, other appropriate natural monuments or landmarks shall be used. In all cases, the tie lines shall be sufficient to accurately reproduce the subject lands from the control or reference points used.

…."

SECTION 12.4.(g)  Notwithstanding G.S. 147-33.83, the North Carolina Geodetic Survey Section shall continue to provide free of charge to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources the services provided by the Section to the Department on or prior to the effective date of this act, including the following:

(1)        Surveying assistance and expertise, including all of the following:

a.         Review of survey plats related to development proposals, remediation activities, and redevelopment of contaminated sites.

b.         Establishment of oyster lease boundaries.

c.         Surveys of submerged lands.

d.         Survey activities required to establish the location of mean high water.

(2)        Providing surveying assistance and expertise to the Department of Justice related to DENR cases, including expert testimony in administrative contested cases or judicial proceedings.

(3)        Providing technical training and assistance to DENR agencies in surveying and in the use of GPS and GPS software.

(4)        Reviewing proposed purchases of GPS equipment by DENR agencies.

(5)        Surveying lands managed by or lands proposed for acquisition by DENR agencies.

SECTION 12.4.(h)  The Revisor of Statutes shall make the conforming statutory changes necessary to reflect the transfer under this section. The Revisor of Statutes may, where necessitated by this section, correct any reference in the General Statutes and make any other conforming changes.

SECTION 12.4.(i)  Any references in this act to the North Carolina Geodetic Survey Section of the Division of Land Resources of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall be construed to refer to the North Carolina Geodetic Survey Section of the Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Public Safety.

 

PROHIBIT THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PIERS/SATELLITE AREAS

SECTION 12.5.(a)  G.S. 143B-289.44(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      Fund. - The North Carolina Aquariums Fund is hereby created as a special and nonreverting fund. The North Carolina Aquariums Fund shall be used for repair, renovation, expansion, maintenance, educational exhibit construction, and operational expenses at existing aquariums, to pay the debt service and lease payments related to the financing of expansions of aquariums, including other relevant satellite areas,aquariums, and to match private funds that are raised for these purposes."

SECTION 12.5.(b)  Notwithstanding G.S. 143B-289.44(b), as rewritten by subsection  (a) of this section, the North Carolina Aquariums Fund may continue to be used for the North Carolina Aquarium Pier at Nags Head.

SECTION 12.5.(c)  Part 5C of Article 7 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 143B-289.45.  Satellite areas prohibited absent General Assembly authorization.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, State funds shall not be used for any of the following purposes unless specifically authorized by the General Assembly:

(1)        Construction of any satellite area.

(2)        Commencement of any capital project in connection with the construction or acquisition of any satellite area.

(3)        Operation of any satellite area.

For purposes of this section, the term "satellite area" means any property or facility that is to be operated by the Division of North Carolina Aquariums that is located somewhere other than on the site of the aquariums at Pine Knoll Shores, Roanoke Island, and Fort Fisher."

SECTION 12.5.(d)  Notwithstanding G.S. 143B-289.45, as enacted by subsection (c) of this section, the Division of North Carolina Aquariums may continue to operate the North Carolina Aquarium Pier at Nags Head.

SECTION 12.5.(d1)  Grants for projects with partnering local municipalities awarded prior to the effective date of this act may be transferred to the local partnering municipality for completion or fulfillment.

SECTION 12.5.(e)  This section is effective when it becomes law.

 

WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION BUDGET

SECTION 12.6.  The Office of State Budget and Management, the State Controller, the Fiscal Research Division, and the Wildlife Resources Commission shall jointly implement, beginning with the 2013-2014 fiscal year, the use of Budget Code 14350 for budgeting the expenditures and receipts of any Wildlife Resources Commission programs that utilize General Fund appropriations. Receipts from any source utilized to support programs that receive General Fund appropriations shall be expended from Budget Code 14350.  It is the intent of the General Assembly that the budgeting change required by this section not adversely impact current federal funding or future funding eligibility. The Governor's Continuation Budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year shall present the Wildlife Resources Commission operating budget in Budget Code 14350.

 

CLEAN WATER MANAGEMENT TRUST FUND

SECTION 12.7.(a)  Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 113A-253(d), up to three million dollars ($3,000,000) may be used for the 2012-2013 fiscal year for the costs of administering the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, including costs to support the Board of Trustees of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and its staff, the operating costs of the Board of Trustees of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and its staff, and the costs of making debt payments to retire debt as provided under G.S. 113A-253(c).

SECTION 12.7.(b)  The Board of Trustees of the Fund shall give priority consideration to any Clean Water Management Trust Fund application requesting State matching funds for infrastructure programs and for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative or any other United States Department of Defense program that provides for military buffers and protects the overall military training mission.

 

AQUARIUM BUDGETING CLARIFICATION

SECTION 12.8.  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall budget all line items related to daily operations of the State aquariums in Budget Code 14300.  The Department may continue to use Budget Code 24300 for special events, activities, debt service, and other items not related to daily operations of the State aquariums.

 

PART XIII. Department of Commerce

 

NER BLOCK GRANTS

SECTION 13.1.  Section 14.1 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 14.1.(a)  Appropriations from federal block grant funds are made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012,June 30, 2013, according to the following schedule:

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

 

01.    State Administration                                                            $   1,000,000

 

02.    State Technical Assistance                                                          450,000

 

03.    Scattered Site Housing                                             8,000,0007,200,000

 

04.    Economic Development                                           7,210,0007,000,000

 

05.    Small Business/Entrepreneurship                              3,000,0002,500,000

 

06.    NC Catalyst                                                            5,000,0004,500,000

 

07.    Infrastructure                                                       19,740,00020,300,000

 

08.    Capacity Building                                                                        600,000

 

TOTAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

BLOCK GRANT - 20122013 Program Year                    $ 45,000,000 $42,500,000

"SECTION 14.1.(b)  Decreases in Federal Fund Availability. - If federal funds are reduced below the amounts specified above after the effective date of this act, then every program in each of these federal block grants shall be reduced by the same percentage as the reduction in federal funds.

"SECTION 14.1.(c)  Increases in Federal Fund Availability for Community Development Block Grant. - Any block grant funds appropriated by the Congress of the United States in addition to the funds specified in this section shall be expended as follows: each program category under the Community Development Block Grant shall be increased by the same percentage as the increase in federal funds.

"SECTION 14.1.(d)  Limitations on Community Development Block Grant Funds. - Of the funds appropriated in this section for the Community Development Block Grant, the following shall be allocated in each category for each program year: up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) may be used for State Administration; up to four hundred fifty thousand dollars ($450,000) may be used for State Technical Assistance; up to eight million dollars ($8,000,000)seven million two hundred thousand dollars ($7,200,000) may be used for Scattered Site Housing; up to seven million two hundred ten thousand dollars ($7,210,000)seven million dollars ($7,000,000) may be used for Economic Development; up to three million dollars ($3,000,000)two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) may be used for Small Business/Entrepreneurship; up to five million  dollars ($5,000,000)four million five hundred thousand dollars ($4,500,000) shall be used for NC Catalyst; up to nineteen million seven hundred forty thousand dollars ($19,740,000)twenty million three hundred thousand dollars ($20,300,000) may be used for Infrastructure; up to six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) may be used for Capacity Building.Infrastructure. If federal block grant funds are reduced or increased by the Congress of the United States after the effective date of this act, then these reductions or increases shall be allocated in accordance with subsection (b) or (c) of this section, as applicable.

"SECTION 14.1.(e)  The Department of Commerce shall consult with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations prior to reallocating Community Development Block Grant Funds. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, whenever the Director of the Budget finds that:

(1)        A reallocation is required because of an emergency that poses an imminent threat to public health or public safety, the Director of the Budget may authorize the reallocation without consulting the Commission. The Department of Commerce shall report to the Commission on the reallocation no later than 30 days after it was authorized and shall identify in the report the emergency, the type of action taken, and how it was related to the emergency.

(2)        The State will lose federal block grant funds or receive less federal block grant funds in the next fiscal year unless a reallocation is made, the Department of Commerce shall provide a written report to the Commission on the proposed reallocation and shall identify the reason that failure to take action will result in the loss of federal funds. If the Commission does not hear the issue within 30 days of receipt of the report, the Department may take the action without consulting the Commission.

"SECTION 14.1.(f)  By September 1, 2011,September 1, 2012, the Division of Community Assistance, Department of Commerce, shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the Fiscal Research Division on the use of Community Development Block Grant Funds appropriated in the prior fiscal year. The report shall include the following:

(1)        A discussion of each of the categories of funding and how the categories were selected, including information on how a determination was made that there was a statewide need in each of the categories.

(2)        Information on the number of applications that were received in each category and the total dollar amount requested in each category.

(3)        A list of grantees, including the grantee's name, county, category under which the grant was funded, the amount awarded, and a narrative description of the project.

"SECTION 14.1.(g)  For purposes of this section, eligible activities under the category of Infrastructure in subsection (a) of this section are limited to the installation of public water or sewer lines and improvements to water or sewer treatment plants that have specific problems such as being under moratoriums or special orders of consent. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, funds allocated to the Infrastructure category in subsection (a) of this section shall not be reallocated to any other category."

 

NC SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTOR AUTHORITY/REPORTING REQUIREMENT

SECTION 13.3.  G.S. 143B-472.102 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143B-472.102.  Authority creation; powers.

(j)         Powers and Duties. - The Authority has the following powers and duties:

(9)        To report quarterly to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on the activities of the Authority, including the amount of rates, sureties, and bonds. The Authority shall comply with the provisions of this subdivision only in the fiscal years in which funds are appropriated by the State to the Authority to perform the powers and duties authorized in this Part.

…."

 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE/CHANGES TO STATUTORY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 13.4.(a)  G.S. 143B-434.01 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143B-434.01.  Comprehensive Strategic Economic Development Plan.

(e)        Environmental Scan. - The first step in developing the Plan shall be to develop an environmental scan based on the input from economic development parties and the public and on information about the economic environment in North Carolina. To prepare the scan, the Board shall gather the following information. Thereafter, the information shall be updated periodically. information and ensure that the information is updated periodically. The updated information may be provided in whatever format and through whatever means is most efficient.

(f)         Needs Assessment. - The Board, using data from the public input sessions and the environmental scan, shall prepare an assessment of economic development strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities within the State by Region and by county. An assessment shall also be conducted of each county to determine distressed areas existing within the county. The assessment will include the identification of key development issues within each geographic area and options available to address each issue.

(k)        Annual Report. Evaluation. - The Plan shall contain a section devoted to measuring results, to be called "An Annual Report on Economic Development for the State of North Carolina". The Annual Report shall contain a comparison of actual results with The Board shall annually evaluate the State's economic performance based upon the statistics listed in this subsection and upon the Board's stated goals and objectives in its Plan. and significant and meaningful statistics to allow policymakers to adjust strategy and tactics as necessary to achieve the formulated goals.The statistics upon which the evaluation is made should be available to policymakers. The information may be provided in whatever format and through whatever means is most efficient.

The Annual Report shall break down data by Regions and counties including:

(9)        An evaluation of the State's economic performance as indicated by the above statistics with the goals and objectives outlined in the Plan.

(l)         Accountability. - The Board shall make all data, plans, and reports available to the General Assembly andAssembly, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations Operations, the Joint Legislative Economic Development and Global Engagement Oversight Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Natural and Economic Resources, and the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources at appropriate times and upon request. The Board shall prepare and make available on an annual basis public reports on each of the major sections of the Plan and the Annual Report indicating the degree of success in attaining each development objective."

SECTION 13.4.(b)  G.S. 143B-435.1 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143B-435.1.  Clawbacks.

(d)        Report. - The By April 1 and October 1 of each year, the Department of Commerce shall report to the Revenue Laws Study Committee by April 1 and October 1 of each year Committee, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Natural and Economic Resources, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly on (i) all clawbacks that have been triggered under programs it administers the One North Carolina Fund established pursuant to G.S. 143B-437.71, the Job Development Investment Grant Program established pursuant to G.S. 143B-437.52, Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund established pursuant to G.S. 143B-437.012, the Industrial Development Fund and Utility Account established pursuant to G.S. 143B-437.01, and the Site Infrastructure Fund established pursuant to G.S. 143B-437.02 and (ii) its progress on obtaining repayments. The report must include the name of each business, the event that triggered the clawback, and the amount forfeited or to be repaid."

SECTION 13.4.(c)  G.S. 143B-437.01(c) and (c1) are repealed.

SECTION 13.4.(d)  G.S. 143B-437.07 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143B-437.07.  Economic development grant reporting.

(a)        Report. - The Department of Commerce must publish on or before March October 1 of each year the information required by this subsection, itemized by business entity, for each business or joint private venture to which the State has, in whole or in part, granted one or more economic development incentives during the previous five calendar years. The Department must provide the General Assembly with updated supplemental information consistent with this subsection on a quarterly basis in the form and manner requested by the General Assembly.fiscal year. The information in the report must include all of the following:

(2)        The date of the award and the date of the award agreement.

(b)        Online Posting.Posting/Written Submission. - The Department of Commerce must post on its Internet Web site a summary of the report compiled in subsection (a) of this section. The summary report must include the information required by subdivisions (2), (9), (11), and (12) of subsection (a) of this section. By October 1 of each year, the Department of Commerce must submit the written report required by subsection (a) of this section to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Revenue Laws Study Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Natural and Economic Resources, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly.

(c)        Economic Development Incentive. - An economic development incentive includes any grant program administered by the Department of Commerce that disburses or awards monies to businesses. Examples of these grant programs include thefrom the following programs: Job Development Investment Grant Program,Program; the Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund,Fund; One North Carolina Fund,Fund; and the Industrial Development Fund, including the Utility Account. The State also incents economic development through the use of tax expenditures in the form of tax credits and refunds. The Department of Revenue must report annually on these statutory economic development incentives, as required under G.S. 105-256."

SECTION 13.4.(e)  G.S. 143B-437.08 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"§ 143B-437.08.  Development tier designation.

(k)        Report. - By November 30 of each year, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit a written report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Natural and Economic Resources, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly on the tier rankings required by subsection (c) of this section, including a map of the State whereupon the tier ranking of each county is designated."

SECTION 13.4.(f)  G.S. 143B-437.55(d) is repealed.

 

ALIGN ONE NORTH CAROLINA FUND WITH JDIG PROGRAM

SECTION 13.6.(a)  The General Assembly acknowledges the importance of ongoing economic growth and development in this State.  To that end, it is the intent of the General Assembly to fund the commitments of the One North Carolina Fund, as evidenced by the General Assembly's past and recurring appropriations to the Fund and as set forth in this section, and to establish a funding structure that aligns with the funding structure that is and has been used with the Job Development Investment Grant Program.  The General Assembly has continued this level of commitment while remaining fiscally responsible in addressing the other critical, high-priority needs of the State.

SECTION 13.6.(b)  G.S. 143B-437.71 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(b1)    Awards. - The maximum amount of total annual liability for grants awarded in any single calendar year under this Part is fourteen million dollars ($14,000,000). No agreement may be entered into that, when considered together with other existing agreements governing grants awarded during a single calendar year, could cause the State's potential total annual liability for grants awarded in a single calendar year to exceed this amount."

SECTION 13.6.(c)  G.S. 143B-437.72(b) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

"(b)      Company Performance Agreements. - An agreement between a local government and a grantee business must contain the following provisions:

(1)        A commitment to create or retain a specified number of jobs within a specified salary range at a specific location and commitments regarding the time period in which the jobs will be created or retained and the minimum time period for which the jobs must be maintained.

(2)        A commitment to provide proof satisfactory to the local government and the State of new jobs created or existing jobs retained and the salary level of those jobs.

(3)        A provision that funds received under the agreement may be used only for a purpose specified in G.S. 143B-437.71(b).

(4)        A provision allowing the State or the local government to inspect all records of the business that may be used to confirm compliance with the agreement or with the requirements of this Part.

(5)        A provision establishing the method for determining compliance with the agreement.

(6)        A provision establishing a schedule for disbursement of funds under the agreement that allows disbursement of funds only in proportion to the amount of performance completed under the agreement.

(6a)      A provision establishing that a business that has completed performance and become entitled to a disbursement of funds under the agreement must timely request, in writing to the local government, a disbursement of funds within one year from the date of completed performance or forfeit the disbursement.

(7)        A provision requiring recapture of grant funds if a business subsequently fails to comply with the terms of the agreement.

(8)        Any other provision the State or the local government finds necessary to ensure the proper use of State or local funds."

SECTION 13.6.(d)  G.S. 143B-437.72(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d)      Disbursement of Funds. - Funds may be disbursed from the One North Carolina Fund to the local government only after (i) a business has completed performance and is entitled to a disbursement of funds under the agreement and has requested, in writing to the local government no later than February 1 following the year of completed performance, a disbursement of funds and (ii) the local government has reported to the Secretary of Commerce no later than March 1 following the year of completed performance the total amount of disbursements that have been claimed by businesses in writing during the previous year and has demonstrated that the business has complied with the terms of the company performance agreement. The State shall disburse funds allocated under the One North Carolina Fund to a local government in accordance with the disbursement schedule established in the local government grant agreement.no later than August 1 following the year of completed performance in an amount equal to that which the local government reported as having been claimed by businesses in writing during the previous year and demonstrated were due to be disbursed as a result of compliance by the businesses with the terms of the company performance agreements. Disbursements by the State to a local government from the One North Carolina Fund shall be made in one annual payment."

SECTION 13.6.(e)  G.S. 143B-437.74 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143B-437.74.  Reports.Reports; study.

(a)        Reports. - The Department of Commerce shall publish a report on the use of funds in the One North Carolina Fund at the end of each fiscal quarter. The report shall contain information on the commitment, disbursement, and use of funds allocated under the One North Carolina Fund. The report is due no later than one month after the end of the fiscal quarter and must be submitted to the following:

(1)        The Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations.

(2)        The chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Finance Committees.

(3)        The chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees.

(4)        The Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly.

(b)        Study. - The Department of Commerce shall conduct a study to determine the minimum funding level required to implement the One North Carolina Fund successfully. The Department shall report the results of this study to the House of Representatives Finance Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division no later than April 1 of each year."

SECTION 13.6.(f)  Part 2H of Article 10 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 143B-437.75.  Cash flow requirements.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys allocated from the One North Carolina Fund shall be budgeted and funded on a cash flow basis. The Office of State Budget and Management shall periodically transfer funds from the One North Carolina Fund established pursuant to G.S. 143B-437.71 to the Department of Commerce in an amount sufficient to satisfy Fund allocations to be transferred pursuant to G.S. 143B-437.72 to be paid during the fiscal year."

SECTION 13.6.(g)  Article 9 of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 143C-9-8.  One North Carolina Fund Reserve.

(a)        The State Controller shall establish a reserve in the General Fund to be known as the One North Carolina Fund Reserve. Funds from the One North Carolina Fund Reserve shall not be expended or transferred except in accordance with G.S. 143B-437.75.

(b)        It is the intent of the General Assembly to appropriate funds annually to the One North Carolina Fund Reserve established in this section in amounts sufficient to meet the anticipated cash requirements for each fiscal year of the One North Carolina Fund Program established pursuant to G.S. 143B-437.71."

SECTION 13.6.(h)  G.S. 143B-437.52 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143B-437.52.  Job Development Investment Grant Program.

(b)        Cap and Priority. - The maximum number of grants the Committee may award in each calendar year is 25. In selecting between applicants, a project that is located in an Eco-Industrial Park certified under G.S. 143B-437.08 has priority over a comparable project that is not located in a certified Eco-Industrial Park.

(c)        Ceiling. Awards. - The maximum amount of total annual liability for grants awarded in any single calendar year,year under this Part, including amounts transferred to the Utility Account pursuant to G.S. 143B-437.61, may not exceedis fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000). No agreement may be entered into that, when considered together with other existing agreements governing grants awarded during a single calendar year, could cause the State's potential total annual liability for grants awarded in a single calendar year to exceed this amount.

…."

SECTION 13.6.(i)  This section becomes effective July 1, 2012.

 

INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION FEES/COMPUTER SYSTEM REPLACEMENT

SECTION 13.7.  Section 14.8 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 14.8. The  For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the North Carolina Industrial Commission may shall retain the additional revenue generated as a result of an increase in the fee charged to parties for the filing of compromised settlements. These funds shall be used for the purpose of replacing existing computer hardware and software used for the operations of the Commission. These funds may also be used to prepare any assessment of hardware and software needs prior to purchase and to develop and administer the needed databases and new Electronic Case Management System, including the establishment of two time-limited positions for application development and support and mainframe migration. The Commission may not retain any fees under this section unless they are in excess of the former two-hundred-dollar ($200.00) fee charged by the Commission for filing a compromised settlement."

 

EMPLOYMENT SECURITY RESERVE FUND

SECTION 13.8.(a)  Section 14.4 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 14.4.(a)  Funds from the Employment Security Commission Reserve Fund shall be available to the Employment Security Commission of North CarolinaDepartment of Commerce, Division of Employment Security, to use as collateral to secure federal funds and to pay the administrative costs associated with the collection of the Employment Security Commission Reserve Fund surcharge. The total administrative costs paid with funds from the Reserve in the 2011-20122012-2013 fiscal year shall not exceed two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000).

"SECTION 14.4.(b)  There is appropriated from the Employment Security Commission Reserve Fund to the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security, the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the 2011-20122012-2013 fiscal year to be used for the following purposes:

(1)        $19,500,000 for the operation and support of local Employment Security Commission offices.offices operated by the Division of Employment Security.

(2)        $200,000 to operate the system that tracks former participants in State education and training programs.

(3)        $300,000 to maintain compliance with Chapter 96 of the General Statutes, which directs the Commission Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security, to employ the Common Follow-Up Management Information System to evaluate the effectiveness of the State's job training, education, and placement programs.

"SECTION 14.4.(c)  There is appropriated from the Employment Security Commission Reserve Fund to the Employment Security Commission of North CarolinaDepartment of Commerce, Division of Employment Security, an amount not to exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the 2011-20122012-2013 fiscal year to fund State initiatives not currently funded through federal grants.

"SECTION 14.4.(d)  There is appropriated from the Worker Training Trust Fund to the Employment Security Commission of North CarolinaDepartment of Commerce, Division of Employment Security, the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the 2011-20122012-2013 fiscal year to fund "Opportunity NC," which provides work-based training opportunities to recipients of unemployment insurance benefits. Opportunity NC must meet all of the following factors:

(1)        The training, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to what would be given in a vocational school or academic educational instruction.

(2)        The training is for the benefit of the trainee.

(3)        The trainees do not displace regular employees, but work under their close observation.

(4)        The employer who provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the trainees, and, on occasion, the employer's operations may actually be impeded.

(5)        The trainees are not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the training period.

(6)        The employer and the trainees understand that the trainees are not entitled   to wages for the time spent in training.

"SECTION 14.4.(e)  Of the funds credited to and held in the State of North Carolina's account in the Unemployment Trust Fund by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States pursuant to and in accordance with section 903 of the Social Security Act and pursuant to Title II of Division B of P.L. 111-5, the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act, the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security, may expend the sum of two hundred five million sixty-three thousand five hundred fifty-two dollars ($205,063,552) as follows: (i) one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be used to design and build the integrated unemployment insurance benefit and tax accounting system and (ii) the remaining funds shall be used for the operation of the unemployment insurance program.

"SECTION 14.4.(f)  There is appropriated from the Employment Security Reserve Fund to the Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security, the amount needed for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to fund the interest payment due to the federal government for the debt owed to the U.S. Treasury for unemployment benefits."

 

SET REGULATORY FEE FOR UTILITIES COMMISSION

SECTION 13.8A.  Section 31.4 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 31.4.(a)  The percentage rate to be used in calculating the public utility regulatory fee under G.S. 62-302(b)(2) is twelve-hundredths of one percent (0.12%) for each public utility's North Carolina jurisdictional revenues earned during each quarter that begins on or after July 1, 2011.July 1, 2012.

"SECTION 31.4.(b)  The electric membership corporation regulatory fee imposed under G.S. 62-302(b1) for the 2011-20122012-2013 fiscal year is two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000).

"SECTION 31.4.(c)  This section becomes effective July 1, 2011.July 1, 2012."

 

COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS

SECTION 13.10.  Section 14.12A(a) of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

 

GRASSROOTS SCIENCE PROGRAM

SECTION 13.11.  Section 14.11 of S.L. 2011-145 is amended by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"SECTION 14.11.(b1)  Any reductions in funds in the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be taken on a pro rata basis from the museums listed in subsection (b) of this section."

 

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONS ALLOCATIONS

SECTION 13.12.  Section 14.13 of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 37 of S.L. 2011-391, reads as rewritten:

"REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONS ALLOCATIONS

"SECTION 14.13.(a)  Funds appropriated in this act to the Department of Commerce for regional economic development commissions shall be allocated to the following commissions in accordance with subsection (b) of this section: Western North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission, Research Triangle Regional Partnership, Southeastern North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission, Piedmont Triad Partnership, Northeastern North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission, North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development Partnership, and Carolinas Partnership, Inc.

"SECTION 14.13.(b)  Funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be allocated to each regional economic development commission as follows:

(1)        First, the Department shall establish each commission's allocation by determining the sum of allocations to each county that is a member of that commission. Each county's allocation shall be determined by dividing the county's development factor by the sum of the development factors for eligible counties and multiplying the resulting percentage by the amount of the appropriation. As used in this subdivision, the term "development factor" means a county's development factor as calculated under G.S. 143B-437.08; and

(2)        Next, the Department shall subtract from funds allocated to the North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development Partnership the sum of one hundred seventy-four thousand eight hundred ninety dollars ($174,890) one hundred sixty-one thousand eight hundred sixty-one dollars ($161,861) in the 2011-2012 2012-2013 fiscal year, which sum represents (i) the total interest earnings in the prior fiscal year on the estimated balance of the seven million five hundred thousand dollars ($7,500,000) appropriated to the Global TransPark Development Zone in Section 6 of Chapter 561 of the 1993 Session Laws and (ii) the total interest earnings in the prior fiscal year on loans made from the seven million five hundred thousand dollars ($7,500,000) appropriated to the Global TransPark Development Zone in Section 6 of Chapter 561 of the 1993 Session Laws; and

(3)        Next, the Department shall redistribute the sum of one hundred seventy-four thousand eight hundred ninety dollars ($174,890) one hundred sixty-one thousand eight hundred sixty-one dollars ($161,861)  in the 2011-2012 2012-2013 fiscal year to the seven regional economic development commissions named in subsection (a) of this section. Each commission's share of this redistribution shall be determined according to the development factor formula set out in subdivision (1) of this subsection. This redistribution shall be in addition to each commission's allocation determined under subdivision (1) of this subsection.

"SECTION 14.13.(c)  No more than one hundred twenty thousand dollars ($120,000) in State funds shall be used for the annual salary of any one employee of a regional economic development commission.

"SECTION 14.13.(d)  The General Assembly finds that successful economic development requires the collaboration of the State, regions of the State, counties, and municipalities. Therefore, the regional economic development commissions are encouraged to seek supplemental funding from their county and municipal partners to continue and enhance their efforts to attract and retain business in the State."

 

BIOFUELS CENTER OF NORTH CAROLINA

SECTION 13.12A.  Section 14.14 of S.L. 2011-145 is amended by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"SECTION 14.14.(a1)  Any reductions in funds in the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be taken on a pro rata basis from the programs listed in subsection (a) of this section."

 

NORTH CAROLINA BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTER

SECTION 13.12B.  Section 14.15 of S.L. 2011-145 is amended by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"SECTION 14.15.(a1)  Any reductions in funds in the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be taken on a pro rata basis from the programs listed in subsection (a) of this section."

 

RURAL CENTER/RURAL JOBS FUND

SECTION 13.13.  Section 14.20(d) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 14.20.(d)  Rural Jobs Infrastructure Grants. - A Rural Jobs Infrastructure Grant is available to supplement other funds to be applied to the construction or installation costs of an eligible project. Other funds contributed to the project may include federal funds, State funds, and local funds, including contributions from private sector enterprises that may benefit from the proposed improvements. A Rural Jobs Infrastructure Grant is subject to the following provisions:

(1)        Eligibility. - A local government unit is eligible for a Rural Jobs Infrastructure Grant if it is a rural county or is located in a rural county.

(2)        Maximum grant amount. - Grant funds shall be available based upon the number of private sector jobs to be created as a result of the investment from the Rural Jobs Infrastructure Grant Fund. An applicant for a grant may request up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) per job to be created. An applicant for a Rural Jobs Infrastructure Grant shall not receive more than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for a proposed infrastructure project. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, the Rural Center may, if it deems it reasonable and appropriate based upon the number of private sector jobs created and/or the anticipated benefits to the community, award grant funds to a local government that exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) per job to be created, provided that the average amount of the total grant funds from the funds appropriated in subsection (a) of this section does not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) per job to be created.

(3)        Matching funds. - A local government unit shall match a Rural Jobs Infrastructure Grant on a dollar-for-dollar basis. As part of the matching funds, recipients of grant funds under the provisions of this section shall contribute a cash match for the grant that is equivalent to at least five percent (5%) of the grant amount. The required applicant cash-matching contribution shall come from local resources and may not be derived from other State or federal grant funds or from funds provided by the Rural Center."

 

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER

SECTION 13.13A.  Section 14.16(a) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 14.16.(a)  Of the funds appropriated in this act to the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, Inc., (Rural Center) the sum of three million five hundred eighty-three thousand six hundred ninety-one dollars ($3,583,691)two million three hundred fifty-one thousand two hundred sixty-three dollars ($2,351,263) for each year in the 2011-2013 bienniumthe 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be allocated as follows:

                                                                                       2011-2012                   2012-2013

Center Administration, Technical Assistance,

& Oversight                                                            $1,302,173            $1,302,173$854,357

Research and Demonstration Grants                              $294,120               $294,120$192,972

Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship                                $114,570                 $114,570$75,170

Community Development Grants                                   $844,250               $844,250$553,913

Microenterprise Loan Program                                     $155,610               $155,610$102,096

Water/Sewer/Business Development

Matching Grants                                                        $701,955               $701,955$460,553

Statewide Water/Sewer Database                                   $79,523                  $79,523$ 52,175

Agricultural Advancement Consortium                             $91,490                 $91,490.$ 60,027."

 

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER/INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

SECTION 13.14.  Section 14.17 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 14.17.(a)  Of the funds appropriated in this act to the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, Inc. (Rural Center), the sum of sixteen million five hundred five thousand seven hundred fifty-eight dollars ($16,505,758) ten million eight hundred twenty-nine thousand four hundred forty-six dollars ($10,829,446) for each year in the 2011-2013 biennium the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be allocated as follows:

(1)        To continue the North Carolina Infrastructure Program. The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to local governments to construct critical water and wastewater facilities and to provide other infrastructure needs, including technology needs, to sites where these facilities will generate private job-creating investment. The grants under this Program shall not be subject to the provisions of G.S. 143-355.4.

(2)        To provide matching grants or loans to local governments in distressed areas that will productively reuse vacant buildings and properties, with priority given to towns or communities with populations of less than 5,000.

(3)        To provide grants and technical assistance to reinvigorate the economies of towns with populations of less than 7,500, and to invest in economic innovation that stimulates business and job growth in distressed areas.

(4)        Recipients of grant funds appropriated under this section shall contribute a cash match for the grant that is equivalent to at least five percent (5%) of the grant amount. The cash match shall come from local resources and may not be derived from other State or federal grant funds or from funds provided by the Rural Center.

"SECTION 14.17.(c)  During each year of the 2011-2013 biennium,For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the Rural Center may use up to three hundred twenty-nine thousand one hundred seventy-eight dollars ($329,178)two hundred fifteen thousand nine hundred seventy-four dollars ($215,974) of the funds appropriated in this act to cover its expenses in administering the North Carolina Economic Infrastructure Program.

…."

 

OPPORTUNITIES INDUSTRIALIZATION CENTERS FUNDS

SECTION 13.14A.  Section 14.18(a) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 14.18.(a)  Of the funds appropriated in this act to the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, Inc. (Rural Center), the sum of two hundred eighty-seven thousand two hundred eighty dollars ($287,280) one hundred eighty-eight thousand four hundred eighty-five dollars ($188,485)for each year in the 2011-2013 biennium the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be equally distributed among the certified Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OI Centers)."

 

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONS/STUDY

SECTION 13.15.  The Legislative Research Commission is authorized to study the funding and alignment of the membership of each of the regional economic development commissions listed in Section 14.13 of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 37 of S.L. 2011-391, in order to determine (i) whether the needs of each member organization are being adequately served by the commission of which it is a member and (ii) whether there are areas in which improvement in service can be made in the most cost-effective manner.

 

PART XiV. Department of PUBLIC SAFETY

 

DIVISION OF ADULT CORRECTION/RELEASE DATES

SECTION 14.1.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Division of Adult Correction may establish more than two release dates per month for inmates leaving prison.

 

INMATE MEDICAL COSTS

SECTION 14.2.(a)  Section 19.20 of S.L. 2009-451 is repealed.

SECTION 14.2.(b)  Section 18.10(d) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 18.10.(d)  The Department ofDivision of Adult Correction shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental OperationsOversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety and the Chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety no later than November 1, 2011November 1, 2012, and quarterly thereafter on:

(1)        The volume of services provided by community medical providers that can be scheduled in advance and, of that volume, the percentage of those services that are provided by contracted providers; andproviders.

(2)        The volume of services provided by community medical providers that cannot be scheduled in advance and, of that volume, the percentage of those services that are provided by contracted providers.

(3)        The volume of services provided by community medical providers that are emergent cases requiring hospital admissions and emergent cases not requiring hospital admissions.

(4)        The volume of inpatient medical services provided to Medicaid-eligible inmates, the cost of treatment, and the estimated savings of paying the nonfederal portion of Medicaid for the services.

(5)        The status of the Division's efforts to contract with hospitals to provide secure wards in each of the State's five prison regions."

 

Justice reinvestment act/LIMITED AUTHORITY to reclassify vacant positions

SECTION 14.2A.(a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, subject to the approval of the Director of the Budget, the Secretary of Public Safety may reclassify existing vacant positions within the Department to create new probation parole officer and judicial service coordinator positions, in order to meet the increasing caseloads resulting from the implementation of the Justice Reinvestment Act of 2011, S.L. 2011-192, as amended.

SECTION 14.2A.(b)  The Department of Public Safety shall report to the Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety by March 1, 2013, on the following:

(1)        The position number, position type, salary, and position location of each new position created under the authority of this section.

(2)        The position number, position type, fund code, and position location of each vacant position used to create new positions under the authority of this section.

 

STATE FUNDS MAY BE USED AS FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS

SECTION 14.4.  Funds appropriated in this act to the Department of Public Safety for the Division of Juvenile Justice for the 2012-2013 fiscal year may be used as matching funds for the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grants. If North Carolina receives Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grants or a notice of funds to be awarded, the Office of State Budget and Management and the Governor's Crime Commission shall consult with the Division of Juvenile Justice regarding the criteria for awarding federal funds.  The Office of State Budget and Management, the Governor's Crime Commission, and the Division of Juvenile Justice shall report to the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety and to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations prior to allocation of the federal funds.  The report shall identify the amount of funds to be received for the 2012-2013 fiscal year and the allocation of funds by program and purpose.  Any Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant awarded to North Carolina is subject to the provisions of G.S. 143C-7-1 and shall not obligate the State financially in future fiscal years.

 

JUVENILE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL FUNDS

SECTION 14.7.  Section 17.4(b) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 17.4.(b)  Of the funds appropriated by this act for the 2011-20122012-2013 fiscal year to the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Department of Public Safety for Juvenile Crime Prevention Council grants, the sum of one hundred twenty-one thousand six hundred dollars ($121,600) shall be transferred to Project Challenge North Carolina, Inc., to be used for the continued support of Project Challenge programs throughout the State."

 

PART XV. Department of Justice

 

ITEMIZED BILLING FOR LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED TO STATE AGENCIES

SECTION 15.1.  Article 1 of Chapter 114 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 114-8.5.  Itemized billing for legal services provided to State agencies.

Whenever the Department of Justice charges a State agency, board, or commission for legal services rendered by the Department, the Department shall do so by providing the agency, board, or commission with an invoice that includes at least all of the following information for all charges:

(1)        The case or matter for which the agency, board, or commission is being charged.

(2)        The name of each attorney who worked on each case or matter and the number of hours worked by each attorney.

(3)        The hourly rate being charged by each attorney."

 

BIANNUAL REPORTING ON ATTORNEY ACTIVITY

SECTION 15.2.  Beginning on February 1, 2013, and every six months thereafter, the Attorney General shall report on the work of Department of Justice attorneys during the previous two quarters. The reports required by this section shall be filed with the Chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety and with the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly as follows:

(1)        Agency-specific work. - A report on the work of Department of Justice attorneys for State agencies. This report shall include at least all of the following information:

a.         The amount of time spent working for each State department and agency.

b.         The amount of time spent on each case for each State department and agency.

c.         The amount billed to each State agency for the legal services provided.

(2)        Other work. - A report on the work of Department of Justice attorneys that is not on behalf of a particular State agency. The report required by this subdivision shall include all of the information required by subdivision (1) of this section. The report shall include at least all of the following information:

a.         The amount of time spent by each unit of the Department of Justice.

b.         The amount of time spent on each particular matter for each unit of the Department of Justice.

 

Establish Human Trafficking Commission

SECTION 15.3.(a)  Establishment. - There is established in the Department of Justice the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission.

SECTION 15.3.(b)  Members. - The Commission shall consist of 12 members as follows:

(1)        The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint one representative from each of the following:

a.         The public at large.

b.         A county sheriff's department.

c.         A city or town police department.

(2)        The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one representative from each of the following:

a.         The public at large.

b.         A county sheriff's department.

c.         A city or town police department.

(3)        The Governor shall appoint one representative from the public at large.

(4)        The following persons, or their designees, shall serve as ex officio members of the Commission:

a.         The Secretary of Public Safety.

b.         The Secretary of Administration.

c.         The Secretary of Labor.

d.         The Secretary of Health and Human Services.

e.         The Attorney General.

SECTION 15.3.(c)  Powers. - The Commission shall have the following powers:

(1)        To apply for and receive, on behalf of the State, funding from federal, public or private initiatives, grant programs, or donors that will assist in examining and countering the problem of human trafficking in North Carolina.

(2)        To commission, fund, and facilitate quantitative and qualitative research to explore the specific ways human trafficking is occurring in North Carolina and the links to international and domestic human trafficking, and to assist in creating measurement, assessment, and accountability mechanisms.

(3)        To contribute to efforts to inform and educate law enforcement personnel, social services providers, and the general public about human trafficking so that human traffickers can be prosecuted and victim-survivors can receive appropriate services.

(4)        To suggest new policies, procedures, or legislation to further the work of eradicating human trafficking and to provide assistance and review with new policies, procedures, and legislation.

(5)        To assist in developing regional response teams or other coordinated efforts to counter human trafficking at the level of law enforcement, legal services, social services, and nonprofits.

(6)        To identify gaps in law enforcement or service provision and recommend solutions to those gaps.

(7)        To consider whether human trafficking should be added to the list of criminal convictions that require registration under the sex offender and public protection registration program.

SECTION 15.3.(d)  Terms. - Members shall serve until the Commission terminates.

SECTION 15.3.(e)  Meetings. - The chair shall convene the Commission. Meetings shall be held as often as necessary, but not less than four times a year.

SECTION 15.3.(f)  Quorum. - A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at meetings of the Commission shall be necessary for action to be taken by the Commission.

SECTION 15.3.(g)  Vacancies. - A vacancy on the Commission or as chair of the Commission resulting from the resignation of a member or otherwise shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made, and the term shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.

SECTION 15.3.(h)  Removal. - The Commission may remove a member for misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance, or neglect of duty.

SECTION 15.3.(i)  Compensation. - Commission members shall receive no per diem for their services but shall be entitled to receive travel allowances in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138-5 or G.S. 138-6, as appropriate.

SECTION 15.3.(j)  Staffing. - The Department of Justice shall be responsible for staffing the Commission.

SECTION 15.3.(k)  Termination. - The Commission established under this section shall terminate on December 31, 2014.

 

PART XVI. Judicial Department

 

STUDY MANAGEMENT OF MAGISTRATE SCHEDULES

SECTION 16.1.  The Administrative Office of the Courts shall study the management of magistrate schedules throughout the General Court of Justice and make recommendations to (i) provide for more efficient use of the magistrates established for each county; and (ii) ensure that each county has sufficient coverage to adequately respond to law enforcement and the public. The Administrative Office of the Courts shall report its finding and recommendations to the Chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety by March 1, 2013.

 

FOREIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS FOR THE COURTS

SECTION 16.3.(a)  G.S. 7A-314(f) is repealed.

SECTION 16.3.(b)  G.S. 7A-343 reads as rewritten:

"§ 7A-343.  Duties of Director.

The Director is the Administrative Officer of the Courts, and the Director's duties include all of the following:

(9c)      Prescribe policies and procedures for the appointment and payment of foreign language interpreters in those cases specified in G.S. 7A-314(f). interpreters. These policies and procedures shall be applied uniformly throughout the General Court of Justice. After consultation with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Director may also convert contractual foreign language interpreter positions to permanent State positions when the Director determines that it is more cost-effective to do so.

…."

SECTION 16.3.(c)  The Judicial Department may use funds appropriated and funds available to the Department to provide assistance to persons with limited proficiency in English to assist the court in the fair, efficient, and accurate transaction of business and provide more meaningful access to the courts.

 

EXTEND SUNSET ON PILOT PROJECT FOR ELECTRONIC FILING IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CIVIL NO-CONTACT CASES IN ALAMANCE COUNTY

SECTION 16.4.(a)  Section 15.13(b) of S.L. 2010-31 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 15.13.(b)  This section expires June 30, 2012. June 30, 2014."

SECTION 16.4.(b)  This section becomes effective June 30, 2012.

 

EXPAND USES FOR COURT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FUND

SECTION 16.5.(a)  G.S. 7A-343.2 reads as rewritten:

"§ 7A-343.2.  Court Information Technology and Facilities Fund.

(a)        Fund. - The Court Information Technology and Facilities Fund is established within the Judicial Department as a special revenue fund. Interest and other investment income earned by the Fund accrues to it. The Fund consists of the following revenues:

(1)        All monies collected by the Director pursuant to G.S. 7A-109(d) and G.S. 7A-49.5.

(2)        State judicial facilities fees credited to the Fund under G.S. 7A-304 through G.S. 7A-307.

(b)        Use. - Money in the Fund derived from State judicial facilities fees must be used to upgrade, maintain, and operate State judicial facilities and the judicial and county courthouse phone systems. All other monies in the Fund must be used to supplement funds otherwise available to the Judicial Department for court information technology and office automation needs.

(c)        Report. - The Director must report by August 1 and February 1 of each year to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, and the Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety. The report must include the following:

(1)        Amounts credited in the preceding six months to the Fund.

(2)        Amounts expended in the preceding six months from the Fund and the purposes of the expenditures.

(3)        Proposed expenditures of the monies in the Fund."

SECTION 16.5.(b)  G.S. 7A-304 reads as rewritten:

"§ 7A-304.  Costs in criminal actions.

(a)        In every criminal case in the superior or district court, wherein the defendant is convicted, or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or when costs are assessed against the prosecuting witness, the following costs shall be assessed and collected. No costs may be assessed when a case is dismissed. Costs under this section may not be waived unless the judge makes a written finding of just cause to grant such a waiver.

(2a)      For the upgrade, maintenance, and operation of State judicial facilities and the judicial and county courthouse phone systems, the sum of  four dollars ($4.00), to be credited to the Court Information Technology and Facilities Fund.

…."

SECTION 16.5.(c)  G.S. 7A-305 reads as rewritten:

"§ 7A-305.  Costs in civil actions.

(a)        In every civil action in the superior or district court, except for actions brought under Chapter 50B of the General Statutes, shall be assessed:

(1a)      For the upgrade, maintenance, and operation of State judicial facilities and the judicial and county courthouse phone systems, the sum of four dollars ($4.00), to be credited to the Court Information Technology and Facilities Fund.

(a5)      In every civil action in the superior or district court wherein a party files a pleading containing one or more counterclaims or cross-claims, except for counterclaim and cross-claim actions brought under Chapter 50B of the General Statutes for which costs are assessed pursuant to subsection (a1) of this section, the following shall be assessed:

(2)        For the upgrade, maintenance, and operation of State judicial facilities and the judicial and county courthouse phone systems, the sum of four dollars ($4.00), to be credited to the Court Information Technology and Facilities Fund.

…."

SECTION 16.5.(d)  G.S. 7A-306 reads as rewritten:

"§ 7A-306.  Costs in special proceedings.

(a)        In every special proceeding in the superior court, the following costs shall be assessed:

(1a)      For the upgrade, maintenance, and operation of State judicial facilities and the judicial and county courthouse phone systems, the sum of  four dollars ($4.00), to be credited to the Court Information Technology and Facilities Fund.

…."

SECTION 16.5.(e)  G.S. 7A-307 reads as rewritten:

"§ 7A-307.  Costs in administration of estates.

(a)        In the administration of the estates of decedents, minors, incompetents, of missing persons, and of trusts under wills and under powers of attorney, in trust proceedings under G.S. 36C-2-203, in estate proceedings under G.S. 28A-2-4, and in collections of personal property by affidavit, the following costs shall be assessed:

(1a)      For the upgrade, maintenance, and operation of State judicial facilities and the judicial and county courthouse phone systems, the sum of four dollars ($4.00), to be credited to the Court Information Technology and Facilities Fund.

…."

SECTION 16.5.(f)  G.S. 7A-49.5(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d)      Any funds received by the Administrative Office of the Courts from the vendor selected pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, other than applicable statutory court costs, as a result of electronic filing, shall be deposited in the Court Information Technology and Facilities Fund in accordance with G.S. 7A-343.2."

SECTION 16.5.(g)  G.S. 7A-109(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d)      In order to facilitate public access to court records, except where public access is prohibited by law, the Director may enter into one or more nonexclusive contracts under reasonable cost recovery terms with third parties to provide remote electronic access to the records by the public. Costs recovered pursuant to this subsection shall be remitted to the State Treasurer to be held in the Court Information Technology and Facilities Fund established in G.S. 7A-343.2."

SECTION 16.5.(h)  G.S. 7A-455.1(f) reads as rewritten:

"(f)       Of each appointment fee collected under this section, the sum of fifty-five dollars ($55.00) shall be credited to the Indigent Persons' Attorney Fee Fund and the sum of five dollars ($5.00) shall be credited to the Court Information Technology and Facilities Fund under G.S. 7A-343.2. These fees shall not revert."

SECTION 16.5.(i)  This section is effective when it becomes law, and expires June 30, 2013.

 

WAIVER OF MEDIATION FEES TO REQUIRE FINDING OF JUST CAUSE

SECTION 16.6.(a)  G.S. 7A-38.7 reads as rewritten:

"§ 7A-38.7.  Dispute resolution fee for cases resolved in mediation.

(a)        In each criminal case filed in the General Court of Justice that is resolved through referral to a community mediation center, a dispute resolution fee shall be assessed in the sum of sixty dollars ($60.00) per mediation to support the services provided by the community mediation centers and the Mediation Network of North Carolina. Fees assessed under this section shall be paid to the clerk of superior court in the county where the case was filed and remitted by the clerk to the Mediation Network of North Carolina. The Mediation Network may retain up to three dollars ($3.00) of this amount as an allowance for its administrative expenses. The Mediation Network must remit the remainder of this amount to the community mediation center that mediated the case. The court may waive or reduce a fee assessed under this section only upon entry of a written order, supported by findings of fact and conclusions of law, determining there is just cause to grant the waiver or reduction.

(b)        Before providing the district attorney with a dismissal form, the community mediation center shall require proof that the defendant has paid the dispute resolution fee as required by subsection (a) of this section and shall attach the receipt to the dismissal form."

SECTION 16.6.(b)  G.S. 7A-304(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a)       In every criminal case in the superior or district court, wherein the defendant is convicted, or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or when costs are assessed against the prosecuting witness, the following costs shall be assessed and collected. No costs may be assessed when a case is dismissed. Costs under this section may not be waived unless the judge makes a written finding of just cause to grant such a waiver.Only upon entry of a written order, supported by findings of fact and conclusions of law, determining that there is just cause, the court may (i) waive costs assessed under this section or (ii) waive or reduce costs assessed under subdivisions (7) or (8) of this section.

(7)        For the services of the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory facilities, the district or superior court judge shall, upon conviction, order payment of the sum of six hundred dollars ($600.00) to be remitted to the Department of Justice for support of the State Bureau of Investigation. This cost shall be assessed only in cases in which, as part of the investigation leading to the defendant's conviction, the laboratories have performed DNA analysis of the crime, tests of bodily fluids of the defendant for the presence of alcohol or controlled substances, or analysis of any controlled substance possessed by the defendant or the defendant's agent. The court may waive or reduce the amount of the payment required by this subdivision upon a finding of just cause to grant such a waiver or reduction.

(8)        For the services of any crime laboratory facility operated by a local government or group of local governments, the district or superior court judge shall, upon conviction, order payment of the sum of six hundred dollars ($600.00) to be remitted to the general fund of the local governmental unit that operates the laboratory to be used for law enforcement purposes. The cost shall be assessed only in cases in which, as part of the investigation leading to the defendant's conviction, the laboratory has performed DNA analysis of the crime, test of bodily fluids of the defendant for the presence of alcohol or controlled substances, or analysis of any controlled substance possessed by the defendant or the defendant's agent. The costs shall be assessed only if the court finds that the work performed at the local government's laboratory is the equivalent of the same kind of work performed by the State Bureau of Investigation under subdivision (7) of this subsection. The court may waive or reduce the amount of the payment required by this subdivision upon a finding of just cause to grant such a waiver or reduction.

(9)        For the support and services of the State Bureau of Investigation DNA Database and DNA Databank, the sum of two dollars ($2.00). This amount is annually appropriated to the Department of Justice for this purpose. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, this cost does not apply to infractions.

…."

SECTION 16.6.(c)  This section becomes effective July 1, 2012, and applies to fees waived on or after that date.

 

COLLECTION OF WORTHLESS CHECK FUNDS

SECTION 16.7.  Section 15.4 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 15.4. Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 7A-308(c), the Judicial Department may use any balance remaining in the Collection of Worthless Checks Fund on June 30, 2011, June 30, 2012, for the purchase or repair of office or information technology equipment during the 2011-2012 fiscal year. 2012-2013 fiscal year. Prior to using any funds under this section, the Judicial Department shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and Operations, the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety Safety, and the Office of State Budget and Management on the equipment to be purchased or repaired and the reasons for the purchases."

 

OFFICE OF INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES EXPANSION FUNDS

SECTION 16.8.  Section 15.16(a) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 15.16.(a)  The Judicial Department, Office of Indigent Defense Services, may use up to the sum of two million one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($2,150,000) in appropriated funds during the 2011-2012 fiscal year for the expansion of existing offices currently providing legal services to the indigent population under the oversight of the Office of Indigent Defense Services, for the creation of new public defender offices within existing  public defender programs, or for the establishment of regional public defender programs. Notwithstanding the defender districts established by G.S. 7A-498.7, the Office of Indigent Defense Services may use a portion of these funds to create positions within existing public defender programs to handle cases in adjacent counties or districts. These funds may be used to create up to 50 new attorney positions and 25 new support staff positions during the 2011-2012 fiscal year 2011-2013 biennium and for the salaries, benefits, equipment, and related expenses for these positions in both years of the biennium. Positions creation will be staggered across the two years of the biennium. Prior to using funds for this purpose, the Office of Indigent Defense Services shall report to the Chairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety on the proposed expansion."

 

OFFICE OF INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES/STATE MATCH FOR GRANTS

SECTION 16.9.  Notwithstanding G.S. 143C-6-9, the Office of Indigent Defense Services may use the sum of up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) from funds available to provide the State matching funds needed to receive grant funds.  Prior to using funds for this purpose, the Office shall report to the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety and the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on the grants to be matched using these funds.

 

PART XVii. Office OF THE state auditor

 

EXEMPT OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARDS FROM PAYING FOR AUDITS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES

SECTION 17.1.  G.S. 93B-4 reads as rewritten:

"§ 93B-4.  Audit of Occupational Licensing Boards; payment of costs.

(a)        The State Auditor shall audit occupational licensing boards from time to time to ensure their proper operation. The books, records, and operations of each occupational licensing board shall be subject to the oversight of the State Auditor pursuant to Article 5A of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes. In accordance with G.S. 147-64.7(b), the State Auditor may contract with independent professionals to meet the requirements of this section.

The cost of all audits shall be paid from funds of the occupational licensing board audited.

(b)        Each occupational licensing board with a budget of at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) shall conduct an annual financial audit of its operations and provide a copy to the State Auditor."

 

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY CONSTITUENT INSTITUTIONS - AUDIT

SECTION 17.2.  G.S. 116-30.8 reads as rewritten:

"§ 116-30.8.  Special responsibility constituent institutions: annual audit by State Auditor or certified public accountant.

Each special responsibility constituent institution shall be audited annually. The Chancellor of the special responsibility constituent institution may use State funds to contract with the State Auditor or with a certified public accountant to perform the audit. The contract for audit services may be for up to three years in duration. The audit shall be provided to the Chancellor and Board of Trustees of the special responsibility institution, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, and the State Auditor. The audit shall also be included in the State's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).

The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall ensure that all special responsibility constituent institutions are audited in accordance with this section."

 

AUDITOR PUBLISH COST OF AUDITS

SECTION 17.3.  Article 5A of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 147-64.6C.  Cost of audit report published.

Each audit report shall itemize the number of staff hours used in conducting the audit and in preparation of the audit report and the total cost of conducting the audit and preparing the audit report."

 

PART XVIII. Department of Cultural Resources

 

ROANOKE ISLAND COMMISSION REPORTING REQUIREMENT

SECTION 18.1.  G.S. 143B-131.4 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143B-131.4.  Commission reports.

Before July 1, 1995, the Commission shall submit to the General Assembly a comprehensive report incorporating specific recommendations of the Commission for development and promotion of the Elizabeth II State Historic Site and Visitor Center. After the initial report, the Commission shall submit a quarterly report to the General Assembly within 30 days of the convening of each Regular Session of the General Assembly. Chairs of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and the Chairs of the Senate Appropriations Committee on General Government and Information Technology and to the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly. The report shall include:

(1)        A summary of actions taken by the Commission consistent with the powers and duties of the Commission set forth in G.S. 143B-131.2.

(2)        Recommendations for legislation and administrative action to promote and develop the Elizabeth II State Historic Site and Visitor Center.

(3)        An accounting of funds received and expended."

 

MODIFY STATE HISTORIC SITES SPECIAL FUND TO INCLUDE STATE HISTORY MUSEUMS

SECTION 18.2.  G.S. 121-7.7 reads as rewritten:

"§ 121-7.7.  State Historic Sites and Museums special fund.

(a)        Fund. - The State Historic Sites and Museums Fund is created as a special, interest-bearing revenue fund in the Division of State Historic Sites.Sites and the Division of State History Museums. The Fund consists of all receipts derived from the lease or rental of property or facilities, disposition of structures or products of the land, private donations, and admissions and fees collected at the State Historic Sites.Sites, State History Museums, and Maritime Museums. The revenues in the Fund may be used only for the operation, interpretation, maintenance, preservation, development, and expansion of the individual State Historic Site Site, State History Museum, and Maritime Museum where the receipts are generated. The respective Division and the staff from each State Historic SiteSite, State History Museum, and Maritime Museum will determine how the funds will be used at that Historic Site.Site, State History Museum, and Maritime Museum.

(b)        Application. - This section applies to the individual State Historic Sites and State History and Maritime Museums owned by or under the control of the Division of State Historic Sites,Sites and the Division of State History Museums, with the exception of the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site.Site and the North Carolina Transportation Museum. The Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site is subject to G.S. 121-7.5. The North Carolina Transportation Museum is subject to G.S. 121-7.6.

(c)        Reports. - The Department of Cultural Resources must submit to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on General Government, and the Fiscal Research Division by September 30 of each year a report on the Fund that includes the source and amounts of all funds credited to the Fund and the purpose and amount of all expenditures from the Fund during the prior fiscal year."

 

Require Department of Cultural Resources to Develop a Five-Year Plan for Certain Historic Sites

SECTION 18.3.  The Department of Cultural Resources shall develop comprehensive five-year plans for the Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens, the Roanoke Island Commission, and the North Carolina Transportation Museum. The plans shall describe in detail revenue and expenditure projections, proposed reductions in scope or expenditures, and each site's plans to further develop non-State sources of funding in accordance with the reductions in appropriations implemented in S.L. 2011-145, including the feasibility of privatization. The Department shall submit its report to the Chairs of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and the Chairs of the Senate Appropriations Committee on General Government and Information Technology by February 1, 2013.

 

PART XIX. General Assembly

 

PROGRAM EVALUATION DIVISION TO STUDY THE DUTIES AND SERVICES OF THE NORTH CAROLINA HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION OF THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

SECTION 19.1.  Section 20.2 of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 45(b) of S.L. 2011-391, reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 20.2.(a)  The Legislative Research Commission is authorized toProgram Evaluation Division shall study the duties and services of the North Carolina Human Relations Commission and the Civil Rights Division of the Office of Administrative Hearings to determine whether there is unnecessary overlap and duplication of services and recommend the placement of the Commission and Division in the appropriate agency or agencies.

"SECTION 20.2.(b)  The Legislative Research Commission may make an interim report by May 1, 2012, to the Chairs of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and the Chairs of the Senate Appropriations Committee on General Government and Information Technology.Program Evaluation Division shall report its findings upon the convening of the 2013 General Assembly.

"SECTION 20.2.(c)  This section is effective when it becomes law."

 

PART XX. Department of Insurance

 

DOI TO STUDY FIRE PROTECTION GRANT FUND

SECTION 20.1.(a)  The Department of Insurance shall study how the fund distribution method for the State Fire Protection Grant Fund could more fully meet the requirement of G.S. 58-85A-1(b) that the distribution method be equitable and uniform. The study shall consider the following factors, as well as any other factors the Department finds relevant:

(1)        Whether the basis for determining the amount of compensation due a local fire district or political subdivision for providing local fire protection to State-owned buildings and their contents actually reflects the cost to the local fire district or political subdivision of providing the fire protection services.

(2)        How the division in funds among properties supported by the General Fund, properties supported by the Highway Fund, and properties supported by The University of North Carolina receipts required by G.S. 58-85A-1(c) should be revised to support fire protection services provided to State-owned properties not receiving support from those Funds or receipts.

SECTION 20.1.(b)  The Department shall report its findings and any recommendations for revision of the fund distribution method to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on General Government and to the Fiscal Research Division on or before October 1, 2012.

 

FUNDING OF BUILDING CODE REVIEWS FOR STATE BUILDINGS

SECTION 20.3.  Section 7 of Session Law 2009-474 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 7. The Department of Insurance shall transfer to the Department of Administration four building code review positions selected by the Department of Administration for the purpose of assisting the Department of Administration in administering G.S. 143-341(3) and G.S. 143-139(e). These positions shall be supported by the Insurance Regulatory Fund at one hundred percent (100%) of the full budgeted amount for each position from fiscal year 2009-2010 through fiscal year 2011-2012. Beginning fiscal year 2012-2013, the State Treasurer, as custodian of the State Property Fire Insurance Fund, shall support those positions out of the State Property Fire Insurance Fund.position."

 

DOI TO ASSESS VOLUNTEER SAFETY WORKERS COMPENSATION FUND

SECTION 20.4.  The Department of Insurance, from funds available to it, shall contract with an independent actuary to assess the Volunteer Safety Workers Compensation Fund. The assessment shall include the following components:

(1)        Recommendations as to the level of funding required to ensure that the Fund can meet its financial obligations.

(2)        The level and duration of funding required for the Fund to become self-sufficient in the future.

(3)        The nature of the claims paid by the Fund and any claims-related trends that impact the health of the Fund.

(4)        Recommendations as to the appropriate level of premiums to be paid by members or their departments.

(5)        A projection of revenues to the Fund from sources other than State funding.

(6)        A comparison of the projected timing and risk of the cash flow from investments with the cash flow needed to pay claims.

No later than October 1, 2012, the Department shall report the independent actuary's assessment and findings and also provide a comparison of the premiums paid into the Fund and premiums paid by municipal fire departments for their employees' workers compensation insurance to the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees, the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on General Government, and the Fiscal Research Division.

 

Set Regulatory Charge

SECTION 20.5.(a)  The percentage rate to be used in calculating the insurance regulatory charge under G.S. 58-6-25 is six percent (6%) for the 2012 calendar year.

SECTION 20.5.(b)  This section is effective when it becomes law.

 

PART XXIi. Office of State Budget and Management

 

AUTHORIZATION TO SPEND FUNDS FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES

SECTION 22.2.  Notwithstanding G.S. 143C-6-5, the Office of State Budget and Management may use funds within Budget Code 13005 to do the following:

(1)        Reclassify one or more vacant positions to Senior Economists to provide support in developing Medicaid projections and monitoring Medicaid expenditures.

(2)        Support Integrated Budget Information System ongoing operations and maintenance costs.

 

PART XXii-A. department of revenue

 

Prosecution of Cases Involving Tax Fraud

SECTION 22A.1.  The Department of Revenue and the Department of Justice shall enter into an agreement through which the Department of Revenue shall provide funding for an Attorney IV to be employed by the Department of Justice. This position shall be assigned on a full-time basis to assist the Department of Revenue in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving tax fraud.

The agreement shall specify that the attorney shall report periodically to the Secretary of Revenue on his or her work time devoted to prosecution of tax fraud cases rather than to other work within the Department of Justice.

 

PART XXiii. STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

 

HAVA FUNDS/DISABILITY ACCESS

SECTION 23.1.(a)  The State Board of Elections shall not expend any Help America Vote Funds (HAVA) Title II Funds for the 2011-2012 fiscal year and, unless prohibited by federal law, shall retain those funds until Maintenance of Effort funds are appropriated, except that voting accessibility funds granted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under Section 261 of HAVA may be applied for and expended by the State Board of Elections to improve voting accessibility for the disabled.

SECTION 23.1.(b)  This section is effective when it becomes law.

 

HAVA FUNDS/STATE SUPPORT OF COUNTY BDS OF ELECTIONS

SECTION 23.2.(a)  Effective July 1, 2013, G.S. 163-82.28 reads as rewritten:

"§ 163-82.28.  The HAVA Election Fund.

There is established a special fund to be known as the Election Fund. All funds received for implementation of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 107-252, shall be deposited in that fund. The State Board of Elections shall use funds in the Election Fund only to implement HAVA. No HAVA funds may be granted to or used by counties for the operation of elections or for expenses which by this Chapter are borne by the counties, except that HAVA funds may be used for local infrastructure of SEIMS (State Elections Information Management System), which is necessary for the State to administer the elections. The State Board of Elections shall annually report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, to the Fiscal Research Division, and to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on implementation of this section."

SECTION 23.2.(b)  Effective July 1, 2013, Article 4 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 163-37.1.  No State funds for county election expenses.

No State funds shall be appropriated to counties, or allocated to them by the State Board of Elections, for expenses of the county boards of elections, except that State funds may be used for local infrastructure of SEIMS (State Elections Information Management System), which is necessary for the State to administer the elections. The State Board of Elections shall annually report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, to the Fiscal Research Division, and to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on implementation of this section."

 

ELECTION SYSTEM MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS

SECTION 23.3.(a)  G.S. 163-165.9(b)(2) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      After the acquisition of any voting system, the county board of elections shall comply with any requirements of the State Board of Elections regarding training and support of the voting system by completing all of the following:

(2)        The county board of elections shall annually maintain software license and maintenance agreements necessary to maintain the warranty of its voting system. A county board of elections may employ qualified personnel to maintain a voting system in lieu of entering into maintenance agreements necessary to maintain the warranty of its voting system. State Board of Elections is not required to provide routine maintenance to any county board of elections that does not maintain the warranty of its voting system. If the State Board of Elections provides any maintenance to a county that has not maintained the warranty of its voting system, the county shall reimburse the State for the cost. The State Board of Elections shall annually report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, to the Fiscal Research Division, and to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on implementation of this subdivision. If requested by the county board of elections, the State Board of Elections may enter into contracts on behalf of that county under this subdivision. Any contract entered into by a county under this subdivision is not effective unless approved by the State Board of Elections. Neither a county nor the State Board of Elections shall enter into any contract with any vendor for software license and maintenance agreements unless the vendor agrees to (i) operate a training program for qualification of county personnel under this subsection with training offered within the State of North Carolina and (ii) not dishonor warranties merely because the county is employing qualified personnel to maintain the voting system as long as the county:

a.         Pays the costs of the annual software licensing agreement for that county.

b.         Ensures that equipment (i) remains in full compliance with State certification requirements and (ii) remains in stock and supply available to the county for up to five years after the vendor discontinues distribution or sale of the equipment.

c.         Maintains a tracking record to record and timely report all hardware issues and all repairs and provides those records for review by the vendor and by the State Board of Elections.

d.         Provides that only parts provided by the vendor would be used to repair the vendor's equipment, contingent on (i) the county being able to purchase necessary parts in a timely manner from the vendor and (ii) the vendor providing the equipment at least at the lowest price at which it sells the equipment to any other customer in the United States.

e.         Accepts financial responsibility for expenses related to voting equipment failure during an election if the failure is caused solely by work of the county technician."

SECTION 23.3.(b)  The State Board of Elections shall use funds appropriated for Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Title II maintenance of effort to pay for the training of county technicians under G.S. 163-165.9(b)(2) as amended by this section.

SECTION 23.3.(c)  In administering G.S. 163-165.9(b)(2) as amended by this section, the State Board of Elections shall work with all county boards of election interested in obtaining certification for voting equipment maintenance technicians. The State Board of Elections shall work with the county boards of elections to develop a consensus estimate of the percentage of hardware maintenance previously provided by the vendor that will continue to be provided by the vendor rather than by the certified county technicians. In any contract entered into by either a county or the State Board of Elections on behalf of counties for voter equipment maintenance that includes certification of county technicians, the per machine price paid for hardware maintenance agreements shall not exceed the consensus percentage multiplied by the price per machine paid to the vendor for hardware maintenance agreements for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

 

SBOE MOE VARIANCE

SECTION 23.4.(a)  In the event that funds appropriated to the State Board of Elections (SBOE) for Maintenance of Effort (MOE) are insufficient,  SBOE shall transfer funds from their Administration Fund Code (1100) to the Fund Code and Cost Center for MOE to expend on MOE activities to make up the difference.

SECTION 23.4.(b)  In the event that funds appropriated to the SBOE for MOE are in excess of the required amount, SBOE shall retain the excess amount and revert it to the General Fund at the end of the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

 

SBOE SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT ON VOTER-OWNED ELECTIONS ACT

SECTION 23.5.  The State Board of Elections shall not later than July 25, 2012, provide to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and to the Fiscal Research Division a supplemental report on the administration and implementation of Article 22J of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes, the Voter-Owned Elections Act, including all certified candidates for the 2012 General Election and the amounts that have been and will be distributed to each such candidate.

 

PART XXIV. Department of Transportation

 

Cash Flow Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund Appropriations

SECTION 24.1.(a)  Section 28.1 of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

SECTION 24.1.(b)  The General Assembly authorizes and certifies anticipated revenues for the Highway Fund as follows:

For Fiscal Year 2013-2014                        $ 2,162.1 million

For Fiscal Year 2014-2015                        $ 2,281.8 million

For Fiscal Year 2015-2016                        $ 2,407.2 million

For Fiscal Year 2016-2017                        $ 2,523.8 million

SECTION 24.1.(c)  The General Assembly authorizes and certifies anticipated revenues for the Highway Trust Fund as follows:

For Fiscal Year 2013-2014                        $ 1,120.0 million

For Fiscal Year 2014-2015                        $ 1,195.5 million

For Fiscal Year 2015-2016                        $ 1,284.0 million

For Fiscal Year 2016-2017                        $ 1,336.9 million

 

Further Privatization of Pre-Construction Activities

SECTION 24.2.  For fiscal year 2013-2014, the Department of Transportation shall increase the outsourcing of preliminary engineering projects from fifty percent (50%) of the total funds in the annual work plan, as required by Section 28.9.(3) of S.L. 2011-145, to sixty percent (60%) of the total funds in the annual work plan.

 

Funds from Inspection Program Account for Other Highway Fund Uses

SECTION 24.3.  Notwithstanding G.S. 20-183.7(d), the sum of eleven million dollars ($11,000,000) from the Inspection Program Account within the Highway Fund, as established under G.S. 20-183.7(d), is appropriated and allocated as shown in this act.

 

Clarify Use of Credit Reserve Balance in Highway Fund

SECTION 24.6.  G.S. 136-44.2 reads as rewritten:

"§ 136-44.2.  Budget and appropriations.

(a)        The Director of the Budget shall include in the "Current Operations Appropriations Act" an enumeration of the purposes or objects of the proposed expenditures for each of the construction and maintenance programs for that budget period for the State primary, secondary, State parks road systems, and other transportation systems. The State primary system shall include all portions of the State highway system located both inside and outside municipal corporate limits that are designated by N.C., U.S. or Interstate numbers. The State secondary system shall include all of the State highway system located both inside and outside municipal corporate limits that is not a part of the State primary system. The State parks system shall include all State parks roads and parking lots that are not also part of the State highway system. The transportation systems shall include State-maintained, nonhighway modes of transportation as well.

(b)        All construction and maintenance programs for which appropriations are requested shall be enumerated separately in the budget. Programs that are entirely State funded shall be listed separately from those programs involving the use of federal-aid funds. Proposed appropriations of State matching funds for each of the federal-aid construction programs shall be enumerated separately as well as the federal-aid funds anticipated for each program in order that the total construction requirements for each program may be provided for in the budget. Also, proposed State matching funds for the highway planning and research program shall be included separately along with the anticipated federal-aid funds for that purpose.

(c)        Other program categories for which appropriations are requested, such as, but not limited to, maintenance, channelization and traffic control, bridge maintenance, public service and access road construction, transportation projects and systems, and ferry operations shall be enumerated in the budget.

(d)        The Department of Transportation shall have all powers necessary to comply fully with provisions of present and future federal-aid acts. For purposes of this section, "federally eligible construction project" means any construction project except secondary road projects developed pursuant to G.S. 136-44.7 and 136-44.8 eligible for federal funds under any federal-aid act, whether or not federal funds are actually available.

(e)        The "Current Operations Appropriations Act" shall also contain the proposed appropriations of State funds for use in each county for maintenance and construction of secondary roads, to be allocated in accordance with G.S. 136-44.5 and 136-44.6. State funds appropriated for secondary roads shall not be transferred nor used except for the construction and maintenance of secondary roads in the county for which they are allocated pursuant to G.S. 136-44.5 and 136-44.6.

(f)         If the unreserved credit balance in the Highway Fund on the last day of a fiscal year is greater than the amount estimated for that date in the Current Operations Appropriations Act for the following fiscal year, the excess shall be used in accordance with this paragraph. subsection. The Director of the Budget mayshall allocate part or all of the excess among reserves to a reserve (i) for access and public roads, for unforeseen events requiring prompt action, roads or (ii) for other urgent needs. The amount not allocated to any of these reserves by the Director of the Budget shall be credited to a reserve for maintenance. The Board of Transportation shall report monthly to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division on the use of funds in the maintenance reserve. The use of this reserve shall be subject to the following:

(1)        Restrictions on use. - No more than five million dollars ($5,000,000) from this reserve may be spent on a single project. Funds from this reserve being used for an "other urgent need" project cannot be used for administrative costs, information technology costs, or economic development.

(2)        Approval. - The Department of Transportation shall submit for approval to the Director of the Budget all expenditures from the reserve established under this subsection.

(3)        Reporting. - At least five days, not including State holidays or weekend days, prior to submitting an expenditure request to the Director of the Budget under subdivision (2) of this subsection, the Department of Transportation shall submit a report on the expenditure request to the Fiscal Research Division and to the members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Department of Transportation. Such report shall be certified by the chief financial officer of the Department of Transportation and shall include (i) a project description, (ii) whether the project is for access and public roads or for other urgent needs, (iii) a justification of the project, (iv) the total project cost, (v) the amount of funding for the project coming from the reserve, and (vi) other funding sources for the project.

(4)        Carryforward. - If on the last day of the fiscal year the balance in the reserve established by this subsection is greater than five million dollars ($5,000,000), then the Director of the Budget shall transfer the amount in excess of that sum to the Reserve for General Maintenance in the Highway Fund.

(g)        The Department of Transportation may provide for costs incurred or accrued for traffic control measures to be taken by the Department at major events which involve a high degree of traffic concentration on State highways, and which cannot be funded from regular budgeted items. This authorization applies only to events which are expected to generate 30,000 vehicles or more per day. The Department of Transportation shall provide for this funding by allocating and reserving up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) before any other allocations from the appropriations for State maintenance for primary, secondary, and urban road systems are made, based upon the same proportion as is appropriated to each system."

 

Adjust Turnpike Appropriations

SECTION 24.7.(a)  Any funds appropriated to the North Carolina Turnpike Authority under G.S. 136-176(b2) to cover debt service or related financing costs for the Mid-Currituck Bridge project and that remain unencumbered at the end of fiscal year 2011-2012 are hereby transferred back to the Highway Trust Fund to be appropriated and allocated as shown in this act.

SECTION 24.7.(b)  Notwithstanding G.S. 136-176(b2), the funds appropriated in G.S. 136-176(b2) to the Mid-Currituck Bridge and Garden Parkway projects for fiscal year 2012-2013 are hereby transferred to the Mobility Fund.

SECTION 24.7.(c)  Effective July 1, 2013, G.S. 136-176(b2), as amended, reads as rewritten:

"(b2)    (Effective July 1, 2013)  There is annually appropriated to the North Carolina Turnpike Authority from the Highway Trust Fund the sum of one hundred twelve million dollars ($112,000,000). eighty-one million five hundred thousand dollars ($81,500,000). Of the amount allocated by this subsection, twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be used to pay debt service or related financing costs and expenses on revenue bonds or notes issued for the construction of the Triangle Expressway, twenty-four million dollars ($24,000,000) shall be used to pay debt service or related financing expenses on revenue bonds or notes issued for the construction of the Monroe Connector/Bypass, twenty-eight million dollars ($28,000,000) fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be used to pay debt service or related financing expenses on revenue bonds or notes issued for the construction of the Mid-Currituck Bridge, and thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) seventeen million five hundred thousand dollars ($17,500,000) shall be used to pay debt service or related financing expenses on revenue bonds or notes issued for the construction of the Garden Parkway. The amounts appropriated to the Authority pursuant to this subsection shall be used by the Authority to pay debt service or related financing costs and expenses on revenue bonds or notes issued by the Authority to finance the costs of one or more Turnpike Projects, to refund such bonds or notes, or to fund debt service reserves, operating reserves, and similar reserves in connection therewith. The appropriations established by this subsection constitute an agreement by the State to pay the funds appropriated hereby to the Authority within the meaning of G.S. 159-81(4). Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intention of the General Assembly that the enactment of this provision and the issuance of bonds or notes by the Authority in reliance thereon shall not in any manner constitute a pledge of the faith and credit and taxing power of the State, and nothing contained herein shall prohibit the General Assembly from amending the appropriations made in this subsection at any time to decrease or eliminate the amount annually appropriated to the Authority. Funds transferred from the Highway Trust Fund to the Authority pursuant to this subsection are not subject to the equity formula in G.S. 136-17.2A."

 

Codify Mobility Fund Formula Developed by Department of Transportation

SECTION 24.8.(a)  G.S. 136-188 reads as rewritten:

"§ 136-188.  Use of North Carolina Mobility Fund.

(a)        The Department of Transportation shall use the Mobility Fund to fund transportation projects, selected by the Department, of statewide and regional significance that relieve congestion and enhance mobility across all modes of transportation. The Department of Transportation shall establish project selection criteria based on the provisions of this Article.

(b)        The Notwithstanding subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the initial project funded from the Mobility Fund shall be the widening and improvement of Interstate 85 north of the Yadkin River Bridge.

(c)        To be eligible for funding from the Mobility Fund, a project must meet the following requirements:

(1)        The project must be on statewide or Regional tier facilities.

(2)        The project must be ready to have funds obligated for construction within five years.

(3)        The project must be (i) consistent with MPO/RPO transportation planning efforts, (ii) included in an adopted transportation plan, and (iii) found to be consistent with local land-use plans, where available. As used in this subdivision, "MPO" means metropolitan planning organization and "RPO" means rural transportation planning organization.

(4)        The project must be in a conforming transportation plan if the project is in a non-attainment or maintenance area.

(5)        Only the project's capital costs, including right-of-way acquisition and construction, may be funded. Maintenance, operation, and planning costs may not be funded from the Mobility Fund.

(6)        There is no minimum project capital cost as a threshold for funding a project.

(d)        Eligible projects shall be scored and ranked, with the highest scored projects receiving funding priority. Ranking scores shall be determined according to the following formula:

(1)        Mobility benefit-cost. - Eighty percent (80%) of the ranking score shall be the estimated travel time savings in vehicle hours that the project will provide over 30 years divided by the cost of the project to the Mobility Fund.

(2)        Multimodal/intermodal. - Twenty percent (20%) of the ranking score shall be based on whether the project provides an improvement to more than one mode of transportation and what types of other modes of transportation are involved in the project. Using a scale from zero to 100, the Department of Transportation shall provide for the assignment of points under this subdivision. The Department's determination of a point system under this subdivision shall not be subject to rulemaking under Chapter 150B of the General Statutes."

SECTION 24.8.(b)  Section 28.33(c) of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

 

Civil Penalties to Be Treated as Receipts for Transfer to Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund

SECTION 24.9.  The clear proceeds of all civil penalties, civil forfeitures, and civil fines collected by the Department of Transportation for transfer to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund and which are currently recorded as revenue in the Highway Fund (Budget Code 84210) shall be eliminated from the Estimated Revenue for the Highway Fund. The corresponding Highway Fund appropriation in Fund 150889 shall also be eliminated.

Rather than recording the proceeds as revenue, the clear proceeds of all civil penalties, civil forfeitures, and civil fines collected by the Department of Transportation for transfer to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund shall be recorded as receipts and budgeted in a totally receipt-supported fund center (150889) in the Highway Fund (Budget Code 84210) for transfer to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund.

 

Positions In Support of the Combined Motor Vehicle Registration and Property Tax Collection System

SECTION 24.10.(a)  Upon request from the Department of Transportation and notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Office of State Budget and Management may authorize the creation of time-limited, full-time equivalent positions within the Department of Transportation and its Division of Motor Vehicles in excess of the positions authorized by this act for the sole purposes of implementing and administering the combined motor vehicle registration and property tax collection system, in accordance with the funding authorizations in G.S. 105-330.5 and G.S. 105-330.10. Positions created under this authorization shall terminate no later than June 30, 2014. Following the approval of a request, the Office of State Budget and Management shall direct the transfer of funds from the Combined Motor Vehicle and Registration Account, also known as the Division of Motor Vehicles Taxation Interest Fund for Integrated Computer System, to support personnel and related operating costs for the positions approved under this section.

SECTION 24.10.(b)  Beginning October 1, 2012, the Office of State Budget and Management shall report quarterly on all transfers of funds from the Combined Motor Vehicle and Registration Account (Combined Account) and positions supported by the Combined Account during the 2012-2013 fiscal year to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Department of Transportation, the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee, and the Fiscal Research Division. The report shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(1)        A summary of activities funded by the Combined Account to date.

(2)        Amounts transferred from the Combined Account and expended per activity.

(3)        A detailed listing of positions funded by receipts to the Combined Account, identifying the position number, title, effective date and duration, cost, functions performed, and organizational unit to which the position is assigned.

SECTION 24.10.(c)  No later than May 1, 2013, the Department of Revenue and the Department of Transportation shall jointly report on the status of the Memorandum of Understanding required by G.S. 105-330.11 to the following: the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Department of Transportation, the cochairs of the House Appropriations Committee, the cochairs of the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee, and the Fiscal Research Division. The report shall identify the estimated recurring costs of system administration and proposed administrative fees to support the costs of combined notice generation and collection of registration fees and vehicle property taxes.

 

REDUCE Motor Fuel Excise Tax Rate

SECTION 24.11.  Notwithstanding G.S. 105-449.80(a), for the period July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013, the motor fuel excise tax rate may not exceed thirty-seven and one-half cents (37 1/2¢) a gallon.

 

Use of Unexpended Contingency Funds

SECTION 24.12.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law and not including the funds appropriated in Section 28.6(2) of S.L. 2011-145 for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, the sum of twenty-two million dollars ($22,000,000) is transferred from the unexpended balance of contingency fund appropriations to the Highway Fund. That sum is appropriated and allocated as shown in this act.

 

Increase General Fund Transfer from Highway Fund

SECTION 24.13.  Notwithstanding Section 28.27(b) of S.L. 2011-145 or any other provision of that act, as amended, the amount transferred from the Highway Fund to the General Fund under that act is hereby increased by eight million dollars ($8,000,000), recurring, in fiscal year 2012-2013.

 

Exempt B.S.I.P. System from Information Technology Hosting Requirement

SECTION 24.14.  Section 6A.2(f) of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 11(c) of S.L. 2011-391, reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 6A.2.(f)  Information Technology Hosting. - State agencies developing and implementing information technology projects/applications shall use the State infrastructure to host their projects. projects, except for the SAP Business System Integration Portal (BSIP) system of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. An exception to this requirement may be granted only if approved by either the State Chief Information Officer on the basis of technology requirements or by the Office of State Budget and Management based on cost savings, subject to consultation with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology.

Projects/applications currently hosted outside the State infrastructure shall be returned to State infrastructure not later than the end of any current contract.

By October 1, 2011, the State Chief Information Officer shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology regarding projects currently hosted outside State infrastructure and a schedule to return those projects to State infrastructure."

 

Prioritize Paving of Unpaved Roads Throughout the State

SECTION 24.15.  For fiscal year 2012-2013, the Department of Transportation shall expend funds allocated to the paving of unpaved secondary roads for the paving of unpaved secondary roads based on a statewide prioritization. The Department shall pave the eligible unpaved secondary roads that receive the highest priority ranking within this statewide prioritization, notwithstanding the distribution formula in G.S. 136-17.2A or any other funding distribution formula in law. This section applies to funding for the paving of secondary roads from both the Highway Fund and the Highway Trust Fund.

 

Apply State Ethics Act to Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Rural Planning Organizations

SECTION 24.16.(a)  G.S. 136-202 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(e)       A Metropolitan Planning Organization shall be treated as a board for purposes of Chapter 138A of the General Statutes."

SECTION 24.16.(b)  G.S. 136-211 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(e)       Ethics Requirements. - A Rural Transportation Planning Organization shall be treated as a board for purposes of Chapter 138A of the General Statutes."

SECTION 24.16.(c)  Members of Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Rural Transportation Planning Organizations shall file an initial Statement of Economic Interest with the State Ethics Commission no later than April 15, 2013. All information provided in the Statement of Economic Interest shall be current as of December 31, 2012. The initial Statement of Economic Interest shall be filed electronically.

SECTION 24.16.(d)  This section becomes effective January 1, 2013.

 

Payment of Driver Education Fee When Getting Permit; Additional Funding for Driver Education

SECTION 24.17.(a)  G.S. 20-11 reads as rewritten:

"§ 20-11.  Issuance of limited learner's permit and provisional drivers license to person who is less than 18 years old.

(j)         Duration and Fee.Duration. - A limited learner's permit expires on the eighteenth birthday of the permit holder. A limited provisional license expires on the eighteenth birthday of the license holder. A limited learner's permit or limited provisional license issued under this section that expires on a weekend or State holiday shall remain valid through the fifth regular State business day following the date of expiration. A full provisional license expires on the date set under G.S. 20-7(f).

(j1)       Fees. - The fees for licenses issued under this section are as follows:

(1)        The fee for a limited learner's permit orfor an applicant who did not participate in the driver education program established under Article 14 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is fifteen dollars ($15.00).

(2)        An applicant for a limited learner's permit who did participate in the driver education program established under Article 14 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes shall be subject to the following fees:

a.         Fifteen dollars ($15.00).

b.         Forty-five dollars ($45.00), which shall be credited to the costs of administering the driver education program established under Article 14 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes.

(3)        The fee for a limited provisional license is fifteen dollars ($15.00).

(4)        The fee for a full provisional license is the amount set under G.S. 20-7(i).

…."

SECTION 24.17.(b)  G.S. 115C-216(g) is repealed.

SECTION 24.17.(c)  An applicant for a limited learner's permit who is subject to G.S. 20-11(j1)(2), as amended by this section, shall be entitled to a credit toward the forty-five dollar ($45.00) fee under G.S. 20-11(j1)(2)b., as amended by this section, for any fee previously paid under G.S. 115C-216(g). An applicant shall provide evidence of having previously paid a fee for driver education to a local board of education under G.S. 115C-216(g) at the time of applying for a limited learner's permit.

SECTION 24.17.(d)  G.S. 105-449.125 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105-449.125.  Distribution of tax revenue among various funds and accounts.

The Secretary shall allocate the amount of revenue collected under this Article from an excise tax of one-half cent (1/2¢) a gallon to the following funds and accounts in the fraction indicated:

Fund or Account                                                             Amount

Commercial Leaking Petroleum

Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund                    Nineteen thirty-seconds

Noncommercial Leaking Petroleum

Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund                    Three thirty-seconds

Water and Air Quality Account                                     Five-sixteenths.

The Secretary shall allocate seventy-five percent (75%) of the remaining excise tax revenue collected under this Article to the Highway Fund and shall allocate twenty-five percent (25%) to the Highway Trust Fund.

The Secretary shall charge a proportionate share of a refund allowed under this Article to each fund or account to which revenue collected under this Article is credited. The Secretary shall credit revenue or charge refunds to the appropriate funds or accounts on a monthly basis.

Of the funds allocated to the Commercial Leaking Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund within a fiscal year under this section, the sum of two million eighty-five thousand five hundred eighty-five dollars ($2,085,585) shall be allocated by the Secretary to the Department of Public Instruction, and those funds are appropriated to the Department of Public Instruction for the driver education program."

 

Clarify Ferry Tolling

SECTION 24.18.(a)  G.S. 136-82 reads as rewritten:

"§ 136-82.  Department of Transportation to establish and maintain ferries.

The Department of Transportation is vested with authority to provide for the establishment and maintenance of ferries connecting the parts of the State highway system, whenever in its discretion the public good may so require, and to prescribe andshall collect such tolls therefor as may, in the discretion of the Department of Transportation, be expedient.tolls, as established by the Board of Transportation, on the ferry routes. The Board of Transportation shall establish tolls for all ferry routes, except for the Ocracoke/Hatteras Ferry and the Knotts Island Ferry.routes.

To accomplish the purpose of this section said Department of Transportation is authorized to acquire, own, lease, charter or otherwise control all necessary vessels, boats, terminals or other facilities required for the proper operation of such ferries or to enter into contracts with persons, firms or corporations for the operation thereof and to pay therefor such reasonable sums as may in the opinion of said Department of Transportation represent the fair value of the public service rendered.

The Department of Transportation, notwithstanding any other provision of law, may operate, or contract for the operation of, concessions on the ferries and at ferry facilities to provide to passengers on the ferries food, drink, and other refreshments, personal comfort items, and souvenirs publicizing the ferry system."

SECTION 24.18.(b)  Given that (i) under Section 1 of Article II of  the North Carolina Constitution, the General Assembly holds the "legislative power of the State," which is the power to enact laws, (ii) under Section 1 of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution, the Governor holds the "executive power of the State," which is the power to carry out rather than enact laws, (iii) the Governor's Executive Order No. 116 directly conflicts with ferry tolling required by S.L. 2011-145, and (iv) as written by the Department of Justice in its April 12, 2012, letter to the Honorable Representative Phillip D. Frye, "a direct conflict between a law enacted by the General Assembly and an executive order issued by the Governor must be resolved through implementation of the law," the General Assembly, therefore, hereby declares Executive Order No. 116 an unconstitutional attempt to exercise authority that the Governor does not possess and, as such, the Department of Transportation shall disregard Executive Order No. 116 and shall collect the tolls required by S.L. 2011-145 and this section.

 

Public Transportation Funding Adjustments

SECTION 24.19.(a)  The Regional New Starts & Capital Program within the Public Transportation Division of the Department of Transportation is eliminated. The unexpended balance of funds for this program are reallocated to the Reserve for General Maintenance in the Highway Fund.

SECTION 24.19.(b)  G.S. 136-44.20 is amended by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"§ 136-44.20.  Department of Transportation designated agency to administer and fund public transportation programs; authority of political subdivisions.

(e)        Public transportation appropriations from the Highway Fund shall not be expended on any fixed guideway project in Mecklenburg County."

SECTION 24.19.(c)  G.S. 136-176 is amended by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"§ 136-176.  Creation, revenue sources, and purpose of North Carolina Highway Trust Fund.

(e)        Subject to G.S. 136-17.2A and other funding distribution formulas, funds allocated under subdivisions (1), (3), and (4) of subsection (b) of this section may also be used for fixed guideway projects, including providing matching funds for federal grants for fixed guideway projects."

 

Repeal Program Evaluation Division Study of North Carolina Railroad Company

SECTION 24.20.  Section 28.12A of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 52 of S.L. 2011-391, is repealed.

 

Study Interstate 95 Tolling

SECTION 24.21.(a)  The Department of Transportation shall conduct a comprehensive study of the transportation corridor containing Interstate 95, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1)        The economic impact of tolling the present road on the residents and businesses along the Interstate 95 corridor.

(2)        The impact of tolling the present road on the alternative routes to Interstate 95, including expected increased traffic on those routes, any safety issues created by any increased traffic on those routes, and expected travel time delays for drivers using the alternative routes.

(3)        New or existing alternative routes for Interstate 95.

(4)        Options for funding to make critical repairs and lane mile expansions to Interstate 95 without the use of tolls.

The Department shall solicit feedback on its various tolling proposals from the local governments and residents along the Interstate 95 corridor.

SECTION 24.21.(b)  The Department of Transportation shall report the results of its study to the 2013 General Assembly by March 1, 2013.

SECTION 24.21.(c)  Notwithstanding G.S. 136-89.198, the Department of Transportation shall not establish or collect tolls on Interstate 95 prior to July 1, 2014.

 

PART XXV. Salaries and Benefits

 

GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF STATE

SECTION 25.01.(a)  Section 29.1(a) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 29.1.(a)  Effective for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium,2011-2012 fiscal year, the salary of the Governor set by G.S. 147-11(a) in the amount of one hundred thirty-nine thousand five hundred ninety dollars ($139,590) annually, payable monthly, shall remain unchanged."

SECTION 25.01.(b)  G.S. 147-11(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a)       The salary of the Governor shall be one hundred thirty nine thousand five hundred ninety dollars ($139,590) one hundred forty-one thousand two hundred sixty-five dollars ($141,265) annually, payable monthly."

SECTION 25.01.(c)  The prefatory language contained in Section 29.1(b) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 29.1.(b)  Effective for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, 2011-2012 fiscal year, the annual salaries for the members of the Council of State, payable monthly, for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium shall remain unchanged as follows: are set as follows:".

SECTION 25.01.(d)  Effective for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the annual salaries for members of the Council of State, payable monthly, are set as follows:

 

            Council of State                                                                                          Annual Salary

            Lieutenant Governor                                                                                      $124,676

            Attorney General                                                                                             124,676

            Secretary of State                                                                                            124,676

            State Treasurer                                                                                                124,676

            State Auditor                                                                                                   124,676

            Superintendent of Public Instruction                                                                  124,676

            Agriculture Commissioner                                                                                124,676

            Insurance Commissioner                                                                                  124,676

            Labor Commissioner                                                                                       124,676

 

NONELECTED DEPARTMENT HEADS

SECTION 25.02.(a)  Section 29.2(a) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 29.2.(a)  Effective for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium,2011-2012 fiscal year, the salaries set by G.S. 143B-9, the maximum annual salaries, payable monthly, for the nonelected heads of the principal State departments remain unchanged are set as follows:

 

Nonelected Department Heads                                                                   Annual Salary

            Secretary of Administration                                                                            $120,363

            Secretary of Cultural Resources                                                                       120,363

            Secretary of Commerce                                                                                   120,363

            Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources                                             120,363

            Secretary of Health and Human Services                                                          120,363

            Secretary of Public Safety                                                                                120,363

            Secretary of Revenue                                                                                       120,363

            Secretary of Transportation                                                                              120,363".

SECTION 25.02.(b)  Effective July 1, 2012, the maximum annual salaries, payable monthly, for the nonelected heads of the principal State departments are set as follows:

 

Nonelected Department Heads                                                                   Annual Salary

            Secretary of Administration                                                                            $121,807

            Secretary of Cultural Resources                                                                       121,807

            Secretary of Commerce                                                                                   121,807

            Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources                                             121,807

            Secretary of Health and Human Services                                                          121,807

            Secretary of Public Safety                                                                                121,807

            Secretary of Revenue                                                                                       121,807

            Secretary of Transportation                                                                              121,807

SECTION 25.02.(c)  G.S. 143B-9 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143B-9.  Appointment of officers and employees.

The head of each principal State department, except those departments headed by popularly elected officers, shall be appointed by the Governor and serve at his pleasure.

The salary of the head of each of the principal State departments shall be set by the Governor, and the salary of elected officials shall be as provided by law.

The head of a principal State department shall appoint a chief deputy or chief assistant, and such chief deputy or chief assistant shall not be subject to the State Personnel Act. The salary of such chief deputy or chief assistant shall, upon the recommendation of the  Governor, be set by the General Assembly.shall be set by the Governor. Unless otherwise provided for in the Executive Organization Act of 1973, and subject to the provisions of the Personnel Act, the head of each principal State department shall designate the administrative head of each transferred agency and all employees of each division, section, or other unit of the principal State department."

SECTION 25.02.(d)  Subsection (c) of this section applies to persons appointed on or after January 1, 2013. Subsection (b) of this section does not apply to such persons.

 

CERTAIN EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIALS

SECTION 25.1.(a)  Section 29.3 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"CERTAIN EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIALS

"SECTION 29.3. Effective for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, 2012-2013 fiscal year, the annual salaries, payable monthly, for the following executive branch officials shall remain unchanged are set as follows:

 

Executive Branch Officials                                                                   Annual Salary

            Chairman, Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission                        $109,553$110,868

            State Controller                                                                                  153,319155,159

            Commissioner of Motor Vehicles                                                        109,553110,868

            Commissioner of Banks                                                                      123,198124,676

            Chairman, Employment Security Commission                                                   120,363

            Chair, Board of Review, Division of Employment Security                                122,255

            Members, Board of Review, Division of Employment Security                          120,737

            State Personnel Director                                                                     120,363121,807

            Chairman, Parole Commission                                                            100,035101,235

            Members of the Parole Commission                                                        46,17846,732

            Chairman, Utilities Commission                                                           137,203138,849

            Members of the Utilities Commission                                                   123,198124,676

            Executive Director, Agency for Public

                    Telecommunications                                                                                   92,356

            Director, Museum of Art                                                                     112,256113,603

            Executive Director, North Carolina

Agricultural Finance Authority                                                      106,635107,915

            State Chief Information Officer                                                            153,227155,066".

SECTION 25.1.(b)  G.S. 20-2(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a)       Commissioner and Assistants. - The Division of Motor Vehicles shall be administered by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of the Department of Transportation. The Commissioner shall be paid an annual salary to be fixed by the General Assembly in the Current Operations Appropriations Act Governor and allowed his traveling expenses as allowed by law.

In any action, proceeding, or matter of any kind, to which the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles is a party or in which he may have an interest, all pleadings, legal notices, proof of claim, warrants for collection, certificates of tax liability, executions, and other legal documents, may be signed and verified on behalf of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles by the Assistant Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or by any director or assistant director of any section of the Division of Motor Vehicles or by any other agent or employee of the Division so authorized by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles."

SECTION 25.1.(c)  G.S. 126-3(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a)       There is hereby established the Office of State Personnel (hereinafter referred to as "the Office") which shall be placed for organizational purposes within the Department of Administration. Notwithstanding the provisions of North Carolina State government reorganization as of January 1, 1975, and specifically notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 864 of the 1971 North Carolina Session Laws [Chapter 143A], the Office of State Personnel shall exercise all of its statutory powers in this Chapter independent of control by the Secretary of Administration and shall be under the administration and supervision of a State Personnel Director (hereinafter referred to as "the Director") appointed by the Governor and subject to the supervision of the Commission for purposes of this Chapter. The salary of the Director shall be fixed by the General Assembly in the Current Operations Appropriations Act. Governor. The Director shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor."

SECTION 25.1.(d)  G.S. 140-5.15(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c)       The State-funded portion of the salary of the Director shall be fixed by the General Assembly in the Current Operations Appropriations Act.Governor."

SECTION 25.1.(e)  G.S. 147-33.76(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c)       The salary of the State Chief Information Officer shall be set by the General Assembly in the Current Operations Appropriations Act.Governor. The State Chief Information Officer shall receive longevity pay on the same basis as is provided to employees of the State who are subject to the State Personnel Act."

SECTION 25.1.(f)  Subsections (b) through (e) of this section apply to persons appointed to the positions of Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, State Personnel Director, Director of the North Carolina Museum of Art, and State Chief Information Officer on or after January 1, 2013. Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to such persons.

 

JUDICIAL BRANCH

SECTION 25.1A.(a)  Section 29.4(a) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 29.4.(a)  Effective for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium,2012-2013 fiscal year, the annual salaries, payable monthly, for specified judicial branch officials shall remain unchanged are set as follows:

 

Judicial Branch Officials                                                                       Annual Salary

Chief Justice, Supreme Court                                                          $140,932$142,623

            Associate Justice, Supreme Court                                                       137,249138,896

            Chief Judge, Court of Appeals                                                            135,061136,682

            Judge, Court of Appeals                                                                     131,531133,109

            Judge, Senior Regular Resident Superior Court                                   127,957129,492

            Judge, Superior Court                                                                         124,382125,875

            Chief Judge, District Court                                                                  112,946114,301

            Judge, District Court                                                                           109,372110,684

            District Attorney                                                                                 119,305120,737

            Administrative Officer of the Courts                                                    126,738128,259

            Assistant Administrative Officer of the Courts                                      115,763117,152

            Public Defender                                                                                  119,305120,737

            Director of Indigent Defense Services                                                  123,022124,498".

SECTION 25.1A.(b)  The annual salaries of permanent full-time employees of the Judicial Department whose salaries are not itemized in this act shall be increased by one and two-tenths percent (1.2%).

SECTION 25.1A.(c)  Section 29.4(b) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 29.4.(b)  Effective for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium,2011-2012 fiscal year, the annual salaries of employees of the Judicial Department shall remain unchanged as follows:

(1)        The annual salaries of permanent full-time and part-time employees of the Judicial Department whose salaries are not itemized in this act shall remain unchanged.

(2)        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the annual salaries of clerks of superior court under G.S. 7A-101(a) shall not change when a county changes from one population group to another.

(3)        The annual salaries of assistant and deputy clerks of court set under G.S. 7A-102(c1) shall remain unchanged for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium.

(4)        The annual salaries of magistrates set under G.S. 7A-171.1(a) or G.S. 7A-171.1(a1)(1) shall remain unchanged."

SECTION 25.1A.(d)  The district attorney or public defender of a judicial district, with the approval of the Administrative Officer of the Courts or the Commission on Indigent Defense Services, respectively, shall set the salaries of assistant district attorneys or assistant public defenders, respectively, in that district such that the average salaries of assistant district attorneys or assistant public defenders in that district do not exceed seventy-one thousand seven hundred ninety-seven dollars ($71,797) and the minimum salary of any assistant district attorney or assistant public defender is at least thirty-seven thousand six hundred twenty-eight dollars ($37,628), effective July 1, 2012.

SECTION 25.1A.(e)  G.S. 7A-101(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a)       The clerk of superior court is a full-time employee of the State and shall receive an annual salary, payable in equal monthly installments, based on the population of the county as determined in subsection (a1) of this section, according to the following schedule:

Population                                                              Annual Salary

Less than 100,000                                             $  82,401$ 83,390

100,000 to 149,999                                                92,46893,578

150,000 to 249,999                                            102,536103,766

250,000 and above                                             112,607.113,958

When a county changes from one population group to another, the salary of the clerk shall be changed, on July 1 of the fiscal year for which the change is reported, to the salary appropriate for the new population group, except that the salary of an incumbent clerk shall not be decreased by any change in population group during his continuance in office."

SECTION 25.1A.(f)  G.S. 7A-102(c1) reads as rewritten:

"(c1)     A full-time assistant clerk or a full-time deputy clerk, and up to one full-time deputy clerk serving as head bookkeeper per county, shall be paid an annual salary subject to the following minimum and maximum rates:

Assistant Clerks and Head Bookkeeper                             Annual Salary

Minimum                                                              $32,222$32,609

Maximum                                                                 54,76755,424

 

Deputy Clerks                                                            Annual Salary

Minimum                                                             $27,888$28,223

Maximum                                                               42,596.43,107".

SECTION 25.1A.(g)  G.S. 7A-171.1(a)(1) reads as rewritten:

"(1)      A full-time magistrate shall be paid the annual salary indicated in the table set out in this subdivision. A full-time magistrate is a magistrate who is assigned to work an average of not less than 40 hours a week during the term of office. The Administrative Officer of the Courts shall designate whether a magistrate is full-time. Initial appointment shall be at the entry rate. A magistrate's salary shall increase to the next step every two years on the anniversary of the date the magistrate was originally appointed for increases to Steps 1 through 3, and every four years on the anniversary of the date the magistrate was originally appointed for increases to Steps 4 through 6.

Table of Salaries of Full-Time Magistrates

Step Level                                         Annual Salary

Entry Rate                                    $32,633$33,025

Step 1                                              35,52535,951

Step 2                                              38,67139,135

Step 3                                              42,13442,640

Step 4                                              45,99946,551

Step 5                                              50,33550,959

Step 6                                              55,23855,901".

SECTION 25.1A.(h)  G.S. 7A-171.1(a1)(1) reads as rewritten:

"(a1)     Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the following salary provisions apply to individuals who were serving as magistrates on June 30, 1994:

(1)        The salaries of magistrates who on June 30, 1994, were paid at a salary level of less than five years of service under the table in effect that date shall be as follows:

Less than 1 year of service                                                 $26,528$26,846

1 or more but less than 3 years of service                               27,69528,027

3 or more but less than 5 years of service                              30,044.30,405

Upon completion of five years of service, those magistrates shall receive the salary set as the Entry Rate in the table in subsection (a)."

 

legislative branch

SECTION 25.1B.(a)  Section 29.5 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"GENERAL ASSEMBLY

"SECTION 29.5. For the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, the salaries of members and officers of the General Assembly shall remain unchanged at the amounts set under G.S. 120-3, as provided in 1994 by the 1993 General Assembly. Effective for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium,2011-2012 fiscal year, salaries in the legislative branch shall remain unchanged, as follows:

(1)        The salaries of members and officers of the General Assembly shall remain unchanged at the amounts set under G.S. 120-3, as provided in 1994 by the 1993 General Assembly.

(2)        The annual salaries set by G.S. 120-37(c) for the principal clerks in each house shall remain unchanged.

(3)        The annual salaries set by G.S. 120-37(b) of the sergeant-at-arms and the reading clerk in each house shall remain unchanged.

(4)        The annual salaries of the Legislative Services Officer and of nonelected employees of the General Assembly set under G.S. 120-32 shall remain unchanged."

SECTION 25.1B.(b)  G.S. 120-37(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c)       The principal clerks shall be full-time officers. Each principal clerk shall be entitled to other benefits available to permanent legislative employees and shall be paid an annual salary of one hundred four thousand eighty-four dollars ($104,084) one hundred five thousand three hundred thirty-three dollars ($105,333), payable monthly. Each principal clerk shall also receive such additional compensation as approved by the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, respectively, for additional employment duties beyond those provided by the rules of their House. The Legislative Services Commission shall review the salary of the principal clerks prior to submission of the proposed operating budget of the General Assembly to the Governor and shall make appropriate recommendations for changes in those salaries. Any changes enacted by the General Assembly shall be by amendment to this paragraph."

SECTION 25.1B.(c)  G.S. 120-37(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      The sergeant-at-arms and the reading clerk in each house shall be paid a salary of three hundred eighty dollars ($380.00) three hundred eighty-five dollars ($385.00) per week plus subsistence at the same daily rate provided for members of the General Assembly, plus mileage at the rate provided for members of the General Assembly for one round trip only from their homes to Raleigh and return. The sergeants-at-arms shall serve during sessions of the General Assembly and at such time prior to the convening of, and subsequent to adjournment or recess of, sessions as may be authorized by the Legislative Services Commission. The reading clerks shall serve during sessions only."

SECTION 25.1B.(d)  The Legislative Services Officer shall increase the salaries of nonelected employees of the General Assembly in effect on June 30, 2012, by one and two-tenths percent (1.2%).

 

COMMUNITY COLLEGES PERSONNEL

SECTION 25.1C.(a)  Section 29.6 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"COMMUNITY COLLEGES PERSONNEL

"SECTION 29.6.(a)  The annual salaries of all community college nonfaculty and professional staff whose salaries are supported from the State's General Fund shall remain unchanged for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium.2011-2012 fiscal year.

"SECTION 29.6.(b)  For the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium,2011-2012 fiscal year, the annual salaries of all community college faculty whose salaries are supported from the State's General Fund shall remain unchanged. The minimum salaries for nine-month, full-time curriculum community college faculty shall also remain unchanged as follows:

Education Level                                                            Minimum Salary

Vocational Diploma/Certificate or Less                                             $34,314

Associate Degree or Equivalent                                                         $34,819

Bachelor's Degree                                                                            $37,009

Master's Degree or Education Specialist                                            $38,952

Doctoral Degree                                                                               $41,753.

No full-time faculty member shall earn less than the minimum salary for his or her education level.

The pro rata hourly rate of the minimum salary for each education level shall be used to determine the minimum salary for part-time faculty members."

SECTION 25.1C.(b)  For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the Director of the Budget shall transfer from the Reserve for Compensation Increases created in this act to the State Board of Community Colleges funds sufficient to provide community college employees a salary increase of one and two-tenths percent (1.2%), including funds for the employers' retirement and social security contributions. These compensation funds may be used for any one or more of the following: (i) merit pay increases, (ii) across-the-board increases, (iii) recruitment bonuses, (iv) retention increases, (v) any other compensation increase, (vi) to offset the management flexibility reduction, or (vii) employ personnel. Categories (i) through (v) shall be pursuant to policies adopted by the State Board of Community Colleges. The State Board of Community Colleges shall  make a preliminary report on the use of these funds to the 2013 Regular Session of the General Assembly no later than March 1, 2013, and a final report on September 1, 2013.

 

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYSTEM

SECTION 25.1D.(a)  Section 29.7 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYSTEM

"SECTION 29.7.(a)  The annual salaries of all University of North Carolina EPA faculty, EPA nonfaculty, SPA employees, and teachers employed by the North Carolina School of Science and Math shall remain unchanged for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium.2011-2012 fiscal year.

"SECTION 29.7.(b)  The annual salaries of all employees of the University of North Carolina Health Care System and the Medical Faculty Practice Plan at East Carolina University shall remain unchanged for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium.2011-2012 fiscal year."

SECTION 25.1D.(b)  For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the Director of the Budget shall transfer from the Reserve for Compensation Increases created in this act to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina funds sufficient to provide to employees who are exempt from the State Personnel Act (EPA) a salary increase of one and two-tenths percent (1.2%), including funds for the employers' retirement and social security contributions. These compensation funds may be used to award compensation increases to EPA employees, pursuant to policies adopted by the Board of Governors, including, but not limited to, any one or more of the following: (i) merit pay increases, (ii) across-the-board increases, (iii) recruitment bonuses, and (iv) retention increases. These compensation funds may also be used for one or more of the following (i) to offset the management flexibility reduction, or (ii) employ personnel. The Board of Governors shall make a preliminary report on the use of funds under this subsection to the 2013 Regular Session of the General Assembly no later than March 1, 2013, and a final report on September 1, 2013.

SECTION 25.1D.(c)  For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the Director of the Budget shall transfer from the Reserve for Compensation Increases created in this act to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina funds sufficient to provide to employees who are subject to the State Personnel Act (SPA) a salary increase of one and two-tenths percent (1.2%), including funds for the employers' retirement and social security contributions.

 

MOST STATE EMPLOYEES

SECTION 25.1E.(a)  Section 29.9 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"MOST STATE EMPLOYEES

"SECTION 29.9.(a)  Effective for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium,2011-2012 fiscal year,  the salaries in effect June 30, 2011, of all permanent, full-time State employees whose salaries are set in accordance with the State Personnel Act, shall remain unchanged.

"SECTION 29.9.(b)  Effective for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium,2011-2012 fiscal year, the compensation of permanent, full-time State officials and persons in exempt positions shall remain unchanged.

"SECTION 29.9.(c)  Effective for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium,2011-2012 fiscal year, the salaries of permanent, part-time State employees shall remain unchanged.

"SECTION 29.9.(d)  Effective for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium,2011-2012 fiscal year, the compensation of temporary and permanent hourly State employees shall remain unchanged."

SECTION 25.1E.(b)  For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the salaries in effect June 30, 2012, for the following employees shall be increased by one and two-tenths percent (1.2%), effective July 1, 2012:

(1)        Permanent full-time State officials and persons whose salaries are set in accordance with the State Personnel Act.

(2)        Permanent full-time State officials and persons in positions exempt from the State Personnel Act.

(3)        Permanent part-time State employees.

(4)        Temporary and permanent hourly State employees.

SECTION 25.1E.(c)  Section 29.10(b) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 29.10.(b)  For the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, 2011-2012 fiscal year, the salaries of permanent, full-time employees who work a nine-, ten-, or eleven-month work year schedule shall remain unchanged."

 

ALL STATE-SUPPORTED PERSONNEL/SALARY INCREASES

SECTION 25.1F.(a)  The Director of the Budget shall transfer from the Reserve for Compensation Increases in this act for fiscal year 2012-2013 all funds necessary for the salary increases provided by this act, including funds for the employers' retirement and social security contributions.

SECTION 25.1F.(b)  Salaries and related benefits for positions that are funded partially from the General Fund or Highway Fund and partially from sources other than the General Fund or Highway Fund shall be increased from the General Fund or Highway Fund appropriation only to the extent of the proportionate part of the salaries paid from the General Fund or Highway Fund. Nothing in this act authorizes the transfer of funds between the General Fund and the Highway Fund for salary increases.

SECTION 25.1F.(c)  The fiscal year 2012-2013 salary increases provided in this act are to be effective July 1, 2012, and do not apply to persons separated from State service due to resignation, dismissal, reduction in force, death, or retirement or whose last workday is prior to July 1, 2012.

SECTION 25.1F.(d)  The granting of the salary increases under this act does not affect the status of eligibility for salary increments for which employees may be eligible unless otherwise required by this act.

SECTION 25.1F.(e)  Payroll checks issued to employees July 1, 2012, which represent payment of services provided prior to these increases shall not be eligible for salary increases provided for in this act. This subsection shall apply to all employees, subject to or exempt from the State Personnel Act, paid from State funds, including public schools, community colleges, and The University of North Carolina.

SECTION 25.1F.(f)  For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, permanent full-time State agency employees who work a nine-, 10-, or 11-month work year schedule shall receive the one and two-tenths percent (1.2%) annual increase provided by this act.

 

SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ONLY/NO AUTOMATIC INCREASES

SECTION 25.2.  Section 29.8 of S.L. 2011-145, as amended by Section 59A of S.L. 2011-391, reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 29.8.(a)  The annual pay of all State employees for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium 2011-2012 fiscal year shall remain unchanged from that authorized on June 30, 2011, or the last date in pay status during the 2010-2011 fiscal year, if earlier, except that an increase may be allowed during the 2011-2012 fiscal year under the following special circumstances:

(1)        For all State employees regardless of funding source, and for employees of the North Carolina Community College System and local school boards who are paid from State funds, salaries may be increased for reallocations or promotions, in-range adjustments for job change, career progression adjustments for demonstrated competencies, or any other adjustment related to an increase in job duties or responsibilities, none of which are subject to the salary freeze otherwise provided by this Part. All other salary increases are prohibited.

(1a)      For employees of the North Carolina Community College System, notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection, salaries may be increased if the increase is funded from local funding sources.

(2)        For The University of North Carolina, (i) faculty using funds from the Faculty Recruiting and Retention Fund, the Distinguished Professors Endowment Fund, or the University Cancer Research Fund in the case of faculty involved in cancer research supported by that fund and (ii) faculty, nonfaculty, and other employee adjustments, including retention adjustments, funded from non-State funding sources.

(3)        For employees of the judicial branch, for local supplementation as authorized by G.S. 7A-300.1.

The cumulative salary adjustment allowed under this subsection for the 2011-2012 fiscal year may exceed ten percent (10%) of annual salary only if the adjustment is approved in advance by the Office of State Budget and Management, The University of North Carolina Board of Governors, the Board of the North Carolina Community College System, the Legislative Services Commission, the local board of education, or other authorized body as appropriate.

"SECTION 29.8.(b)  The automatic salary step increases for assistant and deputy clerks of superior court and magistrates are suspended for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium.

"SECTION 29.8.(c)  The salary increase provisions of G.S. 20-187.3 are suspended for the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium.

"SECTION 29.8.(d)  Notwithstanding G.S. 53-96.1, and except as provided by subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, employees of the Office of the Commissioner of Banks shall not be awarded compensation increases or bonuses during the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium. Employees of the Office of the Commissioner of Banks shall receive an across-the-board salary increase of one and two-tenths percent (1.2%) for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, as provided in section 25.1E of The Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2012.

"SECTION 29.8.(e)  Employees of the Lottery Commission shall not receive compensation bonuses during the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium. Employees of the Lottery Commission shall receive an across-the-board salary increase of one and two-tenths percent (1.2%) for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, as provided in section 25.1E of The Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2012.

"SECTION 29.8.(f)  No employee of any other State agency or constituent institution of The University of North Carolina, excluding employees of the University of North Carolina Health Care System and employees participating in a constituent institution's medical faculty practice plan, shall receive compensation bonuses."

 

repeal of provisions related to Compensation Adjustment and Performance Pay Reserve

SECTION 25.2A.  Section 29.20A of S.L. 2011-145 is repealed.

 

monitor most salary increases

SECTION 25.2B.  Section 29.19 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 29.19.(a)  The Office of State Budget and Management and the Office of State Personnel shall monitor jointly the compliance of salary increases awarded by the following units of government with the provisions of Section 29.8 of this act and shall submit quarterly reports of their monitoring activities to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Fiscal Research Division: (i) State agencies, departments, and institutions, including authorities, boards, and commissions; (ii) the judicial branch; and (iii) The University of North Carolina and its constituent institutions.

The quarterly reports required by this section shall include the following information:

(1)        For agencies reporting through the BEACON HR/Payroll system, (i) a breakdown by action type (includingincluding, but not limited to, promotion, reallocation, career progression, salary adjustment, range revision, equity and any similar actions increasing employee pay) of the number and annual amount of those increases and (ii) a breakdown by action reason (including in-range higher level, acting pay, trainee adjustment, and other similar action reasons) of the number and annual amount of those action types coded as salary adjustment.

(2)        For The University of North Carolina and its constituent institutions, a breakdown of the number and annual amount of those increases categorized by the University as promotions, changes in job duties or responsibilities, Distinguished Professorships, retention pay, career progression, and any other similar actions increasing employee pay.

(3)        A summary of actions taken by the Office of State Budget and Management and the Office of State Personnel with respect to unauthorized salary increases.

"SECTION 29.19.(b)  The Legislative Services Officer shall report quarterly to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on compliance with this act."

 

Repeal Comprehensive Compensation System

SECTION 25.2C.(a)  The catch line of G.S. 126-7 reads as rewritten:

"§ 126-7.  Compensation of State employees.Annual Compensation Survey."

SECTION 25.2C.(b)   G.S. 126-7(a), (a2), (b1), (c), and (e) are repealed.

SECTION 25.2C.(c)  G.S. 126-7(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      To guide the Governor and the General Assembly in making appropriations to fund the Comprehensive Compensation System,decisions regarding the compensation of State employees, the State Personnel Commission shall conduct annual compensation surveys. The Commission shall present the results of the compensation survey to the Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate no later than two weeks after the convening of the legislature in odd years and May 1st of even years."

SECTION 25.2C.(d)  G.S. 20-187.3(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a)       The Secretary of Public Safety shall not make or permit to be made any order, rule, or regulation requiring the issuance of any minimum number of traffic citations, or ticket quotas, by any member or members of the State Highway Patrol. Pay and promotions of members of the Highway Patrol shall be based on their overall job performance and not on the basis of the volume of citations issued or arrests made. The provisions of G.S. 126-7 shall not apply to members of the State Highway Patrol. Members of the Highway Patrol shall, however,shall be subject to salary classes, ranges and longevity pay for service as are applicable to other State employees generally. Beginning July 1, 1985, and annually thereafter, each member of the Highway Patrol shall be granted a salary increase in an amount corresponding to the increments between steps within the salary range established for the class to which the member's position is assigned by the State Personnel Commission, not to exceed the maximum of each applicable salary range."

 

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW FOR REFORM OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION PLANS/RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATION BY March 1, 2013

SECTION 25.2D.  Section 29.20 of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 29.20.(a)  It is the intent of the General Assembly to create and implement a modernized, fair, and fully functional performance-based compensation system for employees of State agencies, departments, institutions,and institutions and for employees of The University of North Carolina System, the North Carolina Community College System, and local education agencies.System who are subject to the State Personnel Act. To that end, the Legislative Services Commission, jointly through the Fiscal Research and Program Evaluation Divisions, is directed to commission a review and study of the current compensation plans of State agencies, departments, institutions, and institutions and employees of The University of North Carolina System, the North Carolina Community College System, and local education agenciesSystem who are subject to the State Personnel Act (government sectors). The Legislative Services Commission may use a Request for Information process or a Request for Proposals process to contract with a qualified consulting firm to perform this review and study. The study, at minimum, shall include all of the following:

(1)        A labor market analysis of pay, fringe benefits, classification, and banding plans of government sector employees to determine whether current employees are compensated appropriately relative to market rates for similar positions as compared to (i) other North Carolina public employees, (ii) similar positions and employees in other states, and (iii) where applicable, employees in private industry.

(2)        An analysis of current performance-based compensation plans in use by the North Carolina Banking Commission,Commission and the University of North Carolina Health Care System, and the performance-based compensation system proposed by Charlotte/Mecklenburg County Schools.System. This analysis should include an assessment of the effectiveness of these performance-based plans and should include identification of best practices.

(3)        An evaluation of current longevity pay as applicable to most government sector employees and recommendations as to whether longevity pay should be continued for new hires.

(4)        An evaluation of current laws and policies related to "career status" for employees subject to the State Personnel Act and tenure for public school teachers and university professors. For public school teachers, the evaluation of tenure shall include its relationship with student performance, if any. Act. This evaluation should also include recommendations as to whether these laws and policies should be continued or modified based upon human resource best practices.

(5)        An evaluation of salary supplements for public school employees paid on account of master's degrees, attainment of other advanced degrees, and national board certification, including the relationship to student performance, if any. This evaluation should also include recommendations as to whether these salary supplements should be continued or modified based upon the effect on student performance, if any, and human resource best practices.

(6)        An evaluation of the State Personnel Act, including recommendations as to whether these laws and policies should be continued or modified based upon human resource best practices.

(7)        An analysis of the effect of in-State regional variables on employee compensation and recommendations as to how those variables should be addressed in the future.

(8)        Recommendations of how to evaluate and compare the value of employee fringe benefits.

(9)        Recommendations, timetable, and design of a comprehensive performance-based compensation plan across all government sectors for implementation by the General Assembly. Recommendations must include the design of an effective employee performance evaluation system, including the identification of effective employee performance measures and information systems (including estimated costs) to track and monitor employee performance.

(10)      Training recommendations for supervisors and managers regarding employee productivity and performance evaluation.

(11)      Recommendations to assure equity of compensation among public employees across government sectors.

(12)      Feasibility of a consensus forecasting group to make annual recommendations for compensation policy across all government sectors. These recommendations should include how to establish and maintain priorities for General Fund appropriations necessary to fund the performance-based compensation system while remaining affordable for the State and its taxpayers.

"SECTION 29.20.(b)  In the event that the Legislative Services Commission contracts with a qualified consulting firm to perform the review and study, the consultant shall report its progress to the Fiscal Research and Program Evaluation Divisions every 90 days.

"SECTION 29.20.(c)  By May 1, 2012, March 1, 2013, the Fiscal Research and Program Evaluation Divisions, or at their direction by the consultant hired to perform the review and study, shall report all findings and any other final results of the study, including recommendations and legislative proposals, to the 2012 Regular Session of the 20112013 General Assembly.

"SECTION 29.20.(d)  All State agencies, departments, institutions,and institutions, and The University of North Carolina System, the North Carolina Community College System, and local education agencies System shall provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them to the Fiscal Research and Program Evaluation Divisions and/or the consultant necessary to complete this review and study.

"SECTION 29.20.(e)  The State Personnel Director, the State Budget Director, the State Controller, and the State Treasurer shall dedicate and identify staff for technical assistance, as needed, to aid in the reviews required by this section."

 

UNIVERSITY FACULTY RECRUITING AND RETENTION FUND

SECTION 25.3.  The Faculty Recruiting and Retention Fund under the Office of the President of The University of North Carolina is reestablished for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Allocations from the fund shall be made for salary increases at the discretion of the President of The University of North Carolina only for the purpose of recruiting and retaining faculty members as necessary at constituent institutions.

 

TEACHER SALARY SCHEDULES

SECTION 25.6.(a)  The following monthly salary schedules shall apply for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to certified personnel of the public schools who are classified as teachers.  The schedules contain 36 steps, with each step corresponding to one year of teaching experience. Public school employees paid according to this salary schedule and receiving NBPTS certification or obtaining a master's degree shall not be prohibited from receiving the appropriate increase in salary. Provided, however, teachers employed during the 2011-2012 school year who did not work the required number of months to acquire an additional year of experience shall not receive a decrease in salary as otherwise would be required by the salary schedule below.

 

2012-2013 Monthly Salary Schedule

"A" Teachers

         Years of Experience                       "A" Teachers                      NBPTS Certification

                      0                                           $3,043                                       N/A        

                      1                                           $3,043                                       N/A        

                      2                                           $3,043                                       N/A

                      3                                           $3,043                                     $3,408

                      4                                           $3,043                                     $3,408

                      5                                           $3,085                                     $3,455

                      6                                           $3,129                                     $3,504

                      7                                           $3,264                                     $3,656

                      8                                           $3,404                                     $3,812

                      9                                           $3,538                                     $3,963

                    10                                           $3,667                                     $4,107

                    11                                           $3,771                                     $4,224

                    12                                           $3,819                                     $4,277

                    13                                           $3,868                                     $4,332

                    14                                           $3,918                                     $4,388

                    15                                           $3,967                                     $4,443

                    16                                           $4,018                                     $4,500

                    17                                           $4,069                                     $4,557

                    18                                           $4,122                                     $4,617

                    19                                           $4,176                                     $4,677

                    20                                           $4,231                                     $4,739

                    21                                           $4,286                                     $4,800

                    22                                           $4,345                                     $4,866

                    23                                           $4,403                                     $4,931

                    24                                           $4,461                                     $4,996

                    25                                           $4,523                                     $5,066

                    26                                           $4,584                                     $5,134

                    27                                           $4,650                                     $5,208

                    28                                           $4,714                                     $5,280

                    29                                           $4,779                                     $5,352

                    30                                           $4,845                                     $5,426

                    31                                           $4,913                                     $5,503

                    32                                           $4,984                                     $5,582

                    33                                           $5,055                                     $5,662

                    34                                           $5,153                                     $5,771

                    35+                                         $5,255                                     $5,886

 

2012-2013 Monthly Salary Schedule

"M" Teachers

         Years of Experience                      "M" Teachers                      NBPTS Certification

                      0                                           $3,347                                       N/A

                      1                                           $3,347                                       N/A

                      2                                           $3,347                                       N/A

                      3                                           $3,347                                     $3,749

                      4                                           $3,347                                     $3,749

                      5                                           $3,394                                     $3,801

                      6                                           $3,442                                     $3,855

                      7                                           $3,590                                     $4,021

                      8                                           $3,744                                     $4,193

                      9                                           $3,892                                     $4,359

                    10                                           $4,034                                     $4,518

                    11                                           $4,148                                     $4,646

                    12                                           $4,201                                     $4,705

                    13                                           $4,255                                     $4,766

                    14                                           $4,310                                     $4,827

                    15                                           $4,364                                     $4,888

                    16                                           $4,420                                     $4,950

                    17                                           $4,476                                     $5,013

                    18                                           $4,534                                     $5,078

                    19                                           $4,594                                     $5,145

                    20                                           $4,654                                     $5,212

                    21                                           $4,715                                     $5,281

                    22                                           $4,780                                     $5,354

                    23                                           $4,843                                     $5,424

                    24                                           $4,907                                     $5,496

                    25                                           $4,975                                     $5,572

                    26                                           $5,042                                     $5,647

                    27                                           $5,115                                     $5,729

                    28                                           $5,185                                     $5,807

                    29                                           $5,257                                     $5,888

                    30                                           $5,330                                     $5,970

                    31                                           $5,404                                     $6,052

                    32                                           $5,482                                     $6,140

                    33                                           $5,561                                     $6,228

                    34                                           $5,668                                     $6,348

                    35+                                         $5,781                                     $6,475

SECTION 25.6.(b)  Section 29.12(d) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 29.12.(d)  The first step of the salary schedule for school psychologists shall be equivalent to Step 5, Step 9, corresponding to five nine years of experience, on the salary schedule established in this section for certified personnel of the public schools who are classified as "M" teachers. Certified psychologists shall be placed on the salary schedule at an appropriate step based on their years of experience. Certified psychologists shall receive longevity payments based on years of State service in the same manner as teachers.

Certified psychologists with certification based on academic preparation at the six-year degree level shall receive a salary supplement of one hundred twenty-six dollars ($126.00) per month in addition to the compensation provided for certified psychologists. Certified psychologists with certification based on academic preparation at the doctoral degree level shall receive a salary supplement of two hundred fifty-three dollars ($253.00) per month in addition to the compensation provided for certified psychologists."

 

SCHOOL-BASED ADMINISTRATOR SALARY SCHEDULE

SECTION 25.7.(a)  The following base salary schedule for school-based administrators shall apply only to principals and assistant principals.  This base salary schedule shall apply for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, commencing July 1, 2012. Provided, however, school-based administrators (i) employed during the 2011-2012 school year who did not work the required number of months to acquire an additional year of experience and (ii) employed during the 2012-2013 school year in the same classification shall not receive a decrease in salary as otherwise would be required by the salary schedule below.

 

2012-2013 Principal and Assistant Principal Salary Schedules

Classification

Years of Exp         Assistant               Prin I                Prin II             Prin III            Prin IV

                             Principal               (0-10)              (11-21)          (22-32)           (33-43)

          0-8                $3,781                          -                       -                     -                      -

          9                   $3,931                          -                       -                     -                      -

        10                   $4,074                          -                       -                     -                      -

        11                   $4,189                          -                       -                     -                      -

        12                   $4,243                $4,243                       -                     -                      -

        13                   $4,298                $4,298                       -                     -                      -

        14                   $4,353                $4,353             $4,408                     -                      -

        15                   $4,408                $4,408             $4,464                     -                      -

        16                   $4,464                $4,464             $4,521            $4,579                      -

        17                   $4,521                $4,521             $4,579            $4,640            $4,701

        18                   $4,579                $4,579             $4,640            $4,701            $4,762

        19                   $4,640                $4,640             $4,701            $4,762            $4,828

        20                   $4,701                $4,701             $4,762            $4,828            $4,891

        21                   $4,762                $4,762             $4,828            $4,891            $4,956

        22                   $4,828                $4,828             $4,891            $4,956            $5,025

        23                   $4,891                $4,891             $4,956            $5,025            $5,092

        24                   $4,956                $4,956             $5,025            $5,092            $5,166

        25                   $5,025                $5,025             $5,092            $5,166            $5,237

        26                   $5,092                $5,092             $5,166            $5,237            $5,310

        27                   $5,166                $5,166             $5,237            $5,310            $5,383

        28                   $5,237                $5,237             $5,310            $5,383            $5,458

        29                   $5,310                $5,310             $5,383            $5,458            $5,537

        30                   $5,383                $5,383             $5,458            $5,537            $5,617

        31                   $5,458                $5,458             $5,537            $5,617            $5,725

        32                   $5,537                $5,537             $5,617            $5,725            $5,839

        33                   $5,617                $5,617             $5,725            $5,839            $5,956

        34                   $5,725                $5,725             $5,839            $5,956            $6,075

        35                   $5,839                $5,839             $5,956            $6,075            $6,197

        36                             -                $5,956             $6,075            $6,197            $6,321

        37                             -                          -             $6,197            $6,321            $6,447

        38                             -                          -             $6,321            $6,447            $6,576

        39                             -                          -                       -            $6,576            $6,708

        40                             -                          -                       -            $6,708            $6,842

        41                             -                          -                       -                     -            $6,979

 

2012-2013 Principal and Assistant Principal Salary Schedules

Classification

Years of Exp         Prin V                   Prin VI             Prin VII          Prin VIII

                             (44-54)                (55-65)            (66-100)        (101+)

          0-18              $4,828                          -                       -                     -

        19                   $4,891                          -                       -                     -

        20                   $4,956                $5,025                       -                     -

        21                   $5,025                $5,092             $5,237                     -

        22                   $5,092                $5,166             $5,310            $5,383

        23                   $5,166                $5,237             $5,383            $5,458

        24                   $5,237                $5,310             $5,458            $5,537

        25                   $5,310                $5,383             $5,537            $5,617

        26                   $5,383                $5,458             $5,617            $5,725

        27                   $5,458                $5,537             $5,725            $5,839

        28                   $5,537                $5,617             $5,839            $5,956

        29                   $5,617                $5,725             $5,956            $6,075

        30                   $5,725                $5,839             $6,075            $6,197

        31                   $5,839                $5,956             $6,197            $6,321

        32                   $5,956                $6,075             $6,321            $6,447

        33                   $6,075                $6,197             $6,447            $6,576

        34                   $6,197                $6,321             $6,576            $6,708

        35                   $6,321                $6,447             $6,708            $6,842

        36                   $6,447                $6,576             $6,842            $6,979

        37                   $6,576                $6,708             $6,979            $7,119

        38                   $6,708                $6,842             $7,119            $7,261

        39                   $6,842                $6,979             $7,261            $7,406

        40                   $6,979                $7,119             $7,406            $7,554

        41                   $7,119                $7,261             $7,554            $7,705

        42                   $7,261                $7,406             $7,705            $7,859

        43                             -                $7,554             $7,859            $8,016

        44                             -                $7,705             $8,016            $8,176

        45                             -                          -             $8,176            $8,340

 

SECTION 25.7.(b)  G.S. 29.13(h) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 29.13.(h)  During the 2011-2012 fiscal year,year and the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the placement on the salary schedule of an administrator with a one-year provisional assistant principal's certificate shall be at the entry-level salary for an assistant principal or the appropriate step on the teacher salary schedule, whichever is higher."

 

funds for PERSONNEL FLEXIBILITY IN THE LEAS

SECTION 25.7A.(a)  Effective July 1, 2012, the Director of the Budget shall transfer from the Reserve for Compensation Increases and Personnel Flexibility to the State Board of Education the sum of eighty-four million nine hundred sixty-four thousand one hundred forty-two dollars ($84,964,142) for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

The State Board of Education shall allocate these funds to local school administrative units on the basis of average daily membership.

SECTION 25.7A.(b)  Local school administrative units may use these funds to do one or more of the following: (i) award compensation increases to employees, including, but not limited to, merit increases, across-the-board increases, recruitment and retention bonuses, and other bonuses, pursuant to local personnel policies; (ii) offset the LEA flexibility adjustment; or (iii) employ personnel.

SECTION 25.7A.(c)  No compensation increase awarded pursuant to this section shall be construed to modify an employee's placement on a State salary schedule.

SECTION 25.7A.(d)  Local school administrative units shall report to the State Board of Education on the use of these funds.  The State Board of Education shall make  preliminary reports on the use of these funds by local school administrative units to the General Assembly on October 1, 2012, and March 1, 2013, and shall make a final report on September 1, 2013.

 

Exempt positions

SECTION 25.7B.(a)  G.S. 126-5(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d)      (1)        Exempt Positions in Cabinet Department. - The Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, which is known as the State Personnel Act, the Governor may designate a total of 1001,000 exempt policymaking positions throughout the following departments:

a.         Department of Administration;

b.         Department of Commerce;

c.         Division of Adult Correction of the Department of Public Safety;

d.         Department of Public Safety;

e.         Department of Cultural Resources;

f.          Department of Health and Human Services;

g.         Department of Environment and Natural Resources;

h.         Department of Revenue;

i.          Department of Transportation; and Transportation.

j.          Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Public Safety.

The Governor may designate exempt managerial positions in a number up to one percent (1%) of the total number of full-time positions in each cabinet department listed above in this sub-subdivision, not to exceed 30 positions in each department. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, or the other requirements of this subsection, the Governor may at any time increase by five the number of exempt policymaking positions at the Department of Health and Human Services, but at no time shall the total number of exempt policymaking positions exceed 105. The Governor shall notify the General Assembly and the State Personnel Director of the additional positions designated hereunder.

(2)        Exempt Positions in Council of State Departments and Offices. - The Secretary of State, the Auditor, the Treasurer, the Attorney General, the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Commissioner of Insurance, and the Labor Commissioner may designate exempt positions. The State Board of Education may designate exempt positions in the Department of Public Instruction. The number of exempt policymaking positions in each department headed by an elected department head listed above in this sub-subdivision shall be limited to 20 exempt policymaking positions or one percent (1%) of the total number of full-time positions in the department, whichever is greater. The number of exempt managerial positions shall be limited to 20 positions or one percent (1%) of the total number of full-time positions in the department, whichever is greater.

(2a)      Designation of Additional Positions. - The Governor, elected department head, or State Board of Education may request that additional positions be designated as exempt. The request shall be made by sending a list of exempt positions that exceed the limit imposed by this subsection to the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives and the President of the North Carolina Senate. A copy of the list also shall be sent to the State Personnel Director. The General Assembly may authorize all, or part of, the additional positions to be designated as exempt positions. If the General Assembly is in session when the list is submitted and does not act within 30 days after the list is submitted, the list shall be deemed approved by the General Assembly, and the positions shall be designated as exempt positions. If the General Assembly is not in session when the list is submitted, the 30-day period shall not begin to run until the next date that the General Assembly convenes or reconvenes, other than for a special session called for a specific purpose not involving the approval of the list of additional positions to be designated as exempt positions; the policymaking positions shall not be designated as exempt during the interim.

(3)        Letter. - These positions shall be designated in a letter to the State Personnel Director, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate by May 1 July 1 of the year in which the oath of office is administered to each Governor unless the provisions of subsection (d)(4) apply.

(4)        Vacancies. - In the event of a vacancy in the Office of Governor or in the office of a member of the Council of State, the person who succeeds to or is appointed or elected to fill the unexpired term shall make such designations in a letter to the State Personnel Director, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate within 120180 days after the oath of office is administered to that person. In the event of a vacancy in the Office of Governor, the State Board of Education shall make these designations in a letter to the State Personnel Director, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate within 120 180 days after the oath of office is administered to the Governor.

(5)        Creation, Transfer, or Reorganization. - The Governor, elected department head, or State Board of Education may designate as exempt a position that is created or transferred to a different department, or is located in a department in which reorganization has occurred, after May 1 July 1 of the year in which the oath of office is administered to the Governor. The designation must be made in a letter to the State Personnel Director, the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and the President of the North Carolina Senate within 120180 days after such position is created, transferred, or in which reorganization has occurred.

(6)        Reversal. - Subsequent to the designation of a position as an exempt position as hereinabove provided, the status of the position may be reversed and made subject to the provisions of this Chapter by the Governor, by an elected department head, or by the State Board of Education in a letter to the State Personnel Director, the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and the President of the North Carolina Senate.

(7)        Hearing Officers. - Except as otherwise specifically provided by this section, no employee, by whatever title, whose primary duties include the power to conduct hearings, take evidence, and enter a decision based on findings of fact and conclusions of law based on statutes and legal precedents shall be designated as exempt. This subdivision shall apply beginning July 1, 1985, and no list submitted after that date shall designate as exempt any employee described in this subdivision."

SECTION 25.7B.(b)  This section becomes effective January 1, 2013.

 

SALARY-RELATED CONTRIBUTIONS

SECTION 25.10.  Section 29.22(d) of S.L. 2011-145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 29.22.(d)  Effective July 1, 2012, the State's employer contribution rates budgeted for retirement and related benefits as percentage of covered salaries for the 2012-2013 fiscal year are: (i) fourteen and thirty-one hundredths percent (14.31%)fourteen and twenty-three hundredths percent (14.23%) - Teachers and State Employees; (ii) nineteen and thirty-one hundredths percent (19.31%)nineteen and twenty-three hundredths percent (19.23%) - State Law Enforcement Officers; (iii) twelve and sixty-six hundredths percent (12.66%) twelve and fifty-eight hundredths percent (12.58%) - University Employees' Optional Retirement System; (iv) twelve and sixty-six hundredths percent (12.66%)twelve and fifty-eight hundredths percent (12.58%) - Community College Optional Retirement Program; (v)  thirty-one and seventy hundredths percent (31.70%)thirty-one and eighty-five hundredths percent (31.85%) - Consolidated Judicial Retirement System; and (vi) five and thirty hundredths percent (5.30%) - Legislative Retirement System. Each of the foregoing contribution rates includes five and thirty hundredths percent (5.30%) for hospital and medical benefits. The rate for Teachers and State Employees, State Law Enforcement Officers, Community College Optional Retirement Program, and for the University Employees' Optional Retirement Program includes fifty-two hundredths percent (0.52%)forty-four hundredths percent (0.44%) for the Disability Income Plan. The rates for Teachers and State Employees and State Law Enforcement Officers include sixteen hundredths percent (0.16%) for the Death Benefits Plan. The rate for State Law Enforcement Officers includes five percent (5%) for Supplemental Retirement Income."

 

expand OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM for university of north carolina system

SECTION 25.12.  G.S. 135-5.1(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a)       An Optional Retirement Program provided for in this section is authorized and established and shall be implemented by the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina. The Optional Retirement Program shall be underwritten by the purchase of annuity contracts, which may be both fixed and variable contracts or a combination thereof, or financed through the establishment of a trust, for the benefit of participants in the Program. Participation in the Optional Retirement Program shall be limited to University personnel who are eligible for membership in the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement Program and who are:

(1)        Administrators and faculty of The University of North Carolina with the rank of instructor or above;

(2)        The President and employees of The University of North Carolina who are appointed by the Board of Governors on recommendation of the President pursuant to G.S. 116-11(4), 116-11(5), and 116-14 or who are appointed by the Board of Trustees of a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina upon the recommendation of the Chancellor pursuant to G.S. 116-40.22(b);

(3)        Nonfaculty instructional and research staff who are exempt from the State Personnel Act, as defined by the provisions of G.S. 126-5(c1)(8), and the faculty of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics; and

(4)        Field faculty of the Cooperative Agriculture Extension Service, and tenure track faculty in North Carolina State University agriculture research programs who are exempt from the State Personnel Act and who are eligible for membership in the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System pursuant to G.S. 135-3(1), who in any of the cases described in this subsection (i) had been members of the Optional Retirement Program under the provisions of Chapter 338, Session Laws of 1971, immediately prior to July 1, 1985, or (ii) have sought membership as required in subsection (b), below. Under the Optional Retirement Program, the State and the participant shall contribute, to the extent authorized or required, toward the purchase of such contracts or deposited in such trust on the participant's behalf.

(5)        Employees of The University of North Carolina Health Care System, subject to rules for eligibility and participation as may be adopted by the Board of Governors in the Optional Retirement Program plan document.

(6)        Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013."

 

PROVIDE COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES FOR RETIREES OF THE TEACHERS' AND STATE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THE JUDICIAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM, AND THE LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT SYSTEM

SECTION 25.13.(a)  G.S. 135-5 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(sss)    From and after July 1, 2012, the retirement allowance to or on account of beneficiaries whose retirement commenced on or before July 1, 2011, shall be increased by one percent (1%) of the allowance payable on June 1, 2012, in accordance with G.S. 135-5(o). Furthermore, from and after July 1, 2012, the retirement allowance to or on account of beneficiaries whose retirement commenced after July 1, 2011, but before June 30, 2012, shall be increased by a prorated amount of one percent (1%) of the allowance payable as determined by the Board of Trustees based upon the number of months that a retirement allowance was paid between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012."

SECTION 25.13.(b)  G.S. 135-65 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(dd)    From and after July 1, 2012, the retirement allowance to or on account of beneficiaries whose retirement commenced on or before July 1, 2011, shall be increased by one percent (1%) of the allowance payable on June 1, 2012. Furthermore, from and after July 1, 2012, the retirement allowance to or on account of beneficiaries whose retirement commenced after July 1, 2011, but before June 30, 2012, shall be increased by a prorated amount of one percent (1%) of the allowance payable as determined by the Board of Trustees based upon the number of months that a retirement allowance was paid between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012."

SECTION 25.13.(c)  G.S. 120-4.22A is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(x)       In accordance with subsection (a) of this section, from and after July 1, 2012, the retirement allowance to or on account of beneficiaries whose retirement commenced on or before January 1, 2012, shall be increased by one percent (1%) of the allowance payable on June 1, 2012. Furthermore, from and after July 1, 2012, the retirement allowance to or on account of beneficiaries whose retirement commenced after January 1, 2012, but before June 30, 2012, shall be increased by a prorated amount of one percent (1%) of the allowance payable as determined by the Board of Trustees based upon the number of months that a retirement allowance was paid between January 1, 2012, and June 30, 2012."

 

PART XXVI. Capital Appropriations

 

CAPITAL APPROPRIATIONS/GENERAL FUND

SECTION 26.1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund for the 2012-2013 fiscal year the following amounts for capital improvements:

 

Capital Improvements - General Fund                                                                                 2012-2013

 

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

      Water Resources Development Projects                                                                   $ 5,000,000

 

TOTAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - GENERAL FUND                                 $ 5,000,000

 

WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

SECTION 26.2.(a)  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall allocate funds for water resources projects in accordance with the schedule that follows. The amounts set forth in the schedule include funds appropriated in this act for water resources projects and funds carried forward from previous fiscal years in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. These funds will provide a State match for an estimated eighty-six million three hundred ninety thousand dollars ($86,390,000) in federal funds.

 

Name of Project                                                                                                             2012-2013

 

(1)        B. Everett Jordan Lake Water Supply Storage                                                        $200,000

(2)        Wilmington Harbor Maintenance                                                                            1,200,000

(3)        Morehead City Harbor Maintenance                                                                                    -

(4)        Wilmington Harbor Deepening  6,000,000

(5)        2012 Corps Long Term MOA for Dredging                                                           3,350,000

(6)        Carolina Beach Renourishment Project                                                                   1,184,000

(7)        Wilmington Harbor Improvements Feasibility                                                             500,000

(8)        John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir Sec. 216                                                               200,000

(9)        Aquatic Plant Control, Statewide and Lake Gaston                                                   200,000

(10)      State-Local Projects                                                                                                 593,000

(11)      Catawba Water Management Group Study                                                               100,000

 

TOTALS                                                                                                                     $ 13,527,000

 

SECTION 26.2.(b)  It is the intent of the General Assembly that funds carried forward from previous fiscal years be used to supplement the five million dollars ($5,000,000) appropriated for water resources development projects in Section 26.1 of this act. Therefore, the following funds carried forward from previous fiscal years shall be used for the following projects:

 

Name of Project                                                                                     Amount Carried Forward

 

(1)        B. Everett Jordan Lake Water Supply Storage                                                       $ 200,000

(2)        Wilmington Harbor Maintenance                                                                            1,200,000

(3)        2012 Corps MOA for Shallow Draft Inlet Dredging                                               3,350,000

(4)        Wilmington Harbor Deepening  3,000,000

(5)        Wilmington Harbor Improvements Feasibility                                                             250,000

(6)        State-Local Projects                                                                                                 527,000

 

TOTALS                                                                                                                       $ 8,527,000

 

SECTION 26.2.(c)  Where the actual costs are different from the estimated costs under subsection (a) of this section, the Department may adjust the allocations among projects as needed. If any projects funded under subsection (a) of this section are delayed and the budgeted State funds cannot be used during the 2012-2013 fiscal year, or if the projects funded under subsection (a) of this section are accomplished at a lower cost, the Department may use the resulting fund availability to fund any of the following:

(1)        U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project feasibility studies.

(2)        U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects whose schedules have advanced and require State-matching funds in the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

(3)        State-local water resources development projects.

Funds subject to this subsection that are not expended or encumbered for the purposes set forth in subdivisions (1) through (3) of this subsection shall revert to the General Fund at the end of the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

SECTION 26.2.(d)  The Department shall make semiannual reports on the use of these funds to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly, and the Office of State Budget and Management. Each report shall include all of the following:

(1)        All projects listed in this section.

(2)        The estimated cost of each project.

(3)        The date that work on each project began or is expected to begin.

(4)        The date that work on each project was completed or is expected to be completed.

(5)        The actual cost of each project.

The semiannual reports also shall show those projects advanced in schedule, those projects delayed in schedule, and an estimate of the amount of funds expected to revert to the General Fund.

SECTION 26.2.(e)  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, funds appropriated for a water resources development project shall be used to provide no more than fifty percent (50%) of the nonfederal portion of funds for the project. This subsection applies to funds appropriated in this act and to funds appropriated prior to the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium that are unencumbered and proposed for reallocation to provide the nonfederal portion of funds for water resources development projects. The limitation on fund usage contained in this subsection applies only to projects in which a local government or local governments participate.

SECTION 26.2.(f)  The 2012 Long Term Dredging Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorized by this section shall provide for all of the following:

(1)        Prioritization of projects through joint consultation with the State, applicable units of local government, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

(2)        Adherence to the requirements of subsection (e) of this section.

(3)        Annual reporting by the Department on the use of funds provided to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the 2012 Long Term Dredging Memorandum of Agreement. These reports shall be made to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly, and the Office of State Budget and Management and shall include all of the following:

a.         A list of all projects commenced.

b.         The estimated cost of each project.

c.         The date that work on each project commenced or is expected to commence.

d.         The date that work on each project was completed or is expected to be completed.

e.         The actual cost of each project.

 

REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS RESERVE ALLOCATION

SECTION 26.4.(a)  Of the funds in the Reserve for Repairs and Renovations for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the following allocations shall be made to the following agencies for repairs and renovations pursuant to G.S. 143C-4-3:

(1)        Fifty-four percent (54%) shall be allocated to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina.

(2)        Forty-six percent (46%) shall be allocated to the Office of State Budget and Management.

The Office of State Budget and Management shall consult with or report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, as appropriate, in accordance with G.S. 143C-4-3(e). The Board of Governors shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations in accordance with G.S. 143C-4-3(d).

SECTION 26.4.(b)  Notwithstanding G.S. 143C-4-3(d), of the funds allocated to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina in subsection (a) of this section, a portion shall be used by the Board of Governors for the installation of fire sprinklers in university residence halls. This portion shall be in addition to funds otherwise appropriated in this act for the same purpose. Such funds shall be allocated among the university's constituent institutions by the President of The University of North Carolina, who shall consider the following factors when allocating those funds:

(1)        The safety and well-being of the residents of campus housing programs.

(2)        The current level of housing rents charged to students and how that compares to an institution's public peers and other UNC institutions.

(3)        The level of previous authorizations to constituent institutions for the construction or renovation of residence halls funded from the General Fund, or from bonds or certificates of participation supported by the General Fund, since 1996.

(4)        The financial status of each constituent institution's housing system, including debt capacity, debt coverage ratios, credit rankings, required reserves, the planned use of cash balances for other housing system improvements, and the constituent institution's ability to pay for the installation of fire sprinklers in all residence halls.

(5)        The total cost of each proposed project, including the cost of installing fire sprinklers and the cost of other construction, such as asbestos removal and additional water supply needs.

The Board of Governors shall submit progress reports to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations. Reports shall include the status of completed, current, and planned projects. Reports also shall include information on the financial status of each constituent institution's housing system, the constituent institution's ability to pay for fire protection in residence halls, and the timing of installation of fire sprinklers. Reports shall be submitted on January 1 and July 1 until all residence halls have fire sprinklers.

SECTION 26.4.(c)  Notwithstanding G.S. 143C-4-3(d), of the funds allocated to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina in subsection (a) of this section, a portion shall be used by the Board of Governors for campus public safety improvements allowable under G.S. 143C-4-3(b).

 

REPORTING ON CAPITAL PROJECTS

SECTION 26.5.(a)  Definitions. - The following definitions apply in this section:

(1)        Capital project. - Any capital improvement, as that term is defined in G.S. 143C-1-1, that is not complete by the effective date of this section and that is funded in whole or in part with either State funds or statutorily or constitutionally authorized indebtedness of any kind. This term includes only projects with a total cost of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or more.

(2)        Construction phase. - The status of a particular capital project as described using the terms customarily employed in the design and construction industries.

(3)        New capital project. - A capital project that is authorized in this act or subsequent to the effective date of this act.

SECTION 26.5.(b)  Reporting. - The following reports are required:

(1)        By October 1, 2012, and every six months thereafter, each State agency shall report on the status of agency capital projects to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Capital Improvements.

(2)        By October 1, 2012, and quarterly thereafter, each State agency shall report on the status of agency capital projects to the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly and to the Office of State Budget and Management.

SECTION 26.5.(c)  The reports required by this section shall include at least the following information about every agency capital project:

(1)        The current construction phase of the project.

(2)        The anticipated timeline from the current construction phase to project completion.

(3)        Information about expenditures that have been made in connection with the project, regardless of source of the funds expended.

(4)        Information about the adequacy of funding to complete the project, including estimates of how final expenditures will relate to initial estimates of expenditures, and whether or not scope reductions will be necessary in order to complete the project within its budget.

(5)        For new capital projects only, an estimate of the operating costs for the project for the first five fiscal years of its operation.

 

UNCW SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES BUILDING

SECTION 26.6.  Section 29.13(a) of S.L. 2007-323, as amended by Section 27.8(d) of S.L. 2008-107 and Section 2(b) of S.L. 2009-209, reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 29.13.(a)  The State, with the prior approval of the State Treasurer and the Council of State, as provided in Article 9 of Chapter 142 of the General Statutes, is authorized to issue or incur special indebtedness in order to provide funds to the State to be used, together with other available funds, to pay the capital facility costs of the projects described in this subsection. In accordance with G.S. 142-83, this subsection authorizes the issuance or incurrence of special indebtedness:

(9)        In the maximum aggregate principal amount of thirty-two million eight hundred ninety-nine thousand six hundred ninety-nine dollars ($32,899,699) to finance the capital facility costs of completing a new teaching laboratory at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and of renovating the Social and Behavioral Science Building at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. No more than a maximum aggregate amount of two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) of special indebtedness may be issued or incurred under this subdivision prior to July 1, 2008. No more than a maximum aggregate amount of eight million six hundred thirty-one thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($8,631,250) of special indebtedness may be issued or incurred under this subdivision prior to July 1, 2009.

…."

 

TRANSFER FOR PLANT CONSERVATION PROGRAM

SECTION 26.9.  From funds deposited with the State Treasurer in a capital improvement account to the credit of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services pursuant to G.S. 146-30, the sum of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to be used, notwithstanding G.S. 146-30, by the Department for its plant conservation program under Article 19B of Chapter 106 of the General Statutes for costs incidental to the acquisition of land, such as land appraisals, land surveys, title searches, and environmental studies, and for the management of the plant conservation program preserves owned by the Department.

 

Authorize UNC Carryforward Funds to Be Used for Capital Projects

SECTION 26.10.  G.S. 143C-8-12 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143C-8-12.  University system capital improvement projects from sources that are not General Fund sources: approval of new project or change in scope of existing project.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina may approve: (i) expenditures to plan a capital improvement project of The University of North Carolina the planning for which is to be funded entirely with non-General Fund money, (ii) expenditures for a capital improvement project of The University of North Carolina that is to be funded and operated entirely with non-General Fund money, or (iii) a change in the scope of any previously approved capital improvement project of The University of North Carolina provided that both the project and change in scope are funded entirely with non-General Fund money. For purposes of this section, the term "non-General Fund money" includes funds carried forward from one fiscal year to another pursuant to G.S. 116-30.3. The Board of Governors shall report any expenditure made pursuant to this section to the Office of State Budget and Management and to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations."

 

OSBM Allocation of Repairs and Renovations Funds

SECTION 26.11.  G.S. 143C-4-3 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(e)       Office of State Budget and Management May Allocate Funds to Particular Projects. - Any funds in the Reserve for Repairs and Renovations that are allocated to the Office of State Budget and Management may be allocated or reallocated by the State Budget Office for repairs and renovations projects so long as any project that receives an allocation or reallocation satisfies the requirements of subsection (b) of this section. The Office of State Budget and Management shall consult with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations prior to the allocation of these funds. The State Budget Office shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on the reallocation of funds pursuant to this section within 60 days of any reallocation under this subsection."

 

PART XXvii. Miscellaneous Provisions

 

STATE BUDGET ACT APPLIES

SECTION 27.1.  The provisions of the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, are reenacted and shall remain in full force and effect and are incorporated in this act by reference.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT

SECTION 27.2.(a)  The Senate Base Budget/Appropriations Committee Report on the Continuation, Expansion and Capital Budgets dated June 12, 2012, which was distributed in the Senate and used to explain this act, shall indicate action by the General Assembly on this act and shall, therefore, be used to construe this act, as provided in the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, as appropriate, and for these purposes shall be considered a part of this act and, as such, shall be printed as a part of the Session Laws.

SECTION 27.2.(b)  The budget enacted by the General Assembly is for the maintenance of the various departments, institutions, and other spending agencies of the State for the 2012-2013 budget as provided in G.S. 143C-3-5. This budget includes the appropriations of State funds as defined in G.S. 143C-1-1(d)(25).

The Director of the Budget submitted recommended adjustments to the budget to the General Assembly in May 2012 in the document "Investing in Our Future/Recommended Adjustments 2012-2013 North Carolina State Budget" for the 2012-2013 fiscal year for the various departments, institutions, and other spending agencies of the State. The adjustments to these documents made by the General Assembly are set out in the Committee Report.

SECTION 27.2.(c)  The budget enacted by the General Assembly shall also be interpreted in accordance with G.S. 143C-5-5, the special provisions in this act, and other appropriate legislation.

In the event that there is a conflict between the line-item budget certified by the Director of the Budget and the budget enacted by the General Assembly, the budget enacted by the General Assembly shall prevail.

 

REPORT BY FISCAL RESEARCH DIVISION ON CHANGES TO 2012-2013 BUDGET/PUBLICATION

SECTION 27.3.(a)  The Fiscal Research Division of the Legislative Services Commission shall issue a report on budget actions taken by the 2011 Regular Session of the General Assembly in 2012. The report shall be in the form of a revision of the Committee Report adopted for House Bill 950 pursuant to G.S. 143C-5-5, and shall include all modifications made to the 2012-2013 budget prior to sine die adjournment of the 2011 Regular Session.

SECTION 27.3.(b)  The report issued pursuant to this section, and the Committee Report issued pursuant to G.S. 143C-5-5, shall be construed together with this act in determining the intent of the General Assembly.

SECTION 27.3.(c)  The Director of the Fiscal Research Division of the Legislative Services Commission shall send a copy of the report issued pursuant to this section to the Director of the Budget. The report shall be published on the General Assembly's Internet Web site for public access.

 

MOST TEXT APPLIES ONLY TO THE 2012-2013 FISCAL YEAR

SECTION 27.4.  Except for statutory changes or other provisions that clearly indicate an intention to have effects beyond the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the textual provisions of this act apply only to funds appropriated for, and activities occurring during, the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

 

EFFECT OF HEADINGS

SECTION 27.5.  The headings to the parts and sections of this act are a convenience to the reader and are for reference only. The headings do not expand, limit, or define the text of this act, except for effective dates referring to a part.

 

APPROPRIATIONS LIMITATIONS AND DIRECTIONS APPLY

SECTION 27.6.(a)  Except where expressly repealed or amended by this act, the provisions of S.L. 2011-145, S.L. 2011-315, S.L. 2011-373, S.L. 2011-391, S.L. 2011-419, and S.L. 2012-2 remain in effect.

SECTION 27.6.(b)  Notwithstanding any modifications by this act in the amounts appropriated, except where expressly repealed or amended, the limitations and directions for the 2012-2013 fiscal year in S.L. 2011-145, S.L. 2011-315, S.L. 2011-373, S.L. 2011-391, S.L. 2011-419, and S.L. 2012-2 that applied to appropriations to particular agencies or for particular purposes apply to the newly enacted appropriations and budget reductions of this act for those same particular purposes.

 

SEVERABILITY

SECTION 27.7.  If any section or provision of this act is declared unconstitutional or invalid by the courts, it does not affect the validity of this act as a whole or any part other than the part so declared to be unconstitutional or invalid.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 27.8.  Except as otherwise provided, this act becomes effective July 1, 2012.