Bill Summaries: S249 (2013-2014 Session)

Tracking:
  • Summary date: Mar 11 2013 - View summary

    Adds new Article 35, North Carolina Progress Board, to GS Chapter 116. Establishes the North Carolina Progress Board (Board) located administratively in the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina and housed at North Carolina State University (NCSU). Provides that the Board is to exercise all of its prescribed statutory powers independently of the Board of Governors. Provides for 14 members as follows: (1) the Governor, ex officio, and chair of the Board; (2) seven appointees by the Governor, none of whom may be state employees or officers; (3) three appointees by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and (4) three appointees by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Directs the Governor to appoint a vice-chair from among the Board members and authorizes the Board to elect additional officers as it sees fit.
    Requires the Board to meet at minimum twice annually. Designates that a quorum consists of eight members and prohibits members from sending designees to Board meetings and voting by proxy.
    Provides for terms of service on the Board, with initial appointments to begin on July 1, 2013. Prohibits appointing a member to more than two consecutive terms. Provides additional guidelines regarding the terms of service for members of the House or Senate who may be appointed to the Board.
    Provides that the Commission for a Competitive North Carolina (Commission) adopted a report which established major goals and ways to measure progress towards the goals. Asserts that the General Assembly notes that the Commission has developed goals in the following categories: (1) Healthy Children and Families, (2) Quality Education for All, (3) A High Performance Workforce, (4) A Prosperous Economy, (5) A Sustainable Environment, (6) Technology and Infrastructure Development, (7) Safe and Vibrant Communities, and (8) Active Citizenship/ Accountable Government. Also notes that the General Assembly finds that the Board developed a report that focused on four of the Commission's recommended topics and issued 16 major targets for 2010 with the objectives of driving the state toward (1) a more expansive vision of education and environmental protection, (2) strengthening families, and (3) bringing more people into the economic mainstream. Provides additional findings regarding North Carolina's economy of the future.
    Provides the duties and responsibilities of the Board which include (1) encouraging the discussion and understanding of critical global and national social and economic trends that affect the state in the future; (2) examining the Commission's report and the Board's 1997 report; (3) tracking the eight issue areas identified by the Commission; (4) providing opportunities for public participation and making periodic reports to the people of the state on the Board's progress in meeting goals, targets, and milestones; (5) submitting a report to North Carolinians every five years, beginning in 2014, that updates the 20- to 30- year vision for the state; and (6) reporting to the General Assembly prior to its convening the regular session in every odd-numbered year on social and economic trends and issues specific targets and milestones to accomplish its mission.
    Authorizes the Board to apply for and accept grants or gifts. Provides that the 2013 and 2015  General Assemblies are to further define the mission of the Board in continuing its work.
    Directs the Chancellor of NCSU to appoint an Executive Director (ED) who is to report to the Board and the Chancellor. Provides that the ED may hire or contract for support staff. Directs the Office of State Budget and Management and other executive branch agencies to also provide support, information, reports, and other assistance to the Board as requested.
    Effective July 1, 2013.