Bill Text: NC S453 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended

North Carolina Senate Bill 453 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Regulatory Reform Act of 2015

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-20 - Re-ref to Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources. If fav, re-ref to Finance [S453 Detail]

Download: North_Carolina-2015-S453-Amended.html

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2015

S 1

SENATE BILL 453

Short Title: Regulatory Reform Act of 2015.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Senators Wade, Brock, B. Jackson (Primary Sponsors); Cook, J. Davis, Hise, Sanderson, and Tarte.
Referred to:	Rules and Operations of the Senate.

March 26, 2015

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to provide further REGULATORY RELIEF TO THE CITIZENS OF nORTH CAROLINA by providing for various administrative reforms, by eliminating certain unnecessary or outdated statutes and regulations and modernizing or simplifying cumbersome or outdated regulations, and by making various other statutory changes.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS

REPEAL OBSOLETE STATUTES

SECTION 1.1. The following statues are repealed:

(1) G.S. 14‑197. Using profane or indecent language on public highways; counties exempt.

(2) G.S. 14‑401.8. Refusing to relinquish party telephone line in emergency; false statement of emergency.

BURDEN OF PROOF IN CERTAIN CONTESTED CASES

SECTION 1.2.(a) Article 3 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 150B‑25.1. Burden of proof.

(a) Except as otherwise provided by law or by this section, the petitioner in a contested case has the burden of proving the facts alleged in the petition by a preponderance of the evidence.

(b) In a contested case involving the imposition of civil fines or penalties by a State agency for violation of the law, the burden of showing by a preponderance of the evidence that the person who was fined actually committed the act for which the fine or penalty was imposed rests with the State agency.

(c) The burden of showing by a preponderance of the evidence that a career State employee subject to Chapter 126 of the General Statutes was discharged, suspended, or demoted for just cause rests with the agency employer."

SECTION 1.2.(b) The Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee shall study whether there are other categories of contested cases in which the burden of proof should be placed with the agency.

SECTION 1.2.(c) This section is effective when this act becomes law and applies to contested cases commenced on or after that date.

LEGISLATIVE APPOINTMENTS

SECTION 1.3.(a) G.S. 120‑121 is amended by adding two new subsections to read:

"(e) The following applies in any case where the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President Pro Tempore of the Senate is directed by law to make a recommendation for an appointment by the General Assembly, and the legislator is also directed to make the recommendation in consultation with or upon the recommendation of a third party:

(1) The recommendation or consultation is discretionary and is not binding upon the legislator.

(2) The third party must submit the recommendation or consultation at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the term or within 10 business days from the occurrence of a vacancy.

(3) Failure by the third party to submit the recommendation or consultation to the legislator within the time periods required under this subsection shall be deemed a waiver by the third party of the opportunity.

(f) The following applies in any case where the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President Pro Tempore of the Senate is directed by law to make a recommendation for an appointment by the General Assembly, and the legislator is also directed to make the recommendation from nominees provided by a third party:

(1) The third party must submit the nominees at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the term or within 10 business days from the occurrence of a vacancy.

(2) Failure by the third party to submit the nomination to the legislator within the time periods required under this subsection shall be deemed a waiver by the third party of the opportunity."

SECTION 1.3.(b) Article 16 of Chapter 120 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 120‑124. Appointments made by legislators.

(a) In any case where a legislator is called upon by law to appoint a member to a board or commission upon the recommendation of or in consultation with a third party, the recommendation or consultation is discretionary and is not binding upon the legislator. The third party must submit the recommendation or consultation at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the term or within 10 business days from the occurrence of a vacancy.

(b) In any case where a legislator is called upon by law to appoint a member to a board or commission from nominees provided by a third party, the third party must submit the nominees at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the term or within 10 business days from the occurrence of a vacancy. This subsection does not apply to nominations made under G.S. 120‑99(a) or G.S. 120‑100(b).

(c) Failure to submit the recommendation, consultation, or nomination within the time periods required under this section shall be deemed a waiver by the third party of the opportunity."

SECTION 1.3.(c) This section is effective when this act becomes law and applies to recommendations, consultations, and nominations made on or after that date.

PART II. BUSINESS REGULATION

EXEMPT SMALL BUSINESS ENTITIES BUYING OR SELLING ENTITY‑OWNED PROPERTY

SECTION 2.1. G.S. 93A‑2(c)(1) reads as rewritten:

"(c) The provisions of G.S. 93A‑1 and G.S. 93A‑2 do not apply to and do not include:

(1) Any partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, or other business entity that, as owner or lessor, shall perform any of the acts aforesaid with reference to property owned or leased by them, where the acts are performed in the regular course of or as incident to the management of that property and the investment therein. The exemption from licensure under this subsection shall extend to the following persons when those persons are engaged in acts or services for which the corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other business entity would be exempt hereunder:

a. The officers and employees of an exempt ~~corporation, the~~ corporation.

b. The general partners and employees of an exempt ~~partnership, and the~~partnership.

c. The managers and employees of an exempt limited liability ~~company when said persons are engaged in acts or services for which the corporation, partnership, or limited liability company would be exempt hereunder.~~company.

d. The owners of an exempt closely held business entity. For purposes of this subdivision, a closely held business entity is a limited liability company or a corporation with no more than two legal owners.

e. The officers, managers, and employees of a closely held business entity owned by a person exempt under sub‑subdivision d. of this subdivision."

PART III. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT REGULATION

REDUCE STATE AGENCY MOBILE DEVICE REPORTING FREQUENCY

SECTION 3.1. Subsection 6A.14(a) of S.L. 2011‑145 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. 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, 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."

INCREASE PENALTIES FOR PARKING IN HANDICAPPED SPACE WITHOUT REQUIRED PLACARD

SECTION 3.2.(a) G.S. 20‑37.6 reads as rewritten:

"§ 20‑37.6. Parking privileges for handicapped drivers and passengers.

�

(d) Designation of Parking Spaces. � Designation of parking spaces for handicapped persons on streets and public vehicular areas shall comply with G.S. 136‑30. A sign designating a parking space for handicapped persons ~~shall~~may state the maximum penalty for parking in the space in violation of the law. A sign designating a parking space for handicapped persons shall not state the incorrect maximum penalty for parking in the space in violation of the law.

�

(f) Penalties for Violation. �

(1) A violation of G.S. 20‑37.6(e)(1), (2) or (3) is an infraction which carries a penalty of at least ~~one hundred dollars ($100.00)~~two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) but not more than ~~two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00)~~five hundred dollars ($500.00) and whenever evidence shall be presented in any court of the fact that any automobile, truck, or other vehicle was found to be parked in a properly designated handicapped parking space in violation of the provisions of this section, it shall be prima facie evidence in any court in the State of North Carolina that the vehicle was parked and left in the space by the person, firm, or corporation in whose name the vehicle is registered and licensed according to the records of the Division. No evidence tendered or presented under this authorization shall be admissible or competent in any respect in any court or tribunal except in cases concerned solely with a violation of this section.

�."

SECTION 3.2.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2015, and applies to violations committed on or after that date.

GOOD SAMARITAN EXPANSION

SECTION 3.3.(a) G.S. 14‑56 reads as rewritten:

"§ 14‑56. Breaking or entering into or breaking out of railroad cars, motor vehicles, trailers, aircraft, boats, or other watercraft.

(a) If any person, with intent to commit any felony or larceny therein, breaks or enters any railroad car, motor vehicle, trailer, aircraft, boat, or other watercraft of any kind, containing any goods, wares, freight, or other thing of value, or, after having committed any felony or larceny therein, breaks out of any railroad car, motor vehicle, trailer, aircraft, boat, or other watercraft of any kind containing any goods, wares, freight, or other thing of value, that person is guilty of a Class I felony. It is prima facie evidence that a person entered in violation of this section if he is found unlawfully in such a railroad car, motor vehicle, trailer, aircraft, boat, or other watercraft.

(b) It shall not be a violation of this section for any person to break or enter any railroad car, motor vehicle, trailer, aircraft, boat, or other watercraft of any kind if one or more of the following circumstances exist:

(1) The person acts in good faith to access a person inside the railroad car, motor vehicle, trailer, aircraft, boat, or watercraft of any kind in order to provide first aid or emergency health care treatment, or because the person inside is, or is in imminent danger of becoming, unconscious, ill, or injured.

(2) It is reasonably apparent that the circumstances require prompt decisions and actions in medical, other health care, or other assistance.

(3) The necessity of immediate health care treatment or removal of the person from the railroad car, motor vehicle, trailer, aircraft, boat, or other watercraft of any kind is so reasonably apparent that any delay in the rendering of treatment or removal would seriously worsen the physical condition or endanger the life of the person."

SECTION 3.3.(b) This section becomes effective July 1, 2015, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

SECTION 3.4.(a) Chapter 1 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:

"Article 43F.

"Immunity for Damage to Vehicle.

"§ 1‑539.27. Immunity from civil liability for damage to railroad car, motor vehicle, trailer, aircraft, boat, or other watercraft necessary for assistance.

Any person who enters or attempts to enter any railroad car, motor vehicle, trailer, aircraft, boat, or other watercraft of any kind shall not be liable in civil damages for any damage to the railroad car, motor vehicle, trailer, aircraft, boat, or other watercraft of any kind if one or more of the following circumstances exist:

(2) It is reasonably apparent that the circumstances require prompt decisions and actions in medical care, other health care, or other assistance.

This section shall not apply to any acts of gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing."

SECTION 3.4.(b) This section becomes effective July 1, 2015, and applies to causes of action arising on or after that date.

NO DENIAL OF EXPUNCTION SOLELY BASED ON A BOATING VIOLATION

SECTION 3.5.(a) G.S. 15A‑145.5(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c) A person may file a petition, in the court where the person was convicted, for expunction of a nonviolent misdemeanor or nonviolent felony conviction from the person's criminal record if the person has no other misdemeanor or felony convictions, other than a traffic or boating violation. The petition shall not be filed earlier than 15 years after the date of the conviction or when any active sentence, period of probation, and post‑release supervision has been served, whichever occurs later. The petition shall contain, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) An affidavit by the petitioner that the petitioner has been of good moral character since the date of conviction for the nonviolent misdemeanor or nonviolent felony and has not been convicted of any other felony or misdemeanor, other than a traffic or boating violation, under the laws of the United States or the laws of this State or any other state.

(2) Verified affidavits of two persons who are not related to the petitioner or to each other by blood or marriage, that they know the character and reputation of the petitioner in the community in which the petitioner lives and that the petitioner's character and reputation are good.

(3) A statement that the petition is a motion in the cause in the case wherein the petitioner was convicted.

(4) An application on a form approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts requesting and authorizing a name‑based State and national criminal history record check by the Department of Public Safety using any information required by the Administrative Office of the Courts to identify the individual, a search by the Department of Public Safety for any outstanding warrants on pending criminal cases, and a search of the confidential record of expunctions maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The application shall be forwarded to the Department of Public Safety and to the Administrative Office of the Courts, which shall conduct the searches and report their findings to the court.

(5) An affidavit by the petitioner that no restitution orders or civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against the petitioner are outstanding.

Upon filing of the petition, the petition shall be served upon the district attorney of the court wherein the case was tried resulting in conviction. The district attorney shall have 30 days thereafter in which to file any objection thereto and shall be duly notified as to the date of the hearing of the petition. Upon good cause shown, the court may grant the district attorney an additional 30 days to file objection to the petition. The district attorney shall make his or her best efforts to contact the victim, if any, to notify the victim of the request for expunction prior to the date of the hearing.

The presiding judge is authorized to call upon a probation officer for any additional investigation or verification of the petitioner's conduct since the conviction. The court shall review any other information the court deems relevant, including, but not limited to, affidavits or other testimony provided by law enforcement officers, district attorneys, and victims of crimes committed by the petitioner.

If the court, after hearing, finds that the petitioner has not previously been granted an expunction under this section, G.S. 15A‑145, 15A‑145.1, 15A‑145.2, 15A‑145.3, or 15A‑145.4; the petitioner has remained of good moral character; the petitioner has no outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases; the petitioner has no other felony or misdemeanor convictions other than a traffic or boating violation; the petitioner has no outstanding restitution orders or civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against the petitioner; and the petitioner was convicted of an offense eligible for expunction under this section and was convicted of, and completed any sentence received for, the nonviolent misdemeanor or nonviolent felony at least 15 years prior to the filing of the petition, it may order that such person be restored, in the contemplation of the law, to the status the person occupied before such arrest or indictment or information. If the court denies the petition, the order shall include a finding as to the reason for the denial."

SECTION 3.5.(b) G.S. 15A‑145 reads as rewritten:

"§ 15A‑145. Expunction of records for first offenders under the age of 18 at the time of conviction of misdemeanor; expunction of certain other misdemeanors.

(a) Whenever any person who has not previously been convicted of any felony, or misdemeanor other than a traffic or boating violation, under the laws of the United States, the laws of this State or any other state, (i) pleads guilty to or is guilty of a misdemeanor other than a traffic or boating violation, and the offense was committed before the person attained the age of 18 years, or (ii) pleads guilty to or is guilty of a misdemeanor possession of alcohol pursuant to G.S. 18B‑302(b)(1), and the offense was committed before the person attained the age of 21 years, he may file a petition in the court where he was convicted for expunction of the misdemeanor from his criminal record. The petition cannot be filed earlier than: (i) two years after the date of the conviction, or (ii) the completion of any period of probation, whichever occurs later, and the petition shall contain, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) An affidavit by the petitioner that he has been of good behavior for the two‑year period since the date of conviction of the misdemeanor in question and has not been convicted of any felony, or misdemeanor other than a traffic or boating violation, under the laws of the United States or the laws of this State or any other state.

(2) Verified affidavits of two persons who are not related to the petitioner or to each other by blood or marriage, that they know the character and reputation of the petitioner in the community in which he lives and that his character and reputation are good.

(3) A statement that the petition is a motion in the cause in the case wherein the petitioner was convicted.

(4) Repealed by Session Laws 2010‑174, s. 2, effective October 1, 2010, and applicable to petitions for expunctions filed on or after that date.

(4a) An application on a form approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts requesting and authorizing a name‑based State and national criminal record check by the Department of Public Safety using any information required by the Administrative Office of the Courts to identify the individual and a search of the confidential record of expunctions maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The application shall be forwarded to the Department of Public Safety and to the Administrative Office of the Courts, which shall conduct the searches and report their findings to the court.

(5) An affidavit by the petitioner that no restitution orders or civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against him are outstanding.

The petition shall be served upon the district attorney of the court wherein the case was tried resulting in conviction. The district attorney shall have 10 days thereafter in which to file any objection thereto and shall be duly notified as to the date of the hearing of the petition.

The judge to whom the petition is presented is authorized to call upon a probation officer for any additional investigation or verification of the petitioner's conduct during the two‑year period that he deems desirable.

(b) If the court, after hearing, finds that the petitioner had remained of good behavior and been free of conviction of any felony or misdemeanor, other than a traffic or boating violation, for two years from the date of conviction of the misdemeanor in question, the petitioner has no outstanding restitution orders or civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against him, and (i) petitioner was not 18 years old at the time of the offense in question, or (ii) petitioner was not 21 years old at the time of the offense of possession of alcohol pursuant to G.S. 18B‑302(b)(1), it shall order that such person be restored, in the contemplation of the law, to the status he occupied before such arrest or indictment or information. No person as to whom such order has been entered shall be held thereafter under any provision of any laws to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of his failure to recite or acknowledge such arrest, or indictment, information, or trial, or response to any inquiry made of him for any purpose.

�."

SECTION 3.5.(c) G.S. 15A‑145.1 reads as rewritten:

"§ 15A‑145.1. Expunction of records for first offenders under the age of 18 at the time of conviction of certain gang offenses.

(a) Whenever any person who has not previously been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor other than a traffic or boating violation under the laws of the United States or the laws of this State or any other state pleads guilty to or is guilty of (i) a Class H felony under Article 13A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes or (ii) an enhanced offense under G.S. 14‑50.22, or has been discharged and had the proceedings against the person dismissed pursuant to G.S. 14‑50.29, and the offense was committed before the person attained the age of 18 years, the person may file a petition in the court where the person was convicted for expunction of the offense from the person's criminal record. Except as provided in G.S. 14‑50.29 upon discharge and dismissal, the petition cannot be filed earlier than (i) two years after the date of the conviction or (ii) the completion of any period of probation, whichever occurs later. The petition shall contain, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) An affidavit by the petitioner that the petitioner has been of good behavior (i) during the period of probation since the decision to defer further proceedings on the offense in question pursuant to G.S. 14‑50.29 or (ii) during the two‑year period since the date of conviction of the offense in question, whichever applies, and has not been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor other than a traffic or boating violation under the laws of the United States or the laws of this State or any other state.

(2) Verified affidavits of two persons who are not related to the petitioner or to each other by blood or marriage, that they know the character and reputation of the petitioner in the community in which the petitioner lives, and that the petitioner's character and reputation are good.

(3) If the petition is filed subsequent to conviction of the offense in question, a statement that the petition is a motion in the cause in the case wherein the petitioner was convicted.

(4) Repealed by Session Laws 2010‑174, s. 4, effective October 1, 2010, and applicable to petitions for expunctions filed on or after that date.

(5) An affidavit by the petitioner that no restitution orders or civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against the petitioner are outstanding.

(b) If the court, after hearing, finds that (i) the petitioner was dismissed and the proceedings against the petitioner discharged pursuant to G.S. 14‑50.29 and that the person had not yet attained 18 years of age at the time of the offense or (ii) the petitioner has remained of good behavior and been free of conviction of any felony or misdemeanor other than a traffic or boating violation for two years from the date of conviction of the offense in question, the petitioner has no outstanding restitution orders or civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against the petitioner, and the petitioner had not attained the age of 18 years at the time of the offense in question, it shall order that such person be restored, in the contemplation of the law, to the status occupied by the petitioner before such arrest or indictment or information, and that the record be expunged from the records of the court. No person as to whom such order has been entered shall be held thereafter under any provision of any laws to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of the person's failure to recite or acknowledge such arrest, or indictment or information, or trial, or response to any inquiry made of the person for any purpose. The court shall also direct all law enforcement agencies, the Division of Adult Correction of the Department of Public Safety, the Division of Motor Vehicles, and any other State or local government agencies identified by the petitioner as bearing record of the same to expunge their records of the petitioner's criminal charge and any conviction resulting from the charge. The clerk shall notify State and local agencies of the court's order as provided in G.S. 15A‑150.

�."

SECTION 3.5.(d) G.S. 15A‑145.2 reads as rewritten:

"§ 15A‑145.2. Expunction of records for first offenders not over 21 years of age at the time of the offense of certain drug offenses.

(a) Whenever a person is discharged, and the proceedings against the person dismissed, pursuant to G.S. 90‑96(a) or (a1), and the person was not over 21 years of age at the time of the offense, the person may apply to the court for an order to expunge from all official records, other than the confidential files retained under G.S. 15A‑151, all recordation relating to the person's arrest, indictment or information, trial, finding of guilty, and dismissal and discharge pursuant to this section. The applicant shall attach to the application the following:

(1) An affidavit by the petitioner that he or she has been of good behavior during the period of probation since the decision to defer further proceedings on the offense in question and has not been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor other than a traffic or boating violation under the laws of the United States or the laws of this State or any other state;

(2) Verified affidavits by two persons who are not related to the petitioner or to each other by blood or marriage, that they know the character and reputation of the petitioner in the community in which he or she lives, and that the petitioner's character and reputation are good;

(3) Repealed by Session Laws 2010‑174, s. 5, effective October 1, 2010, and applicable to petitions for expunctions filed on or after that date.

(3a) An application on a form approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts requesting and authorizing a name‑based State and national criminal record check by the Department of Public Safety using any information required by the Administrative Office of the Courts to identify the individual and a search of the confidential record of expunctions maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The application shall be forwarded to the Department of Public Safety and to the Administrative Office of the Courts, which shall conduct the searches and report their findings to the court.

If the court determines, after hearing, that such person was discharged and the proceedings against him or her dismissed and that the person was not over 21 years of age at the time of the offense, it shall enter such order. The effect of such order shall be to restore such person in the contemplation of the law to the status the person occupied before such arrest or indictment or information. No person as to whom such order was entered shall be held thereafter under any provision of any law to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of the person's failures to recite or acknowledge such arrest, or indictment or information, or trial in response to any inquiry made of him or her for any purpose.

The court shall also order that all records of the proceeding be expunged from the records of the court and direct all law enforcement agencies, the Division of Adult Correction, the Division of Motor Vehicles, and any other State and local government agencies identified by the petitioner as bearing records of the same to expunge their records of the proceeding. The clerk shall notify State and local agencies of the court's order as provided in G.S. 15A‑150.

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(c) Whenever any person who has not previously been convicted of (i) any felony offense under any state or federal laws; (ii) any offense under Chapter 90 of the General Statutes; or (iii) an offense under any statute of the United States or any state relating to controlled substances included in any schedule of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes or to that paraphernalia included in Article 5B of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes, pleads guilty to or has been found guilty of a misdemeanor under Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes by possessing a controlled substance included within Schedules I through VI of Chapter 90, or by possessing drug paraphernalia as prohibited by G.S. 90‑113.22 or pleads guilty to or has been found guilty of a felony under G.S. 90‑95(a)(3), the court may, upon application of the person not sooner than 12 months after conviction, order cancellation of the judgment of conviction and expunction of the records of the person's arrest, indictment or information, trial, and conviction. A conviction in which the judgment of conviction has been canceled and the records expunged pursuant to this subsection shall not be thereafter deemed a conviction for purposes of this subsection or for purposes of disqualifications or liabilities imposed by law upon conviction of a crime, including the additional penalties imposed for second or subsequent convictions of Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes. Cancellation and expunction under this subsection may occur only once with respect to any person. Disposition of a case under this subsection at the district court division of the General Court of Justice shall be final for the purpose of appeal.

The granting of an application filed under this subsection shall cause the issue of an order to expunge from all official records, other than the confidential files retained under G.S. 15A‑151, all recordation relating to the petitioner's arrest, indictment or information, trial, finding of guilty, judgment of conviction, cancellation of the judgment, and expunction of records pursuant to this subsection.

The judge to whom the petition is presented is authorized to call upon a probation officer for additional investigation or verification of the petitioner's conduct since conviction. If the court determines that the petitioner was convicted of (i) a misdemeanor under Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes for possessing a controlled substance included within Schedules I through VI of Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes or for possessing drug paraphernalia as prohibited in G.S. 90‑113.22 or (ii) a felony under G.S. 90‑95(a)(3), that the petitioner has no disqualifying previous convictions as set forth in this subsection, that the petitioner was not over 21 years of age at the time of the offense, that the petitioner has been of good behavior since his or her conviction, that the petitioner has successfully completed a drug education program approved for this purpose by the Department of Health and Human Services, and that the petitioner has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor other than a traffic or boating violation under the laws of this State at any time prior to or since the conviction for the offense in question, it shall enter an order of expunction of the petitioner's court record. The effect of such order shall be to restore the petitioner in the contemplation of the law to the status the petitioner occupied before arrest or indictment or information or conviction. No person as to whom such order was entered shall be held thereafter under any provision of any law to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of the person's failures to recite or acknowledge such arrest, or indictment or information, or conviction, or trial in response to any inquiry made of him or her for any purpose. The judge may waive the condition that the petitioner attend the drug education school if the judge makes a specific finding that there was no drug education school within a reasonable distance of the defendant's residence or that there were specific extenuating circumstances which made it likely that the petitioner would not benefit from the program of instruction.

The court shall also order all law enforcement agencies, the Department of Correction, the Division of Motor Vehicles, and any other State or local agencies identified by the petitioner as bearing records of the conviction and records relating thereto to expunge their records of the conviction. The clerk shall notify State and local agencies of the court's order as provided in G.S. 15A‑150.

�."

SECTION 3.5.(e) G.S. 15A‑145.3 reads as rewritten:

"§ 15A‑145.3. Expunction of records for first offenders not over 21 years of age at the time of the offense of certain toxic vapors offenses.

(a) Whenever a person is discharged and the proceedings against the person dismissed under G.S. 90‑113.14(a) or (a1), such person, if he or she was not over 21 years of age at the time of the offense, may apply to the court for an order to expunge from all official records, other than the confidential files retained under G.S. 15A‑151, all recordation relating to the person's arrest, indictment or information, trial, finding of guilty, and dismissal and discharge pursuant to this section. The applicant shall attach to the application the following:

(1) An affidavit by the petitioner that the petitioner has been of good behavior during the period of probation since the decision to defer further proceedings on the misdemeanor in question and has not been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor other than a traffic or boating violation under the laws of the United States or the laws of this State or any other state;

(2) Verified affidavits by two persons who are not related to the petitioner or to each other by blood or marriage, that they know the character and reputation of the petitioner in the community in which the petitioner lives, and that his or her character and reputation are good;

(3) Repealed by Session Laws 2010‑174, s. 6, effective October 1, 2010, and applicable to petitions for expunctions filed on or after that date.

If the court determines, after hearing, that such person was discharged and the proceedings against the person dismissed and that he or she was not over 21 years of age at the time of the offense, it shall enter such order. The effect of such order shall be to restore such person in the contemplation of the law to the status the person occupied before such arrest or indictment or information. No person as to whom such order was entered shall be held thereafter under any provision of any law to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of the person's failures to recite or acknowledge such arrest, or indictment or information, or trial in response to any inquiry made of him or her for any purpose.

The court shall also order that all records of the proceeding be expunged from the records of the court and direct all law enforcement agencies bearing records of the same to expunge their records of the proceeding. The clerk shall notify State and local agencies of the court's order as provided in G.S. 15A‑15.

�

(c) Whenever any person who has not previously been convicted of an offense under Article 5 or 5A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes or under any statute of the United States or any state relating to controlled substances included in any schedule of Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes or to that paraphernalia included in Article 5B of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes pleads guilty to or has been found guilty of a misdemeanor under Article 5A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes, the court may, upon application of the person not sooner than 12 months after conviction, order cancellation of the judgment of conviction and expunction of the records of the person's arrest, indictment or information, trial, and conviction. A conviction in which the judgment of conviction has been cancelled and the records expunged pursuant to this subsection shall not be thereafter deemed a conviction for purposes of this subsection or for purposes of disqualifications or liabilities imposed by law upon conviction of a crime, including the additional penalties imposed for second or subsequent convictions of violation of Article 5A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes. Cancellation and expunction under this subsection may occur only once with respect to any person. Disposition of a case under this subsection at the district court division of the General Court of Justice shall be final for the purpose of appeal.

The granting of an application filed under this subsection shall cause the issue of an order to expunge from all official records, other than the confidential files retained under G.S. 15A‑151, all recordation relating to the person's arrest, indictment or information, trial, finding of guilty, judgment of conviction, cancellation of the judgment, and expunction of records pursuant to this subsection.

The judge to whom the petition is presented is authorized to call upon a probation officer for additional investigation or verification of the petitioner's conduct since conviction. If the court determines that the petitioner was convicted of a misdemeanor under Article 5A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes, or for possessing drug paraphernalia as prohibited by G.S. 90‑113.22, that the petitioner was not over 21 years of age at the time of the offense, that the petitioner has been of good behavior since his or her conviction, that the petitioner has successfully completed a drug education program approved for this purpose by the Department of Health and Human Services, and that the petitioner has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor other than a traffic or boating violation under the laws of this State at any time prior to or since the conviction for the misdemeanor in question, it shall enter an order of expunction of the petitioner's court record. The effect of such order shall be to restore the petitioner in the contemplation of the law to the status he occupied before such arrest or indictment or information or conviction. No person as to whom such order was entered shall be held thereafter under any provision of any law to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of the person's failures to recite or acknowledge such arrest, or indictment or information, or conviction, or trial in response to any inquiry made of him or her for any purpose. The judge may waive the condition that the petitioner attend the drug education school if the judge makes a specific finding that there was no drug education school within a reasonable distance of the defendant's residence or that there were specific extenuating circumstances which made it likely that the petitioner would not benefit from the program of instruction.

The clerk shall notify State and local agencies of the court's order as provided in G.S. 15A‑150.

�."

SECTION 3.5.(f) G.S. 15A‑145.4 reads as rewritten:

"§ 15A‑145.4. Expunction of records for first offenders who are under 18 years of age at the time of the commission of a nonviolent felony.

�

(c) Whenever any person who had not yet attained the age of 18 years at the time of the commission of the offense and has not previously been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor other than a traffic or boating violation under the laws of the United States or the laws of this State or any other state pleads guilty to or is guilty of a nonviolent felony, the person may file a petition in the court where the person was convicted for expunction of the nonviolent felony from the person's criminal record. The petition shall not be filed earlier than four years after the date of the conviction or when any active sentence, period of probation, and post‑release supervision has been served, whichever occurs later. The person shall also perform at least 100 hours of community service, preferably related to the conviction, before filing a petition for expunction under this section. The petition shall contain the following:

(1) An affidavit by the petitioner that the petitioner has been of good moral character since the date of conviction of the nonviolent felony in question and has not been convicted of any other felony or any misdemeanor other than a traffic or boating violation under the laws of the United States or the laws of this State or any other state.

(3) A statement that the petition is a motion in the cause in the case wherein the petitioner was convicted.

(4) An application on a form approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts requesting and authorizing (i) a State and national criminal history record check by the Department of Public Safety using any information required by the Administrative Office of the Courts to identify the individual; (ii) a search by the Department of Public Safety for any outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases; and (iii) a search of the confidential record of expunctions maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The application shall be forwarded to the Department of Public Safety and to the Administrative Office of the Courts, which shall conduct the searches and report their findings to the court.

(5) An affidavit by the petitioner that no restitution orders or civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against the petitioner are outstanding.

(6) An affidavit by the petitioner that the petitioner has performed at least 100 hours of community service since the conviction for the nonviolent felony. The affidavit shall include a list of the community services performed, a list of the recipients of the services, and a detailed description of those services.

(7) An affidavit by the petitioner that the petitioner possesses a high school diploma, a high school graduation equivalency certificate, or a General Education Development degree.

The petition shall be served upon the district attorney of the court wherein the case was tried resulting in conviction. The district attorney shall have 30 days thereafter in which to file any objection thereto and shall be duly notified as to the date of the hearing of the petition. The district attorney shall make his or her best efforts to contact the victim, if any, to notify the victim of the request for expunction prior to the date of the hearing.

�

(e) The court may order that the person be restored, in the contemplation of the law, to the status the person occupied before the arrest or indictment or information if the court finds all of the following after a hearing:

(1) The petitioner has remained of good moral character and has been free of conviction of any felony or misdemeanor, other than a traffic or boating violation, for four years from the date of conviction of the nonviolent felony in question or any active sentence, period of probation, or post‑release supervision has been served, whichever is later.

(2) The petitioner has not previously been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor other than a traffic or boating violation under the laws of the United States or the laws of this State or any other state.

(3) The petitioner has no outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases.

(4) The petitioner has no outstanding restitution orders or civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against the petitioner.

(5) The petitioner was less than 18 years old at the time of the commission of the offense in question.

(6) The petitioner has performed at least 100 hours of community service since the time of the conviction and possesses a high school diploma, a high school graduation equivalency certificate, or a General Education Development degree.

(7) The search of the confidential records of expunctions conducted by the Administrative Office of the Courts shows that the petitioner has not been previously granted an expunction.

�."

SECTION 3.5.(g) G.S. 15A‑145.6(f) reads as rewritten:

"(f) The court shall order that the person be restored, in the contemplation of the law, to the status the person occupied before the arrest or indictment or information if the court finds all of the following after a hearing:

(1) The criteria set out in subsection (b) of this section are satisfied.

(2) The petitioner has remained of good moral character and has been free of conviction of any felony or misdemeanor, other than a traffic or boating violation, since the date of conviction of the prostitution offense in question.

(3) The petitioner has no outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases.

(4) The petitioner has no outstanding restitution orders or civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against the petitioner.

(5) The search of the confidential records of expunctions conducted by the Administrative Office of the Courts shows that the petitioner has not been previously granted an expunction, other than an expunction for a prostitution offense."

SECTION 3.5.(h) This section is effective when this act becomes law.

AUTHORIZE DMV TO ISSUE PERMANENT PLATES FOR TRAILERS ATTACHED TO MOTORCYCLES

SECTION 3.6.(a) G.S. 20‑84(b) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

"(20) A trailer used as an attachment to the rear of a motorcycle."

SECTION 3.6.(b) This section becomes effective July 1, 2015.

INCREASED PENALTY FOR UNSECURED CHILD IN MOTOR VEHICLE

SECTION 3.7.(a) G.S. 20‑137.1 reads as rewritten:

"§ 20‑137.1. Child restraint systems required.

(a) Every driver who is transporting one or more passengers of less than 16 years of age shall have all such passengers properly secured in a child passenger restraint system or seat belt which meets federal standards applicable at the time of its manufacture.

(a1) A child less than eight years of age and less than 80 pounds in weight shall be properly secured in a weight‑appropriate child passenger restraint system. In vehicles equipped with an active passenger‑side front air bag, if the vehicle has a rear seat, a child less than five years of age and less than 40 pounds in weight shall be properly secured in a rear seat, unless the child restraint system is designed for use with air bags. If no seating position equipped with a lap and shoulder belt to properly secure the weight‑appropriate child passenger restraint system is available, a child less than eight years of age and between 40 and 80 pounds may be restrained by a properly fitted lap belt only.

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply: (i) to ambulances or other emergency vehicles; (ii) if all seating positions equipped with child passenger restraint systems or seat belts are occupied; or (iii) to vehicles which are not required by federal law or regulation to be equipped with seat belts.

(c) Any driver found responsible for a violation of this section may be punished by a penalty not to exceed ~~twenty five dollars ($25.00),~~ one hundred dollars ($100.00), even when more than one child less than 16 years of age was not properly secured in a restraint system. No driver charged under this section for failure to have a child under eight years of age properly secured in a restraint system shall be convicted if he produces at the time of his trial proof satisfactory to the court that he has subsequently acquired an approved child passenger restraint system for a vehicle in which the child is normally transported.

(d) A violation of this section shall have all of the following consequences:

(1) Two drivers license points shall be assessed pursuant to G.S. 20‑16.

(2) No insurance points shall be assessed.

(3) The violation shall not constitute negligence per se or contributory negligence per se.

(4) The violation shall not be evidence of negligence or contributory negligence.

(e) The failure of an occupant that appears to be a child less than eight years of age and less than 80 pounds in weight to be restrained as required by this section shall be justification for the stop of a vehicle."

SECTION 3.7.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2015, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

STATUS FOR PROVIDERS OF MH/DD/SA SERVICES WHO ARE NATIONALLY ACCREDITED

SECTION 3.8. G.S. 122C‑81 reads as rewritten:

"§ 122C‑81. National accreditation benchmarks.

(a) As used in this section, the term:

(1) "National accreditation" applies to accreditation by an entity approved by the Secretary that accredits mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services.

(2) "Provider" applies to only those providers of services, including facilities, requiring national accreditation, which services are designated by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The Secretary, through the Medicaid State Plan, Medicaid waiver, or rules adopted by the Secretary, shall designate the mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services that require national accreditation. In accordance with rules of the Commission, the Secretary may exempt a provider that is accredited under this section and in good standing with the national accrediting agency from undergoing any routine monitoring that is duplicative of the oversight by the national accrediting agency.

�

(e) The Commission may adopt rules establishing a procedure by which a provider that is accredited under this section and in good standing with the national accrediting agency may be exempt from undergoing any routine monitoring that is duplicative of the oversight by the national accrediting agency. Any provider shall continue to be subject to inspection by the Secretary, provided the inspection is not duplicative of inspections required by the national accrediting agency. Rules adopted under this subsection may not waive any requirements that may be imposed under federal law."

CLARIFY THAT WHEN A NEW PERMIT OR TRANSITIONAL PERMIT IS ISSUED FOR AN ESTABLISHMENT, ANY PREVIOUS PERMIT FOR THAT SAME ESTABLISHMENT IN THAT LOCATION BECOMES VOID

SECTION 3.9. G.S. 130A‑248(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c) If ownership of an establishment is transferred or the establishment is leased, the new owner or lessee shall apply for a new permit. The new owner or lessee may also apply for a transitional permit. A transitional permit may be issued upon the transfer of ownership or lease of an establishment to allow the correction of construction and equipment problems that do not represent an immediate threat to the public health. Upon issuance of a new permit or a transitional permit for anthe same establishment, any previously issued permit for an establishment in that location becomes void. This subsection does not prohibit issuing more than one owner or lessee a permit for the same location if (i) more than one establishment is operated in the same physical location and (ii) if each establishment satisfies all of the requirements of rules and requirements of subsection (g) of this section."

DAYCARE CURRICULUM CHANGE

SECTION 3.10.(a) Section 10.7(b) of S.L. 2011‑145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 10.7.(b) The Childcare Commission shall adopt rules for programmatic standards for regulation of prekindergarten classrooms. The Commission shall ~~review and approve~~ recommend comprehensive, evidenced‑based early childhood curricula with a reading component. ~~These curricula shall be added to the currently approved "More At Four" curricula.~~"

SECTION 3.10.(b) Section 10.7(d) of S.L. 2011‑145 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 10.7.(d) The additional curricula ~~approved and~~ taught in prekindergarten classrooms shall also be taught in four‑ and five‑star rated facilities in the non‑prekindergarten four‑year‑old classrooms. The Child Care Commission shall increase standards in the four‑ and five‑star‑rated facilities for the purpose of placing an emphasis on early reading. The Commission shall require the four‑ and five‑star‑rated facilities to teach from the Commission's ~~approved~~ recommended curricula. The Division of Child Development may use funds from the Child Care Development Fund Block Grant to assist with the purchase of curricula or adjust rates of reimbursements to cover increased costs."

SECTION 3.10.(c) Section 12B.1(c) of S.L. 2013‑360 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 12B.1.(c) Programmatic Standards. � All entities operating prekindergarten classrooms shall adhere to all of the policies prescribed by the Division of Child Development and Early Education regarding programmatic standards and classroom requirements. The North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development report (Foundations) produced by the North Carolina Foundations Task Force standards shall be used by four‑ and five‑star facilities for selecting any curriculum and formative assessments that are used by the facilities in each classroom where four‑year‑old children are enrolled. At least one administrator and one teacher or instructional leader from each facility shall be trained by the Division of Child Development and Early Education in the implementation of Foundations across classrooms. The administer and the teacher or instructional leader that have received direct Foundations training from the Division of Child Development and Early Education shall train other instructional staff in their respective facilities within 90 days of the initial training of the administrator and the teacher or instructional leader receiving the initial training from the Division or within 90 days of the hiring of a new instructional staff person."

PART IV. ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES REGULATION

ENVIRONMENTAL SELF‑AUDIT PRIVILEGE AND LIMITED IMMUNITY

SECTION 4.1.(a) Chapter 8 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:

"Part 7D. Environmental Audit Privilege and Limited Immunity.

"§ 8‑58.50. Purpose.

(a) In order to encourage owners and operators of facilities and persons conducting activities regulated under those portions of the General Statutes set forth in G.S. 8‑58.52, or conducting activities regulated under other environmental laws, to conduct voluntary internal environmental audits of their compliance programs and management systems and to assess and improve compliance with statutes, an environmental audit privilege is recognized to protect the confidentiality of communications relating to voluntary internal environmental audits.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, nothing in this Part shall be construed to protect owners and operators of facilities and regulated persons from a criminal investigation or prosecution carried out by any appropriate governmental entity.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any privilege granted by this Part shall apply only to those communications, oral or written, pertaining to and made in connection with the environmental audit and shall not apply to the facts relating to the violation itself.

"§ 8‑58.51. Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Part:

(1) "Department" means the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

(2) "Enforcement agencies" means the Department, any other agency of the State, and units of local government responsible for enforcement of environmental laws.

(3) "Environmental audit" means a voluntary, internal evaluation or review of one or more facilities or an activity at one or more facilities regulated under federal, State, regional, or local environmental law, or of compliance programs, or management systems related to the facility or activity if designed to identify and prevent noncompliance and to improve compliance with these laws. For the purposes of this Part, an environmental audit does not include an environmental site assessment of a facility conducted solely in anticipation of the purchase, sale, or transfer of the business or facility. An environmental audit may be conducted by the owner or operator, the parent corporation of the owner or operator or by their officers or employees, or by independent contractors. An environmental audit must be a discrete activity with a specified beginning date and scheduled ending date reflecting the auditor's bona fide intended completion schedule.

(4) "Environmental audit report" means a document marked or identified as such with a completion date existing either individually or as a compilation prepared in connection with an environmental audit. An environmental audit report may include field notes and records of observations, findings, opinions, suggestions, recommendations, conclusions, drafts, memoranda, drawings, photographs, computer‑generated or electronically‑recorded information, maps, charts, graphs, and surveys, provided the supporting information is collected or developed for the primary purpose and in the course of an environmental audit. An environmental audit report, when completed, may include all of the following components:

a. An audit report prepared by an auditor, which may include the scope and date of the audit and the information gained in the audit, together with exhibits and appendices and may include conclusions, recommendations, exhibits, and appendices.

b. Memoranda and documents analyzing any portion of the audit report or issues relating to the implementation of an audit report.

c. An implementation plan that addresses correcting past noncompliance, improving current compliance, or preventing future noncompliance.

(5) "Environmental laws" means all provisions of federal, State, and local laws, rules, and ordinances pertaining to environmental matters.

"§ 8‑58.52. Applicability.

This Part applies to activities regulated under environmental laws, including all of the following provisions of the General Statutes, and rules adopted thereunder:

(1) Article 7 of Chapter 74.

(2) Chapter 104E.

(3) Article 25 of Chapter 113.

(4) Articles 1, 4, and 7 of Chapter 113A.

(5) Article 9 of Chapter 130A.

(6) Articles 21, 21A, and 21B of Chapter 143.

(7) Part 1 of Article 7 of Chapter 143B.

"§ 8‑58.53. Environmental audit report; privilege.

(a) An environmental audit report or any part of an environmental audit report is privileged and, therefore, immune from discovery and is not admissible as evidence in civil or administrative proceedings, except as provided in G.S. 8‑58.54 and G.S. 8‑58.56. Provided, however, all of the following documents are exempt from the privilege established by this Part:

(1) Information obtained by observation of an enforcement agency.

(2) Information obtained from a source independent of the environmental audit.

(3) Documents, communication, data, reports, or other information required to be collected, maintained, otherwise made available, or reported to a enforcement agency or any other entity by environmental laws, permit, order, consent agreement, or as otherwise provided by law.

(4) Documents prepared either prior to the beginning of the environmental audit or subsequent to the completion date of the audit report and, in all cases, any documents prepared independent of the audit or audit report.

(5) Documents prepared as a result of multiple or continuous self‑auditing conducted in an effort to intentionally avoid liability for violations.

(6) Information which is knowingly misrepresented or misstated or which is knowingly deleted or withheld from an environmental audit report, whether or not included in a subsequent environmental audit report.

(7) Information in instances where the material shows evidence of noncompliance with environmental laws, permits, orders, consent agreements, and the owner or operator failed to either promptly take corrective action or eliminate any violation of law identified during the environmental audit within a reasonable period of time.

(b) If an environmental audit report or any part of an environmental audit report is subject to the privilege provided for in subsection (a) of this section, no person who conducted or participated in the audit or who significantly reviewed the audit report may be compelled to testify regarding the audit report or a privileged part of the audit report except as provided for in G.S. 8‑58.53(d), 8‑58.54, or 8‑58.56.

(c) Nothing in this Part shall be construed to restrict a party in a proceeding before the Industrial Commission from obtaining or discovering any evidence necessary or appropriate for the proof of any issue pending in an action before the Commission, regardless of whether evidence is privileged pursuant to this Part. Further, nothing in this Part shall be construed to prevent the admissibility of evidence which is otherwise relevant and admissible in a proceeding before the Industrial Commission, regardless of whether the evidence is privileged pursuant to this Part. Provided, however, the Commission, upon motion made by a party to the proceeding, may issue appropriate protective orders preventing disclosure of information outside of the Commission's proceeding.

(d) Nothing in this Part shall be construed to circumvent the employee protection provisions provided by federal or State law.

(e) The privilege created by this Part does not apply to criminal investigations or proceedings. Where an audit report is obtained, reviewed, or used in a criminal proceeding, the privilege created by this Part shall continue to apply and is not waived in civil and administrative proceedings and is not discoverable or admissible in civil or administrative proceedings even if disclosed during a criminal proceeding.

"§ 8‑58.54. Waiver of privilege.

(a) The privilege established under G.S. 8‑58.53 does not apply to the extent that it is expressly waived in writing by the owner or operator of a facility at which an environmental audit was conducted and who prepared or caused to be prepared the audit report as a result of the audit.

(b) The audit report and information generated by the audit may be disclosed without waiving the privilege established under G.S. 8‑58.53 to all of the following persons:

(1) A person employed by the owner or operator or the parent corporation of the audited facility.

(2) A legal representative of the owner or operator or parent corporation.

(3) An independent contractor retained by the owner or operator or parent corporation to conduct an audit on or to address an issue or issues raised by the audit.

(c) Disclosure of an audit report or information generated by the audit under all of the following circumstances shall not constitute a waiver of the privilege established under G.S. 8‑58.53:

(1) Disclosure made under the terms of a confidentiality agreement between the owner or operator of the facility audited and a potential purchaser of the business or facility audited.

(2) Disclosure made under the terms of a confidentiality agreement between governmental officials and the owner or operator of the facility audited.

(3) Disclosure made under the terms of a confidentiality agreement between a customer, lending institution, or insurance company with an existing or proposed relationship with the facility.

"§ 8‑58.55. Notification of audit.

In order to assert the privilege established under G.S. 8‑58.53, the owner or operator of the facility conducting the environmental audit shall, upon inspection of the facility by an enforcement agency, or no later than 10 working days after completion of an agency's inspection, notify the enforcement agency of the existence of any audit relevant to the subject of the agency's inspection, as well as the beginning date and completion date of that audit. Any environmental audit report shall include a signed certification from the owner or operator of the facility that documents the date the audit began and the completion date of the audit.

"§ 8‑58.56. Revocation of privilege in civil and administrative proceedings.

In a civil or administrative proceeding, an enforcement agency may seek by motion a declaratory ruling on the issue of whether an environmental audit report is privileged. The court shall revoke the privilege established under G.S. 8‑58.53 for an audit report if the factors set forth in this section apply. In a civil proceeding, the court, after an in camera review, shall revoke the privilege established under G.S. 8‑58.53 if the court determines that disclosure of the environmental audit report was sought after the effective date of this Part and either of the following apply:

(1) The privilege is asserted for purposes of deception or evasion.

(2) The material shows evidence of significant noncompliance with applicable environmental laws; the owner or operator of the facility has not promptly initiated and pursued with diligence appropriate action to achieve compliance with these environmental laws or has not made reasonable efforts to complete any necessary permit application; and, as a result, the owner or operator of the facility did not or will not achieve compliance with applicable environmental laws or did not or will not complete the necessary permit application within a reasonable period of time.

"§ 8‑58.57. Privilege in criminal proceedings.

The privilege established under G.S. 8‑58.53 is not applicable in any criminal proceeding.

"§ 8‑58.58. Burden of proof.

A party asserting the privilege established under G.S. 8‑58.53 has the burden of proving that (i) the materials claimed as privileged constitute an environmental audit report as defined by this Part and (ii) compliance has been achieved or will be achieved within a reasonable period of time. A party seeking disclosure under G.S. 8‑58.56 has the burden of proving the condition for disclosure set forth in that section.

"§ 8‑58.59. Stipulations; declaratory rulings.

The parties to a proceeding may at any time stipulate to entry of an order directing that specific information contained in an environmental audit report is or is not subject to the privilege. In the absence of an ongoing proceeding, where the parties are not in agreement, an enforcement agency may seek a declaratory ruling from a court on the issue of whether the materials are privileged under G.S. 8‑58.53 and whether the privilege, if existing, should be revoked pursuant to G.S. 8‑58.56.

"§ 8‑58.60. Construction of Part.

Nothing in this Part limits, waives, or abrogates any of the following:

(1) The scope or nature of any statutory or common law privilege, including the work‑product privilege or the attorney‑client privilege.

(2) Any existing ability or authority under State law to challenge privilege.

(3) An enforcement agency's ability to obtain or use documents or information that the agency otherwise has the authority to obtain under State law adopted pursuant to federally delegated programs.

"§ 8‑58.61. Voluntary disclosure; limited immunity from civil and administrative penalties and fines.

(a) An owner or operator of a facility is immune from imposition of civil and administrative penalties and fines for a violation of environmental laws voluntarily disclosed subject to the requirements and criteria set forth in this section. Provided, however, that waiver of penalties and fines shall not be granted until the applicable enforcement agency has certified that the violation was corrected within a reasonable period of time. If compliance is not certified by the enforcement agency, the enforcement agency shall retain discretion to assess penalties and fines for the violation.

(b) If a person or entity makes a voluntary disclosure of a violation of environmental laws discovered through performance of an environmental audit, that person has the burden of proving (i) that the disclosure is voluntary by establishing the elements set forth in subsection (c) of this section and (ii) that the person is therefore entitled to immunity from any administrative or civil penalties associated with the issues disclosed. Nothing in this section may be construed to provide immunity from criminal penalties.

(1) The disclosure is made within 14 days following a reasonable investigation of the violation's discovery through the environmental audit.

(2) The disclosure is made to an enforcement agency having regulatory authority over the violation disclosed.

(3) The person or entity making the disclosure initiates an action to resolve the violation identified in the disclosure in a diligent manner.

(4) The person or entity making the disclosure cooperates with the applicable enforcement agency in connection with investigation of the issues identified in the disclosure.

(5) The person or entity making the disclosure diligently pursues compliance and promptly corrects the noncompliance within a reasonable period of time.

(d) A disclosure is not voluntary for purposes of this section if any of the following factors apply:

(1) Specific permit conditions require monitoring or sampling records and reports or assessment plans and management plans to be maintained or submitted to the enforcement agency pursuant to an established schedule.

(2) Environmental laws or specific permit conditions require notification of releases to the environment.

(3) The violation was committed intentionally, wilfully, or through criminal negligence by the person or entity making the disclosure.

(4) The violation was not corrected in a diligent manner.

(5) The violation posed or poses a significant threat to public health, safety, and welfare; the environment; and natural resources.

(6) The violation occurred within one year of a similar prior violation at the same facility, and immunity from civil and administrative penalties was granted by the applicable enforcement agency for the prior violation.

(7) The violation has resulted in a substantial economic benefit to the owner or operator of the facility.

(8) The violation is a violation of the specific terms of a judicial or administrative order.

(e) If a person meets the burden of proving that the disclosure is voluntary, the burden shifts to the enforcement agency to prove that the disclosure was not voluntary, based upon the factors set forth in this section. The person claiming immunity from civil or administrative penalties or fines under this section retains the ultimate burden of proving the violations were voluntarily disclosed.

(f) A voluntary disclosure made pursuant to this section is subject to disclosure pursuant to the Public Records Act in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 132 of the General Statutes.

"§ 8‑58.62. Additional limitations on exercise of privilege or immunity.

An owner or operator of a facility who makes a voluntary disclosure of a violation of environmental laws discovered through performance of an environmental audit shall only be entitled to exercise of the privilege or immunity established by this Part once in a two‑year period, not more than twice in a five‑year period, and not more than three times in a 10‑year period.

"§ 8‑58.63. Preemption of local laws.

No local law, rule, ordinance, or permit condition may circumvent or limit the privilege established by this Part or the exercise of the privileges or the presumption and immunity established by this Part."

SECTION 4.1.(b) This section becomes effective July 1, 2015, and applies to environmental audits, as defined in G.S. 8‑58.51, as enacted by subsection (a) of this section, that are conducted on or after that date.

REPEAL ENERGY AUDIT REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 4.2. G.S. 143‑64.12 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143‑64.12. Authority and duties of the Department; State agencies and State institutions of higher learning.

(a) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the State Energy Office shall develop a comprehensive program to manage energy, water, and other utility use for State agencies and State institutions of higher learning and shall update this program annually. Each State agency and State institution of higher learning shall develop and implement a management plan that is consistent with the State's comprehensive program under this subsection to manage energy, water, and other utility use, and that addresses any findings or recommendations resulting from the energy audit required by subsection (b1) of this section. The energy consumption per gross square foot for all State buildings in total shall be reduced by twenty percent (20%) by 2010 and thirty percent (30%) by 2015 based on energy consumption for the 2002‑2003 fiscal year. Each State agency and State institution of higher learning shall update its management plan biennially and include strategies for supporting the energy consumption reduction requirements under this subsection. Each community college shall submit to the State Energy Office a biennial written report of utility consumption and costs. Management plans submitted biennially by State institutions of higher learning shall include all of the following:

(1) Estimates of all costs associated with implementing energy conservation measures, including pre‑installation and post‑installation costs.

(2) The cost of analyzing the projected energy savings.

(3) Design costs, engineering costs, pre‑installation costs, post‑installation costs, debt service, and any costs for converting to an alternative energy source.

(4) An analysis that identifies projected annual energy savings and estimated payback periods.

(a1) State agencies and State institutions of higher learning shall carry out the construction and renovation of facilities in such a manner as to further the policy set forth under this section and to ensure the use of life‑cycle cost analyses and practices to conserve energy, water, and other utilities.

(b) The Department of Administration shall develop and implement policies, procedures, and standards to ensure that State purchasing practices improve efficiency regarding energy, water, and other utility use and take the cost of the product over the economic life of the product into consideration. The Department of Administration shall adopt and implement Building Energy Design Guidelines. These guidelines shall include energy‑use goals and standards, economic assumptions for life‑cycle cost analysis, and other criteria on building systems and technologies. The Department of Administration shall modify the design criteria for construction and renovation of facilities of State buildings and State institutions of higher learning buildings to require that a life‑cycle cost analysis be conducted pursuant to G.S. 143‑64.15.

(b1) The Department of Administration, as part of the Facilities Condition and Assessment Program, shall identify and recommend energy conservation maintenance and operating procedures that are designed to reduce energy consumption within the facility of a State agency or a State institution of higher learning and that require no significant expenditure of funds. Every State agency or State institution of higher learning shall implement these recommendations. Where energy management equipment is proposed for any facility of a State agency or of a State institution of higher learning, the maximum interchangeability and compatibility of equipment components shall be required. As part of the Facilities Condition and Assessment Program under this section, the Department of Administration, in consultation with the State Energy Office, shall develop an energy audit and a procedure for conducting energy audits. Every five years the Department shall conduct an energy audit for each State agency or State institution of higher learning, and the energy audits conducted shall serve as a preliminary energy survey. The State Energy Office shall be responsible for system‑level detailed surveys.

~~(b2)~~ The Department of Administration shall submit a report of the energy audit required by subsection (b1) of this section to the affected State agency or State institution of higher learning and to the State Energy Office. The State Energy Office shall review each audit and, in consultation with the affected State agency or State institution of higher learning, incorporate the audit findings and recommendations into the management plan required by subsection (a) of this section.

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(j) The State Energy Office shall submit a report by December 1 of every odd‑numbered year to the Joint Legislative Energy Policy Commission describing the comprehensive program to manage energy, water, and other utility use for State agencies and State institutions of higher learning required by subsection (a) of this section. The report shall also contain the following:

(1) A comprehensive overview of how State agencies and State institutions of higher learning are managing energy, water, and other utility use and achieving efficiency gains.

(2) Any new measures that could be taken by State agencies and State institutions of higher learning to achieve greater efficiency gains, including any changes in general law that might be needed.

(3) A summary of the State agency and State institutions of higher learning management plans required by subsection (a) of this ~~section and the energy audits required by subsection (b1) of this~~ section.

(4) A list of the State agencies and State institutions of higher learning that did and did not submit management plans required by subsection (a) of this ~~section and a list of the State agencies and State institutions of higher learning that received an energy audit.~~section.

(5) Any recommendations on how management plans can be better managed and implemented."

DELETE OR REPEAL VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 4.3.(a) G.S. 74‑54.1(c) is repealed.

SECTION 4.3.(b) G.S. 113‑175.6 is repealed.

SECTION 4.3.(c) G.S. 113‑182.1(e) reads as rewritten:

"§ 113‑182.1. Fishery Management Plans.

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(e) The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall monitor progress in the development and adoption of Fishery Management Plans in relation to the Schedule for development and adoption of the plans established by the Marine Fisheries Commission. The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on progress in developing and implementing the Fishery Management Plans on or before 1 September of each year. The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations within 30 days of the completion or substantial revision of each proposed Fishery Management Plan. The Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations shall review each proposed Fishery Management Plan within 30 days of the date the proposed Plan is submitted by the Secretary. The Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations may submit comments and recommendations on the proposed Plan to the Secretary within 30 days of the date the proposed Plan is submitted by the Secretary."

SECTION 4.3.(d) G.S. 143B‑279.15 is repealed.

SECTION 4.3.(e) G.S. 143B‑289.44(d) is repealed.

SECTION 4.3.(f) G.S. 159I‑29 is repealed.

SECTION 4.3.(g) Section 2.3 of S.L. 2007‑485 is repealed.

DIRECT THE COASTAL RESOURCES COMMISSION TO AMEND ITS RULES FOR TEMPORARY EROSION CONTROL STRUCTURES

SECTION 4.4.(a) The Coastal Resources Commission shall amend its rules for the use of temporary erosion control structures to provide for all of the following:

(1) Allow the placement of temporary erosion control structures on a property that is experiencing coastal erosion even if there are no imminently threatened structures on the property if the property is adjacent to a property where temporary erosion control structures have been placed.

(2) Allow the placement of contiguous temporary erosion control structures from one shoreline boundary of a property to the other shoreline boundary, regardless of proximity to an imminently threatened structure.

(3) The termination date of all permits for contiguous temporary erosion control structures on the same property shall be the same and shall be the latest termination date for any of the permits.

SECTION 4.4.(b) The Coastal Resources Commission shall adopt temporary rules to implement this section no later than December 31, 2015. The Commission shall also adopt permanent rules to implement this section.

REPEAL SEDIMENTATION CONTROL COMMISSION AND TRANSFER RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION

SECTION 4.5.(a) Part 8 of Article 7 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is repealed.

SECTION 4.5.(b) G.S. 113A‑52 reads as rewritten:

"§ 113A‑52. Definitions.

As used in this Article, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1417, s. 1.

(1a) "Affiliate" has the same meaning as in 17 Code of Federal Regulations § 240.12(b)‑2 (1 June 1993 Edition), which defines "affiliate" as a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control of another person.

(2) "Commission" means the ~~North Carolina Sedimentation Control~~Environmental Management Commission.

(3) "Department" means the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

(4) "District" means any Soil and Water Conservation District created pursuant to Chapter 139, North Carolina General Statutes.

(5) "Erosion" means the wearing away of land surface by the action of wind, water, gravity, or any combination thereof.

(6) "Land‑disturbing activity" means any use of the land by any person in residential, industrial, educational, institutional or commercial development, highway and road construction and maintenance that results in a change in the natural cover or topography and that may cause or contribute to sedimentation.

(7) "Local government" means any county, incorporated village, town, or city, or any combination of counties, incorporated villages, towns, and cities, acting through a joint program pursuant to the provisions of this Article.

(7a) "Parent" has the same meaning as in 17 Code of Federal Regulations § 240.12(b)‑2 (1 June 1993 Edition), which defines "parent" as an affiliate that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls another person.

(8) "Person" means any individual, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, public or private corporation, trust, estate, commission, board, public or private institution, utility, cooperative, interstate body, or other legal entity.

(9) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources.

(10) "Sediment" means solid particulate matter, both mineral and organic, that has been or is being transported by water, air, gravity, or ice from its site of origin.

(10a) "Subsidiary" has the same meaning as in 17 Code of Federal Regulations § 240.12(b)‑2 (1 June 1993 Edition), which defines "subsidiary" as an affiliate that is directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controlled by another person.

(10b) "Tract" means all contiguous land and bodies of water being disturbed or to be disturbed as a unit, regardless of ownership.

(11) "Working days" means days exclusive of Saturday and Sunday during which weather conditions or soil conditions permit land‑disturbing activity to be undertaken."

SECTION 4.5.(c) G.S. 113A‑54.1(c) reads as rewritten:

"§ 113A‑54.1. Approval of erosion control plans.

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(c) The Commission shall disapprove an erosion and sedimentation control plan if implementation of the plan would result in a violation of rules adopted by the ~~Environmental Management~~ Commission to protect riparian buffers along surface waters. The Director of the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources may disapprove an erosion and sedimentation control plan or disapprove a transfer of a plan under subsection (d1) of this section upon finding that an applicant or a parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of the applicant:

(1) Is conducting or has conducted land‑disturbing activity without an approved plan, or has received notice of violation of a plan previously approved by the Commission or a local government pursuant to this Article and has not complied with the notice within the time specified in the notice;

(2) Has failed to pay a civil penalty assessed pursuant to this Article or a local ordinance adopted pursuant to this Article by the time the payment is due;

(3) Has been convicted of a misdemeanor pursuant to G.S. 113A‑64(b) or any criminal provision of a local ordinance adopted pursuant to this Article; or

(4) Has failed to substantially comply with State rules or local ordinances and regulations adopted pursuant to this Article."

SECTION 4.5.(d) G.S. 113A‑57(1) reads as rewritten:

"§ 113A‑57. Mandatory standards for land‑disturbing activity.

No land‑disturbing activity subject to this Article shall be undertaken except in accordance with the following mandatory requirements:

(1) No land‑disturbing activity during periods of construction or improvement to land shall be permitted in proximity to a lake or natural watercourse unless a buffer zone is provided along the margin of the watercourse of sufficient width to confine visible siltation within the twenty‑five percent (25%) of the buffer zone nearest the land‑disturbing activity. Waters that have been classified as trout waters by the ~~Environmental Management~~ Commission shall have an undisturbed buffer zone 25 feet wide or of sufficient width to confine visible siltation within the twenty‑five percent (25%) of the buffer zone nearest the land‑disturbing activity, whichever is greater. Provided, however, that the ~~Sedimentation Control~~ Commission may approve plans which include land‑disturbing activity along trout waters when the duration of said disturbance would be temporary and the extent of said disturbance would be minimal. This subdivision shall not apply to a land‑disturbing activity in connection with the construction of facilities to be located on, over, or under a lake or natural watercourse."

SECTION 4.5.(e) G.S. 113A‑61 reads as rewritten:

"§ 113A‑61. Local approval of erosion and sedimentation control plans.

(a) For those land‑disturbing activities for which prior approval of an erosion and sedimentation control plan is required, the Commission may require that a local government that administers an erosion and sedimentation control program approved under G.S. 113A‑60 require the applicant to submit a copy of the erosion and sedimentation control plan to the appropriate soil and water conservation district or districts at the same time the applicant submits the erosion and sedimentation control plan to the local government for approval. The soil and water conservation district or districts shall review the plan and submit any comments and recommendations to the local government within 20 days after the soil and water conservation district received the erosion and sedimentation control plan or within any shorter period of time as may be agreed upon by the soil and water conservation district and the local government. Failure of a soil and water conservation district to submit comments and recommendations within 20 days or within agreed upon shorter period of time shall not delay final action on the proposed plan by the local government.

(b) Local governments shall review each erosion and sedimentation control plan submitted to them and within 30 days of receipt thereof shall notify the person submitting the plan that it has been approved, approved with modifications, or disapproved. A local government shall only approve a plan upon determining that it complies with all applicable State and local regulations for erosion and sedimentation control.

(b1) A local government shall condition approval of a draft erosion and sedimentation control plan upon the applicant's compliance with federal and State water quality laws, regulations, and rules. A local government shall disapprove an erosion and sedimentation control plan if implementation of the plan would result in a violation of rules adopted by the ~~Environmental Management~~ Commission to protect riparian buffers along surface waters. A local government may disapprove an erosion and sedimentation control plan or disapprove a transfer of a plan under subsection (b3) of this section upon finding that an applicant or a parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of the applicant:

(2) Has failed to pay a civil penalty assessed pursuant to this Article or a local ordinance adopted pursuant to this Article by the time the payment is due.

(3) Has been convicted of a misdemeanor pursuant to G.S. 113A‑64(b) or any criminal provision of a local ordinance adopted pursuant to this Article.

(4) Has failed to substantially comply with State rules or local ordinances and regulations adopted pursuant to this Article.

�."

SECTION 4.5.(f) G.S. 113A‑125 reads as rewritten:

"§ 113A‑125. Transitional provisions.

(a) Existing regulatory permits shall continue to be administered within the coastal area by the agencies presently responsible for their administration until a date (not later than 44 months after July 1, 1974), to be designated by the Secretary of Natural and Economic Resources as the permit changeover date. Said designation shall be effective from and after its filing with the Secretary of State.

(b) From and after the "permit changeover date," all existing regulatory permits within the coastal area shall be administered in coordination and consultation with (but not subject to the veto of) the Commission. No such existing permit within the coastal area shall be issued, modified, renewed or terminated except after consultation with the Commission. The provisions of this subsection concerning consultation and coordination shall not be interpreted to authorize or require the extension of any deadline established by this Article or any other law for completion of any permit, licensing, certification or other regulatory proceedings.

(c) Within the meaning of this section, "existing regulatory permits" include dredge and fill permits issued pursuant to G.S. 113‑229; sand dune permits issued pursuant to G.S. 104B‑4; air pollution control and water pollution control permits, special orders or certificates issued pursuant to G.S. 143‑215.1 and 143‑215.2, or any other permits, licenses, authorizations, approvals or certificates issued by the Board of Water and Air Resources pursuant to Chapter 143; capacity use area permits issued pursuant to G.S. 143‑215.15; final approval of dams pursuant to G.S. 143‑215.30; floodway permits issued pursuant to G.S. 143‑215.54; water diversion authorizations issued pursuant to G.S. 143‑354(c); oil refinery permits issued pursuant to G.S. 143‑215.99; mining operating permits issued pursuant to G.S. 74‑51; permissions for construction of wells issued pursuant to G.S. 87‑88; and rules concerning pesticide application within the coastal area issued pursuant to G.S. 143‑458; approvals by the Department of Health and Human Services of plans for water supply, drainage or sewerage, pursuant to G.S. 130‑161.1 and 130‑161.2; standards and approvals for solid waste disposal sites and facilities, adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to Chapter 130, Article 13B; permits relating to sanitation of shellfish, crustacea or scallops issued pursuant to Chapter 130, Articles 14A or 14B; permits, approvals, authorizations and rules issued by the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to Articles 23 or 24 of Chapter 130 with reference to mosquito control programs or districts; any permits, licenses, authorizations, rules, approvals or certificates issued by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to septic tanks or water wells; oil or gas well rules and orders issued for the protection of environmental values or resources pursuant to G.S. 113‑391; a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the State Utilities Commission pursuant to Chapter 62 for any public utility plant or system, other than a carrier of persons or property; permits, licenses, leases, options, authorization or approvals relating to the use of State forestlands, State parks or other state‑owned land issued by the State Department of Administration, the State Department of Natural and Economic Resources or any other State department, agency or institution; any approvals of erosion and sedimentation control plans that may be issued by the ~~North Carolina Sedimentation Control~~Environmental Management Commission pursuant to G.S. 113A‑60 or 113A‑61; and any permits, licenses, authorizations, rules, approvals or certificates issued by any State agency pursuant to any environmental protection legislation not specified in this subsection that may be enacted prior to the permit changeover date.

(d) The Commission shall conduct continuing studies addressed to developing a better coordinated and more unified system of environmental and land‑use permits in the coastal area, and shall report its recommendations thereon from time to time to the General Assembly."

SECTION 4.5.(g) G.S. 143B‑279.3(b) reads as rewritten:

"§ 143B‑279.3. (Effective until August 1, 2015) Department of Environment and Natural Resources � structure.

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(b) All functions, powers, duties, and obligations previously vested in the following commissions, boards, councils, and committees of the following departments are transferred to and vested in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources by a Type II transfer, as defined in G.S. 143A‑6:

(1) Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 501, s. 27.

(2) Radiation Protection Commission, Department of Health and Human Services.

(3) Repealed by Session Laws 1997‑443, s. 11A.6.

(4) Water Treatment Facility Operators Board of Certification, Department of Health and Human Services.

(5) to (8) Repealed by Session Laws 1997‑443, s. 11A.6.

(9) Coastal Resources Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

(10) Environmental Management Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

(11) Air Quality Council, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

(12) Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Certification Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

(13) Repealed by Session Laws 2011‑145, s. 13.25(e), effective July 1, 2011.

(14) North Carolina Mining and Energy Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

(15) Advisory Committee on Land Records, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

(16) Marine Fisheries Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

(17) Parks and Recreation Council, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

(18) Repealed by Session Laws 2013‑360, s. 14.3(j), effective August 1, 2013.

(19) North Carolina Trails Committee, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

~~(20)~~ ~~Sedimentation Control Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.~~

(21) Repealed by Session Laws 2011‑145, s. 13.22A(d), effective July 1, 2011.

(22) North Carolina Zoological Park Council, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

(23) Repealed by Session Laws 1997‑286, s. 6.

"§ 143B‑279.3. (Effective August 1, 2015) Department of Environment and Natural Resources � structure.

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(1) Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 501, s. 27.

(2) Radiation Protection Commission, Department of Health and Human Services.

(3) Repealed by Session Laws 1997‑443, s. 11A.6.

(4) Water Treatment Facility Operators Board of Certification, Department of Health and Human Services.

(5) to (8) Repealed by Session Laws 1997‑443, s. 11A.6.

(9) Coastal Resources Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

(10) Environmental Management Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

(11) Air Quality Council, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

(12) Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Certification Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.

(13) Repealed by Session Laws 2011‑145, s. 13.25(e), effective July 1, 2011.

(14) North Carolina Mining Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Community Development.