AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STUDY COMMITTEE AND appropriating funds for that purpose.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 120 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:

Article 37.

Artificial Intelligence Study Committee.

§ 120‑315.  Creation and purpose of the Artificial Intelligence Study Committee.

There is established the Artificial Intelligence Study Committee (Committee). The Committee shall study artificial intelligence (AI) and its various uses. The work of the Committee shall include the following:

(1)        Examination of how AI impacts State government, local governments, business, citizens, operations, and elections.

(2)        Review of ways that AI can be used positively and ways that AI can be used negatively.

(3)        Consideration of the long‑term and short‑term impacts of AI, as well as legal issues associated with the use of AI.

(4)        Development of legislative proposals and law changes necessitated by AI.

(5)        Making recommendations to the executive branch regarding AI.

§ 120‑316.  Membership; organization.

(a)        The Artificial Intelligence Study Committee shall consist of the following members:

(1)        Three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(2)        Three members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(3)        Three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the House Minority Leader.

(4)        Three members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader.

(5)        Three persons appointed by the Governor with expertise in one of the following areas: artificial intelligence, learning programs, or cybersecurity.

(6)        Three persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor having expertise in one of the following areas: artificial intelligence, learning programs, or cybersecurity.

(7)        Two persons appointed by the Attorney General having expertise in consumer protection and internet and technology law.

(8)        Two persons appointed by the Secretary of Commerce having expertise in economic development with new technology and developing industries.

(9)        The Secretary of the Department of Commerce (or their designee).

(10)      The Secretary of the Department of Information Technology.

(b)        The Committee shall have three chairs. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each select one chair from the Committee's membership. The Secretary of the Department of Information Technology shall serve as the third chair. The Department of Information Technology shall provide professional and technical support to the Committee. A quorum of the Committee is a majority of its members. No action may be taken except by a majority vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

Initial terms on the Committee shall begin September 1, 2024. Beginning January 1, 2025, terms on the Committee are for two years and begin on the convening of the General Assembly in each odd‑numbered year. Members may complete a term of service on the Committee even if they do not seek reelection or are not reelected to the General Assembly, but resignation or removal from service in the General Assembly constitutes resignation or removal from service on the Committee. A member continues to serve until a successor is appointed. A vacancy shall be filled within 30 days by the appointing authority.

Committee members shall receive subsistence and travel expenses as provided in G.S. 120‑3.1.

SECTION 2.  Effective July 1, 2024, there is appropriated to the Department of Information Technology the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year for the Artificial Intelligence Study Committee and continued monitoring of artificial intelligence in State government.

SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2024, and expires June 30, 2029.