AN ACT to establish the north carolina institute for public policy.

Whereas, the constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina are a source of knowledge that can be applied to the solving of the State's economic and social problems; and

Whereas, the development and administration of public policy by State government is enhanced through the availability of the best possible knowledge base; and

Whereas, the important knowledge resources of higher education may not be readily available to State policymakers and administrators; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 116 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:

Article 5D.

North Carolina State Institute for Public Policy.

§ 116‑74.50.  North Carolina Institute for Public Policy established.

(a)        There is established the North Carolina Institute for Public Policy (NCIPP) which shall be housed administratively in the School of Public and International Affairs at North Carolina State University (University). The University shall provide NCIPP with administrative, professional, and technical support.

(b)        The purpose of NCIPP is to provide the State's policymakers with timely, useful, and practical research products of the very highest quality. Towards these ends, NCIPP shall:

(1)        Conduct and publish research that is directly useful to policymakers and manage reviews and evaluations of technical and scientific topics as they relate to major long‑term issues facing the State.

(2)        Evaluate the merits of a program or an activity of a State agency or a program or an activity of a non‑State entity conducted or provided using State funds.

(3)        Develop quantitative indicators to be used in an evaluation of a program or an activity of a State agency or a program or an activity of a non‑State entity conducted or provided using State funds.

(4)        Determine the cost of programs or activities of a State agency or programs or activities of a non‑State entity conducted or provided using State funds.

§ 116‑74.51.  North Carolina Commisison on Public Policy established.

(a)        There is established the North Carolina Commission on Public Policy (Commission). The purpose of the Commission is to oversee and direct the work of NCIPP.

(b)        The Commission shall consist of 15 members appointed as follows:

(1)        Two senators appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate.

(2)        Two senators appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(3)        Two representatives appointed by the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(4)        Two representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(5)        Two individuals appointed by the Governor.

(6)        The Chancellor of North Carolina State University or the chancellor's designee.

(7)        The Chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or the chancellor's designee.

(8)        The Chancellor of East Carolina University or the chancellor's designee.

(9)        The Director of the Fiscal Research Division of the North Carolina General Assembly.

(10)      The Director of the Legislative Analysis Division of the North Carolina General Assembly.

(c)        All members of the Commission are voting members. Vacancies in the appointed membership shall be filled by the appointing officer who made the initial appointment. Terms shall be two years. The members shall elect a chair who shall preside for the duration of the chair's term as member. In the event a vacancy occurs in the chair before the expiration of the chair's term, the members shall elect an acting chair to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. Members of the Commission shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138‑5 or G.S. 138‑6 or travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 120‑3.1, as applicable.

§ 116‑74.52.  Research and reporting.

NCIPP shall develop a two‑year work plan at the beginning of every odd‑numbered year which shall consist of any studies directed by the General Assembly, as well as other issues of public interest recommended by the Commission. Upon completion of each study, NCIPP shall report its findings and any recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the Commission, the Governor, and the General Assembly.

SECTION 2.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of one million nine hundred eighty‑one thousand one hundred sixty‑five dollars ($1,981,165) for the 2021‑2022 fiscal year. The funds shall be allocated to the School of Public and International Affairs at North Carolina State University to be used as follows:

(1)        $1,931,165 in recurring funds to provide 17 full‑time equivalent positions to provide professional, technical, and administrative staff to the North Carolina Institute for Public Policy.

(2)        $50,000 in recurring funds to provide for other operating expenses of the Institute and the Commission.

SECTION 2.(b)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of two million one hundred seventeen thousand three hundred fifty dollars ($2,117,350) in recurring funds for the 2021‑2022 fiscal year to be allocated to the School of Public and International Affairs at North Carolina State University to be used as follows:

(1)        $2,067,350 in recurring funds to provide 17 full‑time equivalent positions to provide professional, technical, and administrative staff to the North Carolina Institute for Public Policy.

(2)        $50,000 in recurring funds to provide for other operating expenses of the Institute and the Commission.

SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2021.