AN ACT to create the north carolina anti‑littering fund and to appropriate funds.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Subpart A of Part 4 of Article 13 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 143B‑908.  North Carolina Anti‑Littering Fund.

(a)        Creation. – The North Carolina Anti‑Littering Fund is established as a nonreverting special fund in the Department of Public Safety.

(b)        Source of Funds. – The North Carolina Anti‑Littering Fund shall consist of proceeds from any gifts, grants, or contributions to the State that are specifically designated for inclusion in the Fund, appropriations made to it by the General Assembly, and interest accrued to it.

(c)        Utilization of Funds. – The Department of Public Safety is authorized to utilize funds in the North Carolina Anti‑Littering Fund to make the following payments, provided the individual or entity receiving the payment has been determined to be an eligible individual or entity in accordance with subsection (d) of this section:

(1)        Payments to individuals to reimburse those individuals for expenses associated with video recording equipment.

(2)        Payments to entities to reimburse those entities for expenses associated with video recording equipment.

(d)       Eligibility and Fund Allocations. – The Department of Public Safety shall adopt rules for determining eligibility for, and allocations of, North Carolina Anti‑Littering Fund payments. These rules shall, at a minimum, require the following:

(1)        That video recordings created by the individual or entity be used to assist law enforcement officers or district attorneys' offices, or both, in the charging or prosecution or both of a defendant for an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony under G.S. 14‑399.

(2)        That individuals or entities seeking payments from the North Carolina Anti‑Littering Fund submit an application that includes, at a minimum, each of the following:

a.         Proof that the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection have been satisfied.

b.         Proof of current ownership of the video recording equipment used pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.

c.         Proof of itemized expenses incurred by the individual or entity in the purchase, acquisition, or maintenance of the video equipment used pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.

SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the North Carolina Anti‑Littering Fund the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2023‑2024 fiscal year to be used as provided for in this act.

SECTION 3.  Section 2 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2023. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.