NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1973 SESSION
CHAPTER 801
SENATE BILL 852
AN ACT TO CREATE A CRIME STUDY COMMISSION.
Whereas, the subject of crime is a concern of paramount importance to the people of North Carolina; and
Whereas, the Senate, on February 23, 1973. adopted a resolution supporting an in-depth study of proposed legislation designed to provide deterrents to crime, including bills regularly regarding capital punishment and other law enforcement and crime prevention measures designed to contribute to the public safety; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1. Chapter 143 of the General Statutes of North Carolina is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof a new Article 55, to read:
"Article 55.
"Crime Study Commission.
"§ 143-483. Crime Study Commission created. — There is hereby created a commission to be known as the Crime Study Commission for the study of legislation designed to reduce crime in North Carolina, to be composed of nine members who shall be appointed not later than July 1, 1973, for a two-year term as follows: Three members shall be appointed by the Governor, three members shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, and three members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House. The subsequent appointments shall be for terms to commence on July 1 of the year in which appointed, and each member shall serve until his successor is appointed and qualifies. Appointees shall be members or former members of the North Carolina General Assembly.
"§ 143-484. Duties of commission. — It shall be the duty of the commission to pursue an in-depth study of existing and proposed legislation designed to contribute to the public safety by the reduction of crime in North Carolina, giving particular emphasis to:
(1) Collecting and reviewing existing legislation in North Carolina designed to reduce crime; as well as pertinent crime information reports, studies and findings in the field of crime from other states and national bodies.
(2) Collecting and reviewing information on the North Carolina Criminal Justice System including law enforcement, courts, and corrections with a view towards relating them to the concerns and needs of North Carolina in crime reduction.
(3) Studying and coordinating the reports and recommendations of the various agencies, councils, commissions, committees, and associations existing in North Carolina whose primary or partial duties are to make recommendations designed to affect the Criminal Justice System. The commission shall make specific recommendations towards the goals enumerated in this section.
"§ 143-485. Organization of commission. — Upon its appointment, the commission shall organize by electing from its membership a chairman. The commission shall meet at such times and places as the chairman shall designate. The facilities of the State Legislative Building shall be available to the commission. On request of the chairman, the Director of the Department of Administration shall make available to the commission and its staff suitable office space and meeting facilities. The commission is authorized to conduct hearings and to employ such clerical and other assistance, professional advice and services as may be deemed necessary in the performance of its duties.
"§ 143-486. Members to serve without compensation; subsistence and travel expenses. — Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but they shall be paid such per diem and travel expenses as are provided for members of State boards and commissions generally pursuant to G.S. 138-5.
"§ 143-487. Assistance to the commission. — The commission, in the performance of its duties, may request and shall receive from every department, board, bureau, agency, commission, or institution of this State, or from any political subdivision of the State, information, cooperation, and assistance.
"§ 143-488. Reports to the General Assembly. — The commission shall make a report to the General Assembly containing its findings and recommendations not later than February 1, 1974, and annually thereafter."
Sec. 2. This act shall become effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 24th day of May, 1973.