North Carolina § 120-70 - 51. Purpose and powers of Committee.

§ 120-70. 51. Purpose and powers of Committee.

The Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee may: Review reports prepared by the Department of Transportation or any other agency of State government related, in any manner, to transportation, when those reports are required by any law. Monitor the funds deposited in and expenditures from the North Carolina Highway Trust Fund, the Highway Fund, the General Fund, or any other fund when those expenditures are related, in any manner, to transportation. Determine whether funds related, in any manner, to transportation are being spent in accordance with law. Determine whether any revisions are needed in the funding for a program for which funds in the Trust Fund, the Highway Fund, the General Fund, or any other fund when those expenditures are related, in any manner, to transportation may be used, including revisions needed to meet any statutory timetable or program. Examine the importance of railroads and railroad infrastructure improvements to economic development in North Carolina, including improvements to short-line railroads. Study issues important to the future of passenger and freight rail service in North Carolina. Determine methods to expedite property disputes between railroads and private landowners. Study all aspects of the operation, structure, management, and long-range plans of the North Carolina Railroad. Report to the General Assembly at the beginning of each regular session concerning its determinations of needed changes in the funding or operation of programs related, in any manner, to transportation. The Committee may make interim reports to the General Assembly on matters for which it may report to a regular session of the General Assembly. A report to the General Assembly may contain any legislation needed to implement a recommendation of the Committee. History (1989, c. 692, s. 1.2; 1993, c. 321, s. 169.2(b); 2011-291, s. 1.7(d).) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2011-291, s. 1.7(a), effective June 24, 2011, transferred the duties of the former North Carolina Railroad Study Commission to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee. Session Laws 2015-45, ss. 1-4, provides: "Section 1. Study. - The Department of Transportation shall study the bicycle safety laws in this State. The study shall focus on what statutory revisions, if any, are needed to better ensure the safety of bicyclists and motorists. In doing so, the Department shall consider at least all of the following: "(1) How faster-moving vehicles may safely overtake bicycles on roadways where sight distance may be inhibited. "(2) Whether bicyclists on a roadway should be required to ride single file or allowed to ride two or more abreast. "(3) Whether bicyclists should be required to carry a form of identification. (4) Any other issues determined relevant by the Department. "Section 2. Working Group. - In conducting the study required by this act, the Department shall convene a working group of interested parties knowledgeable and interested in the bicycle safety laws of this State. The working group shall include all of the following: "(1) A law enforcement officer. "(2) A representative from the bicycling industry. "(3) A representative from the agricultural industry. "(4) A representative from the trucking industry. "(5) A representative from county government, who may be a county law enforcement officer. "(6) A representative from municipal government, who may be a municipal law enforcement officer. "(7) A representative from the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center. "(8) A minimum of two staff representatives from the Department. "(9) Any other expert or stakeholder the Department or working group determines may assist the Department in completing the study required by this act. "The Department shall designate the members listed in subdivisions (1) through (8) of this section, and the working group shall subsequently select a chair and designate the remaining members of the working group authorized under subdivision (9) of this section. In designating additional members, the working group shall ensure that membership composition includes representation of different operator and geographical perspectives. "Section 3. Maximum Number of Working Group Members. - The total number of members of the working group convened under Section 2 of this act shall not exceed 12 members. "Section 4. Report and Recommendations. - The Department shall report its findings and recommendations, including any legislative proposals, to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee on or before December 31, 2015." Session Laws 2015-45, s. 5 provided the act was effective June 2, 2015, without a termination provision. Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2011-291, s. 1.7(d), effective June 24, 2011, added subdivisions (a)(4a) through (a)(4d).