North Carolina § 143B-431 - 01. Department of Commerce - contracting of functions.
Full text of North Carolina North Carolina General Statutes § 143B-431 — 01. Department of Commerce - contracting of functions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 143B-431. 01. Department of Commerce - contracting of functions.
Purpose. - The purpose of this section is to establish a framework whereby the Department of Commerce may contract with a North Carolina nonprofit corporation to assist the Department in fostering and retaining jobs and business development, international investment recruiting, international trade, marketing, and travel and tourism. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Department develop a plan to work cooperatively with a nonprofit corporation for these purposes while safeguarding programmatic transparency and accountability as well as the fiscal integrity of economic development programs of the State. Contract. - The Department of Commerce is authorized to contract with a North Carolina nonprofit corporation to perform one or more of the Department's functions, powers, duties, and obligations set forth in G.S. 143B-431, except as provided in this subsection. The contract entered into pursuant to this section between the Department and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina is exempt from Articles 3 and 3C of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes and G.S. 143C-6-23. If the Department contracts with a North Carolina nonprofit corporation to promote and grow the travel and tourism industries, then all funds appropriated to the Department for tourism marketing purposes shall be used for a research-based, comprehensive marketing program directed toward consumers in key markets most likely to travel to North Carolina and not for ancillary activities, such as statewide branding and business development marketing. The Department may not contract with a North Carolina nonprofit corporation regarding any of the following: The obligation or commitment of funds under this Article, such as the One North Carolina Fund, the Job Development Investment Grant Program, the Industrial Development Fund, or the Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund. The Division of Employment Security, including the administration of unemployment insurance. The functions set forth in G.S. 143B-431(a)(2). The administration of funds or grants received from the federal government or its agencies, except for the following: The State Trade and Export Promotion Program. The Manufacturing Extension Program. The administration of a site certification program. Nothing in this subdivision prohibits the contracting of responsibility for creating or maintaining a Web site with data on unutilized or underutilized properties in the State with potential commercial or industrial reuses. Oversight. - There is established the Economic Development Accountability & Standards Committee, which shall be treated as a board for purposes of Chapter 138A of the General Statutes. The Committee shall consist of seven members as follows: the Secretary of Commerce as Chair of the Committee, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Environmental Quality, the Secretary of Revenue, the Chair of the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board, one member appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one member appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Members appointed by the General Assembly shall be appointed for four-year terms beginning July 1 and may not be members of the General Assembly. Monitoring and oversight of the performance of a contract entered into pursuant to this section by the Department with a North Carolina nonprofit corporation. Receiving, reviewing, and referring complaints regarding the contract or the performance of the North Carolina nonprofit corporation, as appropriate. Requesting enforcement of the contract by the Attorney General or the Department. Auditing, at least biennially, by the Office of State Budget and Management, State Auditor, or internal auditors of the Department, the records of the North Carolina nonprofit corporation with which the Department has contracted pursuant to this section during and after the term of the contract to review financial documents of the corporation, performance of the corporation, and compliance of the corporation with applicable laws. A copy of any audit performed at the request of the Committee shall be forwarded to the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board. Coordination of economic development grant programs of the State between the Department of Commerce, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Environmental Quality. Any other duties deemed necessary by the Committee. Limitations. - Prior to contracting with a North Carolina nonprofit corporation pursuant to this section and in order for the North Carolina nonprofit corporation to receive State funds, the following conditions shall be met: At least 45 days prior to entering into or amending in a nontechnical manner a contract authorized by this section, the Department shall submit the contract or amendment, along with a detailed explanation of the contract or amendment, to the chairs of both the Senate Committee on Appropriations•ase Budget and the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, [the] chairs of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Natural, and Economic Resources, the chairs of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division. The nonprofit corporation adheres to the following governance provisions related to its governing board: The board shall be composed of 18 voting members as follows: the Secretary of Commerce, as an ex officio member, eight members and the chair appointed by the Governor, four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and four members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each use best efforts to select members so as to reflect the diversity of the State's geography. The Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore shall each select their appointed members so that one-fourth come from a development tier one area, one-fourth come from a development tier two area, and no two members come from the same Collaboration for Prosperity Zone. The Governor shall select appointed members so that two-ninths come from a development tier one area, two-ninths come from a development tier two area, and no more than two members come from the same Collaboration for Prosperity Zone. The Governor shall use best efforts to ensure that each member appointed by the Governor has expertise in one or more of the following areas: Agribusiness, as recommended by the Commissioner of Agriculture. Financial services. Information technology. Biotechnology or life sciences. Energy. Manufacturing. Military or defense. Tourism, as recommended by the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Coalition. Tourism, as recommended by the North Carolina Travel Industry Association. The nonprofit corporation shall comply with the limitations on lobbying set forth in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. No State employee, other than the Secretary of Commerce, may serve on the board. The board shall meet at least quarterly at the call of its chair. The board is required to perform the following duties if the Department contracts pursuant to this section for the performance of the Secretary's responsibilities under G.S. 143B-434.01: To provide advice concerning economic and community development planning for the State, including a strategic business facilities development analysis of existing, available buildings or shell or special-use buildings and sites. To recommend economic development policy to the General Assembly and the Governor. To recommend annually to the Governor biennial and annual appropriations for economic development programs. To recommend how best to coordinate economic development efforts among the various agencies and entities, including those created by executive order of the Governor, that receive economic development appropriations, including the assignment of key responsibilities for different aspects of economic development and resource allocation and planning designed to encourage each agency to focus on its area of primary responsibility and not diffuse its resources by conducting activities assigned to other agencies. The amount of State funds that may be used for the annual salary of any one officer or employee of the nonprofit corporation with which the Department contracts pursuant to this section shall not exceed the greater of (i) one hundred twenty thousand dollars ($120,000) or (ii) the amount most recently set by the General Assembly in a Current Operations Appropriations Act. Members of the governing board may receive only per diem and allowances pursuant to G.S. 138-5. The nonprofit corporation shall have received from fundraising efforts and sources, other than State funds, an amount totaling at least two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) to support operations and functions of the corporation. Mandatory Contract Terms. - Any contract entered into under this section shall include all of the following: A provision requiring the North Carolina nonprofit corporation provide to the Joint Legislative Economic Development and Global Engagement Oversight Committee, the Department of Commerce, and the Fiscal Research Division a copy of the corporation's annual audited financial statement within seven days of issuance of the statement. A provision requiring the nonprofit corporation to provide by January 31 of each year, and more frequently as requested, a report to the Department on prior calendar year program activities, objectives, and accomplishments and prior calendar year itemized expenditures and fund sources. The report shall also include all of the following: Jobs anticipated to result from efforts of the nonprofit corporation. This includes project leads that were not submitted to the Department for possible discretionary incentives pursuant to Chapter 143B of the General Statutes. Developed performance metrics of economic development functions itemized by county, by development tier area designation, as defined by G.S. 143B-437.08, and by Collaboration for Prosperity Zones created pursuant to G.S. 143B-28.1. Any proposed amendments to the areas of expertise required to be represented on the governing board of the nonprofit corporation. A detailed explanation of how annual salaries are determined, including base pay schedules and any additional salary amounts or bonuses that may be earned as a result of job performance. The explanation shall include the proportion of State and private funds for each position and shall include the means used by the nonprofit corporation to foster employee efforts for economic development in rural and low-income areas in the State. Any bonuses paid to employees shall be based upon overall job performance and not be based on a specific project lead. Any other information requested by the Department. A provision providing that, upon termination of the contract, or upon dissolution of, or repeal by the General Assembly of, the charter of the nonprofit corporation with which the Department has contracted under this section, all assets and funds of the nonprofit corporation, including interest on funds, financial and operational records, and the right to receive future funds pursuant to the contract, will be surrendered to the Department within 30 days of the termination, dissolution, or repeal. During the 30-day period, the corporation may not further encumber any assets or funds. For purposes of this subdivision, assets and funds of the nonprofit corporation include assets and funds of any subsidiary or affiliate of the nonprofit corporation. An affiliate of the nonprofit corporation exists when both are directly or indirectly controlled by the same parent corporation or by the same or associated financial interests by stock ownership, interlocking directors, or by any other means whatsoever, whether the control is direct or through one or more subsidiary, affiliated, or controlled corporations. A provision providing that the nonprofit corporation shall adopt and publish a resolution or policy containing a conflict of interest policy and gift policy to guide actions by the governing board members, officers, and employees of the nonprofit corporation in the performance of their duties. The conflict of interest policy required by subdivision (4) of this subsection shall contain at a minimum the information in this subdivision. No subject person of the nonprofit corporation may take any official action or use the subject person's official position to profit in any manner the subject person, the subject person's immediate family, a business with which the subject person or the subject person's immediate family has a business association, or a client of the subject person or the subject person's immediate family with whom the subject person, or the subject person's immediate family, has an existing business relationship. No subject person shall attempt to profit from a proposed project lead if the profit is greater than that which would be realized by other persons living in the area where the project lead is located. If the profit under this subdivision would be greater for the subject person than other persons living in the area where the project lead is located, not only shall the subject person abstain from voting on that issue, but once the conflict of interest is apparent, the subject person shall not discuss the project lead with any other subject person or representative of the Department except to state that a conflict of interest exists. Under this subdivision, a subject person is presumed to profit if the profit would be realized by the subject person, the subject person's immediate family, a business with which the subject person or the subject person's immediate family has a business association, or a client of the subject person or the subject person's immediate family with whom the subject person, or the subject person's immediate family, has an existing business relationship with a company that is the subject of a proposed project lead. No subject person, in contemplation of official action by the subject person, or in reliance on information that was made known to the subject person in the subject person's official capacity and that has not been made public, shall (i) acquire a pecuniary interest in any property, transaction, or enterprise or gain any pecuniary benefit that may be affected by such information or official action or (ii) intentionally aid another to do any of the above acts. As used in this subdivision, the following terms mean: Board. - The governing board of the nonprofit corporation with which the Department contracts pursuant to this section. Board member. - A member of the board. Business association. - A director, employee, officer, or partner of a business entity, or owner of more than ten percent (10%) interest in any business entity. Department. - The Department of Commerce. Immediate family. - Spouse, children, parents, brothers, and sisters. Official action. - Actions taken in connection with the subject person's duties, including, but not limited to, voting on matters before the board, proposing or objecting to proposals for economic development actions by the Department, discussing economic development matters with other subject persons or Department staff in an effort to further the matter after the conflict of interest has been discovered, or taking actions in the course and scope of the position as a subject person and actions leading to or resulting in profit. Profit. - Receive monetary or economic gain or benefit, including an increase in value whether or not recognized by sale or trade. Subject person. - A board member, officer, or employee of the nonprofit corporation. The gift policy required by subdivision (4) of this subsection shall at a minimum prohibit an employee, officer, or member of the board of the corporation from knowingly accepting a gift from a person whom the employee, officer, or member of the board knows or has reason to know (i) is seeking to do business of any kind in the State or (ii) has financial interests that may be substantially and materially affected, in a manner distinguishable from the public generally, by the performance or nonperformance of official duties of the employee, officer, or member of the board. This prohibition shall not apply to either of the following: Gifts given to the employee, officer, or member of the board where the gift is food or beverages, transportation, lodging, entertainment or related expenses associated with industry recruitment, promotion of international trade, or the promotion of travel and tourism, and the employee, officer, or member of the board is responsible for conducting the business on behalf of the State, provided (i) the employee, officer, or member of the board did not solicit the gift and did not accept the gift in exchange for the performance or nonperformance of corporate duties, and (ii) the employee, officer, or member of the board reports electronically to the corporation within 30 days of receipt of the gift, including a description and value of the gift and a description of how the gift contributed to industry recruitment, promotion of international trade, or the promotion of travel and tourism. Gifts of personal property valued at less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) given to the employee, officer, or member of the board in the commission of corporate duties if the gift is given as a personal gift in another country as part of an overseas trade mission and the giving and receiving of such personal gifts is considered a customary protocol in the other country. A provision providing that the nonprofit corporation maintain a record containing the name of all persons who have contributed to the nonprofit corporation, the date of each contribution, and the aggregate total of all contributions to the nonprofit corporation. The nonprofit corporation shall include the record in the report required to be filed with the Department pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section. A provision requiring the nonprofit corporation to maintain separate accounting records for and separate accounts for State and private funds and prohibiting any commingling of State and private funds. Records and accounts must be maintained according to generally accepted accounting principles. A provision stating that the nonprofit corporation will not engage in the awarding of grants of the public or private funds of the nonprofit corporation. A provision limiting the term of renewal of the contract to no more than three years. In the event of renewal, the Department shall provide notice of intention to renew the contract for the initial renewal no less than five months prior to the expiration of the remaining term of the contract, and the Department shall provide notice of intention to renew the contract for a subsequent renewal no less than one year prior to the expiration of the remaining term of the contract, including the term of any extension. A contract extension may not extend the remaining term of the contract, including the term of the extension, to more than four years. A contract entered into under this section shall be on a calendar year basis. A provision prohibiting the use of State funds for the severance pay of the chief executive officer and other officers of the nonprofit corporation and otherwise limiting the severance pay from funds other than State funds to no more than the lesser of the following: The salary limitation contained in subdivision (3) of subsection (d) of this section. The salary limitation contained in subdivision (3) of subsection (d) of this section multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of whole years the chief officer has been chief officer of the corporation and the denominator of which is four. A provision requiring annual certification by the nonprofit corporation that it is in compliance with the following: The requirements of Chapter 55A of the General Statutes. The requirements of each of the provisions listed in subsection (e) of this section. For any provision in this subsection that the nonprofit corporation did not comply with, the corporation shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances and time of the noncompliance. A provision requiring the nonprofit corporation to comply with and perform the duties set out in G.S. 143B-434.2 in the event the Department contracts with the nonprofit corporation to promote and market tourism. A provision allowing the nonprofit corporation to receive funds from fund-raising efforts and sources other than State funds. A provision that the limitation of G.S. 143C-6-8 applies. For any entity reported pursuant to subdivision (6) of subsection (f) of this section for a gift, contribution, or item or service of value for which fair market value exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000) and was not paid, a provision requiring the nonprofit corporation to publish within seven days of the award: (i) the entity, (ii) the fair market value and description of that which was received from the entity by the nonprofit corporation or the affiliate entity of the corporation, and (iii) the date and amount of the award to the entity. This publication requirement is satisfied if the Department publishes the information required in this subdivision within seven days of the award either separately or as part of a press release concerning the award. A provision requiring the nonprofit to provide international investment recruiting resources to market and advertise the State as a business destination. Report. - By March 1 of each year, and more frequently as requested, the Department shall submit a report to the chairs of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Natural, and Economic Resources, and the chairs of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, the Joint Legislative Economic Development and Global Engagement Oversight Committee, and the Fiscal Research Division on any performance for which the Department has contracted pursuant to this section. The report shall contain, at a minimum, each of the following presented on a calendar year basis: A copy of the most recent report required by the Department pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section. An executive summary of the report required by subdivision (1) of this subsection. A listing of each entity referred to the Department by a North Carolina nonprofit corporation with which the Department contracts pursuant to this section and any other information the Secretary determines is necessary or that is specifically requested in writing. An explanation of the response by the Department to any notifications of noncompliance submitted to the Department by the nonprofit corporation, as required by G.S. 143B-431.01(e), including actions taken by the Department to prevent repeat or similar instances of noncompliance. For each activity in which the Secretary of Commerce solicits funds for the corporation, as permitted by subsection (i) of this section, a listing of each activity, including the date and the name of each person or entity from whom funds were solicited. If the nonprofit corporation or any affiliated entity of the corporation has received, directly or indirectly, any gift, contribution, or item or service of value for which fair market value was not paid and if an entity making the gift or contribution receives an award, a list of the entity and the amount of the award. Public Funds. - A North Carolina nonprofit corporation with which the Department contracts pursuant to this section shall comply with the requirements provided in this subsection regarding the use of State funds: Interest earned on State funds after receipt of the funds by the nonprofit corporation shall be used for the same purposes for which the principal was to be used. The travel and personnel policies and regulations of the State of North Carolina Budget Manual limiting reimbursement for expenses of State employees apply to reimbursements for expenses of officers, employees, or members of a governing board of the nonprofit corporation. Deviations from the policies and regulations shall be approved by the Secretary. State funds shall not be used to hire a lobbyist. Applicable Laws. - A North Carolina nonprofit corporation with which the Department contracts pursuant to this section is subject to the requirements of (i) Chapter 132 of the General Statutes and (ii) Article 33C of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. Officers, employees, and members of the governing board of the corporation are public servants, as defined in 138A-3, and are subject to the requirements of Chapter 138A of the General Statutes. Employees of the corporation whose annual compensation is less than eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) are not subject to G.S. 138A-22. Prohibition. - A State officer or employee shall not solicit funds for a North Carolina nonprofit corporation with which the Department contracts pursuant to this section. Benefits. - An officer, employee, or member of a governing board of a North Carolina nonprofit corporation with which the Department contracts pursuant to this section is not a State employee, is not covered by Chapter 126 of the General Statutes, and is not entitled to State-funded employee benefits, including membership in the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System and the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees. Raised Funds. - For funds raised from sources other than State funds by the nonprofit corporation, at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the funds shall be used for the benefit of or for salaried positions located in or working solely on development in development tier one or two areas, as defined in G.S. 143B-437.08. The Committee shall be administratively housed in the Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce shall provide for the administrative costs of the Committee and shall provide staff to the Committee. The Committee shall meet at least quarterly upon the call of the Chair. The duties of the Committee shall include all of the following: History (2014-18, s. 1.1(a); 2014-109, s. 1; 2014-115, s. 57; 2015-7, s. 10; 2015-241, ss. 14.30(u), (v), 15.1; 2015-264, s. 19; 2016-94, s. 15.6(b); 2017-6, s. 3; 2017-57, ss. 14.1(r), 15.3(a); 2018-5, ss. 15.5(b), 15.5(c); 2018-142, s. 13(a); 2018-146, ss. 3.1(a), (b), 6.1; 2019-50, ss. 1-4.) Re-recodification; Technical and Conforming Changes. - Session Laws 2017-6, s. 3, provides, in part: "The Revisor of Statutes shall recodify Chapter 138A of the General Statutes, Chapter 120C of the General Statutes, as well as Chapter 163 of the General Statutes, as amended by this act, into a new Chapter 163A of the General Statutes to be entitled 'Elections and Ethics Enforcement Act,' as enacted by Section 4 of this act. The Revisor may also recodify into the new Chapter 163A of the General Statutes other existing statutory laws relating to elections and ethics enforcement that are located elsewhere in the General Statutes as the Revisor deems appropriate." The Revisor was further authorized to make technical and conforming changes to catchlines, internal citations, and other references throughout the General Statutes to effectuate this recodification. Pursuant to this authority, the Revisor conformed references throughout subsections (c), (h), and (i). Session Laws 2018-146, ss. 3.1(a), (b) and 6.1, repealed Session Laws 2017-6, s. 3, and authorized the Revisor of Statutes to re-recodify Chapter 163A into Chapters 163, 138A, and 120C and to revert the changes made by the Revisor pursuant to Session Laws 2017-6, s. 3. Pursuant to this authority, the Revisor of Statutes reverted the references. Editor's Note. - The amendment to this section by Session Laws 2017-57, s. 14.1(r), did not account for an extra "the" in subdivision (d)(1) and subsection (f), resulting in a reference to "the the chairs." Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2014-18, s. 1.1(a), enacted this section as G.S. 143B-431A. It has been renumbered as this section at the direction of the Revisor of Statutes. Session Laws 2014-18, s. 1.1(b), provides that this section does not apply to employees of the Department of Commerce, other than employees involved in the recommendation and administration of State economic development incentive programs, prior to the time the Department contracts with a North Carolina nonprofit corporation pursuant to the provisions of Session Laws 2014-18. Session Laws 2014-18, s. 1.3, provides: "The Department of Commerce shall study and develop a plan for contracting with a North Carolina nonprofit corporation pursuant to G.S. 143B-431A [143B-431.01], as enacted by this act, for the performance of economic development activities and duties of the Department. The study shall include each of the following: "(1) The Department shall develop a plan for private fund-raising efforts for the nonprofit corporation for the performance of economic development functions. The study shall include the creation of a budget for the nonprofit corporation that provides for the performance of core functions of the corporation, including economic development functions, in the absence of private funds. The study shall compare the budget of the Department and the budget developed for the nonprofit corporation according to Department division and budget category, including personal services; purchased services; supplies; property, plant, and equipment; other expenses and adjustments; aid and public assistance; and other budget categories used by the Department. The study shall include a measurement and estimation of expected private fund-raising potential, and the Department shall examine the efforts of other states that have permitted public-private partnerships for economic development activities and report on the source or sources of funds for those partnerships, separately accounting for funds provided by the State and private funds. "(2) The Department shall report on each performance metric listed in this subdivision. The report shall analyze the Department's performance for each metric for (i) the last full year prior to contracting for performance of the metric and (ii) the annual average for the five-year period preceding contracting for performance of the metric. The performance metrics to be reported upon are as follows: "a. For business recruitment: "1. Number of jobs announced by the Department in total. "2. Number of jobs announced resulting from recruitment of new businesses. "3. Number of jobs announced resulting from existing business expansions. "4. Total U.S. dollar amount of investment resulting from new projects. "5. Total U.S. dollar amount of investment resulting from recruitment of new businesses. "6. Total U.S. dollar amount of investment resulting from existing business expansions. "7. Total U.S. dollar amount of foreign direct investment. "b. For business services: "1. Number of existing businesses receiving support. "2. Number of Business Services Team leads that lead to an expansion of existing businesses. "3. Number of businesses receiving export assistance. "4. Total U.S. dollar amount of exports by assisted companies. "c. For tourism and marketing: "1. Number of consumer inquiries about travel to North Carolina. "2. Total U.S. dollar amount of spending by visitors while in North Carolina. "3. Total U.S. dollar amount of State and local tax revenues resulting from visitors' spending while in North Carolina. "4. Number of business inquiries for business relocation, investment, and expansion. "d. Any other information or performance metrics allowing comparison between departmental and corporate performance for any other economic development division in the Department for which the Department contracts for performance with a North Carolina nonprofit corporation pursuant to this act. "e. Any other information or performance metrics deemed useful or necessary by the Department in the listed areas or other areas. "The Department shall make a report to the Office of State Budget Management, to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, to the Joint Legislative Economic Development and Global Engagement Oversight Committee, and to the Fiscal Research Division no later than December 1, 2014. "The Department shall require the nonprofit corporation to include in each report mandated by G.S. 143B-431A(e)(2) an analysis of the corporation's performance and a comparison to departmental performance using the same performance metrics studied and reported by the Department, as required by subdivision (2) of this section." Session Laws 2014-18, s. 1.3, provides: "The Department of Commerce shall study and develop a plan for contracting with a North Carolina nonprofit corporation pursuant to G.S. 143B-431A, as enacted by this act, for the performance of economic development activities and duties of the Department. The study shall include each of the following: "(1) The Department shall develop a plan for private fund-raising efforts for the nonprofit corporation for the performance of economic development functions. The study shall include the creation of a budget for the nonprofit corporation that provides for the performance of core functions of the corporation, including economic development functions, in the absence of private funds. The study shall compare the budget of the Department and the budget developed for the nonprofit corporation according to Department division and budget category, including personal services; purchased services; supplies; property, plant, and equipment; other expenses and adjustments; aid and public assistance; and other budget categories used by the Department. The study shall include a measurement and estimation of expected private fund-raising potential, and the Department shall examine the efforts of other states that have permitted public-private partnerships for economic development activities and report on the source or sources of funds for those partnerships, separately accounting for funds provided by the State and private funds. "(2) The Department shall report on each performance metric listed in this subdivision. The report shall analyze the Department's performance for each metric for (i) the last full year prior to contracting for performance of the metric and (ii) the annual average for the five-year period preceding contracting for performance of the metric. The performance metrics to be reported upon are as follows: "a. For business recruitment: "1. Number of jobs announced by the Department in total. "2. Number of jobs announced resulting from recruitment of new businesses. "3. Number of jobs announced resulting from existing business expansions. "4. Total U.S. dollar amount of investment resulting from new projects. "5. Total U.S. dollar amount of investment resulting from recruitment of new businesses. "6. Total U.S. dollar amount of investment resulting from existing business expansions. "7. Total U.S. dollar amount of foreign direct investment. "b. For business services: "1. Number of existing businesses receiving support. "2. Number of Business Services Team leads that lead to an expansion of existing businesses. "3. Number of businesses receiving export assistance. "4. Total U.S. dollar amount of exports by assisted companies. "c. For tourism and marketing: "1. Number of consumer inquiries about travel to North Carolina. "2. Total U.S. dollar amount of spending by visitors while in North Carolina. "3. Total U.S. dollar amount of State and local tax revenues resulting from visitors' spending while in North Carolina. "4. Number of business inquiries for business relocation, investment, and expansion. "d. Any other information or performance metrics allowing comparison between departmental and corporate performance for any other economic development division in the Department for which the Department contracts for performance with a North Carolina nonprofit corporation pursuant to this act. "e. Any other information or performance metrics deemed useful or necessary by the Department in the listed areas or other areas. "The Department shall make a report to the Office of State Budget Management, to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, to the Joint Legislative Economic Development and Global Engagement Oversight Committee, and to the Fiscal Research Division no later than December 1, 2014. "The Department shall require the nonprofit corporation to include in each report mandated by G.S. 143B-431A(e)(2) an analysis of the corporation's performance and a comparison to departmental performance using the same performance metrics studied and reported by the Department, as required by subdivision (2) of this section." Session Laws 2014-18, s. 6.1, provides: "Nothing in this act shall be construed to obligate the General Assembly to appropriate funds to implement this act." Session Laws 2016-94, s. 1.2, provides: "This act shall be known as the 'Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2016.'" Session Laws 2016-94, s. 39.7, is a severability clause. Session Laws 2017-57, s. 15.3(b), provides: "(b) To enable data comparison, portions of the report required pursuant to G.S. 143B-431.01(f) that contain references to prior submitted reports or data shall, where possible, be presented on a calendar year basis." Session Laws 2017-57, s. 15.3(c), made the amendment to subsections (e) and (f) of this section by Session Laws 2017-57, s. 15.3(a), effective October 1, 2017, and applicable to the report due on or before March 1, 2018, and subsequent years. Session Laws 2017-57, s. 15.4, provides: "Notwithstanding G.S. 143B-431.01(e)(14), the Secretary of Commerce shall enter into negotiations with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina to amend the contract with the Partnership for the fund-raising year in effect as of the effective date of this section to (i) reduce to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) the amount the Partnership must receive from fund-raising efforts and sources other than State funds and (ii) permit amounts for the fiscal year raised in excess of the amount required by this section to apply to the amount required to be raised for the subsequent fiscal year." Session Laws 2017-57, s. 1.1, provides: "This act shall be known as the 'Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2017.'" Session Laws 2017-57, s. 39.4, provides: "Except for statutory changes or other provisions that clearly indicate an intention to have effects beyond the 2017-2019 fiscal biennium, the textual provisions of this act apply only to funds appropriated for, and activities occurring during, the 2017-2019 fiscal biennium." Session Laws 2017-57, s. 39.6, is a severability clause. Session Laws 2018-5, s. 15.5(a), provides: "(a) The Department of Commerce shall enter into negotiations with the nonprofit corporation with which it contracts pursuant to G.S. 143B-431.01 to provide international investment recruiting resources to market and advertise the State as a business destination." Session Laws 2018-5, s. 15.5(g), made subdivision (e)(17), as added by Session Laws 2018-5, s. 15.5(c), applicable to contracts renewed or entered into on or after July 1, 2018. Session Laws 2018-5, s. 1.1, provides: "This act shall be known as the 'Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2018.'" Session Laws 2018-5, s. 39.4, provides: "Except for statutory changes or other provisions that clearly indicate an intention to have effects beyond the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the textual provisions of this act apply only to funds appropriated for, and activities occurring during, the 2018-2019 fiscal year." Session Laws 2018-5, s. 39.7, is a severability clause. This section was amended by Session Laws 2019-50, s. 2, in the coded bill drafting format provided by G.S. 120-20.1. In subdivision (d)(1), the 2019 act failed to take into account the 2018 amendment by Session Laws 2018-142, s. 13(a), which had deleted an extraneous "the" preceding "chairs." The bracketed word "[the]" in subdivision (d)(1) was added at the direction of the Revisor of Statutes. Session Laws 2019-50, s. 3(b), made the last sentence of subdivision (e)(10) as added by Session Laws 2019-50, s. 3(b), effective January 1, 2020. From June 26, 2019, through January 1, 2020, subdivision (e)(10) read as follows: "(10) A provision limiting the term of renewal of the contract to no more than three years. In the event of renewal, the Department shall provide notice of intention to renew the contract for the initial renewal no less than five months prior to the expiration of the remaining term of the contract, and the Department shall provide notice of intention to renew the contract for a subsequent renewal no less than one year prior to the expiration of the remaining term of the contract, including the term of any extension. A contract extension may not extend the remaining term of the contract, including the term of the extension, to more than four years." Session Laws 2019-50, s. 5, made the amendment of subdivision (b)(4), subsection (d), subdivision (e)(10) and subsection (i) of this section by Session Laws 2019-50, ss. 1, 2, and 3(a), effective June 26, 2019, and applicable to contracts existing, entered into, and renewed on or after that date, and further provided, in part: "Notwithstanding the limitation on the term of renewal, as provided in G.S. 143B-431.01(e)(10), as amended by this act, the initial term of renewal of an existing contract may be for no more than three years plus the remainder of the calendar year in which the contract is renewed." Session Laws 2019-50, s. 5, made subdivision (b)(5) as added by Session Laws 2019-50, s. 1.1, and subdivision (e)(14) as amended by Session Laws 2019-50, s. 4, effective June 26, 2019, and applicable to contracts entered into or renewed on or after that date. Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2014-109, s. 1, effective July 1, 2014, in the last sentence of subsection (h), substituted "less than eighty thousand dollars ($80,000)" for "equal to or greater than sixty thousand dollars ($60,000)" and inserted "not." Session Laws 2014-115, s. 57, effective August 11, 2014, inserted the second sentence in subsection (b); rewrote the introductory paragraphs of subsection (c); and in the last sentence of subsection (h), substituted "Employees" for "Officers, members of the governing board, and employees" and "less" for "equal to or greater" and inserted "not" near the end. Session Laws 2015-7, s. 10, effective April 13, 2015, deleted "officer or" following "State" in subdivision (d)(2)c. Session Laws 2015-241, ss. 14.30(u), (v) and 15.1, effective July 1, 2015, added "and G.S. 143C-6-23 " at the end of the first sentence in the introductory language of subsection (b); and in subsection (c), substituted "Secretary of Environmental Quality" for "Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources" in the first paragraph and substituted "Department of Environmental Quality" for "Department of Environment and Natural Resources" in subdivision (5). Session Laws 2015-264, s. 19, effective October 1, 2015, substituted "pursuant to this section" for "pursuant to G.S. 143B-431.01" in the introductory language of subdivision (d)(2)e. Session Laws 2016-94, s. 15.6(b), effective July 1, 2016, in subsection (c), in the first paragraph, inserted "the Chair of the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board," deleted "and one member appointed by the General Assembly upon the joint recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate" at the end of the second sentence and made a stylistic change; and added the last sentence in subdivision (c)(4). Session Laws 2017-57, s. 14.1(r), effective July 1, 2017, substituted "the chairs of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Natural, and Economic Resources, and the chairs of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources" for "Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations" in subdivision (d)(1) and subsection (f). Session Laws 2017-57, s. 15.3(a), effective October 1, 2017, in subsection (e), substituted "shall include" for "must include" in the introductory paragraph, and in subdivision (2), substituted "January 31" for "September 1" and substituted "calendar year" for "State fiscal year" twice; and in the introductory paragraph of subsection (f), substituted "March 1" for "September 30" and added "presented on a calendar year basis" at the end. For effective date and applicability, see editor's note. Session Laws 2018-5, s. 15.5(b), (c), effective July 1, 2018, inserted "international investment recruiting" near the end of the first sentence of subsection (a); and added subdivision (e)(17). For applicability of subdivision (e)(17), see editor's note. Session Laws 2018-142, s. 13(a), effective December 14, 2018, substituted "the chairs" for "the the chairs" throughout the section. Session Laws 2019-50, ss. 1, 2, and 3(a), in subdivision (b)(4), added "except for the following" at the end of the introductory language and added sub-subdivisions (b)(4)a. and b.; subdivision (d)(1), inserted "chairs of both the Senate Committee on Appropriations•ase Budget and the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations"; in sub-subdivision (d)(2)a., in the first sentence, substituted "18" for "17" and inserted "the Secretary of Commerce, as an ex officio member"; in sub-subdivision (d)(2)c., inserted "other than the Secretary of Commerce"; in sub-subdivision (d)(2)d., deleted "Each quarter and upon request, the board shall report to the Chair of the Economic Development Accountability and Standards Committee on the progress of the State's economic development" at the end; in sub-sub-subdivision (d)(2)e.2., deleted "the Secretary of Commerce" following "policy to"; rewrote subdivision (e)(10); and in subsection (i), deleted "other than the Secretary of Commerce" following "employee" in the first sentence, and deleted "The Secretary of Commerce may solicit funds for the nonprofit corporation pursuant to G.S. 163A-211(b)(5)" at the end. For effective date and applicability, see editor's note. Session Laws 2019-50, ss. 1.1 and 4, added subdivision (b)(5); and rewrote subdivision (e)(14). For effective date and applicability, see editor's note. Session Laws 2019-50, s. 3(b), effective January 1, 2020, added the last sentence in subdivision (e)(10).
Source: official North Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina § 143B-431
What does North Carolina General Statutes § 143B-431 cover?
Section 143B-431 ("01. Department of Commerce - contracting of functions.") is part of the North Carolina General Statutes, the codified statutory law of North Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite North Carolina § 143B-431?
A common citation format is "North Carolina General Statutes § 143B-431" (North Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of North Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Carolina attorney.
How does North Carolina § 143B-431 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
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