120-226. Commission established; purpose; reports.

(a) Establishment. - The Legislative Commission on Methamphetamine Abuse is established.

(b) Purpose. - The purpose of the Commission is to study: (i) issues regarding the abuse of methamphetamine precursors used to make methamphetamine and any other issues that are relevant to that topic; (ii) the cost, feasibility, and advisability of developing and implementing data-tracking mechanisms related to the sale of pseudoephedrine products; (iii) development of programs to curb the use of and access to methamphetamine in North Carolina; (iv) development of training and education programs targeted for employees of establishments where pseudoephedrine products are available for sale; (v) development of programs to educate the citizens of the State on the issues of detection and prevention of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in the State and to educate the citizens of the State of the restrictions on the sale of pseudoephedrine products set forth in Article 5D of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.

(c) Membership. - The Commission shall consist of 22 members to be appointed as follows:

(1) Two members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(2) Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(3) The Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee.

(4) The Governor or the Governor's designee.

(5) One representative from the North Carolina Association of County Directors of Social Services, as appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(6) One representative from the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association, as appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(7) One representative from the North Carolina Association of Community Pharmacists, as appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(8) One representative from the Conference of District Attorneys of North Carolina, as appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(9) One representative from the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, as appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(10) One representative from the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association, Inc., as appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(11) The Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Secretary's designee.

(12) The Director of the State Bureau of Investigation or the Director's designee.

(13) One representative from the North Carolina Narcotic Enforcement Officers' Association, as appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(14) One representative from the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, as appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(15) The Commissioner of Agriculture or the Commissioner's designee.

(16) The Chair of the Commission on Mental Health or the Chair's designee.

(17) The Director of the National Drug Intelligence Center or the Director's designee.

(18) The Administrator of the United States Drug Enforcement or the Administrator's designee.

(19) One representative from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, as appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(20) One representative from a child advocacy organization in the State, as appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(d) Terms. - Members shall serve for two-year terms, with no prohibition against being reappointed, except initial appointments shall be for terms as follows:

(1) The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall initially appoint three members for a term of two years and four members for a term of three years.

(2) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall initially appoint three members for a term of two years and four members for a term of three years.

Initial terms shall commence on September 1, 2005.

(e) Cochairs. - The Commission shall have two Cochairs, one senator designated by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and one representative designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives from among their respective appointees. The initial terms shall commence on September 1, 2005.

(f) Vacancies. - A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made, and the term shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.

(g) Compensation. - The Commission members shall receive no salary as a result of serving on the Commission but shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5, and 138-6, as applicable. When approved by the Commission, members may be reimbursed for subsistence and travel expenses in excess of the statutory amount.

(h) Meetings. - The Cochairs shall convene the Commission. Meetings shall be held as often as necessary, but not less than four times a year.

(i) Quorum. - A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

(j) Staff. - Upon the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional staff to the Commission to aid in its work.

(k) Reports. - The Commission shall annually report on its activities and recommendations, including any legislative proposals, to the General Assembly. The Commission shall make its first report on or before November 1, 2005.

(l) Funding. - From funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate funds for the purpose of conducting the study provided for in this section.