(A) There is established the River Basins Advisory Commissions. The commissions shall be permanent bodies composed of members from the State of North Carolina and the State of South Carolina.

(B) The purpose of each commission shall be to:

(1) provide guidance and make recommendations to local, state, and federal legislative and administrative bodies, and to others as it considers necessary and appropriate, for the use, stewardship, and enhancement of the water, and other natural resources, for all citizens within the river basins;

(2) provide a forum for discussion of issues affecting the basin's water quantity and water quality, and issues affecting other natural resources;

(3) promote communication, coordination, and education among stakeholders within the river basins;

(4) identify problems and recommend appropriate solutions;

(5) undertake studies related to water quantity, water quality, and other natural resources in the basin based on existing data available from agencies located in either state;

(6) develop rules and procedures for the conduct of its business or as may be necessary to perform its duties and carry out its objectives including, but not limited to, calling meetings and establishing voting procedures. Rules and procedures developed pursuant to this item must be effective upon an affirmative vote by a majority of the commission members;

(7) establish standing and ad hoc committees, which must be constituted in a manner to ensure a balance between recognized interests and states. The commissions shall determine the purpose of each standing or ad hoc committee;

(8) determine the optimum approach to comprehensively and collaboratively provide recommendations for integrated river management including, but not limited to, the total assimilative capacity of the basin;

(9) seek, apply for, accept, and expend gifts, grants, donations, services, and other aid from public or private sources. The commissions may accept or expend funds only after an affirmative vote by a majority of the members of the commissions;

(10) exercise the powers of a body corporate, including the power to sue and be sued, and adopt and use a common seal and alter the same;

(11) enter into contracts and execute all instruments necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the commissions;

(12) designate a fiscal agent;

(13) perform any lawful acts necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the commissions.

(C) All of the authority granted to the River Basins Advisory Commissions shall be advisory in nature and in no way shall the commissions be construed to have any regulatory authority.

(D) The commissions shall have no authority to obligate or otherwise bind the State of North Carolina, the State of South Carolina, or any agency or subdivision of either state.

HISTORY: 2004 Act No. 262, Section 1, eff July 6, 2004.