§ 116-360.35.  Real property.

(a) Acquisition and Disposition. - The Chancellor of East Carolina University shall establish rules and regulations for acquiring or disposing of any interest in real property for the use of the School of Medicine, the Medical Faculty Practice Plan, and ECU Dental School Clinical Operations. These rules and regulations shall include provisions for development of specifications, advertisement, and negotiations with owners for acquisition of an interest in real property by purchase, gift, lease, or rental, but not by condemnation or exercise of eminent domain, on behalf of the School of Medicine, the Medical Faculty Practice Plan, and ECU Dental School Clinical Operations. Acquisitions and dispositions of interests in real property pursuant to this section shall not be subject to State laws applicable to the acquisition or disposition of interest in real property by or on behalf of State agencies, including, without limitation, the provisions of Article 36 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes or the provisions of Chapter 146 of the General Statutes.

(b) Design and Construction. - The Chancellor may, subject to rules and regulations generally applicable to educational facilities and health care facilities in the State, adopt policies and procedures that shall exclusively govern the design, construction, and renovation of buildings, infrastructure, utilities, and other property developments of the School of Medicine, the Medical Faculty Practice Plan, and ECU Dental School Clinical Operations, including all aspects of vendor selections, contracting, negotiation, and approvals. Design and construction for the School of Medicine, the Medical Faculty Practice Plan, and ECU Dental School Clinical Operations are subject to the requirements of G.S. 44A-26 and G.S. 133-1.1 but are otherwise exempt from other State laws applicable to design and construction projects by or on behalf of State agencies.

(c) Plan Review and Code Enforcement of Certain Construction Projects. - Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a local building code inspection department has general authority over plan review, administration, and enforcement of all sections of the North Carolina State Building Code with respect to construction or renovation projects undertaken by the School of Medicine, the Medical Faculty Practice Plan, or ECU Dental Clinical Operations that are on or within privately owned real property leased by the School of Medicine, the Medical Faculty Practice Plan, or ECU Dental Clinical Operations within the jurisdiction of the local building code inspection department. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to abrogate the authority of the Department of Labor under subsections (c) and (d) of G.S. 143-139.  (2023-134, s. 4.10(b); 2024-1, s. 1.7(l).)