§ 143B-1217.  Military Presence Stabilization Fund.

(a) The Military Presence Stabilization Fund is established as a special fund in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Funds in the Military Presence Stabilization Fund shall be used to fund actions designed to make the State less vulnerable to closure pursuant to federal Base Realignment and Closure and related initiatives. The North Carolina Military Affairs Commission shall approve the use of the Fund for this purpose.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 143B-1214 and subsection (a) of this section, funds appropriated to the Military Presence Stabilization Fund may be used for the following purposes:

(1) Unless otherwise authorized by the General Assembly, up to two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($225,000) to provide grants to local communities or military installations for actual project expenses. Grant funds shall not be used to pay for lobbying the General Assembly, salaries, travel, or other administrative costs. The North Carolina Military Affairs Commission shall establish guidelines for applying for these grants.

(2) Administrative expenses and reimbursements for members of the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission.

(3) Federal advocacy and lobbying support.

(4) Updates to strategic planning analysis and strategic plan.

(5) Economic impact analyses.

(6) Public-public/public-private (P4) initiatives.

(7) Identification and implementation of innovative measures to increase the military value of installations.

(8) Fully fund a position at the North Carolina Economic Development Center.

(c) The North Carolina Military Affairs Commission shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on General Government no later than February 15 of each year on expenditures from the Military Presence Stabilization Fund. (2015-241, s. 24.3(a); 2017-57, s. 19.1(e); 2020-78, s. 17.1(a).)