A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT creating a permanent statewide poverty task force.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"Article 80.
"Statewide Poverty Task Force.
"§ 143‑750.  Statewide Poverty Task Force.
(a)	The General Assembly finds that poverty in this State is widespread, especially among minorities and in rural areas and other parts of the State that have lost significant numbers of jobs. Further, the General Assembly finds that a statewide coordinated effort is required to maximize the State's resources to reduce and potentially eradicate poverty among citizens able and willing to work. To that end, there is created the North Carolina Statewide Poverty Task Force. The Task Force shall be located within the Department of Health and Human Services, which shall provide staff services and space for Task Force meetings.
(b)	The Task Force shall consist of 15 voting members appointed as follows:
(1)	Five members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to include the following:
a.	Two members of the House of Representatives.
b.	Three members of the general public, including persons with expertise in the fields of business and economic development, job training and adult education, public health, affordable housing, and faith‑based initiatives.
(2)	Five members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, to include the following:
a.	Two members of the Senate.
b.	Three members of the general public, including persons with expertise in the fields of early childhood education, public safety, health disparities, child welfare, and higher education.
(3)	Five members appointed by the Governor, to include the following:
a.	Three members of the general public.
b.	Two members affiliated with nonprofit organizations representing minority issues.
(c)	The Task Force shall:
(1)	Identify long‑ and short‑range goals for eliminating poverty in North Carolina.
(2)	Develop a coordinated, integrated, ongoing approach to poverty reduction in the State by establishing poverty reduction targets.
(d)	The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each designate a cochair from among their appointees. The Task Force shall meet at least quarterly upon the call of the cochairs and may contract for consultant services. The appointing authority shall fill vacancies on the Task Force.
(e)	By March 1 of each year, the Task Force shall submit an annual report to the Governor and to the General Assembly on its poverty reduction and economic recovery recommendations.
"§ 143‑751.  Member expenses and travel reimbursements.
Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation but may receive travel and subsistence as follows:
(1)	Members who are officials or employees of a State agency or unit of local government, in accordance with G.S. 138‑6.
(2)	Members who serve in the General Assembly, in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1.
(3)	All other members at the rate established in G.S. 138‑5."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2015.