GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2015

H 1

HOUSE BILL 760

Short Title: Regulatory Reform Act of 2015.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Representatives Millis, J. Bell, and Riddell (Primary Sponsors). For a complete list of Sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly Web Site.
Referred to:	Environment, if favorable, Regulatory Reform.

April 15, 2015

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to provide further regulatory relief to the citizens of north carolina by providing for VARIOUS administrative reforms, by eliminating certain unnecessary or outdated statutes and regulations and MODERNIZING or simplifying cumbersome or outdated regulations, and by making various other statutory changes.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. BUSINESS REGULATION

MANUFACTURED HOME LICENSE/CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK

SECTION 1.1. G.S. 143‑143.10A(b) reads as rewritten:

"§ 143‑143.10A. Criminal history checks of applicants for licensure.

(a) Definitions. – The following definitions shall apply in this section:

(1) Applicant. – A person applying for initial licensure as a manufactured home ~~manufacturer, dealer, salesperson,~~salesperson or set‑up contractor.

…

(b) All applicants for initial licensure shall consent to a criminal history record check. Refusal to consent to a criminal history record check may constitute grounds for the Board to deny licensure to an applicant. The Board shall ensure that the State and national criminal history of an applicant is checked. Applicants shall obtain criminal record reports from one or more reporting services designated by the Board to provide criminal record reports. Each applicant is required to pay the designated service for the cost of the criminal record report. In the alternative, the Board may provide to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety the fingerprints of the applicant to be checked, a form signed by the applicant consenting to the criminal record check and the use of fingerprints and other identifying information required by the State or National Repositories of Criminal Histories, and any additional information required by the Department of Public Safety. The Board shall keep all information obtained pursuant to this section confidential.

.…"

AMEND FOOD PUSHCART REQUIREMENT

SECTION 1.2. G.S. 130A‑248(c1) reads as rewritten:

"(c1) The Commission shall adopt rules governing the sanitation of pushcarts and mobile food units. ~~A permitted restaurant or commissary shall serve as a base of operations for a pushcart.~~ A pushcart or mobile food unit shall meet all of the sanitation requirements of a permitted commissary or shall have a permitted restaurant or commissary that serves as its base of operation."

PART II. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT REGULATION

ZONING DENSITY CREDITS

SECTION 2.1. G.S. 160A‑381(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a) For the purpose of promoting health, safety, morals, or the general welfare of the community, any city may adopt zoning and development regulation ordinances. These ordinances may be adopted as part of a unified development ordinance or as a separate ordinance. A zoning ordinance may regulate and restrict the height, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lots that may be occupied, the size of yards, courts and other open spaces, the density of population, the location and use of buildings, structures and land. The ordinance ~~may~~shall provide density credits or severable development rights for dedicated rights‑of‑way pursuant to G.S. 136‑66.10 or G.S. 136‑66.11."

NO FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED FOR LESS STRINGENT RULES

SECTION 2.2.(a) G.S. 150B‑21.3A(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d) Timetable. – The Commission shall establish a schedule for the review and readoption of existing rules in accordance with this section on a decennial basis as follows:

…

(2) With regard to the readoption of rules as required by sub‑subdivision (c)(2)g. of this section, once the final determination report becomes effective, the Commission shall establish a date by which the agency must readopt the rules. The Commission shall consult with the agency and shall consider the agency's rule‑making priorities in establishing the readoption date. The agency may amend a rule as part of the readoption process. If a rule is readopted without substantive ~~change,~~change or if the rule is amended to impose a less stringent burden on regulated persons, the agency is not required to prepare a fiscal note as provided by G.S. 150B‑21.4."

SECTION 2.2.(b) This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to periodic review of existing rules occurring pursuant to G.S. 150B‑21.3A on or after that date.

APO TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARD CHANGES

SECTION 2.3. Pursuant to G.S. 120‑70.101(3a), the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee (APO) shall review the recommendations contained in the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee's report, entitled "Occupational Licensing Agencies Should Not be Centralized, but Stronger Oversight is Needed" to determine the best way to accomplish the recommendations contained in the report and to improve oversight of occupational licensing boards. In conducting the review, APO shall consult with occupational licensing boards, licensees, associations representing licensees, the Department of Commerce, and other interested parties. The APO cochairs may establish subcommittees to assist with various parts of the review, including determining whether licensing authority should be continued for the 12 boards identified in the report. The APO shall propose legislation to the 2016 Session of the 2015 General Assembly.

PART III. ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE REGULATION

AMEND ISOLATED WETLANDS LAW

SECTION 3.1.(a) For the purposes of implementing Section .1300 of Subchapter 2H of Chapter 2 of Title 15A of the North Carolina Administrative Code (Discharges to Isolated Wetlands and Isolated Waters), the isolated wetlands provisions of Section .1300 shall apply only to a Basin Wetland or Bog and no other wetland types as described in the North Carolina Wetland Assessment User Manual prepared by the North Carolina Wetland Functional Assessment Team, version 4.1 October, 2010, that are not jurisdictional wetlands under the federal Clean Water Act. The isolated wetlands provisions of Section .1300 shall not apply to an isolated man‑made ditch or pond constructed for stormwater management purposes, any other man‑made isolated pond, or any other type of isolated wetland, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall not regulate such water bodies under Section .1300.

SECTION 3.1.(b) The Environmental Management Commission may adopt rules to amend Section .1300 of Subchapter 2H of Chapter 2 of Title 15A of the North Carolina Administrative Code consistent with Section 3.1(a).

SECTION 3.1.(c) Section 54 of S.L. 2014‑120 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 54.(a) Until the effective date of the revised permanent rule that the Environmental Management Commission is required to adopt pursuant to Section 54(c) of this act, the Commission and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall implement 15A NCAC 02H .1305 (Review of Applications) as provided in Section 54(b) of this act.

"SECTION 54.(b) Notwithstanding 15A NCAC 02H .1305 (Review of Applications), all of the following shall apply to the implementation of 15A NCAC 02H .1305:

(1) The amount of impacts of isolated wetlands under 15A NCAC 02H .1305(d)(2) shall be less than or equal to one acre of isolated wetlands east of I‑95 for the entire project and less than or equal to 1/3 acre of isolated wetlands west of I‑95 for the entire project.

(2) Mitigation requirements for impacts to isolated wetlands shall only apply to the amount of impact that exceeds the thresholds set out in subdivision (1) of this section. The mitigation ratio for impacts ~~of greater than one acre~~exceeding the thresholds for the entire project under 15A NCAC 02H .1305(g)(6) shall be 1:1 and may be located on the same parcel.

~~(3)~~ For purposes of Section 54(b) of this section, "isolated wetlands" means a Basin Wetland or Bog as described in the North Carolina Wetland Assessment User Manual prepared by the North Carolina Wetland Functional Assessment Team, version 4.1 October, 2010, that are not jurisdictional wetlands under the federal Clean Water Act. An "isolated wetland" does not include an isolated man‑made ditch or pond constructed for stormwater management purposes or any other man‑made isolated pond.

(4) Impacts to isolated wetlands shall not be combined with the project impacts to 404 jurisdictional wetlands or streams for the purpose of determining when impact thresholds that trigger a mitigation requirement are met.

"SECTION 54.(c) The Environmental Management Commission shall adopt rules to amend 15A NCAC 02H .1300 through 15A NCAC 02H .1305 consistent with Section 54(b) of this act. Notwithstanding G.S. 150B‑19(4), the rule adopted by the Commission pursuant to this subsection shall be substantively identical to the provisions of Section 54(b) of this act. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are not subject to Part 3 of Article 2A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection shall become effective as provided in G.S. 150B‑21.3(b1) as though 10 or more written objections had been received as provided by G.S. 150B‑21.3(b2).

"SECTION 54.(d) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall study (i) how the term "isolated wetland" has been previously defined in State law and whether the term should be clarified in order to provide greater certainty in identifying isolated wetlands; (ii) the surface area thresholds for the regulation of mountain bog isolated wetlands, including whether mountain bog isolated wetlands should have surface area regulatory thresholds different from other types of isolated wetlands; and (iii) whether impacts to isolated wetlands should be combined with the project impacts to jurisdictional wetlands or streams for the purpose of determining when impact thresholds that trigger a mitigation requirement are met. The Department shall report its findings and recommendations to the Environmental Review Commission on or before November 1, 2014.

"SECTION 54.(e) This section is effective when it becomes law. Section 54(b) of this act expires on the date that rules adopted pursuant to Section 54(c) of this act become effective."

AMEND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT LAW

SECTION 3.2.(a) Section 3 of S.L. 2013‑82 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 3. The Environmental Management Commission shall adopt rules implementing Section 2 of this act no later than ~~July 1, 2016.~~November 1, 2016."

SECTION 3.2.(b) G.S. 143‑214.7 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143‑214.7. Stormwater runoff rules and programs.

…

(b2) For purposes of implementing ~~stormwater programs,~~State stormwater programs and local stormwater programs approved pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, all of the following shall apply:

(1) ~~"built‑upon area"~~"Built‑upon area" means impervious surface and partially impervious surface to the extent that the partially impervious surface does not allow water to infiltrate through the surface and into the subsoil. "Built‑upon area" does not include a slatted deck or the water area of a swimming pool.

(2) Vegetative buffers adjacent to intermittent streams shall be measured from the center of the stream bed.

(3) The volume, velocity, and discharge rates of water associated with the one‑year, 24‑hour storm and the difference in stormwater runoff from the predevelopment and postdevelopment conditions for the one‑year, 24‑hour storm shall be calculated using any acceptable engineering hydrologic and hydraulic methods.

(4) Development may occur within a vegetative buffer if the stormwater runoff from the development is discharged outside of the vegetative buffer and is managed so that it otherwise complies with all applicable State and federal stormwater management requirements.

(5) The requirements that apply to development activities within one‑half mile of and draining to Class SA waters or within one‑half mile of Class SA waters and draining to unnamed freshwater tributaries shall not apply to development activities and associated stormwater discharges that do not occur within one‑half mile of and draining to Class SA waters or are not within one‑half mile of Class SA waters and draining to unnamed freshwater tributaries."

…

(d) The Commission shall review each stormwater management program submitted by a State agency or unit of local government and shall notify the State agency or unit of local government that submitted the program that the program has been approved, approved with modifications, or disapproved. The Commission shall approve a program only if it finds that the standards of the program equal ~~or exceed~~ those of the model program adopted by the Commission pursuant to this section.

…."

SECTION 3.2.(c) No later than January 1, 2016, a State agency or local government that implements a stormwater management program approved pursuant to subsection (d) of G.S. 143‑214.7 shall submit its current stormwater management program or a revised stormwater management program to the Environmental Management Commission. No later than July 1, 2016, the Environmental Management Commission shall review and act on each of the submitted stormwater management programs in accordance with subsection (d) of G.S. 143‑214.7, as amended by this section.

SECTION 3.2.(d) The Environmental Review Commission, with the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, shall review the current status of State statutes, session laws, rules, and guidance documents related to the management of stormwater in the State. The Commission shall specifically examine whether State statutes, session laws, rules, and guidance documents related to the management of stormwater in the State should be recodified or reorganized in order to clarify State law for the management of stormwater. The Commission shall submit legislative recommendations, if any, to the 2016 Regular Session of the 2015 General Assembly.

RIPARIAN BUFFER REFORM

SECTION 3.3.(a) G.S. 143‑214.23 reads as rewritten:

"§ 143‑214.23. Riparian Buffer Protection Program: Delegation of riparian buffer protection requirements to local governments.

(a) Delegation Permitted. – The Commission may delegate responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of the State's riparian buffer protection requirements to units of local government that have the power to regulate land use. A delegation under this section shall not affect the jurisdiction of the Commission over State agencies and units of local government. Any unit of local government that has the power to regulate land use may request that responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of the State's riparian buffer protection requirements be delegated to the unit of local government. To this end, units of local government may adopt ordinances and regulations necessary to establish and enforce the State's riparian buffer protection requirements.

(b) Procedures. – Within 90 days after the Commission receives a complete application requesting delegation of responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of the State's riparian buffer protection requirement, the Commission shall review the application and notify the unit of local government that submitted the application whether the application has been approved, approved with modifications, or disapproved. The Commission shall not approve a delegation unless the Commission finds that local implementation and enforcement of the State's riparian buffer protection requirements will equal implementation and enforcement by the State.

(b1) Deviations from Minimum State Requirements. – The Commission may approve a delegation application proposing a riparian buffer width that deviates from that required by the State for the type of surface body of water and the river basin or basins in which the unit of local government is located only in accordance with the procedures of this section:

(1) Units of local government may request deviations in riparian buffer widths from the Commission when submitting an application under subsection (b) of this section. Deviations in buffer width enforced by units of local government under an existing local ordinance may not be enforced after February 1, 2016, unless the unit of local government has either received approval for a deviation under the procedures set forth in this subsection or has an application for deviation pending with the Commission. Under no circumstances shall any existing local ordinance be enforced after June 1, 2016, unless the Commission has approved the deviation. For purposes of this subdivision, an "existing local ordinance" is a local ordinance approved prior to August 1, 2015, that includes a deviation in riparian buffer width from that required by the State.

(2) The Commission may consider a request for a deviation in riparian buffer width only if the request is accompanied by a scientific study prepared by or on behalf of the unit of local government that provides a justification for the deviation based on the topography, soils, hydrology, and environmental impacts within the jurisdiction of the unit of local government. The Commission may also require that the study include any other information it finds necessary to evaluate the request for deviation.

(3) The Commission shall grant the request for deviation only if it finds that the need for a deviation in riparian buffer width is established by the scientific evidence presented by the unit of local government requesting the deviation in order to meet the nutrient reduction goal set by the Commission for the basin subject to the riparian buffer rule.

(c) Local Program Deficiencies. – If the Commission determines that a unit of local government is failing to implement or enforce the State's riparian buffer protection requirements, the Commission shall notify the unit of local government in writing and shall specify the deficiencies in implementation and enforcement. If the local government has not corrected the deficiencies within 90 days after the unit of local government receives the notification, the Commission shall rescind delegation and shall implement and enforce the State's riparian buffer protection program. If the unit of local government indicates that it is willing and able to resume implementation and enforcement of the State's riparian buffer protection requirements, the unit of local government may reapply for delegation under this section.

(d) Technical Assistance. – The Department shall provide technical assistance to units of local government in the development, implementation, and enforcement of the State's riparian buffer protection requirements.

(e) Training. – The Department shall provide a stream identification training program to train individuals to determine the existence of surface water for purposes of rules adopted by the Commission for the protection and maintenance of riparian buffers. The Department may charge a fee to cover the full cost of the training program. No fee shall be charged to an employee of the State who attends the training program in connection with the employee's official duties.

(e1) Restriction on Treatment of Buffer by State and Local Governments. – Units of local government shall not treat the land within a riparian buffer as if the land is the property of the State or any of its subdivisions unless the land or an interest therein has been acquired by the State or its subdivisions by a conveyance or by eminent domain. Land within a riparian buffer in which neither the State nor its subdivisions holds any property interest may be used to satisfy any other development‑related regulatory requirements based on property size.

(e2) Recordation of Common Area Buffers. – When riparian buffers are included within a lot, units of local governments shall require that the buffer area be denominated on the recorded plat. When riparian buffers are (i) placed outside of lots in portions of a subdivision that are designated as common areas or open space, and (ii) neither the State nor its subdivisions holds any property interest in that riparian buffer area, the unit of local government shall attribute to each lot abutting the riparian buffer area a proportionate share based on the area of all lots abutting the riparian buffer area for purposes of development‑related regulatory requirements based on property size.

(e3) Limitation on Local Government Riparian Area Restrictions. – Units of local government may impose restrictions upon the use of riparian areas as defined in 15A NCAC 02B .0202 only within river basins where riparian buffers are required by the State. Units of local government may impose restrictions upon riparian areas to satisfy State riparian buffer requirements by means of: a zoning district, subdivision or development regulation; comprehensive plan; policy; resolution; or any other act carrying the effect of law. The width of the restricted area and the body of water to which the restrictions apply shall not deviate from State requirements unless the deviation has been approved under subsection (b1) of this section. For purposes of this subsection, the terms "riparian areas" and "riparian buffer areas" shall have the same meaning.

(e4) Exception. – Neither the restrictions in subsection (e3) of this section nor the riparian buffer deviation approval procedures of subsection (b1) of this section shall apply to any local ordinance initially adopted prior to July 22, 1997, and any subsequent modifications that have the following characteristics:

(1) The ordinance includes findings that the setbacks from surface water bodies are imposed for purposes that include the protection of aesthetics, fish and wildlife habitat and recreational use by maintaining water temperature, healthy tree canopy and understory, and the protection of the natural shoreline through minimization of erosion and potential chemical pollution in addition to the protection of water quality and the prevention of excess nutrient runoff.

(2) The ordinance includes provisions to permit under certain circumstances (i) small or temporary structures within 50 feet of the water body and (ii) docks and piers within and along the edge of the water body.

(e5) Definition. – For purposes of this section, "development‑related regulatory requirements based on property size" means requirements that forbid or require particular uses, activities, or practices for some percentage of the area of a lot or for lots above or below a particular size, including, but not limited to, perimeter buffers, maximum residential density, tree conservation ordinances, minimum lot size requirements, or nonresidential floor area ratio requirements.

(f) Rules. – The Commission may adopt rules to implement this section."

SECTION 3.3.(b) Part 1 of Article 21 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding two new sections to read:

"§ 143‑214.18. Exemption to riparian buffer requirements for certain private properties.

(a) Definition. – For purposes of this section, "applicable buffer rule" refers to any of the following rules that are applicable to a tract of land:

(1) Neuse River Basin. – 15A NCAC 02B .0233, effective August 1, 2000.

(2) Tar‑Pamlico River Basin. – 15A NCAC 02B .0259, effective August 1, 2000.

(3) Randleman Lake Water Supply Watershed. – 15A NCAC 02B .0250, effective June 1, 2010.

(4) Catawba River Basin. – 15A NCAC 02B .0243, effective August 1, 2004.

(5) Jordan Water Supply Nutrient Strategy. – 15A NCAC 02B .0268, effective September 1, 2011.

(6) Goose Creek Watershed of the Yadkin Pee‑Dee River Basin. – 15A NCAC 02B .0605 and 02B .0607, effective February 1, 2009.

(b) Exemption. – Absent a requirement of federal law or an imminent threat to public health or safety, an applicable buffer rule shall not apply to any tract of land that meets all of the following criteria:

(1) With the exception set forth in subsection (c) of this section, the tract was platted and recorded in the register of deeds in the county where the tract is located prior to the effective date of the applicable buffer rule.

(2) Other than the applicable buffer rule, the use of the tract complies with either of the following:

a. The rules and other laws regulating and applicable to that tract on the effective date for the applicable buffer rule set out in subsection (a) of this section.

b. The current rules, if the application of those rules to the tract was initiated after the effective date for the applicable buffer rule by the unit of local government with jurisdiction over the tract and not at the request of the property owner.

(c) If a tract of land described in subsection (b) of this section is converted to a use that does not comply with subdivision (b)(2) of this section, then the applicable buffer rule shall apply.

(d) The tract of land shall retain an exemption under subsection (b) of this section if either of the following applies:

(1) The tract has been replatted and rerecorded after the effective date for the applicable buffer rule as a result of an eminent domain action and the tract continues to comply with subdivision (b)(2) of this section.

(2) The tract is a recombination exempt from the definition of subdivision under G.S. 160A‑376 or G.S. 153A‑33 and recorded after the effective date of the applicable buffer rule, and the recombination consists of all, or portions of, parcels meeting the requirements for exemption from the applicable buffer rule set forth in subsection (b) of this section.

(e) For purposes of meeting the requirements of subdivision (b)(2) of this section, the following shall be interpreted to be "complying with the rules and other laws regulating and applicable to that property on the effective date for the applicable buffer rule":

(1) The conversion of a tract of land that was undeveloped prior to the effective date of the applicable buffer rule to a use that was permitted under applicable local ordinances in effect prior to the effective date of the applicable buffer rule, even if the conversion is approved after the effective date of the applicable buffer rule.

(2) The conversion of the tract of land to a use permitted under applicable local rules or ordinances that have been applied to the property since the effective date of the applicable buffer rule as a result of either (i) a change in regulations applied by the unit of local government with jurisdiction over the tract; or (ii) a change in the unit of local government having jurisdiction over the tract which results in the application of regulations to the tract after the effective date of the applicable buffer rule.

(f) An exemption to an applicable buffer rule under this section runs with the land, if notice of the exemption is recorded with the register of deeds at or prior to the next conveyance of the tract or portion of the tract."

"§ 143‑214.19. Delineation of protective riparian buffers for coastal wetlands in the Neuse River and Tar‑Pamlico River Basins.

(a) The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) Coastal wetlands. – Any salt marsh or other marsh subject to regular or occasional flooding by tides, including wind tides (whether or not the tidewaters reach the marshland areas through natural or artificial watercourses), provided this shall not include hurricane or tropical storm tides.

(2) Marshlands. – The term has the same meaning as G.S. 113‑229(n).

(b) If State law requires a protective riparian buffer for coastal wetlands in either the Neuse River Basin or the Tar‑Pamlico River Basin, the coastal wetlands and marshlands shall not be treated as part of the surface waters but instead shall be included in the measurement of the protective riparian buffer. The protective riparian buffer for any of the coastal wetlands or marshlands in the Neuse River Basin or the Tar‑Pamlico River Basin shall be delineated as follows:

(1) If the coastal wetlands or marshlands extend less than 50 feet from the high normal water level or normal water level, as appropriate, and therefore would not encompass a 50‑foot area beyond the appropriate water level, then the protective riparian buffer shall include all of the coastal wetlands and marshlands and enough of the upland footage to equal a total of 50 feet from the appropriate normal high water level or the normal water level measured horizontally on a line perpendicular to the surface water.

(2) If the coastal wetlands or marshlands extend 50 feet or more from the normal high water level or normal water level, as appropriate, then the protective riparian buffer shall be the full width of the marshlands or coastal wetlands up to the landward limit of the marshlands or coastal wetlands but shall not extend beyond the landward limit of the marshlands or coastal wetlands."

SECTION 3.3.(c) Article 21 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 143‑214.27 Riparian Buffer Conditions in Environmental Permits.

(a) Except as set forth in subsection (b) of this section, the Department may not impose as a condition of any permit issued under this Article riparian buffer requirements that exceed established standards for the river basin within which the activity or facility receiving the permit is located. If no riparian buffer standards have been established for the river basin within which the activity or facility receiving the permit is located, then the Department shall not impose a buffer standard as a condition for a permit that exceeds the standard for the Neuse River Basin set forth in 15A NCAC 02B .0233.

(b) The Department may impose as a condition of any permit issued under this Article a more restrictive riparian buffer requirement than that established for the river basin within which the activity or facility receiving the permit is located, or a riparian buffer requirement in a river basin where no riparian buffer standards have been established as set forth in this subsection. Prior to imposing the riparian buffer permit condition, the Commission must make a finding that the condition is necessary in order to meet the nutrient reduction goals for the river basin within which the activity or facility receiving the permit is located, based on basin‑specific evidence compiled through a scientific study prepared by or on behalf of the Department that provides a justification for the permit condition based on the topography, soils, or hydrology of the river basin, the environmental impacts of the activity or facility, and any other information the Commission finds necessary to evaluate the need for the riparian buffer permit condition."

SECTION 3.3.(d) This section becomes effective August 1, 2015.

WILDLIFE SEARCH AND SEIZURE

SECTION 3.4.(a) G.S. 113‑136(k) reads as rewritten:

"(k) It is unlawful to refuse to exhibit upon request by any inspector, protector, or other law enforcement officer any item required to be carried by any law or rule as to which inspectors or protectors have enforcement jurisdiction. The items that must be exhibited include boating safety or other equipment or any license, permit, tax receipt, certificate, or identification. It is unlawful to refuse to allow inspectors, protectors, or other law enforcement officers to inspect weapons, equipment, fish, or wildlife ~~that~~if the officer reasonably believes them to be possessed incident to an activity regulated by any law or rule as to which inspectors and protectors have enforcement ~~jurisdiction.~~ jurisdiction and the officer has a reasonable suspicion that a violation has been committed. Except as authorized by G.S. 113‑137, nothing in this section gives an inspector, protector, or other law enforcement officer the authority to inspect weapons, equipment, fish, or wildlife in the absence of a person in apparent control of the item to be inspected."

SECTION 3.4.(b) The Wildlife Resources Commission shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety by March 1, 2017, and annually thereafter, on the number of complaints received against Commission law enforcement officers, the subject matter of the complaints, and the geographic areas in which the complaints were filed.

SECTION 3.4.(c) Section 3.4(a) of this section becomes effective December 1, 2015, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date. The remainder of this section is effective when it becomes law.

STUDY FLOOD ELEVATIONS AND BUILDING HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 3.5. The Department of Insurance, the Building Code Council, and the Coastal Resources Commission shall jointly study how flood elevations and building heights for structures are established and measured in the coastal region of the State. The Department, Council, and Commission shall specifically consider how flood elevations and coastal building height requirements affect flood insurance rates and how height calculation methods might be made more consistent and uniform in order to provide flood insurance rate relief. In conducting this study, the Department, Council, and Commission shall engage a broad group of stakeholders, including property owners, local governments, and representatives of the development industry. No later than January 1, 2016, the Department, Council, and Commission shall jointly submit the results of their study, including any legislative recommendations, to the 2015 General Assembly.

PART IV. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 4.1. If any section or provision of this act is declared unconstitutional or invalid by the courts, it does not affect the validity of this act as a whole or any part other than the part declared to be unconstitutional or invalid.

SECTION 4.2. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.