Bill Summaries: H958 (2011-2012 Session)

Tracking:
  • Summary date: Jun 21 2012 - View summary

    House committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition.
    Makes modifications to the membership of the NC Zoological Society (Society) board and caps membership at 25 members. Requires the Society to spend $4 million from Society funds each year to cover the operation and capital improvements at the Zoo. Sets out budget-related reporting requirements for the Society. Requires prior approval by the State Treasurer of the management agreement between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Society and any other agreements with third parties on issues related to tax-exempt status. Specifies issues to be included in the management agreement. Permits the Department of Administration to authorize construction and maintenance projects on state land at the zoo and requires that Department and DENR approve a master plan before the Society begins any project (previously specified when the State retained oversight for projects). Authorizes the Department of Administration and the Society to enter into the building maintenance and construction agreement at any time before January 1, 2013. Renames Article 14 in GS Chapter 143 as North Carolina Zoological Park. Makes a conforming change to repeal GS 143-177.1 (Zoo Park Fund). Makes other conforming and clarifying changes.


  • Summary date: May 16 2012 - View summary

    Repeals Part 22 of Article 7 in GS Chapter 143B (NC Zoological Park Council) and rewrites Article 14 (NC Zoological Authority) in GS Chapter 143 as follows. Directs the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to enter into a management agreement with the NC Zoological Society (Society) to maintain and operate the zoo for a term not to exceed 25 years, with options to renew. Provides for transfer to the Society on January 1, 2013, and directs the Society to fulfill specified duties. Specifies that all state-owned property remains under state title, and grants the Society naming rights on state-owned land or fixtures. Appropriates $10 million annually to the Society for management expenses, except appropriates $5 million for 2012-13. Provides for allocations from the Reserve for Repair and Renovation, as detailed, and appropriates $3.2 million for 2012-13 to DENR for transition expenses. Specifies that the state retains design and construction oversight for capital improvement projects on state lands or when state funds are used, as follows: (1) requires state approval for projects costing over $2 million and (2) permits the Society to supervise certain aspects of projects costing $2 million or less. Authorizes DENR and the Society to enter into the management agreement at any time before January 1, 2013, the effective date of the bill. Makes conforming changes.