North Carolina HB 309: Various Local Provisions VI.

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025

SESSION LAW 2025-32
HOUSE BILL 309

*H309-v-5*
AN ACT TO MAKE VARIOUS CHANGES TO LOCAL LAWS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. RURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES

HERTFORD COUNTY RURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
SECTION 1.1. Section 23 of Chapter 988 of the 1965 Session Laws, as amended by
Chapter 931 of the 1969 Session Laws and S.L. 2023-143, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 23. This Act shall only apply to the counties of Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Hertford,
Jackson, Macon, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey."

TRANSYLVANIA RURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
SECTION 1.2.(a) Establishment. – There is established a separate and independent
body corporate and politic to be known as the Transylvania Rural Development Authority. The
Transylvania Rural Development Authority shall have all the powers and duties granted to a rural
development authority established under Chapter 988 of the 1965 Session Laws, as amended by
Chapter 931 of the 1969 Session Laws and S.L. 2023-143. The board of commissioners of
Transylvania County shall have no authority over the Transylvania Rural Development
Authority.
SECTION 1.2.(b) Membership; Organization; Removal. – (a) There shall be nine
members of the Authority who shall be appointed by the Transylvania Economic Alliance. Each
member shall be a resident of Transylvania County and shall serve a term of five years. In order
to stagger the members' terms, the appointing authority shall, in appointing the initial members,
appoint one member to serve a term of two years, one member to serve a term of three years, and
one member to serve a term of five years. A member shall hold office until the member's
successor is appointed and qualified. Vacancies for unexpired terms shall be promptly filled by
the appointing authority, and the person appointed shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired
term. A member shall receive no compensation for the member's services but shall, within the
limit of available funds, be entitled to reimbursement of necessary expenses, including travel
expenses, incurred in the discharge of duties.
(b) The members of the Authority shall select from among their membership a
person to serve as chair, vice-chair, and any other officers they deem necessary to conduct the
business of the Authority. The Authority shall adopt rules and regulations consistent with the
provisions of Chapter 988 of the 1965 Session Laws, as amended, as necessary for the proper
discharge of its duties. The chair may appoint committees that are authorized by the Authority's
rules and regulations. The Authority shall meet regularly at the times and places specified in its
rules and regulations, and special meetings may be called pursuant to those rules. All meetings
shall be open to the public. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for all purposes.
(c) A member of the Authority may only be removed by the appointing authority
for inefficiency or neglect of duty or misconduct in office. No member shall be removed unless

Page 2 Session Law 2025-32 House Bill 309
the member has been given a copy of the charges at least 10 days prior to the hearing and has
been given an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel.
SECTION 1.2.(c) Staff; Employees. – Within the limits of available funds, the
Authority shall appoint the Transylvania Economic Alliance to operate the Authority. The
Authority may delegate to one or more of its members, agents, or employees the powers and
duties which it deems necessary to carry out its powers and duties, subject always to the
supervision and control of the Authority.
SECTION 1.2.(d) Interest of Members or Employees. – No member or employee of
the Authority shall (i) acquire any interest, direct or indirect, in any development project or any
property included, or planned to be included, in any development project, or in any area which
the member or employee may have reason to believe may be included in any development project
or (ii) have any interest, direct or indirect, in any contract or proposed contract for materials or
services to be furnished or used by the Authority or in connection with any development project.
The acquisition of any interest in a development project or in any property or contract as
described in this section shall constitute misconduct in office. If any member or employee of the
Authority shall have already owned or controlled within the preceding two years any interest,
direct or indirect, in any property later included or planned to be included in any development
project under the jurisdiction of the Authority, or has any interest in any contract for material or
services to be furnished or used in connection with any development project, the member or
employee shall disclose the interest in writing to the Authority, and the disclosure shall be entered
upon the minutes of the Authority. Failure to make a disclosure required by this section shall
constitut