Bill > H1086

This bill, the Refugee Resettlement Act of 2016, establishes a process for local governments in North Carolina to request a pause, or moratorium, on the resettlement of additional refugees within their communities. It defines "capacity to settle additional refugees" by considering factors like the ability of social services and healthcare agencies to meet existing needs, the availability of affordable housing, the school system's capacity to handle new students, and the local economy's ability to absorb new workers without negatively impacting current residents. If a local government, such as a county or city, determines it lacks this capacity and that further resettlement would adversely affect its current residents, its governing body can pass a resolution requesting a moratorium. This resolution would then be sent to the North Carolina Refugee Assistance Program, which would forward it to the U.S. Department of State, potentially leading to a suspension of refugee resettlement in that area. To lift such a moratorium, the local government must hold a public hearing, adopt a resolution finding it has sufficient capacity, and then jointly request the suspension with the North Carolina Refugee Assistance Program, which would then notify the U.S. Department of State. The bill also requires local governments to document their capacity and hold a public hearing before requesting the settlement of additional refugees. Finally, it appropriates $50,000 to the North Carolina Refugee Assistance Program for administering these new provisions.