Bill > S697

This bill codifies and reconstitutes the Lake Norman Marine Commission to improve governance, water quality, safety, and recreational management of Lake Norman, which spans Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg Counties. The bill establishes a new nine-member commission with commissioners appointed by participating local governments, each serving five-year terms with specific eligibility requirements. Commissioners must have relevant expertise in areas like boater safety, water quality, law enforcement, or recreation management, and are subject to strict conflict of interest disclosure rules. The commission is granted regulatory authority over Lake Norman and its shoreline area, including the power to create boating regulations, hire staff, accept funding, and assess specific fees for services. The bill allows local governments to join or withdraw from the commission, requires financial contributions from participating governments, and mandates transparency through public record keeping and website maintenance. The commission can create regulations affecting Lake Norman, but these must not conflict with existing state or federal laws and must be properly noticed to the public. Enforcement of commission regulations will involve local law enforcement, with provisions for extra-territorial jurisdiction. The bill also includes transitional provisions, ensuring that existing commission rules remain in effect and setting a timeline for new appointments, with all new commissioners to be seated by October 1, 2025.

Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S697