H308 - Regulatory Reform Act of 2020. (SL 2020-74)

Overview: Section 8 of S.L. 2020-74 does the following:

• Delays deadlines for the following reports, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic research required for the legislative directives:

o From October 2020 to April 2021, the Collaboratory's report on the results of sampling done in conjunction with nontargeted analysis for PFAS (per/poly-fluoroalkyl substances) at all public water supply surface water intakes and one public water supply well to establish a water quality baseline for all sampling sites.

o From December 2020 to June 2021, the Collaboratory's report on the study of flooding and resiliency against future storms in Eastern North Carolina and development of an implementation plan with recommendations.

• Amends the language enacted in 2016 that originally established the Collaboratory, which provided its purpose was to facilitate the dissemination of the policy and research expertise of The University of North Carolina, to also include other institutions of higher learning within North Carolina. Language is also added, however, to provide that wherever possible, funding preference may be given to campuses within The University of North Carolina System. In addition, language is added to provide that any funds appropriated by the General Assembly for use by the Collaboratory may not be used for indirect overhead costs.

This section became effective July 1, 2020.