reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NC Gen Stat § 160A-661 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-661 - Purpose; definitions.

 160A-661. Purpose; definitions.(a) The purpose of a district created under this Article is to enhance the quality of life in its territorial jurisdiction by promoting the development of natural gas systems to enhance the economic development of the area.(b) The following definitions apply in this Article:(1) Board of Trustees. - The governing board of the district in which the general legislative powers of the district are vested.(2) District. - A regional natural gas district.(3) Natural gas system. - A gas production, storage, transmission and distribution system, or any part or parts thereof.(4) Regional natural gas district. - A public body and body politic and corporate of the State of North Carolina organized in accordance with the provisions of this Article exercising public and essential governmental functions to provide for the preservation and promotion of the public welfare for the purposes, with the powers, and subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article.(5) Unit of local government. - Any county, city, town, or municipality of this State, and any other political subdivision, public corporation, or district in this State, that is or may be authorized by law to acquire, establish, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, own, or operate natural gas systems.(6) Unit of local government's chief administrative official. - The county manager, city manager, town manager, or other person, by whatever title known, in whom the responsibility for the unit of local government's administrative duties is vested. (1997-426, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-662 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-662 - Territorial jurisdiction and service area of district.

 160A-662. Territorial jurisdiction and service area of district.(a) A district may be created for one or more entire counties that are totally unserved with natural gas and in which a specific natural gas project has not been approved by the Utilities Commission at the time of creation of the district. A letter from the Utilities Commission to this effect shall conclusively establish that the area is totally unserved and that a project has not been approved. This area is the territorial jurisdiction and the service area of the district.(b) The creation of a district does not confer on the district the exclusive right to provide natural gas service in that territorial jurisdiction. (1997-426, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-664 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-664 - Membership; officers; compensation.

 160A-664. Membership; officers; compensation.(a) The governing body of a district is the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall consist of members as provided in the articles of incorporation.(b) Service on the Board of Trustees may be in addition to any other office which a person is entitled to hold. Each voting member of the Board of Trustees may hold elective public office as defined by G.S. 128-1.1(d).(c) Members of the Board of Trustees shall reside within the territorial jurisdiction of the district as defined by G.S. 160A-662.(d) The Board of Trustees shall annually elect from its membership a Chair and a Vice-Chair and shall annually elect a Secretary and a Treasurer.(e) Members of the Board of Trustees shall receive a sum not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) as compensation for attendance at each duly conducted meeting of the district. (1997-426, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-665 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-665 - Quorum.

 160A-665. Quorum.A majority of the members of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. (1997-426, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-666 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-666 - Advisory committees.

 160A-666. Advisory committees.The Board of Trustees may provide for the selection of any advisory committees that it finds appropriate, which may or may not include members of the Board of Trustees. (1997-426, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-668 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-668 - Fiscal accountability.

 160A-668. Fiscal accountability.A district is a public authority subject to the provisions of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes. (1997-426, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-669 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-669 - Funds.

 160A-669. Funds.The establishment and operation of a district is a public purpose, and the State of North Carolina and any unit of local government may appropriate funds to support the establishment and operation of the district. The State of North Carolina and any unit of local government may also dedicate, sell, convey, donate, or lease any of their interests in any property to the district. A district may apply for grants from the State of North Carolina, or from the United States or any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof. The Department of Commerce may allocate to a district any funds appropriated for natural gas. (1997-426, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-670 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-670 - Effect on existing franchises and operations.

 160A-670. Effect on existing franchises and operations.Creation of the district does not affect any existing franchises granted by any unit of local government. Those existing franchises shall continue in full force and effect until legally terminated, and all ordinances and resolutions of the unit of local government regulating local natural gas systems shall continue in full force and effect unless superseded by rules of the district. This superseding, if any, may occur only on the basis of prior mutual agreement between the district and the respective unit of local government. (1997-426, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-671 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-671 - Termination of district.

 160A-671. Termination of district.The Board of Trustees, after providing for the continued availability of natural gas service to its customers, if any, may terminate the existence of the district at any time when it has no outstanding indebtedness. The Board of Trustees shall file notification of the termination with the Secretary of State. (1997-426, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-672 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-672 - Joinder of county or city.

 160A-672. Joinder of county or city.(a) Whenever a district has been organized under the provisions of this Article, a county as defined in G.S. 160A-662(a) or a city within that county, or a city that did not join in the organization of a district but is geographically located within the district may, with the consent of the district as evidenced by a resolution adopted by a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees of the district, join the district.(b) A county or city desiring to join an existing district shall signify its desire by resolution adopted after a public hearing thereon, notice of which hearing shall be given in the manner and at the time provided in G.S. 160A-663. Such notice shall contain a brief statement of the substance of said resolution and shall state the time and place of the public hearing.(c) A certified copy of each resolution signifying the desire of a county or city to join an existing district, together with proof of publication of the notice of hearing on the resolution, and a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the district consenting to the joining shall be filed with the Secretary of State. If the Secretary of State finds that the resolutions conform to the provisions of this Article and that the notices of hearing were properly published, the Secretary of State shall file such resolutions and proofs of publication in the office of the Secretary of State, shall issue a certificate of joinder, and shall record the certificate in the appropriate book of record. The issuance of the certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the joinder of the county or city to the district. (1997-426, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-673 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-673 - Bonds and notes authorized.

 160A-673. Bonds and notes authorized.The district may issue revenue bonds and revenue bond anticipation notes pursuant to the provisions of the State and Local Government Revenue Bond Act, Article 5 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes, and Article 9 of Chapter 159 for the purposes provided in this Article. If and to the extent any provisions of Articles 5 and 9 of Chapter 159 are inconsistent with the provisions of this Article, the provisions of this Article shall be controlling. A district may proceed with the issuance of bonds and notes under Articles 5 and 9 of Chapter 159 notwithstanding that, to the extent of any inconsistency only, the district complies with the provisions of this Article and not the provisions of Articles 5 and 9 of Chapter 159. (1997-426, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-674 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-674 - Acquisition, power of eminent domain.

 160A-674. Acquisition, power of eminent domain.(a) The district shall have continuing power to acquire, by gift, grant, devise, exchange, purchase, lease with or without option to purchase, or any other lawful method including, but not limited to, the power of eminent domain, the fee or any lesser interest in real or personal property for use by the district.(b) Exercise of the power of eminent domain by the district shall be as a private condemnor in accordance with Chapter 40A of the General Statutes. Notwithstanding Chapter 40A of the General Statutes, before final judgment may be entered in any action of condemnation initiated by the district, the district shall furnish proof that the board of commissioners of the county where the land is located has consented by resolution or ordinance to the taking.  (1997-426, s. 2; 2011-284, s. 123.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-675 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-675 - Tax exemption.

 160A-675. Tax exemption.A district, and its property, bonds and notes, and income, are exempt from property taxes and income taxes to the same extent as if it were a city. A district is subject to gross receipts tax under G.S. 105-116. (1997-426, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-676 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 28 - Regional Natural Gas District.|§ 160A-676 - Authority to fix and enforce rates.

 160A-676. Authority to fix and enforce rates.(a) A district may establish and revise from time to time schedules of rents, rates, fees, charges, and penalties made applicable throughout the district for the gas services. Schedules of rents, rates, fees, charges, or penalties may vary according to classes of service. Before it establishes or revises a schedule of rents, rates, fees, charges, or penalties, the district Board of Trustees shall hold a public hearing on the matter. A notice of the hearing shall be given at least once in a newspaper having general circulation in the area, not less than seven days before the public hearing.(b) A district may collect delinquent accounts by any remedy provided by law for collecting and enforcing private debts. A district may also discontinue service to any customer whose account remains delinquent for more than 30 days. When service is discontinued for delinquency, it shall be unlawful for any person other than a duly authorized agent or employee of the district to do any act that results in a resumption of services. If a delinquent customer is not the owner of the premises to which the services are delivered, the payment of the delinquent account may not be required before providing services at the request of a new and different tenant or occupant of the premises, but this restriction shall not apply when the premises are occupied by two or more tenants whose services are measured by the same meter.(c) Rents, rates, fees, charges, and penalties for services shall be legal obligations of the person contracting for them and shall in no case be a lien upon the property or premises served.(d) Rents, rates, fees, charges, and penalties for services shall be legal obligations of the owner of the premises served when the property or premises are leased or rented to more than one tenant and services rendered to more than one tenant are measured by the same meter. (1997-426, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-680 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 29 - Ferry Transportation Authority.|§ 160A-680 - Title and purpose.

 160A-680. Title and purpose.This Article shall be known and may be cited as the "Ferry Transportation Authority Act." The purpose of this Article is to authorize creation of an Authority to provide reliable and safe public ferry transportation services in its service area.  (2017-120, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-681 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 29 - Ferry Transportation Authority.|§ 160A-681 - Definitions.

 160A-681. Definitions.The following definitions apply in this Article:(1) Authority. - The Ferry Transportation Authority.(2) Board of Trustees. - The governing board of the Authority.(3) Ferry Transportation Authority. - A public body corporate and politic organized in accordance with the provisions of this Article for the purposes, with the powers, and subject to the restrictions hereinafter set forth.(4) Ferry transportation service. - Transportation of passengers or freight by any means of conveyance, including a ferry, barge, vehicle, or tram.(5) Ferry transportation system. - A combination of real and personal property, structures, improvements, buildings, equipment, maritime vessels, vehicles, vehicle parking, trams, shuttle buses, docks, terminals, and other facilities necessary for the maintenance and operation of a ferry transportation service. The term does not include public streets, roads, or highways.(6) Unit of local government. - A county, city, town, or municipality of this State, and any other political subdivision, public corporation, authority, or district in this State, that is or may be authorized by law to acquire, establish, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, own, or operate a ferry transportation system.(7) Unit of local government's chief administrative official. - The county manager, city manager, town manager, or other person in whom the responsibility for the unit of local government's administrative duties is vested.(8) Vessel. - Watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation of passengers or freight on water.  (2017-120, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-682 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 29 - Ferry Transportation Authority.|§ 160A-682 - Service area of Authority.

 160A-682. Service area of Authority.The boundaries of the service area of the Authority shall be determined by the Board of Trustees, consistent with the purpose of the Authority. The service area of an authority created pursuant to this Article may include, but cannot exceed, all of the following:(1) The area of a tidal river, and adjoining estuaries, in the vicinity of a municipality that is only accessible by vessel.(2) Terminals, parking, maintenance facilities, facilities utilized for tram and bus service, and other related facilities in or in the vicinity of the same tidal river and a municipality that is only accessible by vessel.(3) Terminals, parking, maintenance facilities, facilities utilized for tram and bus service, and other related facilities in or in the vicinity of the same tidal river and a municipality in which the mainland terminal used to provide ferry transportation service is located.  (2017-120, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-683 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 29 - Ferry Transportation Authority.|§ 160A-683 - Creation of Authority.

 160A-683. Creation of Authority.(a) Resolution of Creation. - An Authority may be organized under the provisions of this Article upon the adoption of a resolution to create such an Authority by each of the following:(1) The elected board of a municipality only accessible by vessel.(2) The elected board of a municipality where any mainland terminal of the Authority is located.(3) The board of commissioners of the county where the Authority is located.(b) Public Hearing. - A resolution to form an Authority under this Article shall be adopted after a public hearing. Notice of the public hearing must be given at least once, not less than 10 days prior to the date fixed for the hearing, in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county. The notice must contain a brief statement of the substance of the proposed resolution, the proposed articles of incorporation of the Authority, and the time and place of the public hearing.(c) Articles of Incorporation. - A resolution to form an Authority under this Article must include articles of incorporation that set forth all of the following:(1) The name of the Authority.(2) A statement that the Authority is organized under this Article.(3) The name of each organizing entity.(d) Certificate of Incorporation. - A certified copy of each resolution organizing an Authority under the provisions of this Article shall be filed with the Secretary of State, together with proof of publication of the notice of hearing. If the Secretary of State finds that each resolution, including the articles of incorporation, conform to the provisions of this Article and that the notice of hearing was properly published, then the Secretary must issue a certificate of incorporation under the seal of the State and record the same in an appropriate book of record. The issuance of the certificate of incorporation by the Secretary of State shall constitute the Authority, a public body and body politic and corporate of the State of North Carolina. The certificate of incorporation is conclusive evidence of the fact that the Authority has been duly created and established under the provisions of this Article.(e) Officers. - When the Authority has been duly organized and its officers elected, the secretary of the Authority shall certify to the Secretary of State the names and addresses of the officers as well as the address of the principal office of the Authority.  (2017-120, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-686 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 29 - Ferry Transportation Authority.|§ 160A-686 - Rates, fees, charges, routes, and schedules.

 160A-686. Rates, fees, charges, routes, and schedules.(a) Notice. - The Board of Trustees must give at least 30 days' public notice of any change to rates, fees, charges, routes, or schedules, except as necessitated by an emergency situation. The Board of Trustees must report any change to rates, fees, charges, routes, or schedules to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations.(b) Regulation. - Notwithstanding G.S. 62-3(23)a.3. and 4., the North Carolina Utilities Commission shall not have jurisdiction over the provision of ferry transportation service within the Authority's service area.  (2017-120, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-687 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 29 - Ferry Transportation Authority.|§ 160A-687 - Competition.

 160A-687. Competition.(a) Prohibition. - No equipment of the Authority may be used for charter, tour, or sight-seeing service, except as provided by this section.(b) Charter Services. - Equipment of the Authority may be used for occasional charter service events, if all of the following conditions are met:(1) The use of the equipment for the charter service is approved in writing by the Board of Trustees.(2) The revenues received by the Authority from the provision of the charter service exceed fully allocated expenses.(3) The charter service does not adversely affect regularly scheduled ferry transportation services provided by the Authority.  (2017-120, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-688 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 29 - Ferry Transportation Authority.|§ 160A-688 - Power of eminent domain.

 160A-688. Power of eminent domain.The Authority shall have continuing power to acquire, by gift, grant, devise, exchange, purchase, lease with or without option to purchase, or any other lawful method, including the power of eminent domain, the fee or any lesser interest in real or personal property for use by the Authority. Exercise of the power of eminent domain by the Authority shall be in accordance with Chapter 40A of the General Statutes.  (2017-120, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 160A-689 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns|Article 29 - Ferry Transportation Authority.|§ 160A-689 - Termination.

 160A-689. Termination.The Board of Trustees may terminate the existence of the Authority at any time when it has no outstanding indebtedness. In the event of such termination, all property and assets of the Authority not otherwise encumbered shall automatically become the property of the State of North Carolina, and the State of North Carolina shall succeed to all rights, obligations, and liabilities of the Authority.  (2017-120, s. 1.)