reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.236 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.236 - North Carolina Conservation Easement Endowment Fund.

 143B-135.236. North Carolina Conservation Easement Endowment Fund.(a) The North Carolina Conservation Easement Endowment Fund is established as a special fund in the Office of the State Treasurer. The principal of the Endowment Fund shall consist of a portion of grant funds transferred by the Trustees to the Endowment Fund from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund for stewardship activities related to projects for conservation easements funded from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. The principal of the Endowment Fund may also consist of any proceeds of any gifts, grants, or contributions to the State that are specifically designated for inclusion in the Endowment Fund and any investment income that is not used in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. The State Treasurer shall hold the Endowment Fund separate and apart from all other moneys, funds, and accounts. The State Treasurer shall invest the assets of the Endowment Fund in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 147-69.2 and G.S. 147-69.3. The State Treasurer shall disburse the endowment investment income only upon the written direction of the Chair of the Board of Trustees. No expenditure or disbursement shall be made from the principal of the Endowment Fund.(b) The Trustees may authorize the disbursement of the endowment investment income only for activities related to stewardship of conservation easements owned by the State.  (2008-107, s. 12.9(a); 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.238 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.238 - Grant requirements.

 143B-135.238. Grant requirements.(a) Eligible Applicants. - Any of the following are eligible to apply for a grant from the Fund for the purpose of protecting and enhancing water quality:(1) A State agency.(2) A local government unit.(3) A nonprofit corporation whose primary purpose is the conservation, preservation, or restoration of our State's cultural, environmental, or natural resources.(b) Criteria. - The criteria developed by the Trustees under G.S. 143B-135.242 apply to grants made under this Part.(c) Matching Requirement. - The Board of Trustees shall establish matching requirements for grants awarded under this Part. This requirement may be satisfied by the donation of land to a public or private nonprofit conservation organization as approved by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may also waive the requirement to match a grant pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees.(d) Restriction. - No grant shall be awarded under this Part for any of the following purposes:(1) To satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements under 33 USC 1344 or G.S. 143-214.11.(2) To any project receiving State funds authorized by G.S. 143-215.71 for the nonfederal share of a grant under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.(e) Withdrawal. - An award of a grant under this Part is withdrawn if the grant recipient fails to enter into a construction contract for the project within one year after the date of the award, unless the Trustees find that the applicant has good cause for the failure. If the Trustees find good cause for a recipient's failure, the Trustees must set a date by which the recipient must take action or forfeit the grant.  (1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 27.6(a); 2003-340, s. 1.3; 2005-454, s. 6; 2006-178, s. 1; 2007-185, s. 1; 2014-100, s. 14.8(c); 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), (r1); 2020-18, s. 12(b).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.244 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.244 - Clean Water Management Trust Fund: reporting requirement.

 143B-135.244. Clean Water Management Trust Fund: reporting requirement.The Chair of the Board of Trustees shall report no later than December 1 each year to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, the Environmental Review Commission, the Subcommittees of the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees with jurisdiction over natural and economic resources, and the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly regarding the implementation of this Part. The report shall include a list of the projects awarded grants from the Fund for the previous 12-month period. The list shall include for each project a description of the project, the amount of the grant awarded for the project, and the total cost of the project.  (1997-443, s. 7.10; 2002-148, s. 3; 2003-340, s. 1.3; 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), (r1); 2017-57, s. 14.1(dd).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.246 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.246 - Clean Water Management Trust Fund: Executive Director and staff.

 143B-135.246. Clean Water Management Trust Fund: Executive Director and staff.The Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources shall select and appoint a competent person in accordance with this section as Executive Director of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund Board of Trustees. The Executive Director shall be charged with the supervision of all activities under the jurisdiction of the Trustees and shall serve as the chief administrative officer of the Trustees. Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources, the Executive Director may employ such clerical and other assistants as may be deemed necessary.The person selected as Executive Director shall have had training and experience in conservation, protection, and management of surface water resources. The salary of the Executive Director shall be fixed by the Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources, and the Executive Director shall be allowed travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with G.S. 138-6. The Executive Director's salary and expenses shall be paid from the Fund. The term of office of the Executive Director shall be at the pleasure of the Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources.  (1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 27.6(a); 2001-424, s. 32.16(b); 2003-340, s. 1.3; 2013-360, s. 14.3(g); 2013-382, s. 9.1(c); 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), (r1); 2019-32, s. 1(a).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.250 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.250 - Short title.

 143B-135.250. Short title.This Part shall be known as the Nature Preserves Act.  (1985, c. 216, s. 1; 2015-241, ss. 14.30(k2), (r2).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.252 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.252 - Declaration of policy and purpose.

 143B-135.252. Declaration of policy and purpose.(a) The continued population growth and land development in North Carolina have made it necessary and desirable that areas of natural significance be identified and preserved before they are destroyed. These natural areas are irreplaceable as laboratories for scientific research, as reservoirs of natural materials for uses that may not now be known, as habitats for plant and animal species and biotic communities, as living museums where people may observe natural biotic and environmental systems and the interdependence of all forms of life, and as reminders of the vital dependence of the health of the human community on the health of the other natural communities.(b) It is important to the people of North Carolina that they retain the opportunity to maintain contact with these natural communities and environmental systems of the earth and to benefit from the scientific, aesthetic, cultural, and spiritual values they possess. The purpose of this Part is to establish and maintain a State Registry of Natural Heritage Areas and to prescribe methods by which nature preserves may be dedicated for the benefit of present and future citizens of the State.  (1985, c. 216, s. 1; 2015-241, s. 14.30(k2).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.254 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.254 - Definitions.

 143B-135.254. Definitions.As used in this Part, unless the context requires otherwise:(1) "Articles of dedication" means the writing by which any estate, interest, or right in a natural area is formally dedicated as a nature preserve as authorized in G.S. 143B-135.260.(2) "Dedicate" means to transfer to the State an estate, interest, or right in a natural area in any manner authorized in G.S. 143B-135.260.(3) "Natural area" means an area of land, water, or both land and water, whether publicly or privately owned, that (i) retains or has reestablished its natural character, (ii) provides habitat for rare or endangered species of plants or animals, (iii) or has biotic, geological, scenic, or paleontological features of scientific or educational value.(4) "Nature preserve" means a natural area that has been dedicated pursuant to G.S. 143B-135.260.(5) "Owner" means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, or association, and all governmental units except the State, its departments, agencies or institutions.(6) "Registration" means an agreement between the Secretary and the owner of a natural area to protect and manage the natural area for its specified natural heritage resource values.(7) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources.  (1985, c. 216, s. 1; 1989, c. 727, s. 218(68); 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1004, s. 19(b); 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2015-241, ss. 14.30(k2), (r2).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.256 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.256 - Powers and duties of the Secretary.

 143B-135.256. Powers and duties of the Secretary.The Secretary shall:(1) Establish by rule the criteria for selection, registration, and dedication of natural areas and nature preserves.(2) Cooperate or contract with any federal, State, or local government agency, private conservation organization, or person in carrying out the purposes of this Part.(3) Maintain a Natural Heritage Program to provide assistance in the selection and nomination for registration or dedication of natural areas. The Program shall include classification of natural heritage resources, an inventory of their locations, and a data bank for that information. The Program shall cooperate with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the selection and nomination of areas that contain habitats for endangered and rare plant species, and shall cooperate with the Wildlife Resources Commission in the selection and nomination of areas that contain habitats for endangered and rare animal species. Information from the natural heritage data bank may be made available to public agencies and private persons for environmental assessment and land management purposes. Use of the inventory data for any purpose inconsistent with the Natural Heritage Program may not be authorized. The Program shall include other functions as may be assigned for registration, dedication, and protection of natural areas and nature preserves.(4) Prepare a Natural Heritage Plan that shall govern the Natural Heritage Program in the creation of a system of registered and dedicated natural areas.(5) Publish and disseminate information pertaining to natural areas and nature preserves within the State.(6) Appoint advisory committees composed of representatives of federal, State, and local governmental agencies, scientific and academic institutions, conservation organizations, and private business, to advise him on the identification, selection, registration, dedication, and protection of natural areas and nature preserves.(7) Submit to the Governor, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division a biennial report on or before February 15 of odd-numbered years describing the activities of the past biennium and plans for the coming biennium, and detailing specific recommendations for action that the Secretary deems necessary for the improvement of the Program.  (1985, c. 216, s. 1; 1987, c. 827, s. 152; 1997-261, s. 82; 2015-241, s. 14.30(k2), (r2); 2017-57, s. 14.1(mm).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.258 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.258 - Registration of natural areas.

 143B-135.258. Registration of natural areas.(a) The Secretary shall maintain a State Registry of voluntarily protected natural areas to be called the North Carolina Registry of Natural Heritage Areas. Registration of natural areas shall be accomplished through voluntary agreement between the owner of the natural area and the Secretary. State-owned lands may be registered by agreement with the agency to which the land is allocated. Registration agreements may be terminated by either party at any time, and termination removes the area from the Registry.(b) A natural area shall be registered when an agreement to protect and manage the natural area for its specified natural heritage resource value has been signed by the owner and the Secretary. The owner of a registered natural area shall be given a certificate signifying the inclusion of the area in the Registry.  (1985, c. 216, s. 1; 2015-241, s. 14.30(k2).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.260 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.260 - Dedication of nature preserves.

 143B-135.260. Dedication of nature preserves.(a) The State may accept the dedication of nature preserves on lands deemed by the Secretary to qualify as outstanding natural areas. Nature preserves may be dedicated by voluntary act of the owner. The owner of a qualified natural area may transfer fee simple title or other interest in land to the State. Nature preserves may be acquired by gift, grant, or purchase. Dedication of a preserve shall become effective only upon acceptance of the articles of dedication by the State. Articles of dedication shall be recorded in the office of the register of deeds in the county or counties in which the natural area is located.(b) Articles of dedication may include any of the following:(1) Restrictions and other provisions relating to management, use, development, transfer, and public access, and any other restrictions and provisions as may be necessary or advisable to further the purposes of this Part.(2) Definitions, consistent with the purposes of this Part, of the respective rights and duties of the owner and of the State and procedures to be followed in case of violation of restrictions.(3) The recognition and creation of reversionary rights, transfers upon conditions or with limitations, and gifts over.(4) Varying provisions from one nature preserve to another in accordance with differences in the characteristics and conditions of the several areas.(c) Subject to the approval of the Governor and Council of State, the State may enter into amendments of any articles of dedication upon finding that the amendment will not permit an impairment, disturbance, use, or development of the area inconsistent with the purposes of this Part. If the fee simple estate in the nature preserve is not held by the State under this Part, no amendment may be made without the written consent of the owner of the other interests therein.  (1985, c. 216, s. 1; 2015-241, ss. 14.30(k2), (r2).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.262 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.262 - Nature preserves held in trust.

 143B-135.262. Nature preserves held in trust.Lands dedicated for nature preserves pursuant to this Part are held in trust by the State for those uses and purposes expressed in this Part for the benefit of the people of North Carolina. These lands shall be managed and protected according to regulations adopted by the Secretary. Lands dedicated as a nature preserve pursuant to G.S. 143B-135.260 may not be used for any purpose inconsistent with the provisions of this Part, or disposed of, by the State without a finding by the Governor and Council of State that the other use or disposition is in the best interest of the State.  (1985, c. 216, s. 1; 2015-241, ss. 14.30(k2), (r2).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.264 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.264 - Dedication of state-owned lands to nature preserves; procedures.

 143B-135.264. Dedication of state-owned lands to nature preserves; procedures.Subject to the approval of the Governor and Council of State, state-owned lands may be dedicated as a nature preserve. State-owned lands shall be dedicated by allocation pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 143-341(4)g. Lands dedicated pursuant to this section may be removed from dedication upon the approval of the Governor and Council of State.  (1985, c. 216, s. 1; 2015-241, s. 14.30(k2).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.266 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.266 - Dedication of preserves by local governmental units.

 143B-135.266. Dedication of preserves by local governmental units.All local units of government may dedicate lands as nature preserves by transfer of fee simple title or other interest in land to the State.  (1985, c. 216, s. 1; 2015-241, s. 14.30(k2).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.268 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.268 - Acquisition of land by State.

 143B-135.268. Acquisition of land by State.All acquisitions or dispositions of an interest in land by the State pursuant to this Part shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 146 of the General Statutes.  (1985, c. 216, s. 1; 2015-241, ss. 14.30(k2), (r2).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.270 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.270 - Assessment of land subject to permanent dedication agreement.

 143B-135.270. Assessment of land subject to permanent dedication agreement.For purposes of taxation, privately owned land subject to a nature preserve dedication agreement shall be assessed on the basis of the true value of the land less any reduction in value caused by the agreement.  (1985, c. 216, s. 1; 2015-241, s. 14.30(k2).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.272 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.272 - Access to information; fees.

 143B-135.272. Access to information; fees.(a) The Secretary may establish fees to defray the costs associated with any of the following:(1) Responding to inquiries requiring customized environmental review services or the costs associated with developing, improving, or maintaining technology that supports an online interface for external users to access Natural Heritage Program data. The Secretary may reduce or waive the fee established under this subsection if the Secretary determines that a waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest.(2) Any activity authorized under G.S. 143B-135.234(10), including an inventory of natural areas conducted under the Natural Heritage Program, conservation and protection planning, and informational programs for owners of natural areas, as defined in G.S. 143B-135.254.(b) Fees collected under this section are receipts of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and shall be deposited in the special fund for the purpose of supporting the operations of the Natural Heritage Program.  (2014-100, s. 14.13A(a); 2015-241, s. 14.30(k2), (r2); 2020-78, s. 8.3(a).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-135.273 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 2 - Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.|§ 143B-135.273 - Administration of the Conservation Tax Credit program.

 143B-135.273. Administration of the Conservation Tax Credit program.All duties and responsibilities related to stewardship and oversight of properties and interests for which tax credits were granted under the Conservation Tax Credit program for tax years beginning before January 1, 2014, and previously given to the Department of Environmental Quality or its predecessors are transferred to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources shall exercise the duties and responsibilities transferred by this section through the Natural Heritage Program.  (2020-78, s. 8.3(b).)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-136.1 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 3 - Department of Health and Human Services.|§ 143B-136.1 - Department of Health and Human Services - creation.

 143B-136.1. Department of Health and Human Services - creation.There is created a department to be known as the "Department of Health and Human Services," with the organization, duties, functions, and powers defined in this Article and other applicable provisions of law. (1997-443, s. 11A.3.)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-137.1 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 3 - Department of Health and Human Services.|§ 143B-137.1 - Department of Health and Human Services - duties.

 143B-137.1. Department of Health and Human Services - duties.It shall be the duty of the Department to provide the necessary management, development of policy, and establishment and enforcement of standards for the provisions of services in the fields of public and mental health and rehabilitation with the intent to assist all citizens - as individuals, families, and communities - to achieve and maintain an adequate level of health, social and economic well-being, and dignity. Whenever possible, the Department shall emphasize preventive measures to avoid or to reduce the need for costly emergency treatments that often result from lack of forethought. The Department shall establish priorities to eliminate those excessive expenses incurred by the State for lack of adequate funding or careful planning of preventive measures. (1997-443, s. 11A.3.)
NC Gen Stat § 143B-139 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 143B - Executive Organization Act of 1973|Article 3 - Department of Health and Human Services.|§ 143B-139 - Department of Health and Human Services - head.

 143B-139. Department of Health and Human Services - head.The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall be the head of the Department. (1973, c. 476, s. 120; 1997-443, s. 11A.122.)