reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NC Gen Stat § 113A-212 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 14 - Mountain Ridge Protection.|§ 113A-212 - Assistance to counties and cities under ridge law.

 113A-212. Assistance to counties and cities under ridge law.(a) The Secretary of Environmental Quality shall provide assistance upon request to the counties and cities in carrying out their functions pursuant to this Article, such as by providing model studies, plans, and ordinances for their consideration.(b) The Secretary of Environmental Quality shall identify the protected mountain ridge crests in each county by showing them on a map or drawing, describing them in a document, or any combination thereof. Such maps, drawings, or documents shall identify the protected mountain ridges as defined in G.S. 113A-206 and such other mountain ridges as any county may request, and shall specify those protected mountain ridges that serve as all or part of the boundary line between two counties. By November 1, 1983, the map, drawing, or document tentatively identifying the protected mountain ridge crests of each county shall be filed with the board of county commissioners and with the city governing body of each city that requests it. By January 1, 1984, the map, drawing, or document identifying the protected mountain ridge crests shall be permanently filed by the Secretary with the register of deeds in the county where the land lies, and made available for inspection at the office of the North Carolina Geodetic Survey (NC Emergency Management/Risk Management) in Raleigh. Copies of the maps, drawings, or documents certified by the register of deeds, shall be admitted in evidence in all courts and shall have the same force and effect as would the original.(b1) By January 1, 1986, a map, drawing, or document tentatively identifying the protected mountain ridge crests of each city with a population of fifty thousand (50,000) or more that has eliminated the requirement for a minimum elevation of 3,000 feet, shall be filed by the Secretary of Environmental Quality with the board of county commissioners and with the city governing body. By March 1, 1986, the map, drawing, or document identifying the protected mountain ridge crests in the city with a population of fifty thousand (50,000) or more shall be permanently filed by the Secretary with the register of deeds in the county where the land within that city with a population of fifty thousand (50,000) or more lies, and shall be made available for inspection at the Secretary's office in Raleigh. Copies of the maps, drawings, or documents certified by the register of deeds shall be admitted in evidence in all courts and shall have the same force and effect as would the original.(c) Determinations by the Secretary of elevations under this section shall be conclusive in the absence of fraud.  (1983, c. 676, s. 1; 1985, c. 713, s. 3; 1989, c. 727, s. 218(79); 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2015-241, s. 14.30(v); 2017-170, s. 3.)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-213 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 14 - Mountain Ridge Protection.|§ 113A-213 - Article is supplemental.

 113A-213. Article is supplemental.This Article provides a supplemental source of authority in addition to other present or future legislation and shall not be construed as prescribing an exclusive procedure or as granting exclusive powers. (1983, c. 676, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-214 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 14 - Mountain Ridge Protection.|§ 113A-214 - Choosing coverage or removal from coverage of this Article.

 113A-214. Choosing coverage or removal from coverage of this Article.(a) This Article shall apply in all counties and cities unless and until the jurisdiction adopts an ordinance exempting itself from the coverage of this Article.This exemption shall only be effective after a binding referendum, in which all registered voters in the jurisdiction are eligible to vote, which shall be held on or before May 8, 1984. The binding referendum shall be held either as a result of a resolution passed by the governing body of the jurisdiction or as a result of an initiative petition signed by fifteen percent (15%) of the registered voters in the jurisdiction and filed with the Board of Elections of that county not later than 60 days before the election is to be held. At that referendum, each qualified voter desiring to vote shall be provided a ballot on which shall be printed the following:[] FOR coverage under the Mountain Ridge Protection Act of 1983.[] AGAINST coverage under the Mountain Ridge Protection Act of 1983.(b) If a jurisdiction removes itself from the coverage of this Article, by means of a binding referendum, as provided for in subsection (a) of this section, then it shall have until May 13, 1986 to place itself again under the coverage of this Article by means of an ordinance passed after a similar binding referendum. Once a jurisdiction opts out and then opts back under the Article, it may not take any further action to again remove itself from the coverage of the Article.(c) If a county has chosen the permit procedure authorized by G.S. 113A-208, and then opts out of and either the county or any city in the county opts back under the coverage of this Article, then that jurisdiction may choose the permit procedure even after January 1, 1984.(d) When a county removes itself from the coverage of this Article all cities within the county shall be removed from the coverage of this Article. Provided, however, a city in a county that has removed itself from coverage may, under the procedure set forth in subsection (b) of this section, place itself again under the coverage of this Article.(e) When a protected mountain ridge is any part of the boundary between two jurisdictions then that part of the ridge shall be covered by this Article unless both jurisdictions remove themselves from the coverage of this Article. (1983, c. 676, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-220 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 15 - Aquatic Weed Control.|§ 113A-220 - Short title.

 113A-220. Short title.This Article shall be known as the Aquatic Weed Control Act of 1991. (1991, c. 132.)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-221 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 15 - Aquatic Weed Control.|§ 113A-221 - Definitions.

 113A-221. Definitions.Unless a different meaning is required by the context, the following definitions shall apply throughout this Article:(1) "Department" means the Department of Environmental Quality.(2) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Environmental Quality or his designee.(3) "Noxious aquatic weed" means any plant organism so designated under this Article.(4) "Waters of the State" means any surface body or accumulation of water, whether publicly or privately owned and whether naturally occurring or artificially created, which is contained within, flows through, or borders upon any part of this State.  (1991, c. 132, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2015-241, ss. 14.30(u), (v).)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-222 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 15 - Aquatic Weed Control.|§ 113A-222 - Designation of noxious aquatic weeds.

 113A-222. Designation of noxious aquatic weeds.(a) The Secretary, after consultation with the Director of the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service, the Wildlife Resources Commission, and the Marine Fisheries Commission, and with the concurrence of the Commissioner of Agriculture, may designate as a noxious aquatic weed any plant organism which:(1) Grows in or is closely associated with the aquatic environment, whether floating, emersed, submersed, or ditch-bank species, and including terrestrial phases of any such plant organism;(2) Exhibits characteristics of obstructive nature and either massive productivity or choking density; and(3) Is or may become a threat to public health or safety or to existing or new beneficial uses of the waters of the State.(b) A plant organism may be designated as being a noxious aquatic weed either throughout the State or within specified areas within the State.(c) The Secretary shall designate a plant organism as a noxious aquatic weed by rules adopted pursuant to Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.(d) The Secretary may modify or withdraw any designation of a plant organism as a noxious aquatic weed made previously under this section. Any modification or withdrawal of such designation shall be made following the procedures for designation set out in this section. (1991, c. 132.)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-223 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 15 - Aquatic Weed Control.|§ 113A-223 - Powers and duties of the Secretary.

 113A-223. Powers and duties of the Secretary.(a) The Secretary shall direct the control, eradication, and regulation of noxious aquatic weeds so as to protect and preserve human health, safety, and the beneficial uses of the waters of the State and to prevent injury to property and beneficial plant and animal life. The Secretary shall have the power to:(1) Conduct research and planning related to the control of noxious aquatic weeds;(2) Coordinate activities of all public bodies, authorities, agencies, and units of local government in the control and eradication of noxious aquatic weeds;(3) Delegate to any public body, authority, agency, or unit of local government any power or duty under this Article, except that the Secretary may not delegate the designation of noxious aquatic weeds;(4) Accept donations, grants, and services from both public and private sources;(5) Enter into contracts or agreements, including cost-sharing agreements, with public or private agencies for research and development of methods of control of noxious aquatic weeds or for the performance of noxious aquatic weed control activities;(6) Construct, acquire, operate, and maintain facilities and equipment necessary for the control of noxious aquatic weeds; and(7) Enter upon private property for purposes of conducting investigations and engaging in aquatic weed control activities.(b) The Secretary may control, remove, or destroy any noxious aquatic weed located in the waters of the State or in areas adjacent to such waters wherever such weeds threaten to invade such waters. The Secretary may employ any appropriate control technology which is consistent with federal and State law, regulations, and rules. Control technologies may include, but are not limited to drawdown of waters, application of chemicals to shoreline and surface waters, mechanical controls, physical removal from transport mechanisms, quarantine of transport mechanisms, and biological controls. Any biological control technology may be implemented only after the environmental review provisions of the State Environmental Policy Act have been satisfied.(c) In determining the appropriate strategies and technologies, the Secretary shall consider their relative short-term and long-term cost-efficiency and effectiveness, consistent with a margin of safety adequate to protect public health and the resources of the State.(d) All activities carried out by the Secretary, his designees, and others authorized to perform any function under this Article shall be consistent with all applicable federal and State law, regulations, and rules. (1991, c. 132.)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-224 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 15 - Aquatic Weed Control.|§ 113A-224 - Powers of the Commissioner of Agriculture.

 113A-224. Powers of the Commissioner of Agriculture.(a) The Commissioner of Agriculture may regulate the importation, sale, use, culture, collection, transportation, and distribution of a noxious aquatic weed as a plant pest under Article 36 of Chapter 106 of the General Statutes.(b) This Article shall not be construed to limit any power of the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, or the Board of Agriculture under any other provision of law. (1991, c. 132, s. 1; 1997-261, s. 109.)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-225 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 15 - Aquatic Weed Control.|§ 113A-225 - Responsibilities of other State agencies.

 113A-225. Responsibilities of other State agencies.All State agencies shall cooperate with the Secretary to assist in the implementation of this Article. (1991, c. 132.)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-226 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 15 - Aquatic Weed Control.|§ 113A-226 - Enforcement.

 113A-226. Enforcement.(a) Any person who violates this Article or any rule adopted pursuant to this Article shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor for each offense.(b) Whenever there exists reasonable cause to believe that any person has violated this Article or rules adopted pursuant to this Article, the Secretary may request the Attorney General to institute a civil action for injunctive relief to restrain the violation. The Attorney General may institute such action in the name of the State upon relation of the Department in the superior court of the county in which the violation occurred. Upon a determination by the court that the alleged violation of the provisions of this Article or of rules adopted pursuant to this Article has occurred or is threatened, the court shall grant the relief necessary to prevent or abate the violation or threatened violation. Neither the institution of the action, nor any of the proceedings thereon shall relieve any party to such proceedings from any penalty otherwise prescribed for violations of this Article. (1991, c. 132, c. 761, s. 20; 1993, c. 539, s. 877; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-227 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 15 - Aquatic Weed Control.|§ 113A-227 - Adoption of rules.

 113A-227. Adoption of rules.The Secretary may adopt rules necessary to implement the provisions of this Article pursuant to Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. (1991, c. 132.)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-230 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 16 - Conservation Easements Program.|§ 113A-230 - Legislative findings; intent.

 113A-230. Legislative findings; intent.The General Assembly finds that a statewide network of protected natural areas, riparian buffers, and greenways can best be accomplished through a conservation easements program. The General Assembly further finds that other public conservation and use programs, such as natural area protection, beach access, trail systems, historic landscape protection, and agricultural preservation, can benefit from increased conservation tools. In this Article, the General Assembly therefore intends to extend the ability of the Department of Environmental Quality to achieve these purposes and to strengthen the capability of private nonprofit land trusts to participate in land and water conservation.  (1997-226, s. 6; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(b); 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-231 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 16 - Conservation Easements Program.|§ 113A-231 - Program to accomplish conservation purposes.

 113A-231. Program to accomplish conservation purposes.The Department of Environmental Quality shall develop a nonregulatory program to accomplish conservation purposes, including the maintenance of ecological systems. As a part of this program, the Department shall exercise its powers to protect real property and interests in real property donated for conservation or conserved by other means. The Department shall call upon the Attorney General for legal assistance in developing and implementing the program.  (1997-226, s. 6; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(b); 2002-155, s. 1; 2014-3, s. 14.14(c); 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-234 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 16 - Conservation Easements Program.|§ 113A-234 - Administration of grants.

 113A-234. Administration of grants.(a) Grant Procedures and Criteria. - The Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality shall establish the procedures and criteria for awarding grants from the Conservation Grant Fund. The criteria shall focus grants on those areas, approaches, and techniques that are likely to provide the optimum positive effect on environmental protection. The Secretary shall make the final decision on the award of grants and shall announce the award publicly in a timely manner.(b) Grant Administration. - The Secretary may administer the grants under this Article or may contract for selected activities under this Article. If administrative services are contracted, the Department shall establish guidance and criteria for its operation and contract with a statewide nonprofit land trust service organization.  (1997-226, s. 6; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(b); 2002-155, s. 4; 2015-241, s. 14.30(v); 2020-78, s. 7.4(d).)
NC Gen Stat § 113A-240 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 17 - Conservation, Farmland, and Open Space Protection and Coordination.|§ 113A-240 - Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.230(a), (c), by Session Laws 2020-78, s. 8.4(a), effective July 1, 2020.

 113A-240: Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.230(a), (c), by Session Laws 2020-78, s. 8.4(a), effective July 1, 2020.
NC Gen Stat § 113A-251 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 18 - Clean Water Management Trust Fund.|§ 113A-251 - Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.230 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.

 113A-251: Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.230 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.
NC Gen Stat § 113A-252 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 18 - Clean Water Management Trust Fund.|§ 113A-252 - Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.232 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.

 113A-252: Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.232 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.
NC Gen Stat § 113A-253 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 18 - Clean Water Management Trust Fund.|§ 113A-253 - Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.234 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.

 113A-253: Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.234 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.
NC Gen Stat § 113A-253.2 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 18 - Clean Water Management Trust Fund.|§ 113A-253.2 - Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.236 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.

 113A-253.2: Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.236 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.
NC Gen Stat § 113A-254 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 18 - Clean Water Management Trust Fund.|§ 113A-254 - Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.238 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.

 113A-254: Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.238 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.
NC Gen Stat § 113A-255 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 18 - Clean Water Management Trust Fund.|§ 113A-255 - Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.240 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.

 113A-255: Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.240 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.
NC Gen Stat § 113A-256 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 18 - Clean Water Management Trust Fund.|§ 113A-256 - Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.242 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.

 113A-256: Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.242 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.
NC Gen Stat § 113A-257 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 18 - Clean Water Management Trust Fund.|§ 113A-257 - Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.244 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.

 113A-257: Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.244 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.
NC Gen Stat § 113A-258 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 18 - Clean Water Management Trust Fund.|§ 113A-258 - Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.246 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.

 113A-258: Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.246 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.
NC Gen Stat § 113A-259 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113A - Pollution Control and Environment|Article 18 - Clean Water Management Trust Fund.|§ 113A-259 - Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.248 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.

 113A-259: Recodified as G.S. 143B-135.248 by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), effective July 1, 2015.
NC Gen Stat § 113B-1 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 113B - North Carolina Energy Policy Act of 1975|Article 1 - Energy Policy Council.|§ 113B-1 - Legislative findings and purpose.

 113B-1. Legislative findings and purpose.Upon investigation the General Assembly hereby finds that:(1) Energy is essential to the health, safety and welfare of the people of this State and to the workings of the State economy. It is in the State's best interest to support the development of a reliable and adequate supply of energy for North Carolina that is secure, stable, and predictable in order to facilitate economic growth, job creation, and expansion of business and industry opportunities.(2), (3) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-365, s. 8(a), effective July 29, 2013.(3a) It is in the State's best interest to support the exploration, development, and production of domestic energy supplies, preferably from the resources within the State or region and most certainly from within the country.(3b) It is the duty of State government to protect and preserve the State's natural resources, cultural heritage, and quality of life and, above all, the public health and safety of its residents during the exploration, development, and production of domestic energy resources.(4) The State must provide the basis for development of a long-range unified energy policy to encompass comprehensive energy resource planning and efficient management of existing energy resources in relation to economic growth, to effectively meet an energy crisis, to encourage development of alternative sources of energy that are capable of achieving a positive benefit-to-cost ratio, and to ensure efficient utilization of energy resources in a manner consistent with assuring a reliable and adequate supply of energy for North Carolina, including active support and collaboration with the federal government to ensure access to the nation's energy resources located on the outer continental shelf directly adjacent to the State's coastal waters.(5) It is the expressed intent of this Chapter to provide for development of such a unified domestic energy policy for the State of North Carolina as part of a nationwide effort for increased domestic energy production in the interest of national security and economic growth and stability.  (1975, c. 877, s. 3; 2013-365, s. 8(a).)