reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 24 - Parking Authorities. › § 160A-556 - Purpose and powers of the authority.

§ 160A-556. Purpose and powers of the authority.
An authority incorporated under this Article shall constitute a public body and a body corporate and politic, exercising public powers as an agency or instrumentality of the city with which it is coterminous. The purpose of the authority shall be to relieve traffic congestion of the streets and public places in the city by means of parking facilities, and to that end to acquire, construct, improve, operate and maintain one or more parking projects in the city. To carry out said purpose, the authority shall have power:
(1) To sue and be sued;
(2) To have a seal and alter the same at pleasure;
(3) To acquire, hold and dispose of personal property for its corporate purposes, including the power to purchase prospective or tentative awards in connection with the condemnation of real property;
(4) To acquire by purchase or condemnation, and use real property necessary or convenient. All real property acquired by the authority by condemnation shall be acquired in the manner provided by law for the condemnation of land by the city;
(5) To make bylaws for the management and regulation of its affairs, and subject to agreements with bondholders, for the regulation of parking projects;
(6) To make contracts and leases, and to execute all instruments necessary or convenient;
(7) To construct such buildings, structures and facilities as may be necessary or convenient;
(8) To construct, reconstruct, improve, maintain and operate parking projects;
(9) To accept grants, loans or contributions from the United States, the State of North Carolina, or any agency or instrumentality of either of them, or the city, and to expend the proceeds for any purposes of the authority;
(10) To fix and collect rentals, fees and other charges for the use of parking projects or any of them subject to and in accordance with such agreements with bondholders as may be made as hereinafter provided;
(11) To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the purpose of the authority and the powers expressly given to it by this Article;
(12) To issue revenue bonds under the Local Government Revenue Bond Act. (1951, c. 779, s. 7; 1965, c. 998, s. 2; 1971, c. 780, s. 18; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 44.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 24 - Parking Authorities. › § 160A-558 - Contracts.

§ 160A-558. Contracts.
The authority shall let contracts in the manner provided by law for contracts of the city. (1951, c. 779, s. 9; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 44.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 24 - Parking Authorities. › § 160A-559 - Moneys of the authority.

§ 160A-559. Moneys of the authority.
All moneys of the authority shall be paid to the treasurer of the city as agent of the authority, who shall designate depositories and who shall not commingle such moneys with any other moneys. Such moneys shall be deposited in a separate bank account or accounts. The moneys in such accounts shall be paid out on checks of the treasurer on written requisition of the chairman of the authority or of such other person or persons as the authority may authorize to make such requisitions. All deposits of such moneys shall be secured in the manner provided by law for securing deposits of moneys of the city. The city accountant of the city and his legally authorized representatives are authorized and empowered from time to time to examine the accounts and books of the authority, including its receipts, disbursements, contracts, leases, sinking funds, investments and any other records and papers relating to its financial standing. The authority shall cause an annual audit of its accounts to be made by a certified public accountant or firm of certified public accountants, and shall cause a copy of the report of each such audit to be filed with the city clerk, who shall present the same to the city council. The authority shall have power, notwithstanding the provisions of this section to contract with the holders of any of its bonds as to the custody, collection, securing, investment and payment of any moneys of the authority or any moneys held in trust or otherwise for the payment of bonds or in any way to secure bonds, and to carry out any such contract notwithstanding that such contract may be inconsistent with the previous provisions of this section. Moneys held in trust or otherwise for the payment of bonds or in any way to secure bonds and deposits of such moneys may be secured in the same manner as moneys of the authority, and all banks and trust companies are authorized to give such security for such deposits. (1951, c. 779, s. 10; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 44.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 24 - Parking Authorities. › § 160A-560 - Bonds legal investments for public officers and fiduciaries.

§ 160A-560. Bonds legal investments for public officers and fiduciaries.
The bonds are hereby made securities in which all public officers and bodies of this State and all municipalities and municipal subdivisions, all insurance companies and associations and other persons carrying on an insurance business, all banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks and savings associations, including savings and loan associations, investment companies and other persons carrying on a banking business and all other persons whatsoever, except as hereinafter provided, who are now or may hereafter be authorized to invest in bonds or other obligations of the State, may properly and legally invest funds including capital in their control or belonging to them; provided that, notwithstanding the provisions of any other general or special law to the contrary, such bonds shall not be eligible for the investment of funds, including capital, trusts, estates or guardianships under the control of individual administrators, guardians, executors, trustees and other individual fiduciaries. The bonds are also hereby made securities which may be deposited with and may be received by all public officers and bodies of this State and all municipalities and municipal subdivisions for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or other obligations of this State is now or may hereafter be authorized. (1951, c. 779, s. 15; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 44.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 24 - Parking Authorities. › § 160A-561 - Exemptions from taxation.

§ 160A-561. Exemptions from taxation.
It is hereby found, determined and declared that the creation of the authority and the carrying out of its corporate purposes is in all respects for the benefit of the people of the State of North Carolina, for the improvement of their health, welfare and prosperity, and for the promotion of their traffic, and is a public purpose, and that the authority will be performing an essential governmental function in the exercise of the powers conferred upon it by this Article, and the State of North Carolina covenants with the holders of the bonds that the authority shall be required to pay no taxes or assessments upon any of the property acquired by it or under its jurisdiction, control, possession or supervision or upon its activities in the operation and maintenance of the project or any tolls, revenues or other income received by the authority and that the bonds of the authority and the income therefrom shall at all times be exempt from taxation, except for transfer and estate taxes. (1951, c. 779, s. 16; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 44.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 24 - Parking Authorities. › § 160A-562 - Tax contract by the State.

§ 160A-562. Tax contract by the State.
The State of North Carolina covenants with the purchasers and with all subsequent holders and transferees of bonds issued by the authority pursuant to this Article, in consideration of the acceptance of and payment for the bonds, that the bonds of the authority issued pursuant to this Article and the income therefrom, and all moneys, funds and revenues pledged to pay or secure the payment of such bonds, shall at all times be free from taxation except for transfer and estate taxes. (1951, c. 779, s. 17; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 44.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 24 - Parking Authorities. › § 160A-563 - Actions against the authority.

§ 160A-563. Actions against the authority.
In every action against the authority for damages, for injuries to real or personal property, or for the destruction thereof, or for personal injuries or death, the complaint shall contain an allegation that at least 30 days have elapsed since the demand, claim or claims upon which such action is founded were presented to a member of the authority, or to its secretary, or to its chief executive officer and that the authority has neglected or refused to make an adjustment or payment thereof for 30 days after such presentment. (1951, c. 779, s. 19; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 44.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 24 - Parking Authorities. › § 160A-564 - Termination of authority.

§ 160A-564. Termination of authority.
The city council shall have the authority to terminate the existence of the authority at any time. In the event of such termination, all property and assets of the authority shall automatically become the property of the city and the city shall succeed to all rights, obligations and liabilities of the authority. (1951, c. 779, s. 20; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, ss. 43, 44.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 24 - Parking Authorities. › § 160A-565 - Inconsistent provisions in other acts superseded.

§ 160A-565. Inconsistent provisions in other acts superseded.
Insofar as the provisions of this Article are inconsistent with the provisions of any other act, general or special, the provisions of this Article shall be controlling. This Article shall not repeal or modify any other act providing a different method of financing parking projects in cities, the powers conferred hereby being intended to be in addition to and not in substitution for the powers conferred by other acts. (1951, c. 779, s. 22; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 44.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 25 - Public Transportation Authorities. › § 160A-575 - Title.

§ 160A-575. Title.
This Article shall be known and may be cited as the "North Carolina Public Transportation Authorities Act." (1977, c. 465; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 45.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 25 - Public Transportation Authorities. › § 160A-576 - Definitions.

§ 160A-576. Definitions.
As used in this Article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Authority" means a 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.
(2) "Governing body" means the board, commission, council or other body, by whatever name it may be known, in which the general legislative powers of the municipality are vested.
(3) "Municipality" means any county, city, or town of this State, and any other political subdivision, public corporation, authority, or district in this State, which is or may be authorized by law to acquire, establish, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, own, and operate public transportation systems.
(4) "Municipality's chief administrative official" means the county manager, city manager, town manager, or other person, by whatever title he shall be known, in whom the responsibility for the municipality's administrative duties is vested.
(5) "Public transportation" means transportation of passengers whether or not for hire by any means of conveyance, including but not limited to a street railway, elevated railway or guideway, subway, motor vehicle or motor bus, either publicly or privately owned and operated, holding itself out to the general public for the transportation of persons within the territorial jurisdiction of the authority, including charter service.
(6) "Public transportation system" means, without limitation, a combination of real and personal property, structures, improvements, buildings, equipment, vehicle parking or other facilities, and rights-of-way, or any combination thereof, used or useful for the purposes of public transportation. (1977, c. 465; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 45.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 25 - Public Transportation Authorities. › § 160A-577 - Creation; membership.

§ 160A-577. Creation; membership.
A municipality may, by resolution or ordinance, create a transportation authority, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "authority." It shall be a body corporate and politic. It shall consist of up to 11 members as determined by the governing body of the municipality.
Members of the authority shall reside within the territorial jurisdiction of the authority as hereinafter set out. They shall be appointed by the governing body of the municipality. The terms of the members shall be fixed by the governing body. Appointments to fill vacancies occurring during the regular terms shall be made by the governing body. The appointments of all members shall run until their successors are appointed and qualified.
The members of the authority shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from the membership of the authority. They shall also elect a secretary who may, or may not, be a member of the authority.
A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and an affirmative vote of the majority of the members present at a meeting of the authority shall be required to constitute action of the authority. Members of the authority shall receive such compensation, if any, as may be fixed by the governing body of the municipality. (1977, c. 465; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 45.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 25 - Public Transportation Authorities. › § 160A-578 - Purpose of the authority.

§ 160A-578. Purpose of the authority.
The purpose of the authority shall be to provide for a safe, adequate and convenient public transportation system for the municipality creating the authority and for its immediate environs, through the granting of franchises, ownership and leasing of terminals, buses and other transportation facilities and equipment, and otherwise through the exercise of the powers and duties conferred upon it. (1977, c. 465; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 45.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 25 - Public Transportation Authorities. › § 160A-580 - Authority of Utilities Commission not affected.

§ 160A-580. Authority of Utilities Commission not affected.
Except as otherwise provided herein, nothing in this Article shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect the power or authority of the North Carolina Utilities Commission or the right of appeal to the North Carolina Utilities Commission as provided by law. (1977, c. 465; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 45.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 25 - Public Transportation Authorities. › § 160A-581 - Territorial jurisdiction.

§ 160A-581. Territorial jurisdiction.
The jurisdiction of the authority shall extend to all local public passenger transportation operating within the municipality. Said jurisdiction shall also extend up to 30 miles outside of the corporate limits of the municipality where the municipality is a town or city, and up to five miles outside of the boundaries of the municipality where the municipality is a county or up to five miles outside of the combined boundaries of a group of counties. The authority shall not have jurisdiction over public transportation subject to the jurisdiction of and regulated by the I.C.C., nor shall it have jurisdiction over intrastate public transportation classified as common carriers of passengers by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. A public transportation authority shall not extend service into a political subdivision without the consent of the governing body of that political subdivision. A majority vote of the governing body shall constitute consent. (1977, c. 465; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 45.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 25 - Public Transportation Authorities. › § 160A-582 - Fiscal accountability.

§ 160A-582. Fiscal accountability.
The authority shall be fiscally accountable to the municipality, and the municipality's governing body shall have authority to examine all records and accounts of the authority at any time. (1977, c. 465; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 45.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 25 - Public Transportation Authorities. › § 160A-583 - Funds.

§ 160A-583. Funds.
The establishment and operation of a transportation authority as herein authorized are governmental functions and constitute a public purpose, and the municipality is hereby authorized to appropriate funds to support the establishment and operation of the transit authority. The municipality may also dedicate, sell, convey, donate or lease any of its interest in any property to the authority. Further, the authority is hereby authorized to establish such license and regulatory fees and charges as it may deem appropriate, subject to the approval of the governing body of the municipality. If the governing body finds that the funds otherwise available are insufficient, it may call a special election without a petition and submit to the qualified voters of the municipality the question of whether or not a special tax shall be levied and/or bonds issued, specifying the maximum amount thereof, for the purpose of acquiring lands, buildings, equipment and facilities and for the operations of the transit authority. Any special election shall be conducted in accordance with G.S. 163-287. (1977, c. 465; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 45; 2013-381, s. 10.29; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, ss. 3.1(a), (b), 6.1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 25 - Public Transportation Authorities. › § 160A-584 - Effect on existing franchises and operations.

§ 160A-584. Effect on existing franchises and operations.
In the event a transportation authority is established under the authority of this Article, any existing franchises granted by the municipality shall continue in full force and effect until legally terminated; further, all ordinances and resolutions of the municipality regulating bus operations and taxicabs shall continue in full force and effect until superseded by regulations of the transportation authority. (1977, c. 465; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 45.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 25 - Public Transportation Authorities. › § 160A-585 - Termination.

§ 160A-585. Termination.
The governing body of the municipality shall have the authority to terminate the existence of the authority at any time. In the event of such termination, all property and assets of the authority shall automatically become the property of the municipality and the municipality shall succeed to all rights, obligations and liabilities of the authority. (1977, c. 465; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 45.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 25 - Public Transportation Authorities. › § 160A-586 - Controlling provisions.

§ 160A-586. Controlling provisions.
Insofar as the provisions of this Article are not consistent with the provisions of any other law, public or private, the provisions of this Article shall be controlling. (1977, c. 465; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 45.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 25 - Public Transportation Authorities. › § 160A-587 - Consolidation of public transportation authority and parking authority.

§ 160A-587. Consolidation of public transportation authority and parking authority.
The municipality may, by resolution or ordinance, vest in a single body corporate and politic both the powers of a public transportation authority in accordance with the provisions of this Article and the powers of a parking authority in accordance with the provisions of Article 38 of Chapter 160 of the General Statutes. Notwithstanding the membership provisions of G.S. 160A-553, the members of a consolidated body created pursuant to this section shall be selected according to the provisions of G.S. 160A-577. (1977, c. 465; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 45.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 25 - Public Transportation Authorities. › § 160A-588 - Joint provision of services.

§ 160A-588. Joint provision of services.
Two or more municipalities may cooperate in the exercise of any power granted by this Article according to the procedures and provisions of G.S. 160A-460 through 160A-464 of Part 1 of Article 20 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes. Additional municipalities may join an existing transportation authority upon making satisfactory arrangements pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 160A-460 through 160A-464 of Part 1 of Article 20 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes. (1977, c. 465; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1247, s. 45.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-601 - Definitions.

§ 160A-601. Definitions.
As used in this Article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Authority" means a Regional Public Transportation Authority as defined by subdivision (6) of this section.
(2) "Board of Trustees" means the governing board of the Authority, in which the general legislative powers of the Authority are vested.
(3) "Population" means the number of persons residing in respective areas as defined and enumerated in the most recent decennial federal census.
(4) "Public transportation" means transportation of passengers whether or not for hire by any means of conveyance, including but not limited to a street or elevated railway or guideway, subway, motor vehicle or motor bus, carpool or vanpool, either publicly or privately owned and operated, holding itself out to the general public for the transportation of persons within or working within the territorial jurisdiction of the Authority, excluding charter, tour, or sight-seeing service.
(5) "Public transportation system" means, without limitation, a combination of real and personal property, structures, improvements, buildings, equipment, vehicle parking or other facilities, railroads and railroad rights-of-way whether held in fee simple by quitclaim or easement, and rights-of-way, or any combination thereof, used or useful for the purposes of public transportation. "Public transportation system" however, does not include streets, roads, or highways except those for ingress and egress to vehicle parking.
(6) "Regional Public Transportation Authority," means a 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.
(7) "Unit of local government" means any county, city, town or municipality of this State, and any other political subdivision, public corporation, Authority, or district in this State, which is or may be authorized by law to acquire, establish, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, own, and operate public transportation systems.
(8) "Unit of local government's chief administrative official" means the county manager, city manager, town manager, or other person, by whatever title he shall be known, in whom the responsibility for the unit of local government's administrative duties is vested. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-602 - Definition of territorial jurisdiction of Authority.

§ 160A-602. Definition of territorial jurisdiction of Authority.
An authority may be created for any area of the State that, at the time of creation of the authority, meets the following criteria:
(1) The area consists of three counties:
(2) At least one of those counties contains at least part of a County Research and Production Service District established pursuant to Part 2 of Article 16 of Chapter 153A of the General Statutes; and
(3) The other two counties each:
a. Contain at least one unit of local government that is designated by the Governor of the State of North Carolina as a recipient pursuant to Section 9 of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, as amended; and
b. Are adjacent to at least one county that contains at least part of a County Research and Production Service District established pursuant to Part 2 of Article 16 of Chapter 153A of the General Statutes. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-603 - Creation of Authority.

§ 160A-603. Creation of Authority.
(a) The Boards of Commissioners of all three counties within an area for which an authority may be created as defined in G.S. 160A-602 may by resolution signify their determination to organize an authority under the provisions of this Article. Each of such resolutions shall be adopted after a public hearing thereon, notice of which hearing shall be given by publication at least once, not less than 10 days prior to the date fixed for such hearing, in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county. Such notice shall contain a brief statement of the substance of the proposed resolution, shall set forth the proposed articles of incorporation of the Authority and shall state the time and place of the public hearing to be held thereof. No county shall be required to make any other publication of such resolution under the provisions of any other law.
(b) Each such resolution shall include articles of incorporation which shall set forth:
(1) The name of the authority;
(2) A statement that such authority is organized under this Article; and
(3) The names of the three organizing counties.
(c) A certified copy of each of such resolutions signifying the determination to organize 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 on each of such resolutions. If the Secretary of State finds that the resolutions, including the articles of incorporation, conform to the provisions of this Article and that the notices of hearing were properly published, he shall file such resolutions and proofs of publication in his office and shall issue a certificate of incorporation under the seal of the State and shall record the same in an appropriate book of record in his office. The issuance of such 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. Said certificate of incorporation shall be conclusive evidence of the fact that such authority has been duly created and established under the provisions of this Article.
(d) When the Authority has been duly organized and its officers elected as herein provided the secretary of the Authority shall certify to the Secretary of State the names and addresses of such officers as well as the address of the principal office of the Authority.
(e) The Authority may become a Designated Recipient pursuant to the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, as amended. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-604 - Territorial jurisdiction of the Authority.

§ 160A-604. Territorial jurisdiction of the Authority.
(a) The territorial jurisdiction of any authority created pursuant to this Article shall be coterminous with the boundaries of the three counties that organized it.
(b) Except as provided by this Article, the jurisdiction of the Authority may include all local public passenger transportation operating within the territorial jurisdiction of the Authority, but the Authority may not take over the operation of any existing public transportation without the consent of the owner.
(c) The Authority shall not have jurisdiction over public transportation subject to the jurisdiction of and regulated by the Interstate Commerce Commission, nor shall it have jurisdiction over intrastate public transportation classified as common carriers of passengers by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-605 - Membership; officers; compensation.

§ 160A-605. Membership; officers; compensation.
(a) The governing body of an authority is the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall consist of 13 members, appointed as follows:
(1) The county with the greatest population shall be allocated five members to be appointed as follows:
a. Two by the board of commissioners of that county;
b. Two by the city council of the city containing the largest population within that county; and
c. One by the city council of the city containing the second largest population within that county;
(2) The county with the next greatest population shall be allocated three members to be appointed as follows:
a. One by the board of commissioners of that county;
b. One by the city council of the city containing the largest population within that county; and
c. One jointly by that board of commissioners and city council, by procedures agreed on between them;
(3) The county with the least population shall be allocated two members to be appointed as follows:
a. One by the board of commissioners of that county; and
b. One by the city council of the city containing the largest population within that county; and
(4) Three members of the Board of Transportation appointed by the Secretary of Transportation, to serve as ex officio nonvoting members.
(b) Voting members of the Board of Trustees shall serve for terms of four years, provided that one-half of the initial appointments shall be for two-year terms, to be determined by lot at the first meeting of the Board of Trustees. Initial terms of office shall commence upon approval by the Secretary of State of the articles of incorporation. The members appointed by the Secretary of Transportation shall serve at his pleasure.
(c) An appointing authority may appoint one of its members to the Board of Trustees. 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).
(d) Members of the Board of Trustees shall reside within the territorial jurisdiction of the Authority as defined by G.S. 160A-604.
(e) The Board of Trustees shall annually elect from its membership a Chairperson, and a Vice-Chairperson, and shall annually elect a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
(f) Members of the Board of Trustees shall receive the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) as compensation for attendance at each duly conducted meeting of the Authority. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-606 - Voting; removal.

§ 160A-606. Voting; removal.
(a) Six members of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Except as provided by G.S. 160A-605(a)(4), each member shall have one vote.
(b) Each member of the Board of Trustees may be removed with or without cause by the appointer(s). If the appointment was made jointly by two boards, the removal must be concurred in by both.
(c) Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made for the remainder of the unexpired term by the respective appointer(s) charged with the responsibility for making such appointments pursuant to G.S. 160A-605. All members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified, unless removed from office. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-607 - Advisory committees.

§ 160A-607. Advisory committees.
The Board of Trustees may provide for the selection of such advisory committees as it may find appropriate, which may or may not include members of the Board of Trustees. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-607.1 - Special tax board.

§ 160A-607.1. Special tax board.
(a) The special tax board of an authority shall be composed of two representatives from each of the counties organizing the authority appointed annually by the board of commissioners of each of those counties' members at the first regular meeting thereof in January, except that the initial members shall serve a term beginning on the date that the initial terms of the board of trustees of that authority begin under G.S. 160A-605(b), and ending on the last day of December of that year. Each member of the special tax board must be a member of the board of commissioners of the county by which he was appointed. Membership on the special tax board may be held in addition to the offices authorized by G.S. 128-1 or G.S. 128-1.1. Said representatives shall hold office from their appointment until their successors are appointed and qualified, except that when any member of the special tax board ceases for any reason to be a member of the board of commissioners of the county by which he was appointed, he shall simultaneously cease to be a member of said special tax board. Upon the occurrence of any vacancy on said special tax board, the vacancy shall be filled within 30 days after notice thereof by the board of commissioners of the county having a vacancy in its representation. Each member of the special tax board, before entering upon his duties, shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation to support the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State and to discharge faithfully the duties of his office; and a record of each such oath shall be filed in the minutes of the respective participating units of local government.
(b) The special tax board shall meet regularly at such places and on such dates as are determined by the special tax board. The initial meeting shall be called jointly by the chairmen of the boards of commissioners of the counties organizing the authority. Special meetings may be called by the chairman of the special tax board on his own initiative and shall be called by him upon request of two or more members of the board. All members shall be notified in writing at least 24 hours in advance of such meeting. A majority of the members of the special tax board shall constitute a quorum. No vacancy in the membership of the special tax board shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the special tax board. No action, other than an action to recess or adjourn, shall be taken except upon a majority vote of the entire authorized membership of said special tax board. Each member, including the chairman, shall be entitled to vote on any question.
(c) The special tax board shall elect annually in January from among its members a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer, except that initial officers shall be elected at the first meeting of the special tax board. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-608 - Purpose of the Authority.

§ 160A-608. Purpose of the Authority.
The purpose of the Authority shall be to finance, provide, operate, and maintain for a safe, clean, reliable, adequate, convenient, energy efficient, economically and environmentally sound public transportation system for the service area of the Authority through the granting of franchises, ownership and leasing of terminals, buses and other transportation facilities and equipment, and otherwise through the exercise of the powers and duties conferred upon it, in order to enhance mobility in the region and encourage sound growth patterns.
Such a service, facility, or function shall be financed, provided, operated, or maintained in the service area of the Authority either in addition to or to a greater or lesser extent than services, facilities, or functions are financed, provided, operated, or maintained for the entirety of the respective units of local government. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-609 - Service area of the Authority.

§ 160A-609. Service area of the Authority.
The service area of the Authority shall be as determined by the Board of Trustees consistent with its purpose, but shall not exceed the territorial jurisdiction of the authority and any area it may provide service to under G.S. 160A-610. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-611 - Authority of Utilities Commission not affected.

§ 160A-611. Authority of Utilities Commission not affected.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Article, nothing in this Article shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect the power or authority of the North Carolina Utilities Commission or the right of appeal to the North Carolina Utilities Commission as provided by law.
(b) The North Carolina Utilities Commission shall not have jurisdiction over rates, fees, charges, routes, and schedules of an Authority for service within its territorial jurisdiction. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-613 - Funds.

§ 160A-613. Funds.
(a) The establishment and operation of an Authority are governmental functions and constitute 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 Authority. 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 Authority. An authority 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 Transportation may allocate to an authority any funds appropriated for public transportation, or any funds whose use is not restricted by law.
(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2010-95, s. 41, effective July 17, 2010.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of G.S. 159-18, the Board of Trustees may accumulate moneys from any source authorized by this Article or by Article 50 of Chapter 105 of the General Statutes in a capital reserve fund for any authorized purpose of the Authority. Notwithstanding any provision of G.S. 159-19 or G.S. 159-22, the Board of Trustees may, by amendment to the resolution establishing a capital reserve fund, withdraw moneys accumulated in a fund for noncapital purposes if the capital outlay purpose for which the fund was created is no longer viable, as determined by a majority of the Board of Trustees. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the provisions of Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes shall control the establishment of capital reserve funds by the Authority. (1989, c. 740, s. 1; 1991, c. 666, s. 1; 2001-424, s. 27.28; 2010-95, s. 41.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-614 - Effect on existing franchises and operations.

§ 160A-614. Effect on existing franchises and operations.
Creation of the Authority shall not have an effect on any existing franchises granted by any unit of local government; such existing franchises shall continue in full force and effect until legally terminated; further, all ordinances and resolutions of the unit of local government regulating local public transportation systems, bus operations, and taxicabs shall continue in full force and effect now and in the future, unless superseded by regulations of the Authority; such superseding, if any, may occur only on the basis of prior mutual agreement between the Authority and the respective unit of local government. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-615 - Termination.

§ 160A-615. 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. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-616 - Controlling provisions.

§ 160A-616. Controlling provisions.
Insofar as the provisions of this Article are not consistent with the provisions of any other law, public or private, the provisions of this Article shall be controlling. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-617 - Bonds and notes authorized.

§ 160A-617. Bonds and notes authorized.
In addition to the powers granted by this Article, the Authority may issue bonds and notes pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Bond Act and the Local Government Revenue Bond Act for the purpose of financing public transportation systems or any part thereof and to refund such bonds and notes, whether or not in advance of their maturity or earliest redemption date. Any bond order must be approved by resolution adopted by the special tax board of the Authority and in the case of a bond order under the Local Government Bond Act also by the board of county commissioners of each county organizing the authority. To pay any bond or note issued under the Local Government Bond Act, the Authority may not pledge the levy of any ad valorem tax, but only a tax or taxes it is authorized to levy. (1989, c. 740, s. 1; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1024, s. 41; 1991, c. 666, s. 5.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-618 - Equipment trust certificates.

§ 160A-618. Equipment trust certificates.
In addition to the powers here and before granted, the Authority shall have continuing power to purchase equipment, and in connection therewith execute agreements, leases with or without option to purchase, or equipment trust certificates. All money required to be paid by the Authority under the provisions of such agreements, leases with or without option to purchase, and equipment trust certificates shall be payable solely from the fares, fees, rentals, charges, revenues, and earnings of the Authority, monies derived from the sale of any surplus property of the Authority and gifts, grants, and contributions from any source whatever. Payment for such equipment or rentals therefore, may be made in installments; the deferred installments may be evidenced by equipment trust certificates payable solely from the aforesaid revenues or receipts and title to such equipment may or may not vest in the Authority until the equipment trust certificates are paid. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-619 - Power of eminent domain.

§ 160A-619. Power of eminent domain.
(a) 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 but not limited to the power of eminent domain, the fee or any lesser interest in real or personal property for use by the Authority.
(b) Exercise of the power of eminent domain by the Authority shall be in accordance with Chapter 40A of the General Statutes. (1989, c. 740, s. 1; 2011-284, s. 121.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-620 - Tax exemption.

§ 160A-620. Tax exemption.
The property of the Authority, both real and personal, its acts, activities and income shall be exempt from any tax or tax obligation; in the event of any lease of Authority property, or other arrangement which amounts to a leasehold interest, to a private party, this exemption shall not apply to the value of such leasehold interest nor shall it apply to the income of the lessee. Otherwise, however, for the purpose of taxation, when property of the Authority is leased to private parties solely for the purpose of the Authority, the acts and activities of the lessee shall be considered as the acts and activities of the Authority and the exemption. The interest on bonds or obligations issued by the Authority shall be exempt from State taxes. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 160A - Cities and Towns › Article 26 - Regional Public Transportation Authority. › § 160A-621 - Removal and relocation of utility structures.

§ 160A-621. Removal and relocation of utility structures.
(a) The Authority shall have the power to require any public utility, railroad, or other public service corporation owning or operating any installations, structures, equipment, apparatus, appliances or facilities in, upon, under, over, across or along any ways on which the Authority has the right to own, construct, operate or maintain its public transportation system, to relocate such installation, structures, equipment, apparatus, appliances or facilities from their locations, or, in the sole discretion of the affected public utility, railroad, or other public service corporation, to remove such installations, structures, equipment, apparatus, appliances or facilities from their locations.
(b) If the owner or operator thereof fails or refuses to relocate them, the Authority may proceed to do so.
(b1) The Authority shall provide any necessary new locations and necessary real estate interests for such relocation, and for that purpose the power of eminent domain as provided in G.S. 160A-619 may be exercised provided the new locations shall not be in, on or above, a public highway; the Authority may also acquire the necessary new locations by purchase or otherwise.
(b2) Any affected public utility, railroad or other public service corporation shall be compensated for any real estate interest taken in a manner consistent with G.S. 160A-619, subject to the right of the Authority to reduce the compensation due by the value of any property exchanged under this section.
(b3) The method and procedures of a particular adjustment to the facilities of a public utility, railroad or other public service corporation shall be covered by an agreement between the Authority and the affected party or parties.
(c) The Authority shall reimburse the public utility, railroad or other public service corporation, for the cost of relocations or removals which shall be the entire amount paid or incurred by the utility properly attributable thereto after deducting the cost of any increase in the service capacity of the new installations, structures, equipment, apparatus, appliances or facilities and any salvage value derived from the old installations, structures, equipment, apparatus or appliances. (1989, c. 740, s. 1.)