Conference report makes the following changes to the 4th edition.

Part III.

Removes the proposed changes made to the charters for Canton, Clyde, Maggie Valley, and Waynesville.

Part IV.

Adds the following content.

Amends the Charters of the Cities of Greensboro and Winston-Salem, SL 1959-1137 and SL 1927-232, respectively and as amended, adding a new section to each with the following identical provisions. 

Establishes a Civil Service Board (Board) as part of each City's government charged with oversight of their classified service, defined as officers and employees of Police Department and all officers and employees of the Fire Department except the the Chief of Police, the Deputy Chief of Police, Assistant Chiefs of Police, the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief, and Assistant Fire Chiefs. 

Provides for the composition of each five-member Board, including two members elected by members of the classified service. Details member eligibility and disqualifications. Allows for successive terms. Provides further details relating to service on and election to the Board. Bars engaging or benefiting from any contractual work or employment with the City for two years following serving on the Board. Specifies members are unpaid except for reimbursement permitted by city policies. Designates the city clerk or their designee as the Board Secretary and describes the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary, including meeting notices and electronic recordings of meetings. Requires the Board to meet annually to adopt a regular meeting schedule. Details notice and agenda requirements of Board meetings. Requires the Board to notify their Director of Human Resources (HR) of any actions, reports, or recommendations made by the Board within a reasonable time after a meeting, with HR then required to notify affected classified service members. Bars supervisors from prohibiting, directing, or discouraging employees from wearing their uniforms while attending Board meetings. 

Requires each Board to adopt substantive rules pertaining to classified service efficiency. Lists policies that such rules may provide for, among other things, such as position classification and standardization, disciplinary suspensions up to 90 days, and investigations and recordkeeping relating to classified service. Requires the Board to also adopt procedural rules. Describes the procedure for adoption or amendment of rules, including submission to the respective city council, public inspection and public hearing, and required approval by a majority vote of the council. Grants the council authority to amend the rules or amendments submitted to it for approval. 

Grants each city council (by majority vote of membership), the city manager, or the Board (by majority vote of membership) authority to make official investigations with regard to the operation and enforcement of the new section's provisions, the Board's rules, and the condition of the classified service of the city, and refer such matters to the Board for hearing or further investigation. Grants the power to compel witnesses and issue subpoenas for any investigation. Requires copies of investigation reports to be filed with the city clerk and open for public inspection pursuant to state law. 

Provides procedure for members of the classified service to request a hearing before the Board regarding discharge, suspension, rank reduction, transfer, or denial of promotion or raise; requires exhaustion of all remedies under the City's laws or policies prior to requesting a hearing with the Board. Establishes timelines for grievance procedures and Board hearings. Entitles members to representation at hearings before the Board. Grants the Board authority to issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents. Places the burden of justifying an act or omission on the City. Provides for the member to inspect and copy records the City plans to rely on upon written request. Requires the Board to render a decision affirming or rescinding the action or omission within 10 days of the hearing. Allows the Board to order the City to take additional steps for a just conclusion if the Board finds the action or omission unjustified. Further details requirements for orders of the Board. Provides for appeal of the Board's decision by the member or the City to superior court within 10 days of receipt of the Board's decision.

Authorizes the Board to designate independent legal counsel to advice and represent the Board, and requires the Board to establish a roster of attorneys for advising or in connection with grievance hearings. Provides for requirements and limitations as to such designations and rosters. Deems the City responsible for the costs of legal services. Details specific procedure for requesting the Office of the City Attorney to serve as legal advisor or attorney for the Board.

Deems the Board responsible for enforcement of the section's provisions and rules adopted thereunder. Authorizes disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for noncompliance. Subjects employees or officials who threaten or intimidate other employees from exercising their rights to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. 

Includes a severability clause. Provides for the act's provisions to supersede conflicting laws, rules, or clauses.

Amends the act’s long title.

House committee substitute to the 2nd edition makes the following changes.

Amends Section 4.4 of the Apex Town Charter, SL 1985-356, as amended, to require the Town Council and Mayor (was, Town Council) to appoint a Town Clerk. Adds that the Mayor may vote on an appointment of the Town Clerk if the Mayor has not also voted to break a tie on that appointment.   

Adds the following.

Replaces the Board of Commissioners with the Town Council throughout Article IV of the Charter. Provides that the Town Manager holds office at the pleasure of both the Town Council and the Mayor (was, Board of Commissioners), who will also determine the Town Manager's compensation. Adds that the Mayor may vote on an appointment of the Town Manager if the Mayor has not also voted to break a tie on that appointment. Makes the Town Council and Mayor (was, Board of Commissioners) responsible for appointing a Town Attorney. Adds that the Mayor may vote on an appointment of the Town Attorney if the Mayor has not also voted to break a tie on that appointment. 

Adds a new Section to Article IV providing that in any instance in which the Mayor may vote on an appointment under the Article, the Mayor may also participate in a vote that is solely on the compensation, discipline, or termination of that appointee, if the Mayor has not also voted to break a tie on that matter.

Changes the act's titles.