The N.C. Department of Commerce staffs and receives policy direction from three statutorily required, independently appointed boards and commissions. See the links below for information on their structure, goals and objectives:
The following agencies report directly to their respective Boards and Commissions, rather than to the Secretary of Commerce. They receive administrative oversight from the Department through the Assistant Secretary for Administration:
Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission
The Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission manages the sale of alcoholic beverages in the state through operation of a centralized warehouse, oversight of the local government operated retail sales outlets, and permitting of facilities authorized to sell alcohol in bulk or by the drink.
Banking Commission
The Banking Commission oversees the chartering and regulating of North Carolina's state banks and trust companies, as well as registration and licensing of various financial institutions operating in the state, including
- Check cashers
- Consumer finance companies
- Mortgage bankers
- Mortgage brokers
- Money transmitters
- Refund anticipation lenders.
Cemetery Commission
The Cemetery Commission regulates and monitors the activities of all state-licensed cemeteries.
Credit Union Commission
The Credit Union Commission regulates and monitors the operations of all state-chartered credit unions.
Employment Security Commission
The Employment Security Commission administers the unemployment insurance program in the state. It also offers job placement and referral services to all North Carolina citizens and maintains the state's labor market information service.
Industrial Commission
The N.C. Industrial Commission administers the Workers' Compensation Act for all employees and employers in the state that protects them against loss due to work-related injury or disease. The Industrial Commission also has jurisdiction over tort claims against the state and claims by families of law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and rescue squad workers.
Public Staff of the Utilities Commission
The Public Staff reviews, investigates, and makes recommendations to the North Carolina Utilities Commission on the reasonableness of rates and adequacy of service provided by all public utilities in the state. The Public Staff also ensures policy consistency when verifying an energy supply is adequate to protect public health and safety.
Rural Electrification Authority
The Rural Electrification Authority ensures that customers in the predominantly rural areas of the state have access to adequate, dependable, affordable electric and telephone service.
Savings Institutions Commission
The Savings Institutions Commission regulates and monitors the operations of all state-chartered savings institutions.
Utilities Commission
The Utilities Commission regulates the rates and services offered by more than 1,200 utility companies in North Carolina including:
- Electric companies
- Local and long-distance telephone companies
- Natural gas companies
- Household goods motor freight carriers
- Motor passenger carriers
- Companies providing private pay phone service
- Water and sewer companies consisting of approximately 1,500 systems
- Ferryboat operators.