Opportunities for public review and comment exist throughout the development of the North Carolina State Medical Facilities Plan (SMFP). The North Carolina State Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) holds a public hearing in the first quarter of the calendar year to receive comments and petitions for changes in basic policies and need determination methodologies in the SMFP. The committees of the SHCC assist in developing sections of the SMFP, including the policies and need determination methodologies. The committees submit their recommendations to the council SHCC for approval. Staff assembles a proposed SMFP and makes it available to the public on or about July 1. The SHCC holds public hearings during July and receives comments and petitions for adjustments to need determinations in the proposed SMFP. The committees of the SHCC and the full SHCC consider comments and petitions received during this public hearing and comment period. Upon incorporation of all changes approved by the SHCC, staff compiles a recommended SMFP and presents it to the governor for his or her review and approval. With the governor's approval, the State Medical Facilities Plan becomes the official document for health facility and health service planning in North Carolina for the specified calendar year.