AN ACT to enact the dave act by cREATing The division of accountability, value, and Efficiency within the department of State auditor, directing each state agency to report to the division on its use of public monies and the status of its vacant positions, and directing the division to assess the continued need of each state agency and the vacant positions within each state agency.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  This act shall be known as The Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency (DAVE) Act.

SECTION 2.  The State Auditor shall establish a Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency (Division) within the Department of the State Auditor. The powers and duties of the Division shall be to effectuate the assessment and recommendations required by this act, and the State Auditor shall organize and administer the Division in such a manner as the State Auditor may deem necessary to conduct the Division's work accordingly.

SECTION 3.  No later than October 1, 2025, every State agency shall report to the Division both of the following:

(1)        An explanation of how the agency, including each division or office within that agency, utilizes public monies to execute its powers and duties under law.

(2)        A description of all positions within that agency that have remained vacant for six months or more as of the effective date of this act. The description shall include the original position vacancy dates, the dates of any postings or repostings of the positions, and an explanation for the length of the vacancies.

SECTION 4.  The Division shall assess the continued need for each State agency and the vacant positions within each agency. The assessment shall be based on a review of the reports submitted pursuant to Section 3 of this act and any other information the Division deems relevant. In gathering and assessing relevant information, the Division may consult with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations. The Division may also employ individuals to utilize artificial intelligence and other appropriate tools for the purpose of examining any of the following with respect to State agencies and their budgets:

(1)        Amounts spent, including the entities receiving funds and the intended purpose of the amounts spent.

(2)        The effectiveness of any amount spent in achieving the intended purpose of that spending.

(3)        Duplicative spending.

(4)        Any other factor demonstrating the fiscal soundness or effectiveness of the State agency or lack thereof.

SECTION 5.  No later than December 31, 2025, the Division shall report the results of the assessment conducted pursuant to Section 4 of this act to the General Assembly. The Division's report shall include, at minimum, recommendations on both of the following:

(1)        Any State agencies, or any divisions or offices within a State agency, that should be dissolved based on the Division's assessment.

(2)        Any State agency positions that should be eliminated based on the Division's assessment.

SECTION 6.  The Division, in its discretion, may annually require any or all State agencies to submit a report with the information required by Section 3 of this act, and may reassess such information on an annual basis in accordance with Section 4 of this act, and report the results of the assessment to the General Assembly.

SECTION 7.  This act is effective when it becomes law and expires December 31, 2028, at which time the Division shall terminate.