AN ACT to require state agencies to eliminate all positions within the agency that have been vacant for at least twelve months.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 6 of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 143C‑6‑6.1.  Elimination of vacant positions.

(a)        Prohibition. – Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, State agencies may only eliminate vacant positions, and use the resulting funds in accordance with (i) subsection (b) of this section or (ii) the Current Operations Appropriations Act.

(b)        Elimination. – Beginning October 1, 2021, and occurring annually thereafter, each State agency, in conjunction with the Office of State Budget and Management, shall eliminate all positions within the agency that have been vacant for at least 12 months. Half of the total amount of funds resulting from each elimination required under this section shall remain unexpended until appropriated by the General Assembly. The remaining funds may be used in accordance with applicable State law by the State agency from which the positions were eliminated.

(c)        Report. – No later than 15 days from the date positions are eliminated under subsection (a) of this section, the Office of State Budget and Management shall submit a report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the Fiscal Research Division detailing the positions eliminated. The information shall be grouped by agency and fund code, and shall specify the position number, title, salary, and funding source for each position eliminated.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.