AN ACT requiring state and local government agencies to deliver permits issued to permittees by mail or a designated delivery service instead of requiring in‑person pickup at an agency or other physical location unless a permittee opts to pick up the permit in person.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 10 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 143‑162.6.  Delivery of permits issued by State agencies.

(a)        Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, each executive branch agency shall establish a policy to send any permits issued by the agency to permittees using one or more of the following methods instead of requiring the permittee to pick up the permit at an agency office or other physical location:

(1)        Via United States mail or a designated delivery service authorized pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7502(f)(2). An agency may charge the permittee for costs of delivery.

(2)        By electronic mail, as appropriate, if the permittee consents to such delivery in advance.

(b)        A permittee may opt to receive a permit issued by an executive branch agency in person if the agency offers in‑person pickup at an agency office or other physical location.

(c)        Nothing in this section is intended to change the method by which an applicant is required to apply for a permit or to prohibit an agency from adopting policies to exercise due diligence in verifying a permittee's identity.

(d)       This section does not apply to the legislative or judicial branch of government.

SECTION 2.  Article 23 of Chapter 153A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 153A‑461.  Delivery of permits issued by county agency.

(a)        Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, each county agency shall establish a policy to send any permits issued by the agency to permittees using one or more of the following methods instead of requiring the permittee to pick up the permit at an agency office or other physical location:

(1)        Via United States mail or a designated delivery service authorized pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7502(f)(2). An agency may charge the permittee for costs of delivery.

(2)        By electronic mail, as appropriate, if the permittee consents to such.

(b)        A permittee may opt to receive a permit issued by a county agency in person if the agency offers in‑person pickup at an agency office or other physical location.

(c)        Nothing in this section is intended to change the method by which an applicant is required to apply for a permit or to prohibit an agency from adopting policies to exercise due diligence in verifying a permittee's identity.

(d)       This section does not apply to any permit issued pursuant to Article 54B of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes.

SECTION 3.  Article 21 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 160A‑499.6.  Delivery of permits issued by city agency.

(a)        Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, each city agency shall establish a policy to send any permits issued by the agency to permittees using one or more of the following methods instead of requiring the permittee to pick up the permit at an agency office or other physical location:

(1)        Via United States mail or a designated delivery service authorized pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7502(f)(2). An agency may charge the permittee for costs of delivery.

(2)        By electronic mail, as appropriate, if the permittee consents to such delivery.

(b)        A permittee may opt to receive a permit issued by a city agency in person if the agency offers in‑person pickup at an agency office or other physical location.

(c)        Nothing in this section is intended to change the method by which an applicant is required to apply for a permit or to prohibit an agency from adopting policies to exercise due diligence in verifying a permittee's identity.

SECTION 4.  Each executive branch agency, county agency, and city agency shall adopt the policy required by G.S. 143‑162.6, 153A‑461, and 160A‑499.6, as enacted by this act, no later than September 1, 2023.

SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law.