Bill > S474

This bill establishes the Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency (DAVE) within the Department of the State Auditor, which will conduct a comprehensive review of state agencies' financial practices and staffing. By October 1, 2025, all state agencies must submit detailed reports to DAVE explaining how they use public funds and providing information about positions that have been vacant for six months or more. The Division will then assess the continued necessity of each state agency and its vacant positions, utilizing tools like artificial intelligence to examine spending effectiveness, identify duplicative expenses, and evaluate overall fiscal soundness. By December 31, 2025, DAVE must report its findings to the General Assembly, including recommendations about potentially dissolving entire agencies or eliminating specific positions. The Division has discretion to conduct similar annual assessments and may consult with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations during its review. The bill is effective immediately upon becoming law and will expire on December 31, 2028, at which point the Division will be terminated, making this a time-limited initiative aimed at improving government efficiency and accountability.

Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S474