North Carolina Sen. Sawyer’s dot reform bill passes House and Senate

Passed bill sponsored by State Sen. Vickie Sawyer aims to reform the Department of Transportation’s operations, including driver training, dealer licenses, tolling, and property acquisition procedures after winning approval in both chambers, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

In the House, 42 Democrats and 65 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while two Democrats opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 19 Democrats and 28 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Sawyer filed the bill in the North Carolina Senate on March 24 during the 2025 regular session.

The legislation, known as SB 391, was passed on June 25 during the 2025 regular session.

According to the North Carolina General Assembly site, the bill’s official text was formally listed with the short title: “DOT Omnibus.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill aims to reform various aspects of the Department of Transportation (DOT) in North Carolina, addressing commercial driver training, dealer license renewals, cash balance requirements, right-of-way plans, and Turnpike Authority operations. It mandates licensing for driver training schools and aligns their curriculum with public school standards. Changes to dealer licenses include clarifications on ownership continuity. The bill modifies cash balance calculations for transportation appropriations and modernizes right-of-way plan registration by allowing electronic submissions. The requirement for the Turnpike Authority to submit multiple reports is reduced, and electronic toll billing is introduced as an option. Additionally, the bill removes the cap on the number of Turnpike projects, adjusts how their revenues can be used, and broadly outsources bridge program projects. The Ferry Division is exempt from certain employment requirements, and the DOT is authorized to impose transaction fees on electronic ferry payments. Amendments to property acquisition laws clarify easement and condemnation procedures. The bill has various effective dates, with specific sections becoming applicable on July 31, 2025.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Bill Rabon (Republican-8th District), Sen. Vickie Sawyer (Republican-37th District), and Sen. Michael A. Lazzara (Republican-6th District).

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Sawyer graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1997.

Sawyer, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 37th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Jeff Jackson.

Under North Carolina law, bills must receive three readings in each chamber. According to the UNC School of Government, once a bill “passes its constitutionally required second reading and moves to its constitutionally required third reading,” additional debate can occur, but the final stage is often treated as a formality. Unless a legislator requests a roll-call, the third reading may be approved by voice vote or unanimous consent without a separate recorded tally.