A new bill filed by State Sen. Vickie Sawyer seeks to direct an audit of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division to review operations and financial practices, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 902 on April 29 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Ferry Division Performance Audit.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill directs the Office of the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division. The audit must include a financial review of operations, maintenance spending and budget practices; an evaluation of operations, capital projects, and maintenance with suggested long-term strategies to maximize revenue and reduce costs; an assessment of the route system and possible route and schedule changes; and a review of options to diversify revenue to support capital needs and recoup operating costs, plus any other issues the auditor finds relevant. The auditor must report findings by Oct. 1, 2026. The bill takes effect when it becomes law.
A related bill, HB 1094, was also filed in the North Carolina House, introduced by Rep. Frank Iler (and one other) on April 29, 2026.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Michael A. Lazzara proposed the most bills (44) during the 2025 regular session.
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.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vickie Sawyer, Bill Rabon, and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 902 | 04/29/2026 | Ferry Division Performance Audit. |
| Vickie Sawyer and Dana Jones | SB 905 | 04/29/2026 | Foster Care Motor Vehicle Insurance. |
| Vickie Sawyer and Sophia Chitlik | SB 945 | 04/29/2026 | Safe Camps Act. |
| Vickie Sawyer and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 862 | 04/28/2026 | STIP Grant Anticipation Notes. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Jay J. Chaudhuri, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 849 | 04/27/2026 | Real Tickets, Real Fans Act. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Michael A. Lazzara, and Tom McInnis | SB 503 | 03/25/2025 | A More Efficient Office of Vital Records. |
| Vickie Sawyer and Brad Overcash | SB 516 | 03/25/2025 | Women’s Safety and Protection Act. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Eddie D. Settle, and Michael V. Lee | SB 579 | 03/25/2025 | Transforming the High School Experience. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Bill Rabon, and David W. Craven, Jr. | SB 584 | 03/25/2025 | Local Govt Transportation System Financing. |
| Vickie Sawyer | SB 598 | 03/25/2025 | Change to Low-Performing Schools Designation. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Michael A. Lazzara, and Todd Johnson | SB 614 | 03/25/2025 | Revise Dam Safety Requirements. |
| Vickie Sawyer and W. Ted Alexander | SB 697 | 03/25/2025 | Lake Norman Marine Commission. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Bill Rabon, and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 391 | 03/24/2025 | DOT Omnibus. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Brent Jackson, and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 401 | 03/24/2025 | NC Farm Act of 2025. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Michael A. Lazzara, and Tom McInnis | SB 450 | 03/24/2025 | Novel Opioid Control Act of 2025. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Benton G. Sawrey, and Todd Johnson | SB 378 | 03/20/2025 | HOA Revisions. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Carl Ford, and Phil Berger | SB 320 | 03/17/2025 | LEO Special Separation Allowance Options. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Brent Jackson, and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 295 | 03/13/2025 | Clarify Motor Vehicle Dealer Laws. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Amy S. Galey, and Danny Earl Britt, Jr. | SB 250 | 03/06/2025 | Celebrate America’s 250th-Let Freedom Ring!. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Eddie D. Settle, and Tom McInnis | SB 231 | 03/05/2025 | State Surplus Property/Third-Party Auctions. |
| Vickie Sawyer and Todd Johnson | SB 165 | 02/25/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning/Union & Iredell Cos. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Benton G. Sawrey, and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 172 | 02/25/2025 | STIP Grant Anticipation Notes. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Bill Rabon, and David W. Craven, Jr. | SB 145 | 02/24/2025 | Mecklenburg Transportation Referendum. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Michael A. Lazzara, and Warren Daniel | SB 118 | 02/18/2025 | Reduce Veteran CCW Fee/Expand CCW Notice. |
| Vickie Sawyer | SB 112 | 02/17/2025 | School Financial Flexibility Pilot Program. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Eddie D. Settle, and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 113 | 02/17/2025 | Removal of Squatters from Private Property. |
| Vickie Sawyer | SB 87 | 02/12/2025 | 37th Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
| Vickie Sawyer and Brad Overcash | SB 77 | 02/11/2025 | School Contracted Health Services. |
| Vickie Sawyer and Ralph Hise | SB 81 | 02/11/2025 | NC Time Zone/Observe DST All Year. |
| Vickie Sawyer, Bill Rabon, and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 63 | 02/06/2025 | Board of Motor Vehicles/Authority Study. |
