A new bill filed by State Sen. Vickie Sawyer in the North Carolina Senate aims to help local governments accelerate transportation projects by permitting specific borrowing methods, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 862 on April 28 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘STIP Grant Anticipation Notes.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill lets North Carolina local governments borrow money through grant anticipation notes to speed up transportation projects that are listed as regional impact or division needs in the State Transportation Improvement Program. It sets limits so borrowing cannot exceed the funding identified for a project, bans renewal of these notes, and requires they be repaid solely from grant funds, without pledging local taxing power. The bill requires an expedited project agreement with the Department of Transportation covering project scope, costs, timelines, funding sources, and contingency plans, and directs the transportation and state treasurer departments to adopt related rules. The act takes effect when it becomes law.
A related bill, SB 172, was also filed in the North Carolina Senate, introduced by Sen. Vickie Sawyer (and two others) on Feb. 25, 2025.
Of the two sponsors of this bill, Michael A. Lazzara proposed the most bills (43) 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 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. |
