Amends GS 95-25.3(a) to provide that, effective January 1, 2017, and subject to other provisions in the statute, every employer is required to pay to each employee who in any workweek performs any work wages of at least $12 per hour (currently, at least $6.15 or the minimum wage set in the Fair Labor Standards Act).  

Directs the Commissioner of Labor to calculate the adjusted minimum wage rate annually, beginning on September 30, 2017, using the Consumer Price Index, CPI-U, or its successor index, as calculated by the US Department of Labor for the 12-month period preceding the previous September 1. Requires each adjusted minimum wage rate calculated to be published on September 30 and take effect on the following January 1.

Appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the Reserve for Compensation Increases for the 2016-17 fiscal year to fund increases in state employee compensation required by compliance with the $12 per hour minimum wage required by the statute.