Amends GS 136-18.03 concerning the Department of Transportation's authorization to contract with outside legal counsel, enacting new subsection (e) which requires at least three bids to be solicited for contracts or other agreements entered into as authorized. Provides that bids must be solicited through public advertising rules and regulations, forthcoming from the Department of Transportation. Requires the contract or agreement to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, approved in accordance with GS 147-17, which requires the Governor's approval. A public record open to inspection of all bids submitted will be compiled and kept and available any time after bids are opened.

Appropriates from the Highway Fund to the Department of Transportation $5,000 in nonrecurring funds for the 2016-17 fiscal year to be used to cover costs associated with the above public advertising requirements.

Effective July 1, 2016, applying to legal services solicited on or after that date.