Enacts new GS 71A-7.3 to restore official recognition to the Chowanoke Nation, giving them all their rights, privileges, and immunities as an American Indian Tribe with a recognized tribal governing body carrying out and exercising substantial governmental duties and powers similar to the State, and recognizing them as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States because of their status. 

Amends GS 115C-210.1 by adding the Chowanoke Nation of Chowan, Gates, Hertford, and Perquimans counties to those tribes and organizations that are to be represented by the American Indian members on the State Advisory Council on Indian Education.

Amends GS 143B-407 by expanding the membership of the State Commission of Indian Affairs to include two members of the Chowanoke Nation. 

Effective April 27, 2017.

Section 1 amends GS 20­217(b). Deletes language making the statute applicable only when a school bus has a plainly visible sign saying "school bus" on the front and rear of the vehicle. Establishes that prima facie evidence that a vehicle is a school bus at the time of a violation of subsection (a) of the statute is (1) a certified copy of a record from the Division of Motor Vehicles showing that the vehicle was registered as a school bus, admissible as evidence without further authentication or (2) testimony from the school bus driver, a passenger on the school bus, or the law enforcement officer investigating the violation of subsection (a) of the statute. Clarifies that school buses include privately owned school buses transporting children (currently includes privately owned buses transporting children). Makes a technical change. Effective October 1, 2017, and applicable to offenses commited on or after that date.

Section 2 amends GS 115C­242. Directs local school administrative units to provide instruction in school bus safety to all elementary school students every school year, as developed by the State Board of Education, beginning with the 2017­18 school year.

Section 3 directs the Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Transportation to study procedures and equipment that may be used to increase school bus safety for children, including the feasibility and cost of equipping school buses with a device to provide a barrier between children and motor vehicles that may be approaching a bus. Directs the Department of Public Instruction to report its findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by January 15, 2018.

Except as otherwise indicated, the act is effective when it becomes law.

Amends GS 136-41.2, which details the eligibility parameters for municipalities to receive funds for public street maintenance and improvements appropriated under GS 136-41.1. Establishes that no municipality may receive funds under GS 136-41.1 in any fiscal year that the municipality is in violation of GS 160A-205.2, which prohibits the adoption of sanctuary ordinances, as determined by the Department of Transportation.