Amends GS 20-135.2B, making it an infraction punishable by a penalty of up to $25, to transport a dog in the open bed or open cargo area of a vehicle, unless the dog is under the physical control of a person other than the vehicle operator, the dog is humanely secured in a cage or container, or the dog is humanely restrained by a harness. Specifies that the penalty does not increase based on the number of dogs (or minors, as also prohibited by the statute) involved in a violation. Applies to infractions committed on or after December 1, 2022.

Appropriates $10,000 from the Highway Fund to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for 2022-23 to study the safe transportation of dogs. Requires DOT to report to the specified NCGA committee and division by January 31, 2023.