143-345.22. Allocation of suggestion program funds; nonmonetary recognition.

(a) If a State employee's suggestion or innovation results in a monetary savings or increased revenue to the State, the funds saved or increased shall be distributed according to the following scale or subject to guidelines as set forth by the funding source:

(1) Twenty percent (20%) of the annualized savings or increased revenues, up to a maximum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for any one State employee, to constitute gainsharing. If a team of State employees is the suggester, the bonus provided in this subdivision shall be divided equally among the team members, except that no team member shall receive in excess of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), nor shall the team receive an aggregate amount in excess of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). These funds shall not revert.

(2) Thirty percent (30%) allocated as follows:

a. Fifteen percent (15%) to the implementing agency for nonrecurring budget items to be used (i) by the implementing agency to provide equipment, supplies, training, and limited but appropriate recognition for the division, section, or group responsible for the implementation of the cost-saving measure and (ii) to meet other similar needs within the agency.

b. Ten percent (10%) to the Office of State Human Resources for augmenting funding for the management and administration of NC-Thinks. These funds shall not revert.

c. Five percent (5%) to the State employee education and training fund administered by the Office of State Human Resources under G.S. 143-342.21(i). These funds shall not revert when nonreversion is otherwise allowed by law or policy.

(3) The remainder to the General Fund for nonrecurring budget items when allowed by law or policy.

(a1) Of the pool of funds identified in subsection (a) of this section, only the General Fund appropriations shall be subject to reversion, except during declared budget emergencies. Under nonemergency budget conditions, NC-Thinks funds arising from savings at The University of North Carolina, the North Carolina Community Colleges System, the Highway Trust Fund, enterprise funds, and receipt-supported organizations shall be exempt from the General Fund reversion requirements.

(b) The budget of a State agency shall not be reduced in the following fiscal year by an amount similar to the monetary savings or increased revenues realized by NC-Thinks. The agency budget shall be reduced in subsequent years only if structural or organizational changes are made that warrant the reductions, including the transfer of responsibility for an activity or service to another agency or the elimination of some function of State government.

(c) If a suggestion or innovation results in improved quality of services to the public or to other State agencies, departments, and institutions, but not in monetary savings to the State, the suggester shall receive a nonmonetary award in the form of a certificate, leave with pay, or other similar recognition.