AN ACT to revise the education requirements for licensure of a professional land surveyor, to make various technical changes, to clarify the design‑build and design‑build bridging statutes, to prohibit waiver of future claims for progress payments on construction contracts, to require attorneys' feeS in certain lien claims, and to define the term "supplier" as used in a provision of the alcohol control laws.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 89C‑3 reads as rewritten:
"§ 89C‑3.  Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this Chapter:
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(4a)	Land surveyor apprenticeship. – A program of on‑the‑job learning that allows individuals to prepare for the land surveying profession through supervised experience combined with land surveyor–related classroom instruction as approved by the Board.
…."
SECTION 1.(b)  G.S. 89C‑13 reads as rewritten:
"§ 89C‑13.  General requirements for licensure.
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(b)	Land Surveyor Applicant. – The evaluation of a land surveyor applicant's qualifications shall involve a consideration of the applicant's education, technical, and land surveying experience, exhibits of land surveying projects with which the applicant has been associated, and recommendations by references. The land surveyor applicant's qualifications may be reviewed at an interview if the Board determines it necessary. Educational credit for institute courses, correspondence courses, or other courses shall be determined by the Board.
The following shall be considered as minimum evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant is qualified for licensure as a professional land surveyor:

	
	
(1a)	To be licensed as a professional land surveyor, an applicant shall (i) be of good character and reputation, (ii) submit five character references to the Board, three of whom are professional land surveyors or individuals acceptable to the Board, with personal knowledge of the applicant's land surveying experience, (iii) comply with the requirements of this Chapter, and (iv) meet one of the following requirements:
a.	Rightful possession of a bachelor of science degree in surveying or other equivalent curricula, all approved by the Board and a record satisfactory to the Board of two years or more of progressive practical experience under a practicing professional land surveyor. Upon passing the first examination (Fundamentals of Land Surveying) and the second examination (Principles and Practice of Land Surveying) and satisfactorily passing any oral and written examination required by the Board, all of which shall determine and indicate that the applicant is competent to practice land surveying, an applicant who successfully completes the educational and experience requirements of this subdivision shall be granted licensure as a professional land surveyor.
b.	Rightful possession of an associate degree in surveying technology approved by the Board and a record satisfactory to the Board of five years or more of progressive practical experience under a practicing professional land surveyor. Upon passing the first examination (Fundamentals of Land Surveying) and the second examination (Principles and Practice of Land Surveying) and satisfactorily passing any oral and written examination required by the Board, all of which shall determine and indicate that the applicant is competent to practice land surveying, an applicant who successfully completes the educational and experience requirements of this subdivision shall be granted licensure as a professional land surveyor.
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d.	Graduation from a high school or the completion of a high school equivalency certificate and a record satisfactory to the Board of nine years or more of progressive practical experience under a practicing professional land surveyor. Upon passing the first examination (Fundamentals of Land Surveying) and the second examination (Principles and Practice of Land Surveying) and satisfactorily passing any oral and written examination required by the Board, all of which shall determine and indicate that the applicant is competent to practice land surveying, an applicant who successfully completes the educational and experience requirements of this subdivision shall be granted licensure as a professional land surveyor.
d1.	Graduation from a high school or the completion of a high school equivalency certificate, completion of a Land Surveyor Apprenticeship, and a record satisfactory to the Board of seven years or more of progressive practical experience under a practicing professional land surveyor. Upon passing the first examination (Fundamentals of Land Surveying) and the second examination (Principles and Practice of Land Surveying) and satisfactorily passing any oral and written examination required by the Board, all of which shall determine and indicate that the applicant is competent to practice land surveying, an applicant who successfully completes the educational and experience requirements of this subdivision shall be granted licensure as a professional land surveyor.
…."
SECTION 1.(c)  G.S. 89C‑10 reads as rewritten:
"§ 89C‑10.  Board powers.
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(f)	It shall be the responsibility and duty of the Board to conduct a regular program of investigation concerning all matters within its jurisdiction under the provisions of this Chapter. The investigation of a licensee is confidential until the Board issues a citation to the licensee. The investigation of a nonlicensee is confidential until the Board approves any action authorized under this Chapter against the nonlicensee. The Board may expend its funds for salaries, fees, and per diem expenses, in connection with its investigations, provided that no funds other than per diem expenses shall be paid to any member of the Board in connection with its investigations, nor may any member of the Board give testimony and later sit in deciding on any matter which may directly involve punitive action for the testimony.
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(g1)	The Board shall review and promulgate rules establishing continuing education requirements for surveying apprenticeships and encourage the workforce development of the profession.
…."
SECTION 1.(d)  G.S. 89C‑11 reads as rewritten:
"§ 89C‑11.  Secretary; duties and liabilities; expenditures.
The secretary of the Board shall receive and account for all moneys derived from the operation of the Board as provided in this Chapter, and shall deposit them in one or more special funds in banks or other financial institutions carrying deposit insurance and authorized to do business in North Carolina. The fund or funds shall be designated as "Fund of the Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors" and shall be drawn against only for the purpose of implementing provisions of this Chapter as herein provided. All expenses certified by the Board as properly and necessarily incurred in the discharge of its duties, including authorized compensation, shall be paid out of this fund. At no time shall the total of such certified expenses issued exceed the total amount of funds accumulated under this Chapter. The secretary of the Board shall give a surety bond satisfactory to the State Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties assigned. The premium on the bond is a proper and necessary expense of the Board. The secretary of the Board may delegate to the executive director certain routine duties, such as receipt and disbursement of funds in stated amounts by a written authorization, which has the majority approval of the Board."
SECTION 1.(e)  G.S. 89C‑17 reads as rewritten:
"§ 89C‑17.  Expirations and renewals of certificates.
Certificates for licensure of corporations and business firms that engage in the practice of engineering or land surveying shall expire on the last day of the month of June following their issuance or renewal and shall become invalid on that date unless renewed. All other certificates for licensure shall expire on the last day of the month of December next following their issuance or renewal, and shall become invalid on that date unless renewed. When necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare, the Board shall require any evidence necessary to establish the continuing competency of engineers and land surveyors as a condition of renewal of licenses. When the Board is satisfied as to the continuing competency of an applicant, it shall issue a renewal of the certificate upon payment by the applicant of a fee fixed by the Board but not to exceed seventy‑five dollars ($75.00). The secretary of the Board shall notify by mail or email every person licensed under this Chapter of the date of expiration of the certificate, the amount of the fee required for its renewal for one year, and any requirement as to evidence of continued competency. The notice shall be sent by email or mailed at least one month in advance of the expiration date of the certificate. Renewal shall be effected at any time during the month immediately following the month of expiration, by payment to the secretary of the Board of a renewal fee, as determined by the Board, which shall not exceed seventy‑five dollars ($75.00). Failure on the part of any licensee to renew the certificate annually in the month immediately following the month of expiration, as required above, shall deprive the licensee of the right to practice until reinstatement of the license. The license may be reinstated at anytime during the first 12 months immediately following the date the license became invalid by payment of a reinstatement fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) in addition to the established renewal fee. Failure of a licensee to reinstate the license during the first 12 months immediately following the date the license became invalid shall require the individual, prior to resuming practice in North Carolina, to submit an application on the prescribed form, and to meet all other requirements for licensure as set forth in Chapter 89C. The secretary of the Board is instructed to remove from the official roster of engineers and land surveyors the names of all licensees who have not effected their renewal by the first day of the month immediately following the renewal period. The Board may adopt rules to provide for renewals in distress or hardship cases due to military service, prolonged illness, or prolonged absence from the State, where the applicant for renewal demonstrates to the Board that the applicant has maintained active knowledge and professional status as an engineer or land surveyor, as the case may be. It shall be the responsibility of each licensee to inform the Board promptly concerning change in address. A licensee may request and be granted inactive status. No inactive licensee may practice in this State unless otherwise exempted in this Chapter. A licensee granted inactive status shall pay annual renewal fees but shall not be subject to annual continuing professional competency requirements. A licensee granted inactive status may return to active status by meeting all requirements of the Board, including demonstration of continuing professional competency as a condition of reinstatement."
SECTION 1.(f)  G.S. 89C‑22 reads as rewritten:
"§ 89C‑22.  Disciplinary action – Charges; procedure.
(a)	Any person may prefer charges of fraud, deceit, gross negligence, incompetence, misconduct, or violations of this Chapter, the rules of professional conduct, or any rules adopted by the Board against any Board licensee. The charges shall be in writing or submitted electronically and shall be filed with the Board.
…."
SECTION 1.(g)  This section becomes effective July 1, 2022, and applies to applications for licensure on or after that date.
SECTION 2.(a)  G.S. 143‑128.1A reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑128.1A.  Design‑build contracts.
(a)	Definitions for purposes of this section:
(1)	Design‑builder. – As defined in G.S. 143‑128.1B.
(1g)	Design professional. – As defined in G.S. 143‑128.1B.
(1p)	First‑tier subcontractor. – As defined in G.S. 143‑128.1B.
(2)	Governmental entity. – As defined in G.S. 143‑128.1B.
(3)	Licensed contractor. – As defined in G.S. 143‑128.1B.
(4)	Licensed subcontractor. – A person or entity, not including design professionals or employees of the design‑builder, that will be performing work under the design‑builder and whose scope of work proposed for the project requires that it be licensed in accordance with Article 2 or Article 4 of Chapter 87 of the General Statutes.
(5)	Unlicensed subcontractor. – A person or entity, not including design professionals or employees of the design‑builder, that will be performing work under the design‑builder and whose scope of work proposed for the project does not require that it be licensed in accordance with Article 2 or Article 4 of Chapter 87 of the General Statutes.
(b)	A governmental entity shall establish in writing the criteria used for determining the circumstances under which the design‑build method is appropriate for a project, and such criteria shall, at a minimum, address all of the following:
(1)	The extent to which the governmental entity can adequately and thoroughly define the project requirements prior to the issuance of the request for qualifications for a design‑builder.
(2)	The time constraints for the delivery of the project.
(3)	The ability to ensure that a quality project can be delivered.
(4)	The capability of the governmental entity to manage and oversee the project, including the availability of experienced staff or outside consultants who are experienced with the design‑build method of project delivery.
(5)	A good‑faith effort to comply with G.S. 143‑128.2, G.S. 143‑128.4, and to recruit and select small business entities. The governmental entity shall not limit or otherwise preclude any respondent from submitting a response so long as the respondent, itself or through its proposed team, is properly licensed and qualified to perform the work defined by the public notice issued under subsection (c) of this section.
(6)	The criteria utilized by the governmental entity, including a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of using the design‑build delivery method for a given project in lieu of the delivery methods identified in subdivisions (1), (2), and (4) of G.S. 143‑128(a1).
(c)	A governmental entity shall issue a public notice of the request for qualifications that includes, at a minimum, general information on each of the following:
(1)	The project site.
(2)	The project scope.
(3)	The anticipated project budget.
(4)	The project schedule.
(5)	The criteria to be considered for selection and the weighting of the qualifications criteria.
(6)	Notice of any rules, ordinances, or goals established by the governmental entity, including goals for minority‑ and women‑owned business participation and small business participation.
(7)	Other information provided by the owner to potential design‑builders in submitting qualifications for the project.
(8)	A statement directing each design‑builder to submit in its response to the request for qualifications an explanation of its project team selection. The governmental entity may specify which one of the following project team selection options shall be used or, if not specified, the response shall consist of either of the following project team selection options:
a.	A list of the licensed contractors, licensed subcontractors, and design professionals whom the design‑builder proposes to use for the project's design and construction. If this project team selection option is used, the design‑builder may self‑perform some or all of the work with employees of the design‑builder and, without bidding, also enter into negotiated subcontracts to perform some or all of the work with subcontractors, including, but not exclusively with, those identified in the list. In submitting its list, the design‑builder may, but is not required to, include one or more unlicensed subcontractors the design‑builder proposes to use. If this project team selection option is used, the design‑builder may, at its election and with or without the use of negotiated subcontracts, accept bids for the selection of one or more of its first‑tier subcontractors.
b.	A list of the licensed contractors and design professionals whom the design‑builder proposes to use for the project's design and construction and an outline of the strategy the design‑builder plans to use for open subcontractor selection based upon the provisions of Article 8 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. If this project team selection option is used, the design‑builder may also self‑perform some of the work with employees of the design‑builder, but shall not enter into negotiated contracts with first‑tier subcontractors.
(d)	Following evaluation of the qualifications of the design‑builders, the three most highly qualified design‑builders shall be ranked. If after the solicitation for design‑builders not as many as three responses have been received from qualified design‑builders, the governmental entity shall again solicit for design‑builders. If as a result of such second solicitation not as many as three responses are received, the governmental entity may then begin negotiations with the highest‑ranked design‑builder under G.S. 143‑64.31 even though fewer than three responses were received. If the governmental entity deems it appropriate, the governmental entity may invite some or all responders to interview with the governmental entity.
(e)	The design‑builder shall be selected in accordance with Article 3D of this Chapter. Each design‑builder shall certify, in the response to the request for qualifications in subsection (c) of this section, to the governmental entity that each design professional who is a member of the design‑build team, including subconsultants, was selected based upon demonstrated competence and qualifications in the manner provided by G.S. 143‑64.31.
(f)	The design‑builder shall provide a performance and payment bond to the governmental entity in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of Chapter 44A of the General Statutes. The design‑builder shall obtain written approval from the governmental entity prior to changing key personnel as listed in sub‑subdivision (c)(8)a. or (c)(8)b. of this section after the contract has been awarded. For purposes of this subsection, "key personnel" shall mean either of the following:
(1)	For the project team selection option under sub‑subdivision (c)(8)a. of this section, the licensed contractors, licensed subcontractors, and design professionals identified in the response to the request for qualifications.
(2)	For the project team selection option under sub‑subdivision (c)(8)b. of this section, the licensed contractors and design professionals identified in the response to the request for qualifications."
SECTION 2.(b)  G.S. 143‑128.1B reads as rewritten:
"§ 143‑128.1B.  Design‑build bridging contracts.
(a)	Definitions for purposes of this section:
(1a)	Costs of the subcontractor work. – The sum total amount of all first‑tier subcontract packages bid or proposed to be bid under subsection (f) of this section.
(1)	Design‑build bridging. – A design and construction delivery process whereby a governmental entity contracts for design criteria services under a separate agreement from the construction phase services of the design‑builder.
(2)	Design‑builder. – An appropriately licensed person, corporation, or entity that, under a single contract, offers to provide or provides design services and general contracting services where services within the scope of the practice of professional engineering or architecture are performed respectively by a licensed engineer or licensed architect and where services within the scope of the practice of general contracting are performed by a licensed general contractor.
(3)	Design criteria. – The requirements for a public project expressed in drawings and specifications sufficient to allow the design‑builder to make a responsive bid proposal.
(4)	Design professional. – Any professional licensed under Chapters 83A, 89A, or 89C of the General Statutes.
(5)	First‑tier subcontractor. – A subcontractor who contracts directly with the design‑builder, excluding design professionals.
(5g)	General conditions. – A specific list compiled by the government entity that identifies items for which the design‑builder is to be compensated but are not ascribable to any particular on‑site construction activity. This term shall not include either of the following:
a.	Construction work to be bid pursuant to subsection (f) of this section.
b.	Design services of a design professional.
(6)	Governmental entity. – Every officer, board, department, commission, or commissions charged with responsibility of preparation of specifications or awarding or entering into contracts for the erection, construction, alteration, or repair of any buildings for the State or for any county, municipality, or other public body.
(7)	Licensed contractor. – A person or entity whose scope of work proposed for the project requires that it be licensed in accordance with the provisions of Article 1 of Chapter 87 of the General Statutes.
(b)	A governmental entity shall establish in writing the criteria used for determining the circumstances under which engaging a design criteria design professional is appropriate for a project, and such criteria shall, at a minimum, address all of the following:
(1)	The extent to which the governmental entity can adequately and thoroughly define the project requirements prior to the issuance of the request for proposals for a design‑builder.
(2)	The time constraints for the delivery of the project.
(3)	The ability to ensure that a quality project can be delivered.
(4)	The capability of the governmental entity to manage and oversee the project, including the availability of experienced staff or outside consultants who are experienced with the design‑build method of project delivery.
(5)	A good‑faith effort to comply with G.S. 143‑128.2, G.S. 143‑128.4, and to recruit and select small business entities. The governmental entity shall not limit or otherwise preclude any respondent from submitting a response so long as the respondent, itself or through its proposed team, is properly licensed and qualified to perform the work defined by the public notice issued under subsection (d) of this section.
(6)	The criteria utilized by the governmental entity, including a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of using the design‑build delivery method for a given project in lieu of the delivery methods identified in subdivisions (1), (2), and (4) of G.S. 143‑128(a1).
(b1)	The governmental entity, as a criterion in subsection (b) of this section, shall not require the design‑builder to provide the costs of the subcontractor work in the design criteria package.
(c)	On or before entering into a contract for design‑build services under this section, the governmental entity shall select or designate a staff design professional, or a design professional who is independent of the design‑builder, to act as its design criteria design professional as its representative for the procurement process and for the duration of the design and construction. If the design professional is not a full‑time employee of the governmental entity, the governmental entity shall select the design professional on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications as provided by G.S. 143‑64.31. The design criteria design professional shall develop design criteria in consultation with the governmental entity. The design criteria design professional shall not be eligible to submit a response to the request for proposals nor provide design input to a design‑build response to the request for proposals. The design criteria design professional shall prepare a design criteria package equal to thirty‑five percent (35%) of the completed design documentation for the entire construction project. The design criteria package shall not require the design‑builder to include the costs of the subcontractor work in its response and shall include all of the following:
(1)	Programmatic needs, interior space requirements, intended space utilization, and other capacity requirements.
(2)	Information on the physical characteristics of the site, such as a topographic survey.
(3)	Material quality standards or performance criteria.
(4)	Special material requirements.
(5)	Provisions for utilities.
(6)	Parking requirements.
(7)	The type, size, and location of adjacent structures.
(8)	Preliminary or conceptual drawings and specifications sufficient in detail to allow the design‑builder to make a proposal which is responsive to the request for proposals.
(9)	Notice of any ordinances, rules, or goals adopted by the governmental entity.
(10)	The list of general conditions prepared by the governmental entity for which the design‑builder is to provide a fixed fee in accordance with sub‑subdivision (10)a. of subsection (d) of this section. For this purpose, as examples, general conditions could include without exclusion the following: on‑site construction office and storage trailers; electrical and other utility services during construction; on‑site construction superintendent, construction supervisors, and clerical staff; trash collection; security; and other temporary measures. Unless expressly dictated by the contract, the inclusion or exclusion of any particular item in the list shall not be construed to control the means and methods used by the design‑builder or eliminate any discretion on whether to use a given item in the prosecution of the work. The inclusion or exclusion of any particular item in the list shall have no bearing on the actual amounts for which the design‑builder is to be compensated under the executed contract documents.
(11)	The form of the contract to be entered into by the successful design‑builder to whom the project is awarded pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. The form of the contract may, upon discretion of the governmental entity, allow for multiple phases, termination for convenience and rights arising therefrom, and the subsequent setting of guaranteed maximum prices.
(12)	A statement directing each design‑builder to submit in its response to the request for qualifications an explanation of its proposed plan for its good‑faith compliance with G.S. 143‑128.2.
(d)	A governmental entity shall issue a public notice of the request for proposals that includes, at a minimum, general information on each of the following:
(1)	The project site.
(2)	The project scope.
(3)	The anticipated project budget.
(4)	The project schedule.
(5)	The criteria to be considered for selection and the weighting of the selection criteria.
(6)	Notice of any rules, ordinances, or goals established by the governmental entity, including goals for minority‑ and women‑owned business participation and small business entities.
(7)	The thirty‑five percent (35%) design criteria package prepared by the design criteria design professional.
(8)	Other information provided by the owner to design‑builders in submitting responses to the request for proposals for the project.
(9)	A statement providing that each design‑builder shall submit in its request for proposal response an explanation of its project team selection, which shall consist of a list of the licensed contractor and design professionals whom the design‑builder proposes to use for the project's design and construction.
(10)	A statement providing that each design‑builder shall submit in a separate sealed envelope, contemporaneously with the response to the request for proposals, the design‑builder's fixed fees, excluding the costs of the subcontractor work, for designing and constructing the project in accordance with requirements set forth by the government entity's criteria and the terms and conditions set forth in the form of the contract under subdivision (11) of subsection (c) of this section for each of the following, listed separately by item:
a.	The general conditions identified in the request for proposal.
b.	The general construction services not otherwise provided for in this subdivision.
c.	The design‑builder's design services necessary to complete the project.
(e)	Following evaluation of the qualifications of the design‑builders, the governmental entity shall rank the design‑builders who have provided responses, grouping the top three without ordinal ranking. If after the solicitation for design‑builders not as many as three responses have been received from qualified design‑builders, the governmental entity shall again solicit for design‑builders. If as a result of such second solicitation not as many as three responses are received, the governmental entity may then make its selection. From the grouping of the top three design‑builders, the governmental entity shall select the design‑builder who is the lowest responsive, responsible bidder based on the cumulative amount of fees provided in accordance with subdivision (d)(10) of this section and taking into consideration quality, performance, and the time specified in the proposals for the performance of the contract. Each design‑builder shall certify to the governmental entity that each design professional who is a member of the design‑build team, including subconsultants, was selected based upon demonstrated competence and qualifications in the manner provided by G.S. 143‑64.31.
(f)	The design‑builder shall accept bids based upon the provisions of this Article from first‑tier subcontractors for all construction work under this section.
(g)	The design‑builder shall provide a performance and payment bond to the governmental entity in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of Chapter 44A of the General Statutes. The design‑builder shall obtain written approval from the governmental entity prior to changing key personnel, as listed under subdivision (d)(9) of this section, after the contract has been awarded."
SECTION 2.(c)  This section becomes effective March 1, 2022, and applies to contracts entered into, amended, or renewed on or after that date.
SECTION 3.(a)  Article 1 of Chapter 22B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 22B‑5.  Waiver of liens or claims as a condition of progress payment invalid.
(a)	Provisions in lien waivers, releases, construction agreements as defined in G.S. 22B‑1(f)(1), or design professional agreements as defined in G.S. 22B‑1(f)(5) purporting to require a promisor to submit a waiver or release of liens or claims as a condition of receiving interim or progress payments due from a promisee under a construction agreement or design professional agreement are void and unenforceable unless limited to the specific interim or progress payment actually received by the promisor in exchange for the lien waiver.
(b)	This section does not apply to the following:
(1)	Lien waivers or releases for final payments.
(2)	Agreements to settle and compromise disputed claims after the claim has been identified by the claimant in writing regardless of whether the promisor has initiated a civil action or arbitration proceeding."
SECTION 3.(b)  This section becomes effective March 1, 2022, and applies to liens attached on or after that date.
SECTION 4.(a)  G.S. 44A‑35 reads as rewritten:
"§ 44A‑35.  Attorneys' fees.
(a)	In any suit brought or defended under the provisions of Article 2 or Article 3 of this Chapter, the presiding judge or arbitrator may allow a reasonable attorneys' fee to the attorney representing the prevailing party. This attorneys' fee is to be taxed as part of the court costs with the final judgment or arbitration award.
(b)	The court or arbitrator shall determine the prevailing party based on the principal amount in controversy between the parties as of the commencement of the trial, arbitration, or hearing resulting in a judgment or arbitration award, considering all relevant facts and circumstances.
(c)	If a party serves (i) an offer of judgment in accordance with G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 68, or (ii) a written settlement offer, so that the offer is received at least 30 days before the commencement of the trial, arbitration, or hearing resulting in a judgment or award resolving all matters in controversy between the parties, the last offer shall be deemed to be that party's monetary position for purposes of determining the amount in controversy.
(d)	In determining the amount of reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses under this section, the court or arbitrator may consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including, without limitation, the following:
(1)	The amount in controversy and the results obtained.
(2)	The reasonableness of the time and labor expended, and the billing rates charged, by the attorneys.
(3)	The novelty and difficulty of the questions raised in the action.
(4)	The skill required to perform properly the legal services rendered.
(5)	The relative economic circumstances of the parties.
(6)	Settlement offers made prior to the commencement of the trial, arbitration, or hearing.
(7)	Offers of judgment pursuant to Rule 68 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure and whether judgment finally obtained was more favorable than such offers.
(8)	Whether a party unjustly exercised superior economic bargaining power in the conduct of the action or withheld payment of undisputed amounts.
(9)	The timing of settlement offers.
(10)	The extent to which the party seeking attorneys' fees prevailed in the action.
(11)	The amount of attorneys' fees awarded in similar cases.
(e)	A party may submit evidence relating to an award of attorneys' fees by affidavit or declaration. The court or arbitrator may admit other evidence, including, without limitation, live or deposition testimony. A party may submit expert testimony to support an award, but the court or arbitrator shall not require expert testimony.
(f)	For purposes of this section, "prevailing party" is the party whose monetary position at the commencement of the trial, arbitration, or hearing is closest to the amount of the judgment or arbitration award. The court or arbitrator shall determine the prevailing party based upon the principal amount in controversy between the parties as of the commencement of the trial, arbitration, or hearing resulting in a judgment or arbitration award, considering all relevant facts and circumstances."
SECTION 4.(b)  This section becomes effective March 1, 2022, and applies to any claim arising on or after that date.
SECTION 5.  G.S. 18B‑1119 reads as rewritten:
"§ 18B‑1119.  Supplier's financial interest in wholesaler.
(a)	A supplier or an officer, director, employee or affiliate of a supplier may not acquire, possess, or otherwise maintain an ownership I nterest in its wholesaler except as expressly authorized by this Chapter.
(b)	Repealed by Session Laws 2018‑100, s. 7(b), effective June 26, 2018.
(c)	A supplier or an officer, director, employee or affiliate of a supplier may have a security interest in the inventory or property of its wholesaler to secure payment for such inventory or other loans for other purposes.
(d)	For purposes of this section, "supplier" means a manufacturer, bottler, importer, or owner of one or more brands of malt beverages, unfortified wine, or fortified wine distributed by its wholesaler. The term "supplier" does not include a wholesaler that meets either of the following criteria:
(1)	The wholesaler also possesses a wine importer permit or a malt beverages importer permit issued pursuant to this Chapter.
(2)	The wholesaler is an importer in another state, provided such malt beverages, unfortified wine, or fortified wine are transferred to it through an unaffiliated and independent third party."
SECTION 6.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 19th day of January, 2022.

	s/	 Ralph Hise
	 Presiding Officer of the Senate

	s/	 Tim Moore
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Roy Cooper
	 Governor

Approved 11:11 a.m. this 26th day of January, 2022