Hatteras-Ocracoke Hovercraft Pilot Program.

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program to test hovercraft ferries on the Hatteras-Ocracoke route, aiming to improve travel times and reduce the need for expensive channel dredging. The North Carolina Department of Transportation will issue a request for proposals to lease or buy suitable hovercrafts and implement a fare system that is free for island residents but charges a fee for visitors. A feasibility study will evaluate the long-term benefits of replacing the current diesel fleet, including environmental impacts and financial viability, with reports due in early 2027. To fund this initiative, the state will allocate $25 million from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, effective July 1, 2026.