N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143B-22: Terms occurring in laws, contracts and other documents.

Any reference or designation in any statute, contract, or other document pertaining to functions, powers, obligations, and duties of a State agency assigned by the Executive Organization Act of 1973 to a principal State department shall be deemed to refer to the principal State department or the head of the principal State department, as may be appropriate. (1973, c. 476, s. 22.)