N.C. Gen. Stat. § 121-7.1

Notwithstanding Article 3A of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, G.S. 143-49(4), or any other law pertaining to surplus State property, the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with the approval of the North Carolina Historical Commission, may sell, lease, donate, trade, or place on permanent loan any artifact from the collection of the North Carolina Maritime Museum unless the sale, lease, donation, trade, or loan would be contrary to the terms of the acquisition. Sales or exchanges shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted practices for accredited museums. If an artifact is sold or leased, the net proceeds of the sale or lease shall be deposited in the State treasury to the credit of a special fund to be used for the improvement of the Museum's collections or exhibits.