Adds new Article 1A, Water Safety Rescue Equipment at Public Docks and Piers, in GS Chapter 75A, providing as follows.

Requires the owner or operator of a covered water access facility (defined as a pier or access point that is open to the public and owned or operated by the Wildlife Resources Commission, any other State agency, or a unit of local government) located in or adjacent to waters of this state to install public rescue equipment, including at least ring life buoys, on each covered water access facility. Sets out requirements for the ring life buoys and requires the station to be a bright orange or yellow. Makes the owner or operator of the covered water access facility responsible for the installation and maintenance of the public rescue equipment and for providing public education on the public rescue equipment. 

Appropriates $25,000 for 2023-24 from the General Fund to the Wildlife Resources Commission to comply with the act and to provide grants of up to $500 to local governments in economic tier one areas to comply with this act. Effective July 1, 2023.