Notwithstanding N.C. Gen. Stat. § 18C-114(a)(11) and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 18C-120(b)(3), the Lottery Commission, during any fiscal year, may not expend funds for merit and performance-based salary increases in excess of the funds that would have been expended had the Lottery Commission employees received the same across-the-board salary increases granted by the General Assembly to State employees subject to the North Carolina Human Resources Act. These merit and performance-based salary increases may be awarded on an aggregated average basis according to rules adopted by the Lottery Commission. ?(2008-107, s. 26.12A; 2013-382, s. 9.1(c).)