Rep. Tricia Cotham

Maddy summaryHB 466 creates a special license plate for North Carolina vehicle owners commemorating the 1776 Halifax Resolves, the first official colonial resolution supporting independence. The plate features a blue background with a feather pen logo and "Birthplace of American Independence" text, with a $30 annual fee added to registration. Proceeds are split: $10 goes to the Special Registration Plate Account and $20 to the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account, with the latter's funds for this plate specifically directed to Halifax County for 250th-anniversary events. This is a commemorative plate option, not a policy change affecting laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 47, the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 - Part I, allocates $524 million from the Helene Fund to support recovery efforts in North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. The bill directs funds to specific programs including home reconstruction ($120 million), agricultural crop loss assistance ($200 million), road and bridge repairs ($100 million), small business infrastructure grants ($55 million), debris removal ($20 million), fire department equipment ($10 million), and tourism promotion ($4 million). These resources directly assist residents, farmers, local governments, and businesses in designated hurricane-affected counties by addressing immediate rebuilding needs and supporting economic recovery. The bill requires programs to align with federal disaster recovery guidelines to maximize potential federal reimbursement, with reporting requirements for certain initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 186, the "Stars and Stripes Commitment Act," requires all North Carolina public schools (including charter, regional, and laboratory schools) to schedule the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance within one hour of the start of the instructional day. It also mandates that schools display U.S. and North Carolina flags in classrooms when available and provide age-appropriate instruction about the flag and pledge’s meaning. The bill applies to all school governing bodies and state education board meetings, requiring the pledge to open each meeting. Crucially, it explicitly states the policy does not compel anyone to stand, salute, or recite the pledge. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 449 increases penalties for computer solicitation of minors, making second offenses or those involving actual meetings Class D felonies (up from Class H). It requires sex offender registration petitions to be filed with courts and placed on criminal dockets for timely review. The bill also creates new offenses: "habitual indecent exposure" (Class F felony for two prior convictions) and "aggravated habitual indecent exposure" (Class E felony), both mandating sex offender registration. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of repeated indecent exposure or online solicitation of minors in North Carolina.

Maddy summaryHB 430 would raise North Carolina's legal sales age for all tobacco and nicotine products (including e-cigarettes and vaping devices) to 21. It requires retailers to obtain a tobacco sales permit and verify customers' ages using acceptable ID. The bill directly affects tobacco retailers (who must get permits) and youth under 21 (who would be barred from purchasing these products). Key provisions include defining "vapor products" and establishing penalties for violations, such as fines up to $1,000 for repeat offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 463 establishes a supplemental insurance plan for North Carolina first responders diagnosed with specific mental health conditions (like anxiety, depression, or PTSD) directly resulting from their job. It provides three key benefits: up to $5,000 annually for out-of-pocket mental health costs, 75% of salary or $5,000 monthly (max 12 weeks/year) for leave due to treatment, and disability benefits (75% salary or $5,000/month, max 36 months) if unable to work. Eligibility requires a job-related diagnosis, current employment as a defined first responder (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers), and exclusion from workers' compensation benefits. The plan aims to support recovery and return to duty while limiting benefits to cover gaps not met by other sources.

Maddy summaryHB 464 requires every public school in North Carolina - including traditional, charter, regional, and laboratory schools - to have at least one full-time, permanent school nurse starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill appropriates $95 million from the state General Fund for the 2025-2026 school year to fund these additional nursing positions, with funds designated to supplement - not replace - existing school nurse funding. It amends multiple statutes to mandate this staffing requirement across all public school units. The law becomes effective July 1, 2025, with implementation beginning for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 450, the Private Property Rights Act, requires private detectives and wildlife protectors to obtain a search warrant or judicial order before installing electronic tracking devices or inspecting certain private property. The bill directly affects private investigators, wildlife protectors, and property owners by mandating judicial authorization for these specific activities. Key provisions amend state laws to clarify that wildlife protectors need warrants for inspections on private land (excluding wildlife refuges or public areas), and private investigators must secure warrants for electronic tracking. It does not change existing constitutional protections against unreasonable searches but adds procedural requirements for these two groups. The law takes effect December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 21 creates a voluntary designation on North Carolina driver's licenses for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as defined by state law. People with a medical diagnosis of ASD can request this designation by providing acceptable documentation, such as a healthcare professional's certification, to the Division of Motor Vehicles. The designation appears only in the license record and is accessible solely to law enforcement during interactions to promote safety - no other use is permitted. Individuals may add or remove the designation at any time without affecting their license eligibility or rights.

Maddy summaryHB 37 standardizes monthly pension benefits for North Carolina firefighters and rescue squad workers under the state pension fund. It sets a uniform $175 monthly pension for members with 20+ years of service who reach age 55, replaces the previous $180 amount, and maintains $175 for disability benefits and line-of-duty death benefits. The bill also allows members affected by city annexations or department closures to continue contributing $15 monthly until they reach 20 years of service for pension eligibility. These changes apply to current and future members of the pension fund who meet the service requirements. The bill does not alter contribution rates or eligibility for most members but adjusts benefit amounts and extends certain provisions.