Rep. Donnie Loftis

Maddy summaryHB 301, titled "Social Media Protections for Minors Under 16," aims to regulate social media platforms for minors in North Carolina. The bill prohibits social media platforms from allowing children under 14 years of age to create accounts and requires them to terminate existing accounts for this age group, deleting their personal data. For minors aged 14 or 15, platforms must obtain parental or guardian consent before they can create or maintain an account. The North Carolina Department of Justice is responsible for enforcing these provisions, which allows for civil penalties and damages for violations, including potential lawsuits by affected minors.

Maddy summaryHB 936 modifies North Carolina's laws governing telephone solicitations to specifically address robocalls and spam text messages. The bill defines "robocall" to include artificial or prerecorded voice messages, ringless voicemails, and scam texts, and applies new restrictions to "robocallers." It prohibits robocalls before 8:00 A.M. or after 9:00 P.M., forbids intimidating language, and prevents misleading caller identification. Additionally, it clarifies the requirements for "prior express written consent" needed for solicitors to contact individuals on the "Do Not Call" Registry, stipulating conditions for this consent.

Maddy summaryHB 171 prohibits North Carolina state agencies from implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including in hiring, employment practices, or training. It defines DEI broadly as any initiative influencing hiring or benefits based on protected characteristics (like race or gender) beyond merit-based processes. The bill mandates state auditor compliance audits, imposes civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, and allows employees to file lawsuits after submitting a grievance to their agency. It explicitly excludes compliance with existing anti-discrimination laws (such as Title IX and the ADA) and protects First Amendment rights.

Maddy summaryHB 258, the Utility Worker Protection Act, increases penalties for assaulting utility and communications workers by designating such assaults as Class A1 misdemeanors - the highest misdemeanor level - when the worker is visibly identifiable (e.g., wearing company-logoed uniforms) and performing duties. It directly affects workers providing electricity, gas, telecommunications, or internet services, including those employed by public, private, or cooperative entities. The bill adds specific language to North Carolina’s assault statute, requiring prosecutors to apply this enhanced penalty for assaults meeting these criteria, without needing other legal provisions. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the University of North Carolina system to finance specific capital improvement projects, such as dormitory renovations and new construction, using non-state funds like gifts, grants, and hospital receipts. It allows the university to issue special obligation bonds to cover these costs and includes a mechanism for the Director of the Budget to adjust project funding if necessary. Additionally, the legislation standardizes the residency determination process for admission to the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and revises tuition grant rules for graduates of that school and the UNC School of the Arts. These changes aim to support university infrastructure development and ensure equitable access to specialized science and arts programs for North Carolina residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises North Carolina's child passenger restraint system laws. It updates requirements for securing children based on age, height, and weight, specifying that newborns must use rear-facing systems and transition according to manufacturer guidelines. The bill clarifies when children must ride in a rear seat and under what circumstances a child may use a lap-only or a lap and shoulder belt. It also defines specific fit criteria for proper lap and shoulder belt use for older children. These changes directly affect drivers transporting children under 16 years of age.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands tuition waivers at North Carolina community colleges to children of public safety workers who are injured or disabled in the line of duty. It allows children aged 17 to 24 of law enforcement officers, experienced correctional officers, and firefighters to attend classes for free if their parent is permanently and totally disabled due to a traumatic work-related injury. The waiver covers the cost of tuition for the time needed to complete the student's chosen educational program, provided they meet standard admission requirements. The law takes effect with the 2026-2027 academic year.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill requires all private employers with 25 or more employees to use the federal E-Verify system to check the work authorization of every new hire. It mandates that state and local government agencies also comply with these verification rules and allows employers to avoid penalties if they can prove they acted in good faith and did not knowingly accept fraudulent documents. The legislation establishes a 30-day grace period for employers to fix minor compliance errors and increases fines for repeat offenders while protecting workers who report suspected violations from retaliation. Additionally, it grants the state labor commissioner the authority to conduct random or risk-based audits of employers and provides funding to support enforcement efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 369, the Parking Lot Reform and Modernization Act, restricts local governments from mandating minimum parking space sizes (beyond 9x20 feet) or numbers for new developments, effective July 2025. It also bans the future purchase or import of pavement sealants containing high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), effective January 2026. The bill clarifies stormwater rules for redevelopment sites, stating that existing stormwater controls cannot be retroactively required for redeveloped properties unless new impervious area is created, and allows local governments to offer incentives for stormwater capture. These provisions directly affect developers, property owners, and local governments managing zoning, parking, and stormwater regulations in North Carolina.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the North Carolina Department of Transportation to conduct a study on how well the Strategic Prioritization Funding Plan for Transportation Investments is working. The department must examine why some projects under this plan are delayed and gather input from construction partners and planning groups. By November 1, 2026, the agency will submit a report with its findings and suggestions for improving project delivery to state legislative committees. The bill does not change any laws immediately but requires an evaluation to inform future decisions on transportation funding.