Rep. Donnie Loftis

Maddy summaryHB 142 requires North Carolina state agencies to adopt zero-based budgeting for the 2031-2033 fiscal biennium, starting with a phased implementation beginning July 1, 2027. This means agencies must justify every funding request from scratch each budget cycle - starting with a $0 baseline - rather than carrying over previous appropriations. Agencies must submit detailed justifications for each budget item, including explanations of their functions, performance data, and goals. The bill directly affects all state agencies in the executive branch, requiring them to re-evaluate all programs and costs annually. The full zero-based budget will apply to the entire state budget starting in 2031-2033.

Maddy summaryHB 239 modifies North Carolina's funding formula for children with disabilities in public schools. It changes how funds are allocated to local school districts by capping per-child funding at 13% of a district's total enrollment plus students using state scholarship programs. The bill requires the State Education Assistance Authority to provide annual scholarship data by March 15 to help calculate district funding. It also appropriates $25 million in recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support this revised funding structure, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 230 creates a new felony offense for individuals who commit a domestic violence misdemeanor (under G.S. 14-32.5) and have two or more prior domestic violence convictions within the past 15 years. The first conviction under this law is a Class H felony, with penalties increasing for subsequent offenses (up to Class C felony). The bill also expands police authority to make warrantless arrests for domestic violence misdemeanors when officers have probable cause to believe the crime occurred. This directly affects repeat domestic violence offenders in North Carolina, with the law taking effect December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 229 adjusts North Carolina's Medicaid reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), requiring payments to be at least 95% of the current Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Centers fee schedule. This change directly affects ASCs by increasing their Medicaid payments, with the state appropriating $10.476 million annually from the General Fund to cover the cost and match $19.135 million in federal funds each year for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. The bill mandates these rate adjustments to take effect on July 1, 2025, ensuring ASCs receive consistent reimbursement aligned with Medicare rates. The legislation focuses solely on establishing the new payment structure and funding mechanism, without altering eligibility or services.

Maddy summaryHB 130 establishes a $475 million program to provide financial assistance to North Carolina farmers who suffered crop losses from natural disasters in 2024. It directly affects farmers in counties designated by the USDA as disaster areas, requiring verified losses of eligible agricultural commodities (like crops, livestock, or specialty plants) planted but not harvested by January 1, 2024. The program uses county and state yield/price averages to calculate payments, mandates submission of USDA Form 578 or equivalent documentation within 30 days, and allocates funds from state reserves (Stabilization, IT, and Economic Development) to cover verified losses. Farmers must provide documentation for verification, and the Department of Agriculture may audit claims to ensure proper use of funds, with refunds required for inaccurate information.

Maddy summaryHB 177 requires North Carolina's State Human Resources Commission (SHRC) to review job requirements across state agencies and identify positions where a four-year college degree is unnecessary. The bill directs the SHRC to replace degree requirements with alternative qualifications like military service, apprenticeships, or trade school training where appropriate, and to remove unnecessary degree language from job postings. This policy change directly affects state job applicants who may qualify through non-degree pathways. The SHRC must report annually starting October 2025 on progress toward reducing these barriers.

Maddy summaryHB 127 requires North Carolina's State Board of Elections to create a sample voter registration form for use by organizations conducting organized voter registration drives. The form must clearly distinguish itself from official registration materials, include disclaimers that it is not a valid form, and provide information on where to obtain official forms, deadlines, and online registration. Organizations must register with county election boards before conducting drives, providing details like their structure, number of forms needed, and whether participants are paid or volunteers. Using the official voter registration form for drives is prohibited, with violations classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor. This bill applies to all organized voter registration activities in North Carolina starting when it becomes law.

Maddy summaryHB 159 establishes a $75 million grant program within North Carolina's Department of Transportation to improve subdivision streets that don't meet state highway standards and aren't maintained by local governments. It directly affects counties and municipalities with these "orphan roads," providing funds for repairs up to $250,000 per subdivision, requiring a 25% local match (25 cents for every dollar awarded). Once roads meet standards, ownership transfers to the state or local government for ongoing maintenance. The program runs from July 2025 through June 2030, with unspent funds rolling over to the Highway Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 164 requires parental or guardian consent before releasing autopsy records for children under 18. It makes all autopsy-related materials - including photos, videos, and reports - confidential, except when disclosure is needed for public health, research, legal compliance, or to address safety concerns. If parents withhold consent, a court may override this through a special proceeding after reviewing factors like public interest and privacy intrusion. The bill also allows public access to autopsy recordings (with supervision) unless parents request confidentiality under this law. It applies to all child deaths under 18 in North Carolina, affecting medical examiners, families, and entities seeking autopsy records.

Maddy summaryHB 31 would amend North Carolina's State Human Resources Act to make every statewide general election day a paid holiday for state employees. This change would add election days to the current list of paid holidays (which includes Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday and Veterans Day), while maintaining the limit of 13 paid holidays per year. The bill directly affects state workers, ensuring they receive paid time off on election days without reducing the total number of paid holidays. It does not change election dates or voting procedures, only the employment benefits for state employees on those days. The legislation is currently pending in committee review.