Rep. Allison Dahle

Maddy summaryHB 446 prevents law enforcement from sharing booking photographs (taken during initial arrest) with websites or publications that require payment to remove the photos. It requires those "pay-to-remove" sites to delete such photos within seven business days if the person was not convicted (and provides proof of dismissal, acquittal, or expungement). Sites that fail to comply face civil penalties, including $100 per day for each day the photo remains visible. This directly affects individuals arrested but not convicted and "pay-to-remove" online platforms.

Maddy summaryHB 465 waives the renewal fee for North Carolina drivers licenses that display an "active duty military designation" or "veteran military designation." It directly affects military service members (currently serving) and veterans who have these designations on their licenses. The bill amends state law to remove the standard $5.50 annual renewal fee for these specific license holders when renewing their licenses. The fee waiver takes effect July 1, 2025, for licenses renewed on or after that date.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 438 requires North Carolina employers to provide employees working six-hour shifts or longer with at least one 20-minute paid rest break, scheduled near the middle of the workday. The bill directly affects workers in North Carolina covered by the Wage and Hour Act, mandating employers offer this break (though employees may decline it). Employers who fail to comply face civil penalties of up to $100 for a first violation and $500 for subsequent violations, with penalties adjusted for business size and violation severity. The law takes effect upon enactment and applies to all employment in North Carolina on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 35 designates November of each year as Military Appreciation Month in North Carolina. The bill creates a symbolic recognition within state law, honoring military service members and veterans during this month. It does not establish new programs, funding, or requirements - it simply formally names November for this purpose. The bill affects the state government's official calendar and public recognition efforts, with no direct impact on individuals or organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 418 mandates that all North Carolina public schools provide required arts education for K-5 students beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. It requires at least one 30-minute session per week in music, dance, or theatre arts (taught by a licensed instructor) and one session per week in visual arts (also taught by a licensed instructor), with classes kept at appropriate sizes. The bill directly affects every K-5 public school student and their educators across North Carolina, ensuring consistent arts instruction aligned with state curriculum standards. It does not alter funding or create new programs but sets specific instructional requirements for elementary schools.

Maddy summaryHB 416 appropriates $30,000 from the state General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to provide a directed grant to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties. The funds will support a six-part youth development program focusing on teen recruitment, emotional safety, leadership, trauma-informed practices, cultural inclusion, and college/career readiness for area youth. This bill directly affects the Boys & Girls Clubs in those counties and the young people they serve, becoming effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 413 would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older in North Carolina, allowing possession of up to 2 ounces, 15 grams of concentrate, or products with 2,000mg THC. It establishes new regulations for cannabis businesses (like retail stores and cultivation facilities), requires lab testing and responsible packaging, and mandates that businesses prioritize diversity and community investment. Crucially, it creates two funds to reinvest tax revenue: the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund for historically impacted communities, and the Cannabis Enterprise Opportunity Fund to support minority-owned businesses. The bill directly affects consumers aged 21+, cannabis businesses, and communities disproportionately affected by past cannabis enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 419 appropriates $4.5 million from the state General Fund to purchase a building and improvements adjacent to Winston-Salem's Stevens Center (411 W. 4th Street) for the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The funds, designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, directly support the School of the Arts' facility expansion needs. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and modifies standard budgeting procedures to enable this one-time purchase. This is a direct funding allocation with no broader policy changes beyond the specified property acquisition.