Rep. Allison Dahle

Maddy summaryHB 197 appropriates $25 million annually for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 fiscal years to North Carolina's local health departments (LHDs) for communicable disease programs. The funding aims to address a 70% staff shortage in LHDs by enabling them to retain existing staff, hire additional public health professionals (including nurses), and expand essential services. Funds are allocated with half distributed equally among LHDs based on the number of counties served, and half distributed based on the percentage of state population each LHD serves. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, to support North Carolina's response to diseases like avian flu and mpox.

Maddy summaryHB 196 appropriates $1.5 million from the General Fund to the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, Inc., for a new biotechnology exhibit and laboratory. The funds will showcase North Carolina's biotech achievements and promote STEM career interest, directly benefiting the museum and students in the state. The bill creates a specific funding mechanism for this educational project, effective July 1, 2025. As a funding allocation, it does not alter laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 174, the North Carolina Marriage Equality Act, codifies the right to marry for all individuals regardless of sex, gender, or sexual orientation, directly affecting all residents and couples seeking marriage in the state. The bill adds new sections to state law defining marriage as the union of two consenting individuals and requiring equal treatment under all state and local laws, policies, and regulations for married couples. It also prohibits discrimination in marriage-related services, benefits, or licenses based on sex, gender, or sexual orientation, while repealing prior conflicting statutes. The act becomes effective upon enactment, ensuring consistent legal recognition of marriages without discrimination.

Maddy summaryHB 179 would allow North Carolina taxpayers to deduct labor union membership dues from their state income tax starting in 2026. The bill creates a new tax deduction for dues, fees, assessments, or other payments required to maintain membership in a labor organization, as defined by state law. This applies specifically to individuals who pay such costs as a condition of union participation. The policy change takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 175 proposes amending North Carolina's constitution to remove the current provision stating "marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union." If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this change would allow the state to recognize all marriages equally, directly affecting all North Carolinians seeking marriage licenses or legal recognition. The bill requires voter approval via a yes/no ballot question in November 2026, with the amendment taking effect January 1, 2027, if passed. This is a constitutional referendum, not an immediate law, and would replace the existing constitutional language without altering current marriage laws.

Maddy summaryHB 181 reinstates North Carolina's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for working families with children, providing a state tax credit equal to 5% of the federal EITC amount. The credit is refundable, meaning eligible families receive cash payments even if they owe no state tax, directly benefiting low-to-moderate income households struggling with housing, childcare, and basic living costs. It applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and aligns with federal EITC eligibility criteria. The bill reenacts the credit after its prior expiration, creating a concrete policy change to supplement family income.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 151 permits Wake County Schools to align their academic calendar with the schedule of local community colleges, removing the standard requirement that schools open no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26 and close no later than the Friday closest to June 11. This specifically applies only to Wake County Schools and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year. The bill modifies existing law to allow this calendar alignment without needing a "good cause" waiver for weather-related closures. It directly affects Wake County students, staff, and community colleges by creating a coordinated academic schedule.

Maddy summaryHB 115 exempts properly licensed child care facilities from property tax if they are used exclusively for child care. It applies to facilities operating under North Carolina's child care licensing rules (Chapter 110) and excludes both the building and necessary adjacent land from taxation. Partial exemptions are allowed if only part of a facility serves child care, but facilities on probation or with suspended licenses lose the exemption. The tax exemption takes effect for property taxes due on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 109 reclassifies strangulation-related assaults in North Carolina by increasing penalties based on the severity of injury. It creates three felony tiers: a Class F felony for assaults causing serious bodily injury (like permanent disfigurement or coma), a Class H G felony for strangulation causing physical injury, and a Class H felony for any strangulation assault. The bill defines "serious bodily injury" and "strangulation" to clarify legal standards for prosecutors and courts. It applies to offenses committed on or after June 1, 2025, directly affecting individuals convicted of strangulation assaults.