Rep. Allison Dahle

Maddy summaryHB 55 appropriates $250,000 annually from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Autism Society of North Carolina's IGNITE Program. The funds will support activities and education groups designed to help young adults with autism develop independence and social skills during their transition to adulthood. This recurring funding applies to the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium and becomes effective July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects the Autism Society of North Carolina and the young adults with autism it serves through the IGNITE Program.

Maddy summaryHB 54 allocates $125,000 annually from the General Fund (2025-2027) to fund training programs developed by the NC Association of People Supporting Employment First (NC APSE). The training, delivered via online modules, will help employers, service providers, and other entities support individuals with serious mental illness, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities in finding and keeping competitive jobs. It focuses on evidence-based supported employment practices to improve job placement and retention. The bill directly affects individuals with these disabilities and the organizations that serve them, with training available statewide starting July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 36 requires North Carolina's Department of Veterans and Military Affairs to improve maintenance at all four state veterans cemeteries, directly affecting veterans' families and cemetery operations. The bill mandates addressing specific issues like headstone installation delays, equipment damage to graves, drainage problems, debris, and poor grounds appearance, while allowing military groups to volunteer for upkeep. It also directs the department to review and adjust funeral service policies, including chapel-only options, service duration, attendee limits, and grave visitation rules during services. The department must submit a report on these changes to legislative committees by October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 12 would require North Carolina and all its local governments to observe Eastern Standard Time year-round, eliminating the biannual clock changes for daylight saving time. This bill directly affects state agencies, local municipalities, and residents by keeping the state on standard time permanently, as permitted under federal law (the Uniform Time Act of 1966). The key provision amends state law to mandate year-round standard time, aligning with a federal provision that allows states to forgo daylight saving time. The bill would take effect on March 8, 2026, if enacted. This is a procedural change to time observance, not a new policy affecting services or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 20, the "Fair Maps Act," proposes amending the North Carolina Constitution to establish an independent redistricting process. It would create a Citizens Redistricting Commission to redraw congressional and state legislative districts after each federal census, removing the General Assembly and Governor from the process. The bill requires districts to be contiguous, avoid splitting counties, and ensure equal population representation, with changes taking effect only after voter approval in 2026. This directly affects all North Carolina voters by changing how electoral districts are drawn for state and federal offices. The amendment must be ratified by voters in November 2026 before it becomes effective.

Maddy summaryThis amendment to House Bill 207 requires school principals or their designated representatives to accept detailed eyewitness accounts of incidents that could lead to student suspensions. The bill mandates that these accounts be submitted by the end of the school day following the incident, though they can still be accepted after that deadline. Eyewitness testimony can be provided in writing or orally, with the requirement that any oral statements be transcribed into writing by the school official. This change directly affects school administrators and students by formalizing the process for collecting immediate witness statements during disciplinary investigations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Health Care Omnibus, introduces several changes to North Carolina's healthcare regulations. It requires doctors and pharmacists to inform patients receiving opioid prescriptions about the risks of overdose, prevention methods, and the availability of reversal drugs. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that Medicaid benefits will continue for a limited time after individuals are released from prison or other incarceration facilities. The bill also expands access to mental health services by allowing reciprocal licensing for marriage and family therapists, reducing regulatory hurdles for master's level psychologists, and encouraging the use of tribal health facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for companies in North Carolina that boot or tow vehicles from private property without the owner's consent. It requires these businesses to obtain an annual permit and maintain a public database that logs details about each tow, including the reason for removal and the fees charged. Private property owners must display specific signs at parking lot entrances listing the towing company's contact information and fees before any vehicle can be removed. The legislation also sets limits on how far a towed vehicle can be transported and prohibits booting cars that are currently occupied. Additionally, it clarifies that residential properties with four or fewer units are exempt from the mandatory signage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Physician Assistant Licensure Compact in North Carolina to make it easier for licensed PAs to practice across different states. Under the new rules, a PA holding a valid license in one participating state can obtain a temporary privilege to work in another participating state without applying for a full new license. The system requires PAs to follow the laws of the state where the patient is located and allows state boards to discipline practitioners who move between states. Additionally, the compact includes specific provisions to help active-duty military personnel and their spouses obtain practice privileges quickly when relocating.

Maddy summaryHB 1042 establishes a reimbursement program in North Carolina to help cover veterinary expenses for retired law enforcement and correctional dogs. To qualify, the dogs must have served in official capacities such as detection, apprehension, or search and rescue and hold certification from a national organization. Owners can apply for up to $1,500 annually for essential care like check-ups, vaccinations, emergency surgeries, and euthanasia, but not for elective procedures. The Department of Public Safety will manage a dedicated fund, initially seeded with $300,000, to process these claims and maintain records. The law applies to dogs retiring on or after July 1, 2024, and allows owners to participate voluntarily without affecting any other existing benefits.