Rep. Paul Scott

Maddy summaryHB 753 allows eligible North Carolina law enforcement officers aged 59.5 or older to continue receiving retirement benefits while remaining actively employed. Retired officers who separated from service for at least six months may return to duty and retain their retirement benefits. The bill requires employers to cover both employee and employer retirement contributions during this period and clarifies that beneficiaries remain eligible for death benefits under specific conditions. It directly affects current and retired state/local law enforcement officers meeting age and service criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 776, the North Carolina Religious Freedom Restoration Act, requires state and local governments to apply strict scrutiny before restricting religious practices. It protects religious gatherings in places of worship, homes, and neighborhoods from neutral laws or regulations that incidentally burden faith, such as housing rules or emergency orders. The law defines a "burden" as any government action limiting religious exercise (including withholding benefits or imposing penalties) and mandates that such restrictions must serve a compelling government interest through the least restrictive means. It explicitly does not affect constitutional protections against government establishment of religion or alter existing housing nondiscrimination laws.

Maddy summaryHB 295 requires the North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) to install permanent property corner markers after acquiring land for transportation projects. It directly affects property owners whose land is used for DOT projects, ensuring clear boundary identification. The bill mandates DOT to survey and place durable markers (like metal stakes) along acquired property lines after project completion, using coordinates tied to North Carolina's State Plane Coordinate system. This ensures accurate, long-term documentation of property boundaries for future reference.

Maddy summaryHB 15 clarifies that including property in a non-financially constrained comprehensive transportation plan does not require disclosure as a "material fact" in real estate transactions. It removes the obligation for sellers, agents, or buyers to disclose this detail when selling, leasing, or exchanging property, covering transactions listed under North Carolina law (G.S. 47E-1). The bill also prohibits knowingly making false statements about such property inclusions. It directly affects real estate transactions involving properties near planned transportation projects, changing disclosure requirements effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 664 removes positron emission tomography (PET) scanners from North Carolina's Certificate of Need (CON) review process. This means healthcare facilities seeking to purchase PET scanners will no longer need state approval through the CON program. The bill specifically repeals a section of state law (G.S. 131E-176(16)f1.8) that previously required this review. The change directly affects hospitals and medical centers planning to acquire PET scanning equipment. This is a procedural adjustment to reduce regulatory requirements for a specific medical technology.

Maddy summaryHB 647 expands North Carolina’s agricultural tax program to include land owned by qualified conservation organizations. It allows conservation holders (nonprofits dedicated to preserving farmland/forestland) to have land taxed at its current agricultural or forest use value, rather than its full market value, when they acquire it. To qualify, land must be appraised at present-use value upon transfer to the conservation holder, and the holder must continue using it for conservation purposes while assuming tax liability for any deferred taxes. This bill directly affects conservation groups and landowners transferring property to them, aiming to support long-term land preservation through tax incentives. The law takes effect for taxes due in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 658 allows licensed optometrists in North Carolina to provide telehealth services (remote video consultations) to patients within the state, without requiring the optometrist to be physically present in North Carolina or hold a license in the state where they are located during the consultation. This directly affects optometrists licensed in North Carolina who wish to offer remote care to NC patients. The bill specifies that telehealth practice must follow all existing optometry laws and Board rules, and the North Carolina Board of Examiners in Optometry must create implementing rules by December 2025 covering patient records, diagnoses, and telehealth standards. The law takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 300 establishes a program to reimburse owners of retired first responder dogs for veterinary care. It directly affects owners of canines that served with law enforcement, fire departments, or correctional agencies in roles like narcotics detection or search and rescue, after retiring on or after July 1, 2024. The bill requires registration of the dog and owner with the Department of Public Safety, then allows reimbursement of up to $1,500 annually for covered care - including routine check-ups, vaccinations, emergencies, surgeries, and euthanasia. Owners must submit itemized vet bills within 90 days of service.

Maddy summaryHB 582, titled "Providing Relief to Impacted Families Act," creates a quarterly tax refund program for specific nonprofits using motor fuel. It directly affects eligible organizations like volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, sheltered workshops (recognized by DHHS), and nonprofits distributing free food, by refunding the excise tax paid on fuel minus one cent per gallon. The key provision requires these nonprofits to claim refunds quarterly based on prior quarter purchases, reducing their operational costs. The bill does not address family relief as implied by its title but focuses solely on tax refunds for qualifying nonprofit entities. The measure is currently pending in the House Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 609 allows licensed farms in North Carolina to sell unpasteurized milk and raw milk products directly to consumers under strict safety conditions. It requires farms to obtain a Department of Agriculture license, pass annual inspections for disease (tuberculosis/brucellosis), meet water safety standards, and undergo regular testing for bacteria and pathogens in milk. Sales can only occur at the farm of origin or a small farm stand (max 1,000 sq ft), with mandatory labeling stating "Raw milk: not pasteurized and may contain organisms injurious to your health." The bill does not permit raw milk sales in restaurants or general retail settings, and all requirements must be met before the law takes effect on January 1, 2026.