Rep. Jordan Lopez

Maddy summaryHB 282 amends North Carolina law to clarify that Strategic Transportation Investments (STI) funds can be used for independent bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects, such as bike lanes and sidewalks. It removes previous restrictions that prevented the Department of Transportation from funding such projects, except for specific cases like municipal matching funds for federal projects or projects already scheduled for construction by 2015. The bill directly affects local governments and municipalities seeking to use STI funds for non-vehicle transportation improvements. Key provisions rewrite two statutes to explicitly allow these projects, streamlining funding access for community-led bike and pedestrian initiatives. This change makes it easier for local entities to secure state transportation funds for walking and cycling infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 267 automatically expunges court records for certain eviction cases in North Carolina, directly affecting tenants (defendants) in summary ejectment proceedings. It requires clerks to automatically delete records 30 days after cases are voluntarily dismissed before a possession order is issued. For cases where defendants win on the merits or lose but wait three years, they may petition for expungement after proving housing stability (e.g., consistent rent payments and no new eviction filings). The bill takes effect October 2025, with required court forms to be developed by September 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 29 would allow tribal enrollment cards issued by State or federally recognized North Carolina tribes to be used as valid ID for purchasing alcohol and tobacco. It amends existing state laws to explicitly include these cards alongside driver's licenses, passports, and military IDs when verifying a customer's age at point-of-sale. Businesses selling alcohol or tobacco would be permitted to accept tribal cards as proof of age under the same rules as other official identification. The policy change would take effect on December 1, 2025, if the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 265 allows Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) to align its academic calendar with the schedule of local community colleges, removing the requirement that CMS follow the standard August 26 opening date and June 11 closing date. The bill directly affects CMS, enabling it to coordinate school terms with community college calendars for better scheduling flexibility. Key provisions include waiving the standard date rules for CMS while requiring compliance with minimum instructional day requirements. This change applies only to CMS and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 257 allocates $185.2 million in one-time state funds for specific infrastructure and facility projects in Scotland and Hoke counties, along with the cities of Laurinburg, Gibson, and Wagram, and St. Andrews University. The bill directs funding for water and sewer systems, courthouse construction, law enforcement facilities, workforce training centers, social services buildings, fire department improvements, and road repairs. It specifically targets nonrecurring 2025-2026 fiscal year funds for projects like a new sheriff's office in Hoke County, a courthouse/jail in Scotland County, and water system upgrades in Laurinburg. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not create new policy but provides state funding for pre-planned local projects.

Maddy summaryHB 259 establishes a $127,500 pilot grant program for North Carolina public schools to support participation in Science Olympiad competitions during the 2025-2026 school year. The program provides funding to cover registration fees, materials, travel, and teacher stipends for schools that did not have a Science Olympiad team in the previous year, prioritizing these applicants. Public school units must apply by August 31, 2025, and funds must supplement - not replace - existing school budgets. The Department of Public Instruction will report participation data and unfunded applications to the legislature by May 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 252, the Steele Creek Investment and Improvement Act, allocates $1.25 million in one-time state funds for community projects in Mecklenburg County’s Steele Creek area. It directs $250,000 to Steele Creek Community Place, Inc. for wellness programs focused on economic opportunity, health, and mental health; $500,000 to Steele Creek Fire and Rescue for equipment and facilities; and $500,000 to the NC Department of Transportation for a traffic study on Shopton Road West. The bill directly supports Steele Creek residents - particularly those in unincorporated areas lacking municipal services - and local nonprofits. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, with no policy changes beyond funding allocations.

Maddy summaryHB 245 modifies North Carolina's low-income housing tax credit program to prioritize affordable housing development in rural communities and counties with higher poverty rates. It requires the state housing committee to adopt allocation rules that favor projects within 10 miles of amenities (like grocery stores) in towns under 10,000 people, measure distances by straight-line radius (not driving routes), and use poverty levels as a tiebreaker when projects score equally. The bill directs the committee to publish proposed rules for public comment and hold hearings before finalizing annual allocation plans. This policy change redirects existing housing tax credits toward qualifying rural and high-poverty areas without creating new funding. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, for future allocation plans.

Maddy summaryHB 256 repeals North Carolina's current ban on public employee collective bargaining, allowing state and local government workers (like teachers, police, and administrative staff) to negotiate wages and working conditions with their employers. The bill removes existing legal restrictions (Article 12 of Chapter 95) and explicitly states that public employees' bargaining rights apply to all state and local government employers. It does not create new benefits or funding but aligns public sector bargaining rights with those already available to private sector employees. The bill’s key provision is the repeal of the prohibition, enabling public employees to collectively bargain under existing state law.

Maddy summaryHJR 157 is a procedural resolution inviting Governor Josh Stein to address a joint session of the North Carolina General Assembly on March 12, 2025. It directs a committee of five House members and five Senate members to extend the invitation and specifies that the governor's cabinet, Council of State members, and state judges may attend. This resolution does not create new policy or affect any laws; it solely schedules a ceremonial address. The invitation is effective upon ratification, as noted in the resolution's text.