Rep. Eric Ager

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 summaryHB 593 is a procedural amendment that modifies the text of a larger bill containing various local laws for North Carolina. The amendment specifically restructures the formatting of a section regarding the reallocation of $7 million in state funds to Duplin County for a senior resource center and a sheriff's office facility. Additionally, it clarifies the language for a provision that transfers approximately 62 acres of former state quarry land to the City of Monroe for one dollar, noting that the city assumes all costs and risks associated with the property. This change does not alter the substantive policy decisions but adjusts how the bill is written to ensure clarity and compliance with state statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone creating political advertisements in North Carolina to clearly state that the ad was generated using artificial intelligence. The law applies to a wide range of sponsors, including candidates, political parties, and other groups, covering ads on social media, websites, email, text messages, and automated phone calls. For digital ads, the disclaimer must follow existing size rules, while phone calls must include the statement for at least two seconds so it is easily understood. Failure to include this required label could result in a Class 1 misdemeanor charge for the sponsor.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state constitution to eliminate the literacy test requirement for voting. By removing this specific provision, the legislation ensures that all eligible citizens can vote regardless of their reading or writing abilities. The change directly affects voters who previously might have been disenfranchised by this barrier. It does not alter other voting qualifications or the overall structure of the election process.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds the drug tianeptine to North Carolina's list of Schedule II controlled substances, meaning it will be regulated similarly to other opioids. By making this change, the law aims to increase oversight of the drug, which is already associated with potential for abuse and severe dependence. The new rules will apply to anyone who commits offenses involving tianeptine on or after September 1, 2024.

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 North Carolina bill establishes a legal mechanism to hold manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) financially responsible for cleaning up contaminated drinking water. It defines "responsible parties" as companies that produce PFAS chemicals and orders them to pay for the actual costs public water systems incur to remove or fix contamination that exceeds safety limits. If a manufacturer refuses to pay, the state can take legal action in court to enforce the order, and the bill allows water systems to lower future customer rates if they recover these costs. The legislation also creates a special fund with initial funding to support implementation and requires the state to report annually on how these funds and enforcement orders are used.