Rep. Lindsey Prather

Maddy summaryHB 131 reinstates a 35% tax credit for businesses and homeowners who install solar energy systems in North Carolina. Businesses can claim the credit over five years (with a $2.5 million maximum per installation), while homeowners receive capped credits based on system type (e.g., $1,400 for water heating, $3,500 for space heating). The credit applies to equipment placed in service in the state and expires for new installations after 2017, though projects meeting 2015 construction milestones qualify for extension. This bill renews a previously expired tax incentive program for solar energy adoption.

Maddy summaryHB 129, the "Judge Joe John Nonpartisan Judicial Elections Act," reestablishes nonpartisan elections for all North Carolina judicial offices, including Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges, and superior and district court judges. The bill requires candidates to run without party labels, with primaries held only when more than two candidates file for an office, and winners elected based on highest vote totals (using a random draw only in tie situations). It also restores public financing for judicial campaigns, aiming to reduce partisan influence in judicial races. This bill directly affects judicial candidates, voters, and the election process for all statewide and local judicial positions in North Carolina.

Maddy summaryHB 108, "The Sober Operator Act of 2025," lowers North Carolina's legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving from 0.08% to 0.05% for all vehicles and vessels. It directly affects all drivers, requiring them to maintain a lower BAC level and facing faster license revocation if they refuse tests or exceed the new limit. Key provisions include mandating video recording of impaired driving court proceedings for transparency, requiring impaired drivers to cover processing costs, and allowing repeat offenders to prove sobriety to regain driving privileges. The bill also streamlines evidence rules by admitting BAC test results to reduce court delays and ensures equal treatment in impaired driving cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes repealing a literacy test requirement from the North Carolina Constitution, which would affect all voters by removing a historical barrier to voting. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2026 election, with the ballot explicitly stating: "Constitutional amendment to remove the literacy test requirement... The federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits implementation of this requirement." If approved, the change takes effect upon certification by the State Board of Elections. The bill does not alter current voting procedures, as the literacy test has been prohibited by federal law since 1965.

Maddy summaryHB 102 requires North Carolina property assessors to send clear, plain-language notifications to property owners during revaluations. It mandates that these notices include: (1) a simple explanation of why the revaluation is happening, (2) the projected percentage change in the property's appraised value compared to the previous year, (3) the projected percentage change in the property's tax bill, and (4) a website link, QR code, or phone number for additional information or appeals. This applies to all property owners receiving revaluation notices under state law, including those in municipalities spanning multiple counties. The bill takes effect for notices issued on or after its effective date, aiming to improve transparency in property tax assessments.

Maddy summaryHB 101 requires county and municipal property tax boards to notify property owners in simple language about their right to appeal appraisals that increase by 30% or more compared to prior years. It mandates boards to automatically review such properties and provide written notices within a timeframe allowing owners to act on their appeal rights. The bill directly affects property owners with significant appraisal increases, ensuring they receive clear information about the appeals process. It applies to both county boards of equalization and municipal tax review bodies, aiming to make the system more transparent without changing tax rates or assessment standards.

Maddy summaryHB 84 restricts the sale and use of neonicotinoid pesticides (honeybee-killing chemicals like imidacloprid) in North Carolina. It bans retail sales to the general public, allowing only licensed pesticide applicators or farmers using them for crop production to purchase these chemicals. The law also requires the state pesticide board to monitor federal EPA assessments of these pesticides and study whether to regulate seeds treated with systemic insecticides. These changes take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 77 requires North Carolina state agencies to evaluate the cumulative environmental impact of proposed permits on minority and low-income communities before approving them. It directly affects developers seeking permits for mining, solid waste facilities, hazardous waste sites, and other projects, as well as the communities near these sites. Key provisions mandate that agencies deny permits if proposed actions would disproportionately harm these communities when considering existing pollution sources in the area, and require detailed impact analyses in all relevant reports and plans. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to pending permit applications on that date.

Maddy summaryHB 90 provides a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to retirement allowances for retirees in North Carolina's Teachers', State Employees', Judicial, Legislative, and Local Governmental Retirement Systems. The increase applies to retirees who retired on or before specific dates (ranging from July 1, 2024, to January 1, 2025), with those who retired later receiving a proportional increase based on months served during 2024-2025. The bill appropriates $250 million from the General Fund to fund this adjustment, effective July 1, 2025. It directly affects current retirees in these five systems by increasing their monthly payments.

Maddy summaryHB 60 increases Medicaid dental reimbursement rates from 35% to 46% of average dentist charges (2023 rates) to align with neighboring states. The bill allocates $52 million annually from North Carolina's General Fund, matched by $95 million in federal funds, to cover this rate increase starting July 1, 2025. It directly affects dentists who accept Medicaid patients and Medicaid beneficiaries seeking dental care, aiming to boost provider participation and prevent costly emergency treatments. The change addresses years of stagnant rates that reduced dental provider enrollment in Medicaid.