Rep. Jennifer Balkcom

Maddy summaryHB 142 requires North Carolina state agencies to adopt zero-based budgeting for the 2031-2033 fiscal biennium, starting with a phased implementation beginning July 1, 2027. This means agencies must justify every funding request from scratch each budget cycle - starting with a $0 baseline - rather than carrying over previous appropriations. Agencies must submit detailed justifications for each budget item, including explanations of their functions, performance data, and goals. The bill directly affects all state agencies in the executive branch, requiring them to re-evaluate all programs and costs annually. The full zero-based budget will apply to the entire state budget starting in 2031-2033.

Maddy summaryHB 222 appropriates $217 million from the State Emergency Response Fund to North Carolina's Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) for homeowner recovery projects related to Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. The bill requires NCORR to submit detailed monthly reports on fund usage, including expenditures and project progress, and mandates weekly financial reports to the State Auditor for oversight. It also establishes a public online dashboard tracking funds versus actual spending and includes a clawback provision to return unused funds to the Savings Reserve after projects conclude. The law revises NCORR's responsibilities, ending its role in future storm recovery programs.

Maddy summaryHB 253 restores Henderson County's authority to implement down-zoning (reducing development density or permitted land uses) with a key exception: it requires written consent from all affected property owners unless the down-zoning serves farmland preservation in agricultural districts or floodplain mitigation in FEMA-designated flood areas. The bill directly affects Henderson County property owners and local government officials, limiting down-zoning actions without consent except for these two specific purposes. It applies only to Henderson County, including its municipalities, and takes effect retroactively to December 11, 2024, to revert zoning changes made after that date under previous law. The bill defines "down-zoning" as decreasing density, reducing permitted uses, or creating nonconformities on land.

Maddy summaryHB 130 establishes a $475 million program to provide financial assistance to North Carolina farmers who suffered crop losses from natural disasters in 2024. It directly affects farmers in counties designated by the USDA as disaster areas, requiring verified losses of eligible agricultural commodities (like crops, livestock, or specialty plants) planted but not harvested by January 1, 2024. The program uses county and state yield/price averages to calculate payments, mandates submission of USDA Form 578 or equivalent documentation within 30 days, and allocates funds from state reserves (Stabilization, IT, and Economic Development) to cover verified losses. Farmers must provide documentation for verification, and the Department of Agriculture may audit claims to ensure proper use of funds, with refunds required for inaccurate information.

Maddy summaryHB 177 requires North Carolina's State Human Resources Commission (SHRC) to review job requirements across state agencies and identify positions where a four-year college degree is unnecessary. The bill directs the SHRC to replace degree requirements with alternative qualifications like military service, apprenticeships, or trade school training where appropriate, and to remove unnecessary degree language from job postings. This policy change directly affects state job applicants who may qualify through non-degree pathways. The SHRC must report annually starting October 2025 on progress toward reducing these barriers.

Maddy summaryHB 159 establishes a $75 million grant program within North Carolina's Department of Transportation to improve subdivision streets that don't meet state highway standards and aren't maintained by local governments. It directly affects counties and municipalities with these "orphan roads," providing funds for repairs up to $250,000 per subdivision, requiring a 25% local match (25 cents for every dollar awarded). Once roads meet standards, ownership transfers to the state or local government for ongoing maintenance. The program runs from July 2025 through June 2030, with unspent funds rolling over to the Highway Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 164 requires parental or guardian consent before releasing autopsy records for children under 18. It makes all autopsy-related materials - including photos, videos, and reports - confidential, except when disclosure is needed for public health, research, legal compliance, or to address safety concerns. If parents withhold consent, a court may override this through a special proceeding after reviewing factors like public interest and privacy intrusion. The bill also allows public access to autopsy recordings (with supervision) unless parents request confidentiality under this law. It applies to all child deaths under 18 in North Carolina, affecting medical examiners, families, and entities seeking autopsy records.

Maddy summaryHB 31 would amend North Carolina's State Human Resources Act to make every statewide general election day a paid holiday for state employees. This change would add election days to the current list of paid holidays (which includes Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday and Veterans Day), while maintaining the limit of 13 paid holidays per year. The bill directly affects state workers, ensuring they receive paid time off on election days without reducing the total number of paid holidays. It does not change election dates or voting procedures, only the employment benefits for state employees on those days. The legislation is currently pending in committee review.

Maddy summaryHB 154 requires NCInnovation, a state entity, to return all state funds and assets it acquired using state money to the North Carolina State Controller. The State Controller must then transfer these funds into the General Fund, where they remain unappropriated until the General Assembly votes to use them for specific purposes. This bill dissolves the financial relationship between the state and NCInnovation by repealing related statutes, effective 60 days after enactment. It directly affects NCInnovation’s financial obligations and the state’s treasury, with no new spending authorized by the transfer.

Maddy summaryHB 112 raises the maximum allowable speed limit on North Carolina's interstate highways and controlled-access roads from 70 mph to 75 mph, as determined by the Department of Transportation after engineering studies. This directly affects drivers traveling on these roads, as the new 75 mph limit replaces the previous 70 mph cap where the DOT deems it safe. The bill also updates related penalties: speeding over 85 mph on roads with a 75 mph limit becomes a Class 3 misdemeanor, and license suspension rules for excessive speeding (e.g., over 85 mph on 75 mph zones) are adjusted accordingly. The changes apply only to offenses occurring on or after December 1, 2025, and do not affect cases before that date.