Rep. George Cleveland

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies North Carolina's mask exemption laws by clarifying that wearing a mask for personal health or safety is allowed, but individuals must remove it upon request by law enforcement during a traffic stop or when asked to identify themselves on private property. It also increases criminal penalties for anyone convicted of a misdemeanor or felony if they were wearing a mask or other item that concealed their identity at the time of the offense. Additionally, the legislation creates civil liability for demonstration organizers who obstruct emergency vehicles and updates campaign finance rules regarding federal political committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Jockey's Ridge in Nags Head as a unique coastal geological area of environmental concern. It establishes specific rules for development within the site, requiring permits for sand removal projects that exceed ten cubic yards per year. Any sand removed under these permits must be returned to designated areas within the Jockey's Ridge State Park. Additionally, the legislation prohibits development activities that would significantly block the natural movement of sand, with limited exceptions for essential infrastructure and maintenance.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, prohibits payment card networks from using special codes to track purchases of firearms or ammunition at merchants in North Carolina. It also bans these networks from maintaining records that identify individuals who own firearms within the state. The law applies to entities that process electronic payments, such as credit card companies, but excludes federally insured banks and credit unions. If a payment network violates these rules, the Attorney General can impose fines of up to $10,000 per violation, and affected merchants or customers can sue for similar damages plus legal fees. The legislation aims to prevent the surveillance of lawful gun purchases and ensure that firearms merchants are not discriminated against based on their business type.

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 creates a new legal process allowing property owners to request the immediate removal of unauthorized individuals from residential homes by contacting their local sheriff. To use this process, the owner must file a sworn complaint stating that the person is not a tenant or resident, has been asked to leave, and that no valid lease exists, after which the sheriff must act within 24 hours. The legislation also increases penalties for willful damage to residential property and prohibits fraudulent rental advertisements while requiring all leases to be in writing. Property owners who incorrectly use this removal process could face civil lawsuits, including triple damages based on the rent and legal fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits financial institutions in North Carolina from using special codes to identify credit card transactions made at local firearms retailers. The law defines a firearms code as any indicator that marks a purchase of guns or related items and bans banks and payment processors from applying these tags to such transactions. Violations can result in civil penalties of up to $10,000 per incident, which may be enforced by the state Attorney General or pursued through lawsuits filed by affected businesses or consumers. Additionally, the bill allocates $5,000 to inform businesses about these new requirements, with most provisions taking effect on October 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the election schedule for the City of Jacksonville so that regular municipal elections occur in even-numbered years instead of odd-numbered years. It amends the city charter to specify that all future regular elections will be held biennially in even years, aligning the timing with other North Carolina municipalities. To manage the transition, the law extends the current terms of some council members and the mayor by one year, ensuring that the next election takes place in 2026 rather than 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to North Carolina that would restrict voting rights exclusively to United States citizens who are at least 18 years old. The legislation does not change the current law immediately but instead places the amendment on the ballot for the November 5, 2024, general election for voters to decide. If approved by a majority of voters, the change would permanently update the state constitution to ensure only citizens can vote in any election. If voters reject the proposal, the amendment will not take effect and the current voting rules will remain unchanged.