Rep. Deb Butler

Maddy summaryHB 982 would allow North Carolina's Department of Transportation to use automated speed cameras in highway work zones on state-maintained roads to detect speeding violations. The law establishes a $250 civil fine (not a criminal penalty or driver's license points) for speeding detected by these cameras, with the registered vehicle owner responsible for payment unless they provide evidence of another driver's control within 30 days. Warning signs must be posted 1,000 feet in advance, and owners receive mailed notices with violation details, including photos, allowing them to contest the fine through an administrative hearing or court. This pilot program directly affects drivers who speed in designated work zones and vehicle owners, with all fines directed to a new state fund.

Maddy summaryHB 1002, the Rate Payer Protection Act, prohibits North Carolina utilities from passing grid and energy costs specifically tied to large data centers (100+ megawatt demand) to electricity ratepayers. Instead, it creates a 14-member Special Commission to plan data center infrastructure, reviewing grid capacity, recommending locations based on factors like fiber and water access, and advising on energy expansion needs. The Commission must report findings to state leaders by June 2027 and expires on that date. This directly affects ratepayers (who avoid these costs) and utilities (which must exclude data center-related expenses from rate calculations).

Maddy summaryHB 983 prohibits corporal punishment in all North Carolina public schools, directly affecting students and school staff. The bill replaces existing permissive rules with a full ban, requiring schools to maintain detailed records of any past use (though none currently occur), report demographic data on disciplinary actions annually, and allow parents to opt their children out of corporal punishment. It clarifies that physical restraint under federal law or reasonable force isn't considered corporal punishment. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 970 (Preventing Algorithmic Rent Fixing) prohibits landlords and third-party service providers in North Carolina from using algorithms that coordinate rent pricing based on nonpublic competitor data. It bans real estate lessors from paying for or exchanging value for "coordinating functions" (like algorithms analyzing competitors' rent data) and prevents service providers from facilitating non-competition agreements among landlords. The law classifies violations as unfair trade practices under Chapter 75, allowing affected parties to sue and blocking pre-dispute arbitration agreements for such cases. It applies to residential rentals (apartments, houses, etc.) and takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 994 allocates $20.3 million in nonrecurring funds and $1 million in recurring funds to support Western North Carolina recovery from Hurricane Helene and expand economic development services. The bill directs $10 million specifically for long-term housing recovery for residents in Western NC whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Helene, $5 million to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) statewide to enhance economic development services, and $300,000 to fund three women’s business centers in Western NC, the Triad, and the Piedmont. An additional $5 million supports the Institute Capital (I-CAP) for statewide economic activities, while the recurring $1 million aids ongoing housing recovery efforts and matches federal disaster funds. The bill directly affects Western NC residents impacted by Hurricane Helene, local CDCs, and small business support organizations through targeted financial assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 892 establishes a North Carolina grant program to help residents in Western counties impacted by Hurricane Helene obtain Commercial Driver's License (CDL) training and secure related jobs. The program provides $4,000 per trainee to approved CDL training providers (offering four-week accelerated programs within 75 miles of Asheville) and $1,500 for temporary housing stipends for trainees needing financial assistance. Priority is given to Western NC residents affected by Hurricane Helene, with $2.5 million in state funds allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The initiative connects training directly to disaster recovery employment through partnerships with local employers and housing providers.

Maddy summaryHB 397 allows schools in North Carolina to use epinephrine nasal spray as an emergency treatment option alongside traditional auto-injectors for students experiencing anaphylaxis. The bill amends school health policies to include nasal spray devices in the definition of "epinephrine auto-injector delivery systems," requiring all schools to maintain at least two emergency epinephrine supplies (now including nasal spray) in secure but accessible locations. Schools must train staff to recognize anaphylaxis symptoms, store devices properly, and follow emergency action plans developed with school nurses. This applies to public schools, charter schools, and regional schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The policy directly affects school staff, students with severe allergies, and school health protocols.

Maddy summaryHB 842 clarifies that North Carolina public schools may conduct vision, hearing, dental, and developmental screenings for students without requiring parental consent, but must notify parents at the start of each school year about all screenings offered and provide results for their child. This bill directly affects parents of students in public schools across North Carolina, particularly for kindergarten through third grade as noted in the bill text. Key provisions require schools to provide written notice of screenings and results to parents (instead of seeking consent for each screening), while maintaining existing requirements for other health services that do require consent. The law updates school health screening procedures under North Carolina General Statutes § 115C-76.46.

Maddy summaryHB 852, "Safe Dogs, Safe Owners," creates uniform statewide leash laws and requires dog owners to pay for injuries caused when their dog runs unleashed in public and harms a person or domestic animal. The bill defines a dog as "at large" when not under reasonable physical control (e.g., off-leash without sufficient control to prevent an attack) and makes owners strictly liable for resulting damages. It also prohibits allowing dogs over six months old to run unleashed at night without an owner or authorized person present, with violations punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor and liability for damages. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, replacing inconsistent local ordinances.

Maddy summaryHB 879 requires landlords in North Carolina to provide and maintain operable air conditioning in residential rental units that supply AC. It directly affects landlords (who must ensure systems work at the start of each tenancy) and tenants (who gain a right to functional cooling during warm weather). The bill amends landlord obligations to explicitly mandate that air conditioning must cool premises to a reasonable indoor temperature, with repairs required upon written tenant notice (except emergencies). This applies to all new rental agreements and renewals entered into after the law takes effect. The legislation focuses on ensuring basic comfort and safety by making AC a standard maintenance requirement, not a discretionary amenity.