Rep. Deb Butler

Maddy summaryHB 714 creates a state-run universal healthcare benefit plan administered by North Carolina's Commissioner of Insurance. It requires the plan to offer sliding-scale premiums based on household income, covering residents whose incomes exceed Medicaid eligibility but who cannot afford private insurance. The bill mandates the Commissioner to develop the plan by January 1, 2026, with a report to the legislature detailing implementation steps. It also appropriates $100,000 for initial planning in the 2025-2026 fiscal year and ensures coverage meets or exceeds federal Affordable Care Act standards.

Maddy summaryHB 725, the "MOMnibus 3.0," establishes a state grant program to address preventable maternal health disparities affecting Black birthing people in North Carolina. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants ($10,000-$50,000 per recipient) to community-based organizations focused on improving maternal health outcomes for Black women. Key provisions require grantees to address social barriers (like housing, transportation, and nutrition), provide culturally respectful care training for health workers, and offer services including mental health support, doula care, and evidence-based education. The program specifically prioritizes Black-led organizations serving communities with high maternal health disparities, aiming to reduce preventable deaths and complications through targeted community support.

Maddy summaryHB 730 requires North Carolina state agencies to provide information about services in the five most common non-English languages spoken by residents, as determined by the latest U.S. Census data. It directs agencies to submit English materials to the Department of Administration for translation into those languages, with specific guidance for "Chinese" (using Mandarin unless Cantonese is requested). The bill allocates nearly $5.5 million in recurring funds for translation services and mandates that translated materials be published alongside English versions starting January 1, 2027. This directly affects state agencies responsible for public services and aims to improve access for non-English-speaking residents.

Maddy summaryHB 732 requires permits and a 72-hour waiting period for purchasing assault weapons or long guns, prohibits sales to those under 21 for semi-automatic firearms, and bans bump stocks, ghost guns, and certain high-capacity magazines. It mandates safe firearm storage, repeals "stand your ground" laws, and requires firearm liability insurance for owners. The bill also prohibits leaving firearms unattended in vehicles, mandates reporting lost/stolen guns, and directs the state pension fund to divest from gun manufacturers. These provisions directly affect all firearm purchasers and owners in North Carolina.

Maddy summaryHB 715 appropriates $13.3 million annually from the General Fund to expand access to North Carolina's Prekindergarten (NC Pre-K) program for eligible children. The funding, allocated to the state's child development agency, will create additional program slots for children seeking enrollment starting July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects low-income 4-year-olds who qualify for the NC Pre-K program by increasing available spots through dedicated state funding. The legislation focuses solely on providing financial resources for program expansion, with no changes to eligibility criteria or program structure.

Maddy summaryHB 673 provides $656,000 annually from the state General Fund to cover transportation costs for neonatal patients in the UNC Health Care System when insurance denies coverage for ambulance services or mileage. It directly affects newborns requiring critical transport between UNC hospitals and their families, ensuring timely care without financial barriers from insurance denials. The bill requires the UNC Board of Governors to submit annual reports tracking funds used, number of transports covered, and effectiveness. This is a funding mechanism to fill coverage gaps, not a change to insurance rules, and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 682 allows North Carolina to override federal restrictions that block food and cash assistance (TANF) for people convicted of certain drug-related felonies. It directly affects individuals with Class H or I controlled substance felony convictions who complete substance abuse treatment (while incarcerated or in the community) and avoid new drug offenses for six months. The bill requires counties to offer food and cash benefits to eligible individuals who meet these conditions, making treatment participation a requirement for accessing aid. This change aims to support successful reintegration by removing a barrier to basic needs assistance for this group.

Maddy summaryHB 665 creates the Public School Disaster Preparedness Fund to help North Carolina schools in high-risk natural disaster areas improve or replace vulnerable buildings. The fund, starting with $25 million for 2025-2026, requires schools to submit disaster preparedness plans detailing structural risks and improvement costs before receiving funding. Approved projects must meet state-set preparedness standards, with schools reporting annually on fund use and progress. The Department of Public Instruction administers applications on a rolling basis, requiring unanimous approval from the State Board of Education for disbursements.

Maddy summaryHB 668 establishes a program to expand free tax preparation assistance in North Carolina through two key components. It allocates $1.38 million (including $790,000 nonrecurring and $610,000 recurring annually) to fund community colleges to create tax preparation courses and paid work-study opportunities for students, enabling them to become IRS-certified VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) preparers. Additionally, it appropriates $840,000 to the United Way of North Carolina to increase VITA locations, hire staff, provide multilingual resources, and offer financial education. The bill directly helps low-income North Carolinians (earning under $67,000 annually, with disabilities, or limited English proficiency) who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit but often miss claiming it, by expanding access to free tax filing services starting July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 667 would allow certain children of H-1B or L-1 visa holders to pay in-state tuition at North Carolina public universities. Specifically, it applies to students whose parents are lawfully present in the U.S. (not citizens) with valid H-1B/L-1 visas, and who either hold an H-4 visa or were previously classified as in-state residents for tuition while continuously enrolled in college. The bill amends tuition law to permit this status for students meeting these criteria, effective for the 2025-2026 academic year. This policy directly affects immigrant students who would otherwise pay higher out-of-state rates, aiming to support North Carolina's goal of increasing postsecondary degree attainment.