Rep. Deb Butler

Maddy summaryHB 683 expands North Carolina's property tax exclusion for disabled veterans by removing the $45,000 cap and excluding the **entire appraised value** of a qualifying veteran's primary residence from property taxes. It directly affects **disabled veterans** (with VA-certified service-connected disabilities) and their **unremarried surviving spouses**, who previously could only exclude the first $45,000 of their home's value. The bill requires the state to **reimburse local governments** for lost tax revenue through a "hold harmless amount" calculated by multiplying the excluded value by the local tax rate, with counties reporting this by September 1 and receiving funds by December 31 annually. This change takes effect for taxes due in 2026 and ensures no net revenue loss for local governments.

Maddy summaryHB 726 establishes the North Carolina Commission on Youth Mentoring and Academic Enhancement to create a state grant program supporting local nonprofits providing mentoring and tutoring for high school students. The commission will distribute funding from the State Education Lottery to organizations focused on reducing substance use and gang involvement while building adult connections for at-risk youth in all 100 counties. Key provisions include requiring nonprofits to offer academic tutoring in core subjects and enrichment activities, with grants prioritizing programs where at least 60% of staff are under 30 and from the local community. The commission must report annually on grant recipients, funds distributed, and academic outcomes for participants.

Maddy summaryHB 691, the "Voter Protection and Reliance Act," ensures voters' ballots are counted based on election-day rules by prohibiting the exclusion of valid ballots cast under procedures in place on election day. It requires courts and election officials to apply election rules as they existed on election day, not later changes, and mandates that technical registration errors (like incomplete forms) cannot invalidate a ballot if the voter relied on the process. The bill also creates expedited court procedures for election challenges filed within 90 days before an election or after an election concludes, directing such cases to Wake County Superior Court for faster resolution. This directly affects voters, election officials, and courts by prioritizing ballot integrity based on election-day procedures over post-election interpretations.

Maddy summaryHB 685, the Rural NC Reinvestment Act, allocates $605 million in nonrecurring state funds for rural North Carolina communities during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides grants for water/sewer infrastructure ($200M), law enforcement/fire equipment ($10M), economic development land ($20M), rural school construction ($200M), broadband expansion ($50M), early childhood education ($100M), and physician placement ($5M). Local governments, schools, emergency services, and healthcare providers in rural areas directly receive these funds, with allocations prioritized based on need, efficiency, and community impact. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, focusing on tangible infrastructure and service improvements without creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 669 establishes a temporary reimbursement program for North Carolina volunteer firefighters, allowing them to be paid back for mileage to emergency scenes and costs of personal equipment used during responses. The program, funded by $1 million for 2025-2026, reimburses at the IRS business mileage rate and covers equipment like safety gear used to secure scenes or treat individuals. Volunteer organizations must collect claims within 60 days, and the Division of Emergency Management will oversee the program until it ends June 30, 2026. A report to lawmakers by that date will evaluate participation and recommend whether to expand or make the program permanent.

Maddy summaryHB 709 establishes a pilot program to fund additional teacher assistants in North Carolina public schools for kindergarten through third grade. It provides $14.8 million annually (2025-2027) to cover the cost of teacher assistants based on specific ratios: one assistant per K-2 class and one per three third-grade classes. The program will select 16 schools (eight districts, one district school and one charter school per district) to participate, with funds distributed based on average class size and salary costs. The bill aims to directly support early-grade classrooms by increasing adult-to-student ratios, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 692 requires all North Carolina public schools to install at least two automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) per school building - one in a state-identified location and one in athletic facilities - and provide annual training for school staff in AED use and CPR. The bill directly affects public school personnel, students, and school districts by mandating specific installation, maintenance, and training protocols through new rules from the State Board of Education. Key provisions include requiring schools to coordinate with emergency medical systems, maintain AEDs properly, and develop policies aligned with state guidelines. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year, using existing school funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 724 establishes the NC-Federal Alignment for Critical Technologies Task Force (NC-FACT) within North Carolina's Department of Commerce. The task force, composed of state agency staff and potentially partners from UNC institutions or the private sector, must study ways to improve collaboration between state, federal, and private entities in science and technology. It is required to develop economic strategies focused on attracting out-of-state investment and streamline resources for tech industries, then submit annual reports with actionable recommendations to the legislature by April 1 each year. The bill creates a study group with specific research duties and reporting requirements but does not enact direct funding or regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryHB 704 establishes the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Commission within North Carolina’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The commission, composed of nine members appointed by the Governor and General Assembly, advises on preserving, promoting, and interpreting AAPI history, arts, and culture through programs, school education, and statewide collaboration. It receives $250,000 annually from 2025-2027 to fund operations, including a director and associate director. The bill directly affects the department and AAPI communities by creating a formal structure to advance cultural preservation and awareness. It becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 706 changes how North Carolina allocates public school capital funds by eliminating the use of the Department of Commerce's economic development tier designations. Instead, it requires funding to be based on either a county's adjusted property value (with specific matching percentages) or HUD-designated poverty areas. The bill affects all public K-12 schools, community colleges, and UNC institutions receiving state education funds, prohibiting agencies from using Commerce's economic tiers for allocation starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It also repeals prior sections allowing tier-based funding and mandates equal per-school allocations for certain cooperative high schools. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, for new grant applications.