Rep. Deb Butler

Maddy summaryThis bill directs North Carolina's Utilities Commission to adjust electricity rates to reflect fuel costs that utilities incurred after a previous rate-setting period ended. It requires the commission to include these recent fuel expenses in rate calculations, provided they were reasonable and prudently spent, while explicitly excluding costs from before that earlier period. The law also mandates that any difference between what utilities collected and what they actually spent on fuel be corrected over a 12-month period with interest applied. Additionally, the bill allocates $10,000 in state funds to the commission to support the administrative work needed to implement these changes, which will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill makes it illegal for drivers to hold a live animal in their lap while operating a vehicle on public roads. The law classifies this violation as a minor infraction punishable by a $100 fine and court costs, but it does not add points to a driver's license or increase insurance rates. Additionally, the statute clarifies that breaking this rule does not automatically establish negligence in legal cases involving vehicle accidents. To support enforcement and education, the state will allocate $50,000 for a public awareness campaign starting in July 2026, with the law taking full effect on December 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a paid bereavement leave program for state employees, public school staff, and community college workers in North Carolina, effective July 1, 2026. It grants up to 40 hours of paid time off for the death of an immediate family member and up to eight hours for the death of a colleague who worked at the same agency within the past year. The legislation requires employees to provide documentation of the death and mandates that leave for family members be used within 180 days, while also allocating $2 million from the state budget to fund these benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal pathway in North Carolina allowing individuals to sue anyone, including federal officials, for violating their rights under the U.S. Constitution. It establishes a civil cause of action that permits victims to seek monetary compensation, court orders to stop the violation, and payment for legal fees. The law explicitly states that it does not allow lawsuits against the state itself or waive the state's immunity from being sued. Additionally, the bill appropriates $150,000 to fund public education efforts about these new rights, with the main provisions taking effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits gambling on prediction markets in North Carolina by amending state gambling laws to explicitly include these platforms. It defines a prediction market as any online or physical platform where people bet money on the outcome of future events, making such activities a Class 2 misdemeanor for operators and participants. The law applies to both residents and non-residents offering services to North Carolina users and takes effect on December 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill allocates $10,000 in state funds to the State Lottery Commission to support enforcement efforts starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $200 million in recurring state funds to expand access to the North Carolina Pre-K program for all income-eligible four-year-olds. The additional money is directed to the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure these children can participate in the program starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and does not alter existing eligibility criteria or program requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1178, known as the NC Teacher Pay Competitiveness Act, establishes a permanent salary increase plan for public school teachers in North Carolina to help the state compete with neighboring regions. The bill creates a new salary schedule that begins in the 2026-2027 school year and mandates annual raises of 3.67% until 2033, after which increases will be tied to federal employment cost data. Additionally, the legislation provides specific monthly bonuses for teachers with advanced certifications or degrees and adjusts funding for the Opportunity Scholarship program.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in North Carolina through three main changes. It mandates a minimum wage increase of $18 per hour for direct care workers by raising Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers and facilities, with funds appropriated starting in fiscal year 2026-2027. Additionally, the legislation adds at least 1,000 slots to the state's Medicaid waiver program and requires the creation of a ten-year plan to address unmet service needs. Finally, it seeks to remove income and asset limits for the state's Medicaid buy-in program for workers with disabilities, allowing more individuals to qualify for coverage regardless of their earnings or savings.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises child care subsidy rates in North Carolina to the 75th percentile of market costs, directly benefiting low-income families who use state-funded care. Starting in July 2026, the state will automatically update these rates based on future market studies and establish a minimum payment floor for providers in counties where local rates are lower. The legislation appropriates $60 million from the General Fund and $20 million from federal grants to cover the initial increase, with an additional $160 million allocated to maintain the statewide rate floor. While most counties will adopt the new statewide standard, areas with very few children in specific age groups may keep their current rates if the state rate would be too low to secure care for eligible families.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill appropriates approximately $1.3 million from the state's General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds are designated to expand access to Teen Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training programs across the state. These training courses are designed to teach high school students how to recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their peers and connect them with support. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.