Rep. Ray Jeffers

Maddy summaryHB 256 repeals North Carolina's current ban on public employee collective bargaining, allowing state and local government workers (like teachers, police, and administrative staff) to negotiate wages and working conditions with their employers. The bill removes existing legal restrictions (Article 12 of Chapter 95) and explicitly states that public employees' bargaining rights apply to all state and local government employers. It does not create new benefits or funding but aligns public sector bargaining rights with those already available to private sector employees. The bill’s key provision is the repeal of the prohibition, enabling public employees to collectively bargain under existing state law.

Maddy summaryHB 209 authorizes Durham Public Schools and Durham County to create affordable rental housing for teachers, police officers, first responders, and other Durham County employees. The bill allows these entities to partner using their existing land to build housing, with at least 75% of units reserved specifically for Durham Public Schools teachers. Rent will be set at reasonable, below-market rates, and all housing must comply with standard building and safety codes. The bill is currently pending in committee and does not change existing zoning or safety regulations for the housing units.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands privacy protections for minors participating in certain local government or Partnership for Children-funded programs by restricting public access to their personal details. It prevents disclosure of identifying information like names, addresses, birth dates, parent/guardian details, and email addresses in public records, though county/town of residence remains public (with other details redacted). The law applies specifically to programs in Chatham County, Durham County, and several towns including Apex, Cary, Raleigh, and others. Scholarship names are explicitly excluded from these protections, and the bill clarifies the information is not confidential but simply not subject to public disclosure under this rule.

Maddy summaryHB 230 creates a new felony offense for individuals who commit a domestic violence misdemeanor (under G.S. 14-32.5) and have two or more prior domestic violence convictions within the past 15 years. The first conviction under this law is a Class H felony, with penalties increasing for subsequent offenses (up to Class C felony). The bill also expands police authority to make warrantless arrests for domestic violence misdemeanors when officers have probable cause to believe the crime occurred. This directly affects repeat domestic violence offenders in North Carolina, with the law taking effect December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 228 appropriates $25,000 in one-time state funds to the City of Asheville for a study on extending the city's water system to serve Pisgah View State Park. The study will assess the practicality, costs, and feasibility of building this water infrastructure extension. This bill directly affects Asheville and the new state park by funding preliminary analysis before any potential construction. The funds are allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and require the city to conduct or facilitate the study by July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 157 is a procedural resolution inviting Governor Josh Stein to address a joint session of the North Carolina General Assembly on March 12, 2025. It directs a committee of five House members and five Senate members to extend the invitation and specifies that the governor's cabinet, Council of State members, and state judges may attend. This resolution does not create new policy or affect any laws; it solely schedules a ceremonial address. The invitation is effective upon ratification, as noted in the resolution's text.

Maddy summaryHB 130 establishes a $475 million program to provide financial assistance to North Carolina farmers who suffered crop losses from natural disasters in 2024. It directly affects farmers in counties designated by the USDA as disaster areas, requiring verified losses of eligible agricultural commodities (like crops, livestock, or specialty plants) planted but not harvested by January 1, 2024. The program uses county and state yield/price averages to calculate payments, mandates submission of USDA Form 578 or equivalent documentation within 30 days, and allocates funds from state reserves (Stabilization, IT, and Economic Development) to cover verified losses. Farmers must provide documentation for verification, and the Department of Agriculture may audit claims to ensure proper use of funds, with refunds required for inaccurate information.

Maddy summaryHB 191 grants Durham County and Person County Schools flexibility in setting their 2025-2026 school calendar start date, allowing them to open as early as August 19 (instead of the usual August 26) if they have documented emergency closures (8+ days per year for 4 of the last 10 years). It also permits these districts to administer standardized assessments earlier if their fall semester ends before December 31. The bill modifies existing state requirements for school opening/closing dates and assessment timing specifically for these two counties. The changes apply only to the 2025-2026 school year and require documented emergency closure history to qualify for the earlier start date.

Maddy summaryHB 196 appropriates $1.5 million from the General Fund to the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, Inc., for a new biotechnology exhibit and laboratory. The funds will showcase North Carolina's biotech achievements and promote STEM career interest, directly benefiting the museum and students in the state. The bill creates a specific funding mechanism for this educational project, effective July 1, 2025. As a funding allocation, it does not alter laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 120 appropriates $1,040,514 annually for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to expand North Carolina's Project C.A.R.E. program. The bill directly funds support services for family caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. It provides recurring state funding to the Division of Aging and Adult Services to enhance existing caregiver assistance programs. The legislation becomes effective July 1, 2025, without altering eligibility or service requirements.