Rep. Ray Jeffers

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to provide free hyperbaric oxygen therapy to North Carolina veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury or posttraumatic stress disorder. The legislation appropriates $3 million from the state General Fund to a nonprofit organization to deliver approximately 15,000 treatments to an estimated 350 eligible veterans over the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The program includes structured clinical care and requires the provider to submit a detailed report on outcomes and fund usage by June 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1082, titled the Tax Relief for Working Families Act, would reinstate North Carolina's state Earned Income Tax Credit for families with children. The bill establishes a refundable tax credit equal to 5% of the federal credit amount claimed by eligible taxpayers, with a specific provision for the 2013 tax year that sets the rate at 4.5%. If the calculated credit exceeds the taxpayer's state tax liability, the difference is refunded to them. Although the legislation includes a sunset clause that would repeal the credit after the 2013 tax year, the act is scheduled to take effect for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1096, the First in Flight Act, allocates state funding to support North Carolina's aerospace industry and airport infrastructure. The bill creates a new aviation capital project account to provide grants to airports for modernization projects, provided those projects are linked to agreements with aerospace businesses. Additionally, it establishes an aerospace apprenticeship program and funds community college training initiatives to develop a skilled workforce in the sector. These measures aim to strengthen the state's economic position in aviation by improving facilities and expanding educational opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Affordable Maternal Access and Cancer Care Act to improve health outcomes for marginalized groups in North Carolina by establishing two new programs. The first part sets up a grant program that provides funding to community-led organizations to address maternal mortality and severe illness among underserved populations, with a focus on supporting social needs like housing, nutrition, and transportation. The second part ensures that patients do not face higher costs for necessary breast imaging tests compared to standard screening mammograms. The legislation appropriates five million dollars for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund these initiatives and hire staff to manage the grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $7.5 million in state funds to help counties support people participating in local judicially managed accountability and recovery courts. The money will be given out through a competitive grant process to pay for job training, transportation, and other employment-related costs like tools or childcare. These services must be tailored to each participant's individual recovery and treatment plans and can be provided by community colleges, workforce boards, or other approved organizations. Counties are limited to receiving up to $150,000 per year unless they request an exception based on specific needs, and officials will report on how the funds are used and the results achieved.

Maddy summaryHB 1093 allocates $3.1 million in state funding to the Museum of Life and Science in North Carolina for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The money is designated to support the construction of the Mike Woodard Lab and a new exhibit called Living Tools, which will highlight the state's biotechnology achievements and encourage interest in science, technology, engineering, and math careers. This nonrecurring appropriation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and is managed through the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill appropriates $11.5 million for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to improve state government services and workforce programs. The Department of Information Technology will receive $11.5 million to create an artificial intelligence assistant that helps users navigate state agency websites and connects them with local workforce resources. Additionally, the Department of Commerce will get $20 million to fund local boards in designing job training programs specifically for veterans and individuals reentering society after incarceration. A separate $1.5 million allocation supports career planning tools for working adults. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1084 clarifies the legal definition of electric bicycles in North Carolina by categorizing them into three classes based on motor power and speed limits, while also granting cities and counties the authority to create their own safety rules. Under this bill, electric bikes are generally allowed on roads and bike paths, but local governments can restrict their use on sidewalks or trails, set speed limits, and require helmets for riders under 18 on certain classes. Additionally, the legislation allocates $100,000 to the Department of Transportation to fund a public awareness campaign focused on electric bicycle safety and proper usage.

Maddy summaryHB 662 provides $40.48 million over two years for salary increases to North Carolina State Highway Patrol officers based on experience and rank, with starting pay at $56,000 and top ranks reaching $224,612 annually. It requires the Patrol to create policies allowing officers to take secondary jobs (e.g., security work) without conflicts of interest or performance issues, effective July 2025. The bill also allocates $3.25 million for bulletproof glass on all Highway Patrol and Capitol Police vehicles and $643,150 for infrastructure at the Huntersville station. These changes directly affect current and retired Highway Patrol members, aiming to improve recruitment, retention, and officer safety through concrete funding and policy adjustments.

Maddy summaryHB 1066, the Child Care Stabilization and Affordability Act, aims to address North Carolina's child care shortages by redirecting funds from the Opportunity Scholarship Program to support child care services. The bill reduces scholarship funding for private school vouchers, with the savings used to expand child care subsidies, stabilize existing programs, and improve early childhood educator pay and benefits. It also streamlines administrative rules for child care providers and clarifies regulations for religious programs. These changes directly affect families seeking child care subsidies, private school scholarship recipients, and child care providers across the state.