Rep. Rodney Pierce

Maddy summaryHB 564 provides a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for retirees in North Carolina's Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System, Consolidated Judicial Retirement System, and Legislative Retirement System. It increases retirement payments for retirees who retired on or before specific dates (July 1, 2024, for most systems, or January 1, 2025, for the Legislative system) and offers a prorated increase for those retiring between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The bill appropriates $106.2 million from the General Fund to fund this adjustment, effective July 1, 2025. This policy change directly affects current retirees in these systems by increasing their monthly benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 275 increases penalties for drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to blind or partially blind pedestrians using a white cane (white or red-tipped) or a guide dog. It requires drivers to come to a full stop, leave a clear path, and remain stopped until the pedestrian has crossed at both uncontrolled intersections and signal-controlled crossings where the pedestrian is already moving when lights change. This bill directly affects drivers operating vehicles in North Carolina and blind/partially blind pedestrians using visible signals. The penalty for violating this law becomes a Class 2 misdemeanor, effective December 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 521 would require most North Carolina employers to provide earned paid sick leave to workers. It mandates that employees accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, with limits of 32 hours per year for small businesses (10 or fewer employees) and 56 hours for larger employers. The leave covers the employee's own health needs, care for immediate family members, or situations related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Exemptions include volunteers, certain exempt employees under wage laws, and domestic workers employed in a private residence. The bill directly affects over 1.6 million private-sector workers in North Carolina, particularly low-wage and high-contact industry workers who currently lack access to paid sick days.

Maddy summaryHB 530 allocates $115.2 million in state funds for public infrastructure projects across Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties in North Carolina. The bill directs funding for specific county and municipal needs, including water system upgrades ($31.1 million for Halifax's drinking water project), fire department equipment ($2.2 million for Roanoke Rapids), detention center construction ($50 million in Halifax), and wastewater plant rehabilitation ($10 million in Warren County). These funds target concrete improvements to critical infrastructure like bridges, sewer systems, fire apparatus, and public facilities, primarily benefiting local governments and residents in the three counties. The legislation focuses on immediate capital projects rather than policy changes, with all allocations specified in the bill text.

Maddy summaryHB 531 appropriates $4 million annually to expand North Carolina's New Teacher Support Program, directly benefiting new teachers with alternative licenses (such as residency or emergency permits) and their local school districts. The bill provides three key supports: assigned regional instructional coaches, professional development aligned with teachers' needs, and a beginning teacher summit. It prioritizes schools in designated high-need counties to address a 15% first-year attrition rate among new teachers. This funding eliminates cost barriers for schools and teachers, making program participation free and increasing access to evidence-based support.

Maddy summaryHB 534 appropriates $700,000 from North Carolina's General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to establish sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) training programs at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Wake Technical Community College. Each college receives $350,000 to hire a full-time faculty member ($105,000), a clinical coordinator ($105,000), purchase equipment/supplies ($45,000), and cover program development and accreditation costs ($95,000). The bill directly affects these two community colleges and future healthcare professionals seeking SANE certification. It creates a concrete funding mechanism to expand training capacity for nurses specializing in sexual assault victim care.

Maddy summaryHB 501 amends North Carolina law to ensure domestic violence protective orders cover same-sex couples in dating relationships. It removes the requirement that dating relationships must involve "opposite-sex" partners, explicitly including same-sex couples under the definition of "dating relationship" in protective order law. This change directly affects same-sex partners who experience domestic violence and seek protection through the dating relationship provision. The bill takes effect for orders issued after it becomes law, making the legal standard for dating relationships gender-neutral.

Maddy summaryHB 503, the "Don't Tread on Me Act," proposes new protections for North Carolinians by restricting government overreach in privacy, healthcare, education, and employment. It prohibits state agencies from conducting warrantless surveillance, demanding private medical or political information for services, denying reproductive care based on ideology, interfering with parental decisions without due process, or censoring fact-based education. The bill also bans discrimination in employment, housing, or public services based on private beliefs, medical history, or lawful conduct. Currently in early legislative stages (filed March 24, passed 1st reading March 26), it would take effect if enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 513 appropriates $1 million annually from the General Fund to fund North Carolina's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program through fiscal years 2025-2027. It allocates $855,000 yearly to create nine new full-time Regional Ombudsman positions in areas most needing support, as determined by the State Ombudsman, to help meet national staffing standards. The remaining funds cover operational costs like equipment, supplies, and transportation for existing program staff. This directly benefits long-term care residents by expanding access to ombudsman services that address facility concerns and advocate for their rights.

Maddy summaryHB 511 establishes new salary levels for full-time magistrates in North Carolina, directly affecting these court officers who handle minor cases like traffic violations and small claims. The bill appropriates $11.5 million annually from the General Fund for 2025-2027 to fund these increases, with specific salary steps outlined in the law. Magistrates will receive raises every two years for the first three experience levels and every four years for higher levels, starting at $47,228 for new hires and reaching $90,498 for the highest step. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, and apply to magistrates working at least 40 hours weekly.