Rep. Rodney Pierce

Maddy summaryHB 37 standardizes monthly pension benefits for North Carolina firefighters and rescue squad workers under the state pension fund. It sets a uniform $175 monthly pension for members with 20+ years of service who reach age 55, replaces the previous $180 amount, and maintains $175 for disability benefits and line-of-duty death benefits. The bill also allows members affected by city annexations or department closures to continue contributing $15 monthly until they reach 20 years of service for pension eligibility. These changes apply to current and future members of the pension fund who meet the service requirements. The bill does not alter contribution rates or eligibility for most members but adjusts benefit amounts and extends certain provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 428 directs North Carolina's Department of Public Instruction to study how increased parent involvement might reduce repeated student discipline issues. The study will examine specific approaches, such as requiring parents to attend meetings or counseling with their child after discipline incidents, and assess impacts of remote learning alternatives. It explicitly excludes students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plans and must be completed by April 2026. The $25,000 allocated for the study will result in a report with recommendations for potential policy changes, but the bill itself does not change current discipline practices.

Maddy summaryHB 35 designates November of each year as Military Appreciation Month in North Carolina. The bill creates a symbolic recognition within state law, honoring military service members and veterans during this month. It does not establish new programs, funding, or requirements - it simply formally names November for this purpose. The bill affects the state government's official calendar and public recognition efforts, with no direct impact on individuals or organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 418 mandates that all North Carolina public schools provide required arts education for K-5 students beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. It requires at least one 30-minute session per week in music, dance, or theatre arts (taught by a licensed instructor) and one session per week in visual arts (also taught by a licensed instructor), with classes kept at appropriate sizes. The bill directly affects every K-5 public school student and their educators across North Carolina, ensuring consistent arts instruction aligned with state curriculum standards. It does not alter funding or create new programs but sets specific instructional requirements for elementary schools.

Maddy summaryHB 413 would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older in North Carolina, allowing possession of up to 2 ounces, 15 grams of concentrate, or products with 2,000mg THC. It establishes new regulations for cannabis businesses (like retail stores and cultivation facilities), requires lab testing and responsible packaging, and mandates that businesses prioritize diversity and community investment. Crucially, it creates two funds to reinvest tax revenue: the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund for historically impacted communities, and the Cannabis Enterprise Opportunity Fund to support minority-owned businesses. The bill directly affects consumers aged 21+, cannabis businesses, and communities disproportionately affected by past cannabis enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 422, the "Beyond The Choice Act," eliminates a 12-month residency wait period for eligible veterans and their dependents at North Carolina public colleges and universities. It allows veterans who served 90+ days of active duty, their dependents, or other individuals covered under federal law (38 U.S.C. § 3679) to pay in-state tuition rates immediately upon admission, without needing to establish residency first. This change applies to all qualifying students enrolling in the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond. The bill directly benefits veterans and their families by reducing financial barriers to higher education in North Carolina.

Maddy summaryHB 420 allocates $4.3 million annually to fund teacher recruitment programs like "Grow-Your-Own" and "2+2" pathways in high-need schools, targeting efforts to recruit and prepare new educators. It requires the State Board of Education to develop a teacher licensure and compensation reform plan by March 2026, including pathways for new teachers and retention strategies. The bill also funds a study to expand educator preparation programs to graduate 5,000 in-state teachers annually, with a focus on increasing diversity among educators. These provisions directly affect public schools, teacher preparation programs, and prospective teachers through new funding streams and policy requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 396 establishes a Nursing Fellows Program at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) to provide forgivable loans to nursing students. The program targets WSSU students pursuing Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing Education degrees who commit to working as nurses or nursing instructors in North Carolina after graduation. Eligible students receive up to $5,000 per semester (or $2,500 per summer) to cover tuition, fees, and books, with loans forgiven upon meeting service requirements. Funds are managed through a dedicated Trust Fund, with specific allocations for administrative costs, mentoring, and program activities. This directly affects WSSU nursing students planning to work in North Carolina healthcare settings.

Maddy summaryHB 404, the Fair and Affordable Housing Act, requires the Legislative Research Commission to study affordable housing availability across North Carolina - including rural and urban areas - and report findings to the 2026 General Assembly. The bill prohibits housing discrimination based on "source of income" (such as government housing vouchers, disability benefits, or rental assistance), making it illegal for landlords to refuse tenants using these payments. It also appropriates $45 million from the General Fund to the Housing Trust Fund for affordable housing development and bans credit reporting agencies from listing eviction lawsuits that don’t result in a landlord judgment. These changes directly affect renters (especially those using government assistance), landlords, housing providers, and credit agencies in North Carolina.

Maddy summaryHB 407 creates a new special license plate for Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority in North Carolina, featuring the sorority's symbol and the phrase "Greater Service, Greater Progress." It sets a $20 additional fee for this plate (same as other Divine Nine sororities/fraternities), with half the fee going to the Special Registration Plate Account and half to the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account. Proceeds from the plate sales will fund the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority National Education Fund. This bill directly affects vehicle owners who choose this plate, adding it to North Carolina's list of special registration options.