Rep. Larry Strickland

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to North Carolina that would restrict voting rights exclusively to United States citizens who are at least 18 years old. The legislation does not change current law immediately but instead sets up a statewide vote on November 5, 2024, where voters will decide whether to adopt this new rule. If approved by the majority of voters, the amendment will permanently update the state constitution to remove the ability of non-citizens to vote in any election. If voters reject the measure, the existing voting qualifications will remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the University of North Carolina system to finance specific capital improvement projects using non-state funds, such as gifts, grants, and hospital receipts, rather than taxpayer money from the General Fund. The legislation allows the universities to issue revenue bonds or special obligation bonds to cover the costs of renovations at East Carolina University, dormitory upgrades at Fayetteville State University, and new infrastructure and research buildings at UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Wilmington. A key provision permits the Director of the Budget to adjust project costs or funding methods if deemed necessary in the state's best interest. Ultimately, the bill enables these institutions to proceed with construction and renovation plans without requiring additional appropriations from the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Jockey's Ridge in Nags Head as a unique coastal geological area of environmental concern. It establishes specific rules for development within the site, requiring permits for sand removal projects that exceed ten cubic yards per year. Any sand removed under these permits must be returned to designated areas within the Jockey's Ridge State Park. Additionally, the legislation prohibits development activities that would significantly block the natural movement of sand, with limited exceptions for essential infrastructure and maintenance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to allow The University of North Carolina to enter into agreements with technology vendors to trade in or buy back surplus computer equipment. The legislation specifically authorizes the university to sell back devices even if they were not originally purchased from the vendor and sets conditions for distributing surplus computers to nonprofit organizations that refurbish them for low-income students. To ensure accountability, the bill requires nonprofits to report on their refurbishment efforts and the disposition of any equipment they cannot fix, with annual reports submitted to the university board and the state's education oversight committee. These changes aim to streamline the management of university surplus technology while maintaining oversight on how donated resources are used.

Maddy summaryHB 1029 allows patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses to access custom-made investigational drugs, biological products, or devices that are tailored to their specific genetic profiles. To qualify, a patient must consult with a treating physician, confirm that standard FDA-approved treatments are unlikely to help, and provide written informed consent acknowledging the risks and potential costs. The bill permits manufacturers to offer these treatments for free or at the patient's expense while explicitly stating that health insurance plans are not required to cover these costs. Additionally, the legislation protects doctors from disciplinary action for recommending such treatments and ensures that a patient's heirs are not held financially responsible for any outstanding debts related to the therapy if the patient passes away.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program called "Increasing Engagement in STEM" to provide funding to North Carolina public schools for experiential science, technology, engineering, and math education. The program specifically targets sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students and allows schools to use the money for teacher stipends, hiring third-party vendors, and hosting competitions. A total of $1 million is allocated to fund up to 20 school districts, with selection criteria designed to ensure geographic and population diversity across different school sizes. Schools must submit detailed plans outlining how they will use the funds and how they intend to sustain the programs after the grant period ends. The bill also requires the state superintendent to submit initial and final reports to a legislative committee detailing application results, student participation data, and performance outcomes.