Rep. Steve Tyson

Maddy summaryHB 97 adds stomach cancer (gastric cancer) to the list of occupationally related cancers that qualify firefighters for "killed in the line of duty" benefits under North Carolina's Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act. This means firefighters who die from stomach cancer directly linked to their firefighting duties will automatically be eligible for death benefits, easing the process for families seeking compensation. The bill appropriates $500,000 annually from 2025-2027 to cover these benefits. It takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to qualifying deaths occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 406, titled "Clarify Motor Vehicle Dealer Laws," revises regulations affecting motor vehicle manufacturers and dealerships. The bill makes it unlawful for manufacturers to unreasonably prevent the transfer or sale of a dealership, or to condition such approvals on requirements like facility construction or granting a right of first refusal. It also prohibits manufacturers from considering an applicant's past legal actions against other manufacturers or prior denials by other manufacturers when evaluating a dealership transfer. Additionally, the bill stipulates that manufacturers cannot terminate or cancel a dealer's franchise without demonstrating good cause and good faith, with the franchise remaining in effect during the Commissioner's review process.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 516, the "Motorcycle Road Guard Safety Act," creates a system allowing certified individuals to direct traffic for motorcycle groups. To become a motorcycle road guard, a person must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid driver's license, and successfully complete a certification course developed by the Division of Motor Vehicles. Certified road guards must meet specific safety standards and are required to notify and obtain consent from the chief of police in each city where they plan to direct traffic. The Division of Motor Vehicles will adopt rules to implement these new provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 797, titled "Residential Property Wholesaling Protection," clarifies that residential property wholesaling and related transactions are considered real estate brokerage activity, requiring those involved to be licensed. The bill grants homeowners a non-waivable right to cancel purchase contracts related to residential property wholesaling until midnight of the 30th day after execution or until deed conveyance. It also mandates that these contracts include specific disclosures about this cancellation right, printed in at least 14-point font. Failure to provide this right to cancel is deemed an unfair or deceptive trade practice.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 605 amends North Carolina law by establishing new definitions related to advanced recycling processes. It defines "mass balance attribution" as an auditable accounting method, requiring a third-party certification system, to track feedstocks used in recycled products. The bill also defines "recycled products" as those made from recyclable materials through chemical recycling processes using this attribution method. This legislation clarifies terminology for manufacturers and entities involved in advanced recycling, while noting that such products remain subject to existing environmental regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 156 sets minimum standards for stop loss, catastrophic, and reinsurance coverage provided to small employers in North Carolina. It directly affects small employers (defined as those with fewer than 12 eligible employees) and insurers selling these specific insurance products. The bill requires insurers to maintain a minimum annual attachment point of $20,000 per individual (adjusted annually using the Consumer Price Index) and a minimum aggregate attachment point of either 120% of expected claims or $20,000 per year. These standards apply to all new, renewed, or amended insurance contracts issued on or after October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 163 regulates Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) to ensure fair practices for pharmacies and insured individuals. The bill prohibits PBMs from charging insurers more for a prescription drug than they pay the pharmacy (spread pricing) and requires patient out-of-pocket costs to be based on the net price after any PBM concessions. It establishes minimum reimbursement standards for pharmacies, preventing PBMs from paying less than the national average drug acquisition cost plus a dispensing fee. Additionally, it clarifies that PBMs cannot restrict accredited pharmacies from dispensing specialty drugs and strengthens audit protections for pharmacies.

Maddy summaryHB 649 directs the North Carolina Collaboratory to study the state's county tier designation system. The study will examine potential changes to the criteria used for ranking counties, how tier designations are assigned, and the ranking timeframe. It will evaluate the impact of these changes on all 100 counties, programs that use the tier system, and the ease of doing business in the state. The Collaboratory is required to submit a preliminary report by December 2025 and a final report by December 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 729, titled the "Farmland Protection Act," makes several changes related to solar energy development. It reduces the property tax exclusion for solar energy electric systems from 80% to 40% of their appraised value, which will increase the taxable value of these systems. The bill also prohibits the construction of new utility-scale solar projects that are not qualifying facilities under federal law, unless they are sited on specific types of land such as brownfields, non-agricultural land, or clear-cut timberland. Additionally, it updates the effective dates for requirements regarding financial assurance and decommissioning plans for utility-scale solar projects, affecting both existing and new facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 69, the Military and Veterans Educational Promise Act, provides two key benefits for military-affiliated individuals and veterans at North Carolina's University of North Carolina (UNC) schools. First, it requires UNC institutions to allow eligible military members (including reservists) and their spouses to defer admission for up to five years (for active duty) or two years (for reserve service) upon enrollment notice. Second, it establishes in-state tuition rates for honorably discharged veterans who served at least 90 days in the military, graduated from a North Carolina high school after 2004, had a North Carolina duty station, or received a Purple Heart. The bill applies to all UNC institutions beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.