Rep. Marcia Morey

Maddy summaryHB 957 creates a study committee to examine infrastructure challenges at North Carolina's HBCUs and MSIs, including building conditions, environmental risks, and maintenance needs. It establishes a $5 million Completion Assistance Program to provide up to $1,000 annually per student at six UNC HBCUs (Elizabeth City State, NC A&T, UNC Asheville, UNC Greensboro, UNC Pembroke, and Winston-Salem State) for tuition/fee balances, targeting students with Pell Grants who need financial aid to graduate on time. The bill also allocates specific infrastructure funds, including $5.1 million for Winston-Salem State's Hauser Hall renovations and $8 million for emergency steam repairs. These provisions directly affect students and campus facilities at the six designated institutions through financial aid and physical infrastructure support.

Maddy summaryHB 955, the NC Junk Fee Prevention Act, requires businesses like short-term lodging providers (e.g., Airbnb), telecom companies (internet, mobile, voice services), and ticket sellers to show the full price - including all mandatory fees - before a purchase. It bans deceptive or excessive fees, such as surprise resort charges or hidden ticket costs, and mandates that total prices displayed at the start of a transaction cannot increase during checkout. Businesses must clearly disclose all fees (e.g., processing or delivery charges) upfront and cannot charge unreasonable early termination fees for telecom services. This law directly affects consumers buying lodging, telecom services, or event tickets by ensuring transparent pricing and preventing hidden costs.

Maddy summaryHB 974 requires North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to study how hospice care facilities handle complaints from patients and families. The study will analyze complaint data, engage hospice administrators and care associations, and identify common issues and best practices for improving complaint procedures, investigations, communication, and family involvement. DHHS must submit findings and recommendations to legislative committees by April 2026, focusing on actionable steps for hospice facilities to enhance accountability. This bill does not change current laws but mandates a review to inform future policy.

Maddy summaryHB 978 establishes the North Carolina Commission on Youth Mentoring within the Department of Health and Human Services to administer grants supporting local youth mentoring programs. The bill allocates $1.5 million annually from 2025-2027 to fund small-to-medium nonprofit organizations providing mentoring services, with specific goals to increase quality mentoring, reduce youth safety risks, and strengthen community connections. The Commission, composed of 15 appointed members including youth participants and community representatives, will manage the grant program, develop application processes, and submit annual reports on funding distribution and social impact to legislative committees. This legislation directly affects North Carolina-based youth mentoring nonprofits and aims to expand accessible, high-quality mentoring opportunities for young people across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 961, the "Hate Crimes Prevention Act," increases sentencing for felony convictions where the victim was targeted due to their race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, country of origin, or gender. If proven, the offender faces a sentence one felony class higher than the original charge (e.g., Class C felony becomes Class B). The bill requires the indictment to allege the bias motivation, and the state must prove it beyond a reasonable doubt during the same trial. It takes effect December 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 965 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to guarantee all North Carolinians the right to clean water, clean air, and a preserved environment, including protection of natural resources like air, water, wildlife, and soils. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, it would automatically become part of the state constitution, requiring the state to act as a trustee of natural resources for present and future generations. The amendment would not change current environmental laws but would establish a new constitutional standard that future legislation must align with. This bill must still pass through the legislature and gain voter approval to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 969 directs North Carolina's Legislative Research Commission to study replacing the current "contributory negligence" rule (which bars injury claims if a plaintiff shares any fault) with comparative negligence systems. The study must evaluate how abolition would affect citizens, assess harms from the current rule, analyze fiscal impacts on insurance and businesses, and recommend the best negligence framework. It does not change law immediately but requires a 2026 report with legislative recommendations. This bill affects future legal claims for injury victims and insurers by examining potential policy shifts. The study is the only concrete action; no voting or implementation occurs until after the report.

Maddy summaryHB 973, the Uniform Restrictive Employment Agreement Act, establishes new rules for noncompete, nonsolicitation, and other restrictive employment agreements in North Carolina. It requires employers to provide workers with a written copy of any proposed agreement at least 14 days before signing, clearly state prohibited activities, and give a separate notice as defined by the Department of Labor. The bill directly affects workers and employers by making agreements unenforceable without these specific disclosures and clear terms, covering common restrictions like noncompetes but excluding patent agreements or existing ownership interests. It aims to increase transparency in employment contracts where workers face post-employment work limitations.

Maddy summaryHB 984 creates a framework for medical cannabis research in North Carolina, permitting studies on cannabis as a treatment for qualifying medical conditions. It establishes a state database requiring research institutions (like hospitals or universities), physicians, caregivers, and patients to register, while setting strict product limits (under 0.9% THC, at least 5% CBD). The bill protects registered researchers, caregivers, and patients from prosecution for participating in approved studies and requires secure disposal of unused cannabis. It directly affects medical researchers, healthcare providers issuing certifications, and patients enrolled in these studies, but does not legalize recreational use or broader medical access.

Maddy summaryHB 1006 proposes amending North Carolina's state constitution to require that all legislative bills address only one subject, with exceptions for general appropriations bills, tax bills, and technical corrections. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, this change would require lawmakers to draft bills with a single, clearly defined topic in their titles. The amendment must be ratified by a majority of voters in the November 2026 general election before taking effect. This is a procedural change affecting how bills are structured, not the content of legislation itself.