Rep. Zack Hawkins

Maddy summaryHB 256 repeals North Carolina's current ban on public employee collective bargaining, allowing state and local government workers (like teachers, police, and administrative staff) to negotiate wages and working conditions with their employers. The bill removes existing legal restrictions (Article 12 of Chapter 95) and explicitly states that public employees' bargaining rights apply to all state and local government employers. It does not create new benefits or funding but aligns public sector bargaining rights with those already available to private sector employees. The bill’s key provision is the repeal of the prohibition, enabling public employees to collectively bargain under existing state law.

Maddy summaryHB 209 authorizes Durham Public Schools and Durham County to create affordable rental housing for teachers, police officers, first responders, and other Durham County employees. The bill allows these entities to partner using their existing land to build housing, with at least 75% of units reserved specifically for Durham Public Schools teachers. Rent will be set at reasonable, below-market rates, and all housing must comply with standard building and safety codes. The bill is currently pending in committee and does not change existing zoning or safety regulations for the housing units.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands privacy protections for minors participating in certain local government or Partnership for Children-funded programs by restricting public access to their personal details. It prevents disclosure of identifying information like names, addresses, birth dates, parent/guardian details, and email addresses in public records, though county/town of residence remains public (with other details redacted). The law applies specifically to programs in Chatham County, Durham County, and several towns including Apex, Cary, Raleigh, and others. Scholarship names are explicitly excluded from these protections, and the bill clarifies the information is not confidential but simply not subject to public disclosure under this rule.

Maddy summaryHB 215 requires the Charlotte Firefighters' Retirement System to maintain data breach and cyber liability insurance specifically covering participants and beneficiaries. It mandates that annual reports to the City Council include details about any data breaches affecting the system, including incident costs and response steps. The bill directly affects current and future firefighters who participate in the retirement system by adding transparency and financial safeguards for their personal data. These provisions update existing system rules to address modern cybersecurity risks without changing benefit calculations or eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 225 restores local government authority to initiate down-zoning in Wake Forest and Rolesville without requiring written consent from all affected property owners. It reverses a 2024 law that had mandated such consent, allowing towns to adjust zoning to reduce development density or limit permitted land uses (like changing from mixed-use to single-family zones) without owner approval. The bill applies only to these two towns and takes effect retroactively to December 11, 2024, making any down-zoning ordinances adopted after that date valid as if the prior consent rule never existed. This change directly affects property owners in these towns whose land might be rezoned to less dense or restricted uses.

Maddy summaryHB 228 appropriates $25,000 in one-time state funds to the City of Asheville for a study on extending the city's water system to serve Pisgah View State Park. The study will assess the practicality, costs, and feasibility of building this water infrastructure extension. This bill directly affects Asheville and the new state park by funding preliminary analysis before any potential construction. The funds are allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and require the city to conduct or facilitate the study by July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 157 is a procedural resolution inviting Governor Josh Stein to address a joint session of the North Carolina General Assembly on March 12, 2025. It directs a committee of five House members and five Senate members to extend the invitation and specifies that the governor's cabinet, Council of State members, and state judges may attend. This resolution does not create new policy or affect any laws; it solely schedules a ceremonial address. The invitation is effective upon ratification, as noted in the resolution's text.

Maddy summaryHB 194 allows Asheville City Schools to adopt an earlier start date (as early as August 19) for the 2025-2026 school year, instead of the standard August 26 requirement, if the school district demonstrates "good cause" through documented severe weather or emergency closures over the past decade. The bill requires Asheville to maintain the minimum required instructional days while adjusting the calendar, but does not change the standard end date (June 11). It applies exclusively to Asheville City Schools and is effective for the 2025-2026 school year. This is a targeted policy change for Asheville's specific operational needs, not a statewide rule.

Maddy summaryHB 200 allows Pender County Schools to align their academic calendar with Cape Fear Community College's schedule, instead of following North Carolina's standard requirement for schools to open no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26. This exception applies exclusively to Pender County Schools and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year. The bill modifies existing law to permit this calendar alignment without requiring a "good cause" waiver for weather or emergencies. It does not change calendar rules for any other school districts in North Carolina.

Maddy summaryHB 202, the "Defense Against Porch Pirates Act," creates a new criminal offense for stealing delivered packages or mail. It defines "mail" broadly to include packages and valuable items left for delivery, making it illegal to unlawfully take or control such items with intent to deprive the owner or benefit unauthorized people. The law sets tiered penalties: Class A1 misdemeanors for first-time, low-value thefts ($200 or less), and escalating to Class E or D felonies for higher-value items ($200+), repeat offenses, or thefts exceeding $2,000. This directly affects individuals who steal deliveries and provides law enforcement with a specific legal tool to address package theft.