Rep. Zack Hawkins

Maddy summaryHB 1047, the North Carolina Microplastics Study Act, directs the North Carolina Collaboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study the presence and impacts of microplastics in the state's waterways. Funded with $150,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the bill requires the Collaboratory to identify plastic particles, assess their environmental and health risks, and develop strategies to prevent future pollution and reverse existing harm. The Collaboratory must work with state agencies and stakeholders to create a prioritized research plan and standardized detection methods, ultimately submitting a comprehensive report with findings and policy recommendations by July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the North Carolina Attorney General to investigate any incidents within the state involving federal immigration enforcement that result in serious bodily injury or death. The law defines federal immigration enforcement to include agents from Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as local officers authorized to perform immigration duties. Upon completing an investigation, the Attorney General must publicly release findings and recommendations while protecting the identities of victims and minors, and must also provide copies to state legislative leaders. To support these investigations, the bill appropriates $450,000 in state funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and applies to incidents occurring after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1057, known as the Affordable Food Act, aims to improve food security in North Carolina by expanding access to nutritious food and supporting local agriculture. The bill authorizes the state to request a federal waiver to create a program that matches SNAP benefits for purchases of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods at retailers and farmers markets. It also allocates state funding to administer these incentive programs and covers potential administrative losses due to recent federal changes to SNAP. Additionally, the legislation seeks to protect agricultural land from development and prohibits dynamic pricing in grocery stores to stabilize food costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new salary schedules for public school teachers and principals in North Carolina effective for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It sets specific monthly pay rates for teachers based on years of experience and adds bonuses for those with advanced certifications or degrees, while also adjusting compensation for school support staff like nurses and counselors. Principals will receive annual salaries determined by their school's student enrollment and performance growth scores over the previous three years. Additionally, the legislation enhances sick leave benefits for state employees and provides a cost-of-living adjustment for certain retirees.

Maddy summaryHB 1017 aims to improve teacher quality and availability in North Carolina by creating new roles, funding recruitment programs, and launching studies to address workforce challenges. The bill directs the state to develop a comprehensive plan for reforming teacher licensing and compensation to attract more educators, while also studying how to better prepare and graduate 5,000 in-state teachers annually. Significant funding is allocated to support existing and new teacher recruitment initiatives, such as "Grow-Your-Own" programs and the Teaching Fellows loan program, specifically targeting high-need schools and subjects like special education and STEM. Additionally, the legislation mandates a study to coordinate recruitment efforts between universities and local school districts to ensure a more efficient statewide system.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special license plate for the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority in North Carolina and updates the fees and fund distributions for several other plates associated with the Divine Nine, a group of historically Black fraternities and sororities. The new plate will display the sorority's symbol, name, and its motto, "Greater Service, Greater Progress," while owners will pay a $20 additional fee on top of the standard registration cost. Money collected from these special plates is split between state funds and specific organizations, with the bill directing quarterly transfers to the educational foundations of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, and Sigma Gamma Rho. Additionally, the legislation organizes the list of all available special plates alphabetically to improve clarity.

Maddy summaryHB 434, titled "Lower Healthcare Costs," is a procedural bill focused on updating definitions related to health insurance utilization review in North Carolina. It rewrites statutory definitions (e.g., "medical necessity," "clinical peer," "closely related service") within existing insurance regulations but does not introduce new cost-saving mechanisms or policy changes. The bill directly affects insurers, healthcare providers, and covered individuals by standardizing terminology used in prior authorization processes. As a definition-only update, it has no concrete policy impact on healthcare costs or patient access, and the title does not align with its actual scope.

Maddy summaryHB 837 is a study bill requiring North Carolina to examine alternative highway funding methods, primarily to address potential revenue gaps as electric/hybrid vehicle adoption grows. It directs the Legislative Services Officer and Transportation Oversight Committee to hire a consultant to study mileage-based fees (VMT) for electric/hybrid vehicles and a new "Access User Fee" for all non-diesel vehicles (replacing gas taxes). The study must be completed by May 2026, with findings reported to key legislative committees. This bill does not implement new fees but assesses options affecting all vehicle owners, particularly electric/hybrid drivers and non-diesel vehicle registrants. It allocates $125,000 from the Highway Fund for the study, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 378 requires North Carolina public schools to evaluate long-term technology costs - including repair expenses and resale value - when purchasing devices like computers and tablets. Schools must report annually on the "break/fix rate" (the percentage of devices malfunctioning or needing repair before their expected lifespan), total device counts, and repair costs to the State Board of Education. The State Board will compile these reports and provide an annual summary with recommendations to the legislature for reducing device repair rates. This bill directly affects all public school units, including charter schools, by adding these reporting requirements to existing education laws.

Maddy summaryHB 819 creates North Carolina's Longitudinal Data System, which links student education data (like test scores, graduation records, and course enrollment) with workforce data (such as employment and wages) to track student outcomes. It directly affects public schools, universities, the Department of Public Instruction, and workforce agencies by requiring them to share de-identified student data through this centralized system. Key provisions include strict privacy safeguards (complying with FERPA and HIPAA), mandatory data security plans, a 5-year limit on linking education and workforce data, and annual reporting requirements for the system's oversight body. The bill aims to improve education policy decisions while ensuring data privacy and security for students.