Rep. Bryan Cohn

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill prohibits cities, counties, and local or state law enforcement agencies from entering contracts to detain noncitizens in locked immigration facilities for civil immigration cases. It also bans these agencies from maintaining facilities specifically designed to house individuals awaiting removal proceedings under federal authority. To support oversight, the Department of Public Safety must collect and report annual data on detainees, including demographics, legal status, and release or deportation details. The law includes funding for administrative costs and is set to take effect on December 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1206 establishes the North Carolina Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to protect employees from discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. The law requires private employers with 15 or more employees, as well as state and local government entities, to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees who have communicated their limitations, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Key provisions prohibit denying employment opportunities, forcing specific accommodations without consultation, or taking adverse action against workers who request or use these accommodations. The bill also outlines enforcement mechanisms, allowing aggrieved employees to file civil lawsuits for remedies such as back pay, compensatory damages, and reinstatement, with a three-year statute of limitations for filing claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "Save Our Beaches," stops a specific rule that would have allowed the use of wheat straw bales for sand fencing in North Carolina's ocean hazard areas. By disapproving this rule, the legislation ensures that beach restoration projects in these zones cannot rely on this particular type of temporary barrier. The change directly affects coastal management agencies and contractors who might have planned to use wheat straw bales for erosion control. Ultimately, the bill leaves the decision of which materials are permitted for sand fencing to existing regulations rather than the new wheat straw provision.

Maddy summaryHB 1183, titled 'Defend NC,' prohibits North Carolina law enforcement agencies and officers from assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in arrests or serving removal warrants. The bill also directs state agencies to explore alternatives for health and education funding lost due to federal cuts and mandates a study to potentially create a new state health research institute. Additionally, it temporarily exempts certain tariff-affected goods from sales tax in 2026 and includes general statements of intent to protect Medicaid eligibility and uphold federal promises to North Carolinians.

Maddy summaryHB 1209 appropriates $1 million in recurring state funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to expand the North Carolina New Teacher Support Program. The money is directed to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors to provide embedded instructional coaching and professional development for beginning teachers within local school districts. Key provisions include partnering with teacher training programs to extend support after graduation, aligning coaching with evidence-based practices, and prioritizing high-need rural areas to help retain new educators. This legislation aims to create a more coherent system for teacher development by connecting pre-service training with ongoing in-district support.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new North Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission to strengthen economic and cultural connections between the state and Ireland. The commission will be composed of seven members appointed by state legislative leaders and the governor, including representatives from business, education, and Irish-American civic organizations. Its primary responsibilities include encouraging trade and investment, facilitating exchanges, and submitting annual reports to the state legislature. The state will allocate $10,000 for administrative support, and the commission is set to begin operations in October 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1172, known as the Ciji Graham Act, establishes a High-Risk Pregnancy Care Navigation Program in North Carolina to assist patients with high-risk pregnancies by providing licensed nurse consultants who help coordinate care and address access barriers. The bill also creates a statewide pregnancy consultation hotline for healthcare providers and community organizations to offer real-time clinical guidance and referrals, alongside a centralized digital hub containing clinical guidelines and provider directories. Funded through the state's General Fund starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, these measures aim to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities by ensuring timely access to specialized care and resources.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill aims to increase access to quantum computing education by funding STEM programs in public schools, particularly those near military bases. It allocates $2.6 million to hire specialized teachers and create hands-on learning opportunities for students, while also establishing a $200,000 grant program for universities to partner with high schools on research projects. Additionally, the legislation creates an income tax credit for businesses that participate in these educational initiatives, though the specific details of the tax credit are not fully shown in the provided text.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing opaque facial coverings, such as balaclavas or tactical masks, while performing their duties, unless specific exceptions apply. The law allows for exceptions during active undercover operations, tactical situations requiring physical safety protection, and when protecting an officer's identity during prosecution, while also permitting religious head coverings and medical masks. To enforce this rule, agencies must create and publicly post written policies that prioritize transparency and limit the use of coverings to clearly defined circumstances. Additionally, the bill requires officers to clearly display their agency identification on uniforms and to identify themselves by name or badge number upon request. The legislation also includes a provision that removes certain legal protections for officers who commit specific torts, like assault or false imprisonment, while knowingly violating the facial covering ban.

Maddy summaryHB 1179 modifies North Carolina's property tax relief programs to help seniors and disabled homeowners by allowing them to combine two existing benefits and removing a strict income cutoff that previously denied aid to those just above the limit. The bill introduces a gradual phaseout for the elderly homestead exclusion, reducing benefits by 3.33% for every 1% of income earned above 55% of the state median, while also permitting eligible owners to stack this relief with the circuit breaker program. Additionally, the legislation clarifies rules for seniors living in shared or inherited properties to ensure they can receive full relief if no other non-spouse owner resides there. To offset the increased costs for local governments, the bill requires the state to reimburse counties for revenue losses and provides funding to support more frequent property tax reappraisals.