Rep. Jimmy Dixon

Maddy summaryHB 966, the College Cost Reduction Act, prohibits all University of North Carolina (UNC) schools from requiring students to pay extra for mandatory course software (Learning Management Systems or LMS). It directly affects UNC students by banning any requirement for paid LMS access beyond existing, approved student fees. The bill mandates the UNC Board of Governors to create a policy ensuring professors or courses cannot force students to pay for LMS services - only free or fee-covered options may be required. The rule takes effect for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Maddy summaryHB 972 allocates $15.76 million in one-time state funds to Wayne County for specific public projects, directly affecting local schools, infrastructure, and community programs. Key provisions include $5 million for Rosewood Middle School capital improvements, $2 million for Dillard Middle School athletic track upgrades, $750,000 for Union Station revitalization, and smaller grants for water/sewer upgrades, the sheriff's training facility, and local organizations like Wayne County United Way. The bill also provides separate funding for court-related positions in Wayne County and neighboring areas, including a new public defender district. All funding is designated for specific, named projects with no broad policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 986, "Support Our Teachers," prohibits North Carolina school districts from requiring teachers to post lesson plans or objectives and bans schools from assigning work during teachers' designated lunch breaks. It also mandates that school districts compensate teachers financially for time spent leading professional development sessions for colleagues. The bill directly affects public school teachers and administrators across North Carolina, taking effect for the 2025-2026 school year. These provisions aim to reduce administrative burdens and recognize teachers' time spent in professional roles.

Maddy summaryHB 892 establishes a North Carolina grant program to help residents in Western counties impacted by Hurricane Helene obtain Commercial Driver's License (CDL) training and secure related jobs. The program provides $4,000 per trainee to approved CDL training providers (offering four-week accelerated programs within 75 miles of Asheville) and $1,500 for temporary housing stipends for trainees needing financial assistance. Priority is given to Western NC residents affected by Hurricane Helene, with $2.5 million in state funds allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The initiative connects training directly to disaster recovery employment through partnerships with local employers and housing providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires North Carolina state agencies and local governments to only purchase U.S. and North Carolina flags made entirely in the United States using domestically grown or produced materials. It prohibits using public funds for any U.S. or state flags not 100% manufactured in America from domestic materials. The rule applies to all new flag purchases starting October 1, 2025. It directly affects all government offices responsible for buying flags with public money.

Maddy summaryHB 776, the North Carolina Religious Freedom Restoration Act, requires state and local governments to apply strict scrutiny before restricting religious practices. It protects religious gatherings in places of worship, homes, and neighborhoods from neutral laws or regulations that incidentally burden faith, such as housing rules or emergency orders. The law defines a "burden" as any government action limiting religious exercise (including withholding benefits or imposing penalties) and mandates that such restrictions must serve a compelling government interest through the least restrictive means. It explicitly does not affect constitutional protections against government establishment of religion or alter existing housing nondiscrimination laws.

Maddy summaryHB 780 appropriates $2 million to expand the All Pro Dad program in North Carolina through Family First, Inc., funding school-based chapters, father-child engagement events, and parenting resources. It also creates the "Responsible Fatherhood NC" program under the Department of Health and Human Services, requiring a nonprofit manager to run a statewide media campaign, provide father-focused resources, and promote existing fatherhood initiatives. The bill directs grants to community organizations addressing fathers' needs - such as employment, child support, and parenting skills - with priority given to areas facing high unemployment, incarceration, or single-parent households. The program directly supports North Carolina fathers and their children, aiming to improve family well-being through increased paternal involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 15 clarifies that including property in a non-financially constrained comprehensive transportation plan does not require disclosure as a "material fact" in real estate transactions. It removes the obligation for sellers, agents, or buyers to disclose this detail when selling, leasing, or exchanging property, covering transactions listed under North Carolina law (G.S. 47E-1). The bill also prohibits knowingly making false statements about such property inclusions. It directly affects real estate transactions involving properties near planned transportation projects, changing disclosure requirements effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 134 requires manufacturers of cell-cultured, insect-based, or plant-based food products to clearly label items that use meat-related terms (like "beef" or "chicken") with specific qualifying terms (such as "cell-cultured," "plant-based," or "insect-based") in prominent, close proximity on packaging. This directly affects food companies producing alternative meat products that might otherwise confuse consumers by mimicking traditional meat names. The bill defines key terms like "identifying meat term" and "qualifying term" to ensure labels are clear and prevent misleading representations. It mandates that products using terms like "beef" or "chicken" must include these qualifiers to avoid being deemed "misbranded" under North Carolina law. The law aims to ensure transparency for consumers about the origin of these food products.

Maddy summaryHB 186, the "Stars and Stripes Commitment Act," requires all North Carolina public schools (including charter, regional, and laboratory schools) to schedule the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance within one hour of the start of the instructional day. It also mandates that schools display U.S. and North Carolina flags in classrooms when available and provide age-appropriate instruction about the flag and pledge’s meaning. The bill applies to all school governing bodies and state education board meetings, requiring the pledge to open each meeting. Crucially, it explicitly states the policy does not compel anyone to stand, salute, or recite the pledge. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.