Rep. Phil Rubin

Maddy summaryHB 733, the "Everybody Eats Act," would allow North Carolina to bypass federal rules that block food assistance benefits for people convicted of certain drug-related felony offenses (Class H or I). It requires individuals to complete substance abuse treatment or avoid new drug offenses for six months after release or conviction to qualify for benefits, and extends the period for renewing eligibility from less than a year to 12 months. The bill directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals with specific drug felony convictions who meet treatment or offense-free conditions. It makes no changes to federal law but adjusts North Carolina's program implementation for food assistance and temporary aid.

Maddy summaryHB 688 creates a dedicated annual appropriation of $100,000 from the state General Fund to the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund specifically for inclusive playground projects. It directly affects local governments, public schools, and public authorities (as defined in state law) seeking to build or adapt playgrounds to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The bill provides grants of up to $5,000 per project, requiring recipients to match each $5 in state funds with $1 in local funds. This funding operates separately from other Trust Fund allocations, ensuring dedicated resources for accessibility improvements without reducing existing funding for state parks or coastal access. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 713 mandates that all North Carolina public schools provide free breakfast and lunch to every student, eliminating meal fees for all. This affects every student enrolled in public schools, including those in charter schools and regional school units, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill appropriates $144 million from the state General Fund to cover costs, with funds allocated based on school size, student eligibility for free/reduced meals, and nutritional quality standards. Schools must comply with federal nutrition guidelines while using state funds to supplement, not replace, existing meal program funding.

Maddy summaryHB 714 creates a state-run universal healthcare benefit plan administered by North Carolina's Commissioner of Insurance. It requires the plan to offer sliding-scale premiums based on household income, covering residents whose incomes exceed Medicaid eligibility but who cannot afford private insurance. The bill mandates the Commissioner to develop the plan by January 1, 2026, with a report to the legislature detailing implementation steps. It also appropriates $100,000 for initial planning in the 2025-2026 fiscal year and ensures coverage meets or exceeds federal Affordable Care Act standards.

Maddy summaryHB 715 appropriates $13.3 million annually from the General Fund to expand access to North Carolina's Prekindergarten (NC Pre-K) program for eligible children. The funding, allocated to the state's child development agency, will create additional program slots for children seeking enrollment starting July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects low-income 4-year-olds who qualify for the NC Pre-K program by increasing available spots through dedicated state funding. The legislation focuses solely on providing financial resources for program expansion, with no changes to eligibility criteria or program structure.

Maddy summaryHB 673 provides $656,000 annually from the state General Fund to cover transportation costs for neonatal patients in the UNC Health Care System when insurance denies coverage for ambulance services or mileage. It directly affects newborns requiring critical transport between UNC hospitals and their families, ensuring timely care without financial barriers from insurance denials. The bill requires the UNC Board of Governors to submit annual reports tracking funds used, number of transports covered, and effectiveness. This is a funding mechanism to fill coverage gaps, not a change to insurance rules, and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 665 creates the Public School Disaster Preparedness Fund to help North Carolina schools in high-risk natural disaster areas improve or replace vulnerable buildings. The fund, starting with $25 million for 2025-2026, requires schools to submit disaster preparedness plans detailing structural risks and improvement costs before receiving funding. Approved projects must meet state-set preparedness standards, with schools reporting annually on fund use and progress. The Department of Public Instruction administers applications on a rolling basis, requiring unanimous approval from the State Board of Education for disbursements.

Maddy summaryHB 668 establishes a program to expand free tax preparation assistance in North Carolina through two key components. It allocates $1.38 million (including $790,000 nonrecurring and $610,000 recurring annually) to fund community colleges to create tax preparation courses and paid work-study opportunities for students, enabling them to become IRS-certified VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) preparers. Additionally, it appropriates $840,000 to the United Way of North Carolina to increase VITA locations, hire staff, provide multilingual resources, and offer financial education. The bill directly helps low-income North Carolinians (earning under $67,000 annually, with disabilities, or limited English proficiency) who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit but often miss claiming it, by expanding access to free tax filing services starting July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 708 establishes a $2.5 million annual grant program to fund after-school robotics education for North Carolina high school students. It provides grants to public schools or community organizations partnering with approved robotics organizations (like nonprofits or universities) to cover robotics kits, coach stipends, competition fees, and program coordination. The bill also requires schools to grant excused absences for students participating in robotics competitions, aligning with existing policies for academic events. This directly supports high school students in STEM fields through structured, competitive robotics programs while mandating annual reporting on grant usage and student outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 726 establishes the North Carolina Commission on Youth Mentoring and Academic Enhancement to create a state grant program supporting local nonprofits providing mentoring and tutoring for high school students. The commission will distribute funding from the State Education Lottery to organizations focused on reducing substance use and gang involvement while building adult connections for at-risk youth in all 100 counties. Key provisions include requiring nonprofits to offer academic tutoring in core subjects and enrichment activities, with grants prioritizing programs where at least 60% of staff are under 30 and from the local community. The commission must report annually on grant recipients, funds distributed, and academic outcomes for participants.