Rep. Maria Cervania

Maddy summaryHB 750 appropriates $2.5 million annually (2025-2027) to fund grants for nonprofit community health centers in North Carolina. These grants enable centers to purchase and distribute long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), such as IUDs or implants, specifically for underserved, uninsured, or low-income patients. LARCs are defined as FDA-approved, temporary contraceptive methods requiring no daily user action (e.g., pills) and a prescription. The bill establishes a competitive grant process administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, targeting expanded access to these contraceptives without altering existing patient eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHB 745, the Fair Competition Study Act, requires North Carolina's Public Utilities Commission to study ways to improve competition in the state's energy market. The study will assess current electricity provider structures, evaluate regional market options like energy imbalance markets or transmission organizations, and analyze impacts on customer costs, environmental goals, and vulnerable communities. The Commission must complete the study within one year and report findings to lawmakers, with the goal of informing potential future policy changes. This bill does not change current energy laws but directs a review to guide future decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 742, the "North Carolina Healthy Schools Act of 2025," requires all public schools to adopt green cleaning policies using environmentally sensitive cleaning products when cost-effective. Public school units (including charter, regional, and local districts) must follow guidelines established by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), which will create annual standards for eco-friendly products and distribute them to schools. Schools unable to adopt the policy due to increased costs must provide annual written notifications to DPI instead. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year, with nonpublic schools having 50+ students encouraged - but not required - to follow similar practices.

Maddy summaryHB 735 amends North Carolina's transportation funding rules to clarify state support for rail projects. It sets a 10% cap on state funds for commuter and light rail projects - limiting spending to either 10% of a regional funding allocation or 10% of the project's estimated cost. The bill also creates a new eligibility category for public transit services spanning four or more counties and serving over three municipalities. Additionally, it specifies that the state will not cover costs exceeding these funding limits, requiring project agreements to include these restrictions. The changes apply directly to regional transit authorities and developers seeking state funding for rail infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 723 establishes the North Carolina Technology Coalitions Strategic Support Fund, allocating $10.5 million to support regional technology coalitions focused on sectors like AI, semiconductors, and cybersecurity. The fund provides grants to eligible organizations (including nonprofits, local governments, and academic institutions) operating within North Carolina to strengthen regional economic growth through coalition collaboration. Key provisions include funding for workforce training, market analysis, and matching funds to leverage private or federal investment, while requiring grantees to maintain operations in-state and avoid duplicate funding. The fund becomes effective July 1, 2025, with administration managed by the Department of Commerce’s Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Maddy summaryHB 710 establishes a three-year pilot program to fund mental health crisis units in North Carolina public schools. It allocates $2 million total (up to $250,000 annually per district) to select up to eight school districts starting in 2025-2026, prioritizing those with high student mental health needs or trauma history. Each participating district must staff units with at least a school nurse, social worker, and licensed counselor to provide crisis intervention during school hours and rotate across schools. The program requires annual reports on participating districts and student mental health impacts, ending June 30, 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 722 requires North Carolina courts to first assess a defendant's ability to pay before imposing criminal court costs and fees. It modifies rules for collecting specific costs like failure-to-appear fees ($200), crime lab services ($600 max), and digital forensics fees, requiring judges to determine affordability before assessment. The bill also mandates that courts provide 15 days' notice to government entities (like crime labs or prosecutors) before waiving or reducing fees, ensuring affected parties can object. This directly affects defendants convicted in criminal cases and government entities that collect or rely on these fees.

Maddy summaryHB 752 establishes two new funds to support transportation infrastructure: a $50 million Rail Fund for railroad upgrades, connections, and equipment, and an Airport Fund for airport capital improvements and flight incentives. The Rail Fund prioritizes projects that boost economic growth, with 60% of annual allocations reserved for matching federal grants and 30% for planning. The Airport Fund limits 80% of funds to capital projects (like runway upgrades), 17% to attract strategic flights, and up to 20% to safety improvements. Both funds require competitive allocation based on projected job creation and economic impact, with annual reports to lawmakers. This bill directly affects rail operators, airports, and industries relying on transportation networks across North Carolina.

Maddy summaryHB 630 restores a sales tax refund program for North Carolina's public school districts. It allows local school administrative units to receive annual refunds for sales tax paid on direct purchases of tangible property and services (like supplies or equipment), excluding items such as electricity, telecom, or food. The refund amount is capped at $13.3 million per year for all districts combined. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and adjusts state funding to reflect the restored refund program.

Maddy summaryHB 651 reduces parent cost-sharing for subsidized child care in North Carolina by lowering the copayment rate from 10% to 7% of gross family income. This change directly affects families enrolled in state-subsidized child care programs who pay a portion of their care costs. The bill appropriates $25 million annually from the General Fund for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to fund this reduction, effective July 1, 2025. It also specifies adjusted copayment rates for blended-rate and part-time care scenarios.