Rep. Maria Cervania

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 bill updates the mileage and per diem reimbursement rates for North Carolina state legislators to match the 2025 federal standards. It directly affects all members of the General Assembly by establishing that their travel pay for 2027 will be based on the Internal Revenue Service's business standard mileage rate and specific federal per diem amounts. The legislation also allocates $100,000 from the state's General Fund to cover the costs associated with implementing these rate changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1181 modifies North Carolina's property tax relief programs for seniors and disabled individuals by increasing the income limit for married couples and eliminating deferred tax liability under the homestead circuit breaker. The bill expands eligibility for the circuit breaker to include homeowners earning up to 70% of the area median income and introduces an alternative tax calculation for those who have owned their homes for at least 10 years. Additionally, the legislation appropriates funds to assist counties with property reappraisals and imposes an excise tax on the transfer of controlling interests in entities that hold real property interests.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local public school districts and charter schools in North Carolina to allow students with disabilities who attend private schools to enroll part-time in public programs. It mandates that schools create written policies permitting these students to access specific courses, services, or specialized education while remaining enrolled in their nonpublic schools. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that part-time students will not count toward a charter school's official enrollment growth numbers and provides $10,000 in funding to help schools cover the administrative costs of implementing these changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles to issue a special "Red Wolf" license plate for vehicle owners who wish to support the conservation of this native species. The plates will feature an image of a red wolf and carry an additional $30 fee, with specific portions of those funds directed to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for conservation, research, and habitat restoration efforts. To help launch the program, the state has appropriated $15,000 for plate design and production, while North Carolina State University is tasked with promoting the plate to its campus community and will report on its marketing efforts by September 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals injured during civil immigration enforcement to sue the person responsible, even if that person was acting under the law. It removes various legal immunities, such as official or sovereign immunity, that would normally protect defendants in such cases, while permitting courts to award damages and legal fees. Additionally, the legislation funds the creation of a downloadable "Know Your Rights" pamphlet to inform immigrants and citizens about their rights when encountering immigration officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new advisory council and grant program in North Carolina to support high-quality after-school activities for children and youth up to age 18. The legislation establishes a dedicated fund that will receive state appropriations, federal money, private donations, and any future legal settlements from social media companies, with the Department of Public Instruction managing the distribution of these funds. Eligible organizations, such as community groups and schools, can apply for grants to run structured programs that focus on positive youth development, provided they serve rural or underserved areas and meet specific quality standards. The program includes a two-year limit on individual grants, requires regular evaluation of participant outcomes, and allows for renewal based on performance, while ensuring that new funding supplements rather than replaces existing resources.

Maddy summaryHB 1153 aims to increase transparency in North Carolina's state budget process by requiring more public involvement before final budget votes. The bill mandates that the General Assembly hold at least one public hearing and three committee meetings while also providing a week for citizens to submit comments online. Additionally, it makes requests for funding from state agencies and legislators public records once the budget is enacted, though it preserves legal protections for attorney-client communications. To support these new requirements, the legislation allocates $250,000 annually to the Legislative Services Commission for maintaining the online comment portal and covering hearing expenses.