Rep. Maria Cervania

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for electric utilities serving large data centers in North Carolina, which are defined as facilities with a power demand of over 20 megawatts. It requires utilities to file specific tariffs that ensure these large customers pay for all the costs of building and maintaining the necessary power infrastructure, preventing rate hikes for regular residential and business customers. To protect the public, the law mandates strict contract terms, including a minimum 10-year commitment and a requirement for data centers to use at least 85% of their requested power, along with financial guarantees to cover potential risks if a facility closes early. Starting in 2028, no large data center can receive electricity unless the utility has a tariff approved by the state commission that meets these specific conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Child Welfare Case Escalation Team to provide an extra layer of safety review for juveniles with complex histories of abuse or neglect. The team, composed of state and local representatives, will be activated when cases meet specific risk criteria, such as multiple prior reports, patterns of medical neglect, or a history involving child fatalities. Once triggered, the team will conduct a thorough assessment of the case, identify gaps in services, and collaborate with county social services to develop improved safety plans. This new mechanism aims to ensure consistent quality assurance and better protect vulnerable children by addressing chronic issues that may have been missed in previous interventions.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs North Carolina's Utilities Commission to adjust electricity rates to reflect fuel costs that utilities incurred after a previous rate-setting period ended. It requires the commission to include these recent fuel expenses in rate calculations, provided they were reasonable and prudently spent, while explicitly excluding costs from before that earlier period. The law also mandates that any difference between what utilities collected and what they actually spent on fuel be corrected over a 12-month period with interest applied. Additionally, the bill allocates $10,000 in state funds to the commission to support the administrative work needed to implement these changes, which will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill makes it illegal for drivers to hold a live animal in their lap while operating a vehicle on public roads. The law classifies this violation as a minor infraction punishable by a $100 fine and court costs, but it does not add points to a driver's license or increase insurance rates. Additionally, the statute clarifies that breaking this rule does not automatically establish negligence in legal cases involving vehicle accidents. To support enforcement and education, the state will allocate $50,000 for a public awareness campaign starting in July 2026, with the law taking full effect on December 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution encourages Congress to allow states like North Carolina to regulate artificial intelligence for consumer protection purposes. It asserts that state governments should retain the authority to investigate and enforce laws against unfair or deceptive practices involving AI systems. The bill opposes any federal restrictions that would prevent states from applying their existing consumer protection rules to new technologies. Ultimately, it aims to ensure that local laws remain effective in addressing commercial abuses regardless of whether artificial intelligence is used.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a paid bereavement leave program for state employees, public school staff, and community college workers in North Carolina, effective July 1, 2026. It grants up to 40 hours of paid time off for the death of an immediate family member and up to eight hours for the death of a colleague who worked at the same agency within the past year. The legislation requires employees to provide documentation of the death and mandates that leave for family members be used within 180 days, while also allocating $2 million from the state budget to fund these benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal pathway in North Carolina allowing individuals to sue anyone, including federal officials, for violating their rights under the U.S. Constitution. It establishes a civil cause of action that permits victims to seek monetary compensation, court orders to stop the violation, and payment for legal fees. The law explicitly states that it does not allow lawsuits against the state itself or waive the state's immunity from being sued. Additionally, the bill appropriates $150,000 to fund public education efforts about these new rights, with the main provisions taking effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits gambling on prediction markets in North Carolina by amending state gambling laws to explicitly include these platforms. It defines a prediction market as any online or physical platform where people bet money on the outcome of future events, making such activities a Class 2 misdemeanor for operators and participants. The law applies to both residents and non-residents offering services to North Carolina users and takes effect on December 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill allocates $10,000 in state funds to the State Lottery Commission to support enforcement efforts starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $200 million in recurring state funds to expand access to the North Carolina Pre-K program for all income-eligible four-year-olds. The additional money is directed to the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure these children can participate in the program starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and does not alter existing eligibility criteria or program requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1178, known as the NC Teacher Pay Competitiveness Act, establishes a permanent salary increase plan for public school teachers in North Carolina to help the state compete with neighboring regions. The bill creates a new salary schedule that begins in the 2026-2027 school year and mandates annual raises of 3.67% until 2033, after which increases will be tied to federal employment cost data. Additionally, the legislation provides specific monthly bonuses for teachers with advanced certifications or degrees and adjusts funding for the Opportunity Scholarship program.