Rep. Charles Smith

Maddy summaryHB 464 requires every public school in North Carolina - including traditional, charter, regional, and laboratory schools - to have at least one full-time, permanent school nurse starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill appropriates $95 million from the state General Fund for the 2025-2026 school year to fund these additional nursing positions, with funds designated to supplement - not replace - existing school nurse funding. It amends multiple statutes to mandate this staffing requirement across all public school units. The law becomes effective July 1, 2025, with implementation beginning for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 465 waives the renewal fee for North Carolina drivers licenses that display an "active duty military designation" or "veteran military designation." It directly affects military service members (currently serving) and veterans who have these designations on their licenses. The bill amends state law to remove the standard $5.50 annual renewal fee for these specific license holders when renewing their licenses. The fee waiver takes effect July 1, 2025, for licenses renewed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 21 creates a voluntary designation on North Carolina driver's licenses for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as defined by state law. People with a medical diagnosis of ASD can request this designation by providing acceptable documentation, such as a healthcare professional's certification, to the Division of Motor Vehicles. The designation appears only in the license record and is accessible solely to law enforcement during interactions to promote safety - no other use is permitted. Individuals may add or remove the designation at any time without affecting their license eligibility or rights.

Maddy summaryHB 422, the "Beyond The Choice Act," eliminates a 12-month residency wait period for eligible veterans and their dependents at North Carolina public colleges and universities. It allows veterans who served 90+ days of active duty, their dependents, or other individuals covered under federal law (38 U.S.C. § 3679) to pay in-state tuition rates immediately upon admission, without needing to establish residency first. This change applies to all qualifying students enrolling in the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond. The bill directly benefits veterans and their families by reducing financial barriers to higher education in North Carolina.

Maddy summaryHB 182 creates two key policy changes: First, it allows judges to issue lifetime no-contact orders against defendants convicted of certain violent offenses (including sex offenses requiring registration), requiring a show-cause hearing to determine if the victim fears future contact. Second, it clarifies that caregivers of children under 16 who commit or allow sexual acts with the child face Class D felony charges, specifically expanding penalties for permitting such abuse. The law directly affects victims of violent crimes (through the no-contact protections) and caregivers of children under 16 (through updated felony charges for sexual abuse). These provisions apply to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 367 requires North Carolina's State Crime Laboratory to provide sexual assault victims with updates on the status of their examination kits. Victims will be notified if their kit cannot be tested, if testing is declined for reasons other than untestability, or if the kit is scheduled for destruction. The law mandates that the lab develop procedures for these notifications but specifies victims must provide and maintain current contact information. This law takes effect October 1, 2025, applying to all kits submitted before, on, or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 365, the Workforce Education Act, revises North Carolina's community college funding model to base allocations on student enrollment in workforce-focused programs like career training and continuing education, starting in 2025-2026. It creates an Enrollment Increase Reserve (funded with $6 million initially) to provide additional support to colleges experiencing enrollment growth exceeding 5% or 325 students, preventing funds from reverting to the general budget. The bill also expands funding for cooperative high schools in underserved areas, with tiered payments based on county development status (e.g., $740,000 for first high schools in "Tier One" regions). These changes directly affect community colleges, public school students accessing career programs, and participating high schools seeking to expand workforce education opportunities.

Maddy summaryHB 360, the Homeowner Protection Act, targets fraud involving residential property documents. It increases penalties for forging deeds, leases, or wills related to homes (making it a Class D felony instead of Class H) and creates an expedited court process for victims. Homeowners affected by fraudulent property records can file a "memorandum of possible fraud" to trigger a court hearing, where judges can void the false documents and clear title clouds. The law also requires recording offices to flag fraudulent instruments and prohibits fees for these protective filings. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 299 increases the property tax exemption for disabled veterans in North Carolina from $45,000 to $54,000 of a home's appraised value. It directly affects qualifying disabled veterans who own and occupy their primary residence, allowing them to exclude a larger portion of their home's value from property taxes. The bill amends Section 105-277.1C of state law to reflect this higher exclusion limit, while maintaining that recipients cannot claim other property tax relief. This change takes effect for property taxes due on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 179 would allow North Carolina taxpayers to deduct labor union membership dues from their state income tax starting in 2026. The bill creates a new tax deduction for dues, fees, assessments, or other payments required to maintain membership in a labor organization, as defined by state law. This applies specifically to individuals who pay such costs as a condition of union participation. The policy change takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.