Rep. Frances Jackson

Maddy summaryHB 930 creates two separate $1,500 one-time bonus programs for eligible public employees in North Carolina: first responders (including police, firefighters, emergency medical staff, dispatchers, and public hospital nurses) and teachers (classroom staff, principals, and support personnel). The bill allocates $130 million annually for first responders and $165 million for teachers from the General Fund during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, with funds distributed to local governments and school districts by November 1 each year. To qualify, recipients must be employed on October 1 of the fiscal year, and bonuses must be paid by December 31 (prorated for part-time workers). Funds cannot cover administrative costs, must be paid in addition to base salary, and will revert to the General Fund if unspent by year-end. The program takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 940 prohibits employment discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions in North Carolina. It requires employers to treat pregnant employees the same as others with similar abilities to work, provide reasonable accommodations (like modified schedules or breastfeeding breaks), and grant leave for pregnancy-related disability on par with other medical leave. The bill also mandates that employers allow return to the same or equivalent position after leave and clarifies that discrimination claims must be filed within three years. It directly affects employers with 15+ employees and pregnant or postpartum workers in North Carolina.

Maddy summaryHB 884 increases the gross receipts threshold for artisanal bakeries to remain exempt from North Carolina's sales tax on prepared foods. Specifically, it raises the annual revenue limit from $1.8 million to $2.4 million (combined with related persons), while maintaining the requirement that bakeries derive over 80% of revenue from bakery items like bread, pastries, and cakes. This change directly affects small bakeries that previously exceeded the $1.8 million limit but now qualify for tax exemption under the new threshold. The bill modifies existing tax law (G.S. 105-164.13B) to expand the exemption to more small bakeries, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 943 appropriates $100,000 annually from 2025-2027 to expand North Carolina's Teacher Cadet Program (NCTCP), which targets high-achieving high school students - particularly those from underrepresented groups like people of color (42% of cadets vs. 21% of current teachers) and males (25% of cadets) - to enter teaching careers. The funds will support statewide teacher training workshops (in-person and online), prioritize expansion in counties with high teacher turnover (especially rural and low-performing schools), and develop training for underrepresented cadets using current teachers and students. This directly affects high school students in NCTCP participating in the program and their future schools, aiming to strengthen the teacher pipeline in underserved communities. The bill focuses on concrete funding for program growth, not policy changes to teaching standards or school operations.

Maddy summaryHB 941 expands North Carolina's Teaching Fellows Program to address teacher shortages by providing forgivable loans to students pursuing teaching careers in high-need areas like special education, STEM, elementary education (K-6), and specific secondary subjects. The bill establishes a Trust Fund to cover loan amounts (up to $12,000 annually for up to four years), administrative costs, mentorship, and extracurricular programs like summer initiatives and alumni engagement. It requires selected colleges to meet strict standards, including high graduate effectiveness rates, alignment with "Science of Reading" training for elementary programs, and diverse school practicum opportunities. The program directly affects prospective teachers enrolled at up to 14 approved institutions of higher education who commit to teaching in qualifying licensure areas across North Carolina public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 950 would modify North Carolina's property tax relief for elderly and disabled homeowners by raising the age requirement from 65 to 70, eliminating income eligibility requirements, and expanding the tax exclusion to cover 100% of a home's appraised value. Currently, applicants must be 65 or older (or disabled), meet income limits, and occupy the home as a primary residence; the bill removes income caps and requires applicants to be 70 or older. This means qualifying homeowners would pay no property tax on their primary residence under the new rules, as the entire home value would be excluded. The changes would take effect for tax years beginning July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 947 ("Every Child Reads") requires North Carolina public schools to screen all students in kindergarten through third grade, sixth grade, and ninth grade for dyslexia using state-approved tools. It mandates teacher training on dyslexia identification and evidence-based reading interventions, and requires literacy instruction in middle schools to align with the Science of Reading. The bill also creates Individual Reading Plans (IRPs) for kindergarten through third graders struggling with reading, based on assessment data, and transfers the NC Pre-K program to the Department of Public Instruction. These provisions directly affect students with dyslexia, K-3 teachers, and school districts implementing literacy programs.

Maddy summaryHB 916 strengthens North Carolina's Do Not Call and Do Not Text Registry by requiring telemarketers to remove registered numbers from their contact lists within 30 business days when a resident requests no further calls, reducing the previous timeframe from 60 days. It directly affects North Carolina residents who have registered their phone numbers and telemarketers operating in the state, including partner companies. Key provisions include clarifying that "telephone solicitation" covers text messages and automated calls, and holding companies jointly liable if they accept sales leads generated by illegal telemarketing calls. The bill updates state law to align with federal telemarketing rules and enforce stricter compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 942 allocates $10 million in recurring state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault. This funding will be distributed by the Coalition to partner organizations, including domestic violence programs, rape crisis centers, and child advocacy centers. The bill directs these organizations to use the funds for victim advocacy services, such as counseling and support for survivors of sexual assault. The legislation becomes effective July 1, 2025, and directly supports survivors by strengthening local victim services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Free to Learn Library Bill of Rights Act in North Carolina to protect residents' rights to access information, maintain privacy, and participate in library services without discrimination or undue restriction. It applies to all public libraries, including their online services and digital resources, and outlines specific rights such as unrestricted access to materials regardless of viewpoint, protection from surveillance and intimidation, confidentiality of library records, and fair access for all patrons regardless of personal characteristics. The legislation also includes anti-retaliation protections for library employees and volunteers who report violations, requires regional library systems to document compliance, and mandates strict data privacy practices for online usage tracking. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds to support implementation and directs the State Library to provide model language for interlocal agreements to ensure consistent compliance across the state.