Rep. Frances Jackson

Maddy summaryHB 253 restores Henderson County's authority to implement down-zoning (reducing development density or permitted land uses) with a key exception: it requires written consent from all affected property owners unless the down-zoning serves farmland preservation in agricultural districts or floodplain mitigation in FEMA-designated flood areas. The bill directly affects Henderson County property owners and local government officials, limiting down-zoning actions without consent except for these two specific purposes. It applies only to Henderson County, including its municipalities, and takes effect retroactively to December 11, 2024, to revert zoning changes made after that date under previous law. The bill defines "down-zoning" as decreasing density, reducing permitted uses, or creating nonconformities on land.

Maddy summaryHB 256 repeals North Carolina's current ban on public employee collective bargaining, allowing state and local government workers (like teachers, police, and administrative staff) to negotiate wages and working conditions with their employers. The bill removes existing legal restrictions (Article 12 of Chapter 95) and explicitly states that public employees' bargaining rights apply to all state and local government employers. It does not create new benefits or funding but aligns public sector bargaining rights with those already available to private sector employees. The bill’s key provision is the repeal of the prohibition, enabling public employees to collectively bargain under existing state law.

Maddy summaryHB 48 raises North Carolina's maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $350 to $400 for claimants filing on or after March 2, 2025, directly affecting unemployed workers. It also creates a 2025 tax credit for employers, allowing them to offset unemployment insurance taxes paid on 2024 fourth-quarter wages against their 2025 tax liability. The credit applies only to contributions remitted by January 31, 2025, and must be claimed via a specific report. The bill ratifies a governor's temporary disaster-related unemployment expansion but focuses on permanent changes to benefit levels and employer tax treatment.

Maddy summaryHB 209 authorizes Durham Public Schools and Durham County to create affordable rental housing for teachers, police officers, first responders, and other Durham County employees. The bill allows these entities to partner using their existing land to build housing, with at least 75% of units reserved specifically for Durham Public Schools teachers. Rent will be set at reasonable, below-market rates, and all housing must comply with standard building and safety codes. The bill is currently pending in committee and does not change existing zoning or safety regulations for the housing units.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands privacy protections for minors participating in certain local government or Partnership for Children-funded programs by restricting public access to their personal details. It prevents disclosure of identifying information like names, addresses, birth dates, parent/guardian details, and email addresses in public records, though county/town of residence remains public (with other details redacted). The law applies specifically to programs in Chatham County, Durham County, and several towns including Apex, Cary, Raleigh, and others. Scholarship names are explicitly excluded from these protections, and the bill clarifies the information is not confidential but simply not subject to public disclosure under this rule.

Maddy summaryHB 215 requires the Charlotte Firefighters' Retirement System to maintain data breach and cyber liability insurance specifically covering participants and beneficiaries. It mandates that annual reports to the City Council include details about any data breaches affecting the system, including incident costs and response steps. The bill directly affects current and future firefighters who participate in the retirement system by adding transparency and financial safeguards for their personal data. These provisions update existing system rules to address modern cybersecurity risks without changing benefit calculations or eligibility.

Maddy summaryHJR 157 is a procedural resolution inviting Governor Josh Stein to address a joint session of the North Carolina General Assembly on March 12, 2025. It directs a committee of five House members and five Senate members to extend the invitation and specifies that the governor's cabinet, Council of State members, and state judges may attend. This resolution does not create new policy or affect any laws; it solely schedules a ceremonial address. The invitation is effective upon ratification, as noted in the resolution's text.

Maddy summaryHB 130 establishes a $475 million program to provide financial assistance to North Carolina farmers who suffered crop losses from natural disasters in 2024. It directly affects farmers in counties designated by the USDA as disaster areas, requiring verified losses of eligible agricultural commodities (like crops, livestock, or specialty plants) planted but not harvested by January 1, 2024. The program uses county and state yield/price averages to calculate payments, mandates submission of USDA Form 578 or equivalent documentation within 30 days, and allocates funds from state reserves (Stabilization, IT, and Economic Development) to cover verified losses. Farmers must provide documentation for verification, and the Department of Agriculture may audit claims to ensure proper use of funds, with refunds required for inaccurate information.

Maddy summaryHB 202, the "Defense Against Porch Pirates Act," creates a new criminal offense for stealing delivered packages or mail. It defines "mail" broadly to include packages and valuable items left for delivery, making it illegal to unlawfully take or control such items with intent to deprive the owner or benefit unauthorized people. The law sets tiered penalties: Class A1 misdemeanors for first-time, low-value thefts ($200 or less), and escalating to Class E or D felonies for higher-value items ($200+), repeat offenses, or thefts exceeding $2,000. This directly affects individuals who steal deliveries and provides law enforcement with a specific legal tool to address package theft.

Maddy summaryHB 195 restores Chatham County and its municipalities' authority to change zoning to reduce development density or permitted land uses (down-zoning) without needing written consent from all affected property owners. It specifically amends state law to remove the requirement for all property owner consent when local governments initiate down-zoning, which was previously required under a 2024 law. The bill applies exclusively to Chatham County and takes effect retroactively to December 11, 2024, meaning any down-zoning ordinances affected by the prior law will revert to their pre-December 11 status. This directly impacts property owners in Chatham County whose land might be subject to zoning changes that limit future development or uses.