Rep. Cynthia Ball

Maddy summaryHB 131 reinstates a 35% tax credit for businesses and homeowners who install solar energy systems in North Carolina. Businesses can claim the credit over five years (with a $2.5 million maximum per installation), while homeowners receive capped credits based on system type (e.g., $1,400 for water heating, $3,500 for space heating). The credit applies to equipment placed in service in the state and expires for new installations after 2017, though projects meeting 2015 construction milestones qualify for extension. This bill renews a previously expired tax incentive program for solar energy adoption.

Maddy summaryHB 129, the "Judge Joe John Nonpartisan Judicial Elections Act," reestablishes nonpartisan elections for all North Carolina judicial offices, including Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges, and superior and district court judges. The bill requires candidates to run without party labels, with primaries held only when more than two candidates file for an office, and winners elected based on highest vote totals (using a random draw only in tie situations). It also restores public financing for judicial campaigns, aiming to reduce partisan influence in judicial races. This bill directly affects judicial candidates, voters, and the election process for all statewide and local judicial positions in North Carolina.

Maddy summaryHB 128 appropriates $2 million annually for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to create a statewide prostate cancer screening program administered by North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services. The program provides free or low-cost screenings and follow-up care to uninsured or underinsured men aged 50-70 (40-70 with family history of prostate cancer) who meet income requirements (below 250% of federal poverty level). Eligibility requires no Medicare Part B or Medicaid coverage and specific age/family history criteria as defined in the bill. The program begins July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 115 exempts properly licensed child care facilities from property tax if they are used exclusively for child care. It applies to facilities operating under North Carolina's child care licensing rules (Chapter 110) and excludes both the building and necessary adjacent land from taxation. Partial exemptions are allowed if only part of a facility serves child care, but facilities on probation or with suspended licenses lose the exemption. The tax exemption takes effect for property taxes due on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes repealing a literacy test requirement from the North Carolina Constitution, which would affect all voters by removing a historical barrier to voting. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2026 election, with the ballot explicitly stating: "Constitutional amendment to remove the literacy test requirement... The federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits implementation of this requirement." If approved, the change takes effect upon certification by the State Board of Elections. The bill does not alter current voting procedures, as the literacy test has been prohibited by federal law since 1965.

Maddy summaryHB 84 restricts the sale and use of neonicotinoid pesticides (honeybee-killing chemicals like imidacloprid) in North Carolina. It bans retail sales to the general public, allowing only licensed pesticide applicators or farmers using them for crop production to purchase these chemicals. The law also requires the state pesticide board to monitor federal EPA assessments of these pesticides and study whether to regulate seeds treated with systemic insecticides. These changes take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 88 allows Wilson County Schools to set an earlier student opening date (as early as August 19, instead of the standard August 26) if the district demonstrates "good cause," defined as having averaged eight emergency closure days per year due to weather, power issues, or other emergencies over the last decade. The bill specifically modifies calendar rules for Wilson County Schools only, applying to the 2025-2026 school year. It maintains the standard closing date (June 11) but permits local adjustments to meet instructional day requirements. The legislation does not change statewide calendar rules for other school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 90 provides a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to retirement allowances for retirees in North Carolina's Teachers', State Employees', Judicial, Legislative, and Local Governmental Retirement Systems. The increase applies to retirees who retired on or before specific dates (ranging from July 1, 2024, to January 1, 2025), with those who retired later receiving a proportional increase based on months served during 2024-2025. The bill appropriates $250 million from the General Fund to fund this adjustment, effective July 1, 2025. It directly affects current retirees in these five systems by increasing their monthly payments.

Maddy summaryHB 60 increases Medicaid dental reimbursement rates from 35% to 46% of average dentist charges (2023 rates) to align with neighboring states. The bill allocates $52 million annually from North Carolina's General Fund, matched by $95 million in federal funds, to cover this rate increase starting July 1, 2025. It directly affects dentists who accept Medicaid patients and Medicaid beneficiaries seeking dental care, aiming to boost provider participation and prevent costly emergency treatments. The change addresses years of stagnant rates that reduced dental provider enrollment in Medicaid.

Maddy summaryHB 55 appropriates $250,000 annually from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Autism Society of North Carolina's IGNITE Program. The funds will support activities and education groups designed to help young adults with autism develop independence and social skills during their transition to adulthood. This recurring funding applies to the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium and becomes effective July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects the Autism Society of North Carolina and the young adults with autism it serves through the IGNITE Program.