Rep. Bill Ward

Maddy summaryHB 674, "The Firearms Liberty Act," proposes several changes to firearms regulations. It would allow for the issuance of lifetime concealed handgun permits, in addition to the current five-year permits, affecting individuals seeking to carry concealed handguns. The bill also specifies that permittees whose concealed carry permits lapse would not need to retake a firearms safety course for renewal under certain conditions. Furthermore, it aims to protect the property rights of individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders by enabling them to store or sell their firearms through qualified licensed dealers. Finally, the bill authorizes the storage and use of defensive devices in biometric safes for schools.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 379 is an application from the State of North Carolina to the U.S. Congress. It requests that Congress call a "convention of the states" as outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The purpose of this convention would be to propose new amendments to the Constitution. These amendments would focus on imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting its power, and setting term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. This application is considered ongoing until two-thirds of the states submit similar requests.

Maddy summaryHB 854 removes the current exemption for educational interpreters and transliterators from state licensure requirements. This means individuals who provide accessible communication services to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and higher education will now be required to obtain a license. The bill also allows continuing education hours earned for license renewal to count towards their existing job-related training requirements. These changes are set to become effective on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 690, "The Citizens Support Act," directs several state and local agencies to ensure that state-funded benefits are provided only to U.S. citizens and noncitizens legally authorized to reside in the United States. The Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Commerce, Housing Finance Agency, and local housing authorities must develop plans to review eligibility criteria and verify the immigration status of applicants for various benefits, including housing, welfare, and medical assistance. State-funded institutions of higher education are required to adopt policies to verify applicants' legal residency for tuition and educational benefits. Additionally, the Division of Employment Security must implement a policy to verify legal residency for unemployment benefit applicants. These agencies are also mandated to report on their implementation progress and any federal laws that prevent them from denying benefits.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 818 aims to standardize access to new birth certificates for adopted individuals, making the process similar to those who are not adopted. It directs the State Registrar to prepare a new birth certificate for adoptees that lists their adoptive parents and contains no reference to the adoption itself. The bill specifies that certified copies of these new birth certificates can be provided to the adoptee, their children, adoptive parents, and other immediate adoptive family members. It also ensures original birth certificates and adoption records remain sealed, while counties receive copies of the new certificate to replace the original. This act is intended to apply to new birth certificates for persons adopted before, on, or after October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 214, known as the "Faithful Article V Commissioner Act," creates rules for North Carolina's participation in a convention for proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It outlines how commissioners and alternates are to be selected by the General Assembly, their qualifications, and their ethical obligations. The bill strictly defines the scope of authority for these commissioners, limiting them to the specific issues outlined in their commission and the convention's call. Commissioners must take an oath to abide by these limits, and exceeding their defined authority is deemed a Class I felony.

Maddy summaryHB 188 modifies requirements for consumer contracts that automatically renew. It mandates that businesses clearly disclose automatic renewal terms, including the duration and cost of renewals, in at least 12-point bold type, and requires a specific space for consumers to initial their consent to the auto-renewal provision. If a consumer does not initial this consent, the bill prohibits charging for the automatic renewal. For contracts renewing for six months or more, businesses must provide consumers with written notice between 15 and 60 days before the renewal date, explaining how to cancel. The bill also specifies that any changes to contract terms upon renewal must be clearly disclosed in this renewal notice.

Maddy summaryHB 781 bans unauthorized public camping or sleeping on public property across North Carolina, directly affecting individuals experiencing homelessness and local governments. It prohibits counties and municipalities from allowing such activities, but permits them to designate specific public property for temporary camping for up to one year. These designated sites must meet standards for safety, sanitation (including restrooms and water), and access to behavioral health services, and prohibit illegal substance use. Such designations require certification from the Department of Health and Human Services, which assesses factors like shelter bed availability and proximity to residential areas. Residents or businesses can take legal action against local governments that fail to enforce the ban.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 841 requires the North Carolina Collaboratory to conduct a comprehensive statewide study on shellfish aquaculture leasing regulations. This study will evaluate existing rules, current bans (moratoriums) on new leases, and best practices from other states. It aims to balance economic development, environmental protection, and public access to coastal waters, considering impacts on fishing, boating, property values, and the environment. The Collaboratory must consult with various stakeholders, including shellfish growers, fishermen, and property owners, and will submit an interim report by December 2025 and a final report with recommendations by May 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled Reagan's Law, aims to improve access to prosthetic and orthotic devices for North Carolinians with limb loss or limb difference by requiring most health benefit plans to cover these devices and related care. Key provisions mandate that plans cover all materials, instruction, and repairs for prosthetics and orthotics, allow for multiple devices based on medical needs, and prohibit denying claims for these devices that would otherwise be covered for non-disabled individuals seeking similar medical treatment. The legislation also requires insurers to provide coverage for device replacements when medically necessary due to changes in the insured's condition or device damage, without limiting coverage based on the device's age or useful lifetime. Additionally, the bill repeals state requirements for health plans to cover emergency care that duplicates federal law, aligning state regulations with federal standards.