Rep. Bill Ward

Maddy summaryHB 794 mandates the North Carolina State Highway Patrol to study and develop recommendations on four specific areas: overall and regional staffing needs, and overall and rank-specific salary scales. The study requires the Patrol to assess staffing requirements based on state and regional needs, along with salary structures for all ranks. The Patrol must submit findings and recommendations to relevant legislative committees by March 1, 2026. This bill is procedural and does not enact new policies or funding; it solely requires a study to inform future legislative decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 85 (title "Removal of Precinct Officials" is misleading) prohibits individuals from working in any election-related role if found to have failed to exercise due care and diligence during election work. This applies to all election workers - paid or volunteer - who are determined negligent in their duties. The bill creates a permanent ban from future election work for such individuals, regardless of their specific position. It does not specify what constitutes "failure to exercise due care," leaving that determination to election authorities. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 791, the Women's Safety and Protection Act, defines "biological sex" (based on physical characteristics at birth) and "gender" in North Carolina law and mandates that single/multiple occupancy restrooms, changing facilities, and sleeping quarters in state-funded facilities (including public schools, prisons, domestic violence centers, and juvenile facilities) be designated for use by one biological sex at a time. The bill requires facilities to have policies ensuring only one biological sex uses these spaces simultaneously, with exceptions for family use, maintenance, medical emergencies, or safety threats. It specifically prohibits students from sharing sleeping quarters with individuals of another biological sex in public schools unless family members or with parental permission. The law applies to all covered facilities receiving state funds, including public schools and domestic violence centers, and subjects its provisions to "intermediate scrutiny" under constitutional review.

Maddy summaryHB 774 ("School Breakfast for All") mandates that all North Carolina public schools (pre-K through 12) provide free breakfast to every student, eliminating costs for families. It establishes a Farm-to-Table Initiative requiring schools to partner with local farmers for fresh, locally sourced ingredients in breakfast meals. The bill allocates $39 million in recurring state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to cover program costs, while requiring annual reports on participation rates, costs, and impacts on student health and academic performance. This directly affects all public school students, school districts, and North Carolina agricultural producers.

Maddy summaryHB 766 appropriates $1.87 million to fund expanded Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) training for North Carolina high school students in grades 9-12 (ages 14-18). The bill directly affects students by providing evidence-based training to help them recognize, understand, and respond to peers' mental health and substance use challenges. Key provisions include funding for the Department of Health and Human Services to scale up tMHFA programs statewide, building on a pilot that trained 1,519 teens and showed a 50% increase in teens' willingness to seek adult support. The training focuses on connecting peers to trusted adults during crises, addressing high rates of unmet mental health needs among teens (64% don’t seek help, per the bill’s rationale).

Maddy summaryHB 753 allows eligible North Carolina law enforcement officers aged 59.5 or older to continue receiving retirement benefits while remaining actively employed. Retired officers who separated from service for at least six months may return to duty and retain their retirement benefits. The bill requires employers to cover both employee and employer retirement contributions during this period and clarifies that beneficiaries remain eligible for death benefits under specific conditions. It directly affects current and retired state/local law enforcement officers meeting age and service criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 755 provides a sales tax exemption for qualifying North Carolina nonprofits, including hospitals, federally tax-exempt community organizations, volunteer fire departments, and university-affiliated groups. To qualify, nonprofits must obtain a state sales tax exemption number, with annual limits of $31.7 million for state tax and $13.3 million for local tax. The exemption covers most goods and services purchased for nonprofit activities but excludes electricity, telecommunications, alcohol, and certain other items. Real property contractors must provide documentation to retailers when buying materials for nonprofit projects to ensure proper tax treatment.

Maddy summaryHB 776, the North Carolina Religious Freedom Restoration Act, requires state and local governments to apply strict scrutiny before restricting religious practices. It protects religious gatherings in places of worship, homes, and neighborhoods from neutral laws or regulations that incidentally burden faith, such as housing rules or emergency orders. The law defines a "burden" as any government action limiting religious exercise (including withholding benefits or imposing penalties) and mandates that such restrictions must serve a compelling government interest through the least restrictive means. It explicitly does not affect constitutional protections against government establishment of religion or alter existing housing nondiscrimination laws.

Maddy summaryHB 780 appropriates $2 million to expand the All Pro Dad program in North Carolina through Family First, Inc., funding school-based chapters, father-child engagement events, and parenting resources. It also creates the "Responsible Fatherhood NC" program under the Department of Health and Human Services, requiring a nonprofit manager to run a statewide media campaign, provide father-focused resources, and promote existing fatherhood initiatives. The bill directs grants to community organizations addressing fathers' needs - such as employment, child support, and parenting skills - with priority given to areas facing high unemployment, incarceration, or single-parent households. The program directly supports North Carolina fathers and their children, aiming to improve family well-being through increased paternal involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 761 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit North Carolina's regular legislative sessions to 90 days in odd-numbered years and 45 days in even-numbered years. This would apply only to regular sessions (not reconvened or special sessions) and directly affect the North Carolina General Assembly. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election, where voters would decide whether to adopt the session length limits. If approved, it would take effect for regular sessions starting after certification. The bill does not change current session lengths, as it is pending voter approval.