Rep. Bill Ward

Maddy summaryHB 295 requires the North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) to install permanent property corner markers after acquiring land for transportation projects. It directly affects property owners whose land is used for DOT projects, ensuring clear boundary identification. The bill mandates DOT to survey and place durable markers (like metal stakes) along acquired property lines after project completion, using coordinates tied to North Carolina's State Plane Coordinate system. This ensures accurate, long-term documentation of property boundaries for future reference.

Maddy summaryHB 71, the Respiratory Care Modernization Act, updates North Carolina's laws governing respiratory care practice. It creates a new "Advanced respiratory care practitioner" (ARCP) category for licensed professionals with postgraduate training, requiring Board-endorsed competency for advanced procedures. The bill clarifies that ARCPs cannot diagnose, prescribe, or perform invasive procedures without physician supervision, while defining their scope to include cardiopulmonary care and tasks delegated by physicians. This directly affects respiratory care practitioners and patients by standardizing advanced practice rules and ensuring procedures align with current professional standards. The changes aim to reflect modern respiratory care practices without altering basic licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 666 changes the term structure for North Carolina's Wildlife Resources Commission by standardizing all appointments to two-year terms and limiting members to no more than three consecutive terms. It affects all Commission members appointed by the Governor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the General Assembly. Current members with terms expiring in 2027 or 2029 will serve their existing terms, but all future appointments will follow the new two-year limit. The bill takes effect June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 716 modifies North Carolina's bail bond laws to clarify when a bail bond forfeiture can be overturned. It directly affects defendants, bail bondsmen (sureties), and courts by adding specific requirements for setting aside forfeitures related to defendant incarceration. The key provision requires that if a defendant is held in any U.S. jail or prison during a failure to appear, the jail must notify the local district attorney in writing (via hand delivery, electronic filing, or certified mail) and provide proof the defendant remained incarcerated for 10 days after notification. This replaces vague prior language with clear, documented procedures for bondsmen to avoid liability when defendants are incarcerated. The bill does not change bail amounts or eligibility but streamlines how forfeitures are resolved in cases of incarceration.

Maddy summaryHB 702 updates North Carolina's chiropractic licensing rules. It requires chiropractors to complete 4,200 hours of accredited education (including a bachelor's degree) and pass exams covering subjects like anatomy and chiropractic philosophy. The bill adds new standards for chiropractors to practice acupuncture and clarifies that licensed chiropractors cannot prescribe drugs or perform surgery. It also revises Board membership rules (e.g., limiting members from the same chiropractic school) and establishes supervised training programs for students. These changes affect current and future chiropractors, chiropractic schools, and the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

Maddy summaryHB 672 creates a new "team-based practice" model for physician assistants (PAs) in North Carolina, allowing them to practice without direct physician oversight under specific conditions. To qualify, PAs must have over 4,000 hours of clinical experience (including 1,000+ hours in their specialty) and work in practices meeting defined criteria, such as physician ownership and collaborative care structures. The bill revises licensing rules to remove the requirement for PAs in these settings to provide a supervising physician’s contact information, while maintaining supervision requirements for perioperative services. This directly affects PAs seeking to work in team-based medical practices, including hospitals and clinics meeting the new standards.

Maddy summaryHB 721 appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to fund Muddy Sneakers, Inc.'s fifth-grade science programs, which provide hands-on field instruction aligned with state science standards. It also allocates $2.75 million to St. Gerard House to support its autism treatment programs. The funding is designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with the Muddy Sneakers funds being recurring and the St. Gerard House grant nonrecurring. The bill directly affects fifth-grade students in North Carolina public schools and individuals receiving autism services through St. Gerard House.

Maddy summaryHB 664 removes positron emission tomography (PET) scanners from North Carolina's Certificate of Need (CON) review process. This means healthcare facilities seeking to purchase PET scanners will no longer need state approval through the CON program. The bill specifically repeals a section of state law (G.S. 131E-176(16)f1.8) that previously required this review. The change directly affects hospitals and medical centers planning to acquire PET scanning equipment. This is a procedural adjustment to reduce regulatory requirements for a specific medical technology.

Maddy summaryHB 682 allows North Carolina to override federal restrictions that block food and cash assistance (TANF) for people convicted of certain drug-related felonies. It directly affects individuals with Class H or I controlled substance felony convictions who complete substance abuse treatment (while incarcerated or in the community) and avoid new drug offenses for six months. The bill requires counties to offer food and cash benefits to eligible individuals who meet these conditions, making treatment participation a requirement for accessing aid. This change aims to support successful reintegration by removing a barrier to basic needs assistance for this group.

Maddy summaryThis bill would regulate hemp-derived consumable products (like edibles, vapes, and beverages) by requiring retailers to obtain permits, limiting THC content to 0.3%, and mandating age verification for all sales. It directly affects vape shops, gas stations, convenience stores, and online sellers currently selling these products to minors. The law creates new enforcement rules for the Commission, requiring proof of age (e.g., driver's license) and banning sales to anyone under 21.