Maddy summaryHouse Bill 520 aims to protect North Carolina citizens and businesses from deceptive telemarketing practices, particularly those involving misleading caller ID. The bill establishes that a telephone number is the property of the subscriber and prohibits telephone solicitors from misrepresenting the origin of a call or transmitting misleading caller identification information. It also prevents telephone carriers from knowingly providing subscriber numbers to entities that will violate these provisions. Individuals who receive calls in violation of the misleading caller ID rules can sue for civil damages, including an additional $10,000 fine for each knowing violation. Knowing violations of the caller ID provision are also classified as a Class H felony.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 659, titled "Local Government Spending Transparency," aims to increase public access to financial information from local governments in North Carolina. The bill requires all local government invoices to be itemized, detailing the payee, amount, items purchased, and performance dates. These quarterly invoices must be publicly available via a link on the government's website or as physical copies for municipalities without a website. Additionally, local government websites would need to provide links to the top three bids for projects, services, or goods purchased with tax dollars, with quarterly updates. Both invoices and bids are to be unredacted unless legally required, and these provisions take effect on July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 765, titled "Save the American Dream Act," introduces new requirements for fiscal notes concerning housing affordability at both state and local levels. The bill mandates that the state's Fiscal Research Division prepare a five-year fiscal note for any proposed state legislation that could impact the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence. Similarly, it requires county and city governments to prepare a fiscal note for local ordinances that could affect these same costs. These local notes must be made public at least five days before the ordinance is introduced.
Maddy summaryHB 913 aims to hold local governments accountable for development decisions by allowing or mandating the recovery of attorneys' fees and, in some cases, punitive damages for parties who successfully sue them. It directly affects local governments and individuals or entities involved in development projects. The bill mandates attorneys' fees if a local government intentionally violates development laws, intentionally delays approvals, or acts deceptively to provoke legal action. Additionally, punitive damages, up to ten times the proven harm, can be awarded if a local government acts in a flagrantly unfair or deceptive manner with the intent to cause legal action. However, local governments are protected from these awards if they acted in reasonable reliance on court orders or Attorney General opinions.
Maddy summaryHB 92, titled the "NC Digital Assets Investments Act," authorizes the North Carolina State Treasurer to invest various state funds in qualifying digital assets. This includes funds from the General Fund, Highway Fund, and numerous retirement and special funds. The bill specifies that eligible digital assets must be exchange-traded products with an average market capitalization of at least $750 billion over the preceding 12 months. Additionally, investments in digital assets cannot exceed 10% of a fund's balance, and the State Treasurer must use a defined "secure custody solution" if managing these assets internally.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 605 amends North Carolina law by establishing new definitions related to advanced recycling processes. It defines "mass balance attribution" as an auditable accounting method, requiring a third-party certification system, to track feedstocks used in recycled products. The bill also defines "recycled products" as those made from recyclable materials through chemical recycling processes using this attribution method. This legislation clarifies terminology for manufacturers and entities involved in advanced recycling, while noting that such products remain subject to existing environmental regulations.
Maddy summaryHB 836, the "North Carolina Sound Money Act," designates certain investment coins and metal bullion as legal tender within the state. Specifically, refined gold or silver investment coins and bullion, marked with their weight and purity, would be recognized as legal tender. The bill also clarifies that no person is required to accept these items for payment of debts or deposits, unless specified by contract. Additionally, North Carolina taxpayers would be able to deduct any gain or loss from the sale of these investment coins and bullion from their state taxable income.
Maddy summaryHB 924 authorizes the North Carolina State Licensing Board for General Contractors to refer suspected criminal violations of contractor licensing laws to appropriate law enforcement agencies or District Attorneys. The bill allows the Board to disclose investigative records to these agencies to support investigations and potential criminal prosecutions. This measure applies to general contractors and entities regulated by the Board who are suspected of committing violations subject to criminal penalties. The act clarifies the Board's ability to assist in such prosecutions and takes effect on October 1, 2025, for violations committed on or after that date.
Maddy summaryHB 996 reduces North Carolina's state budget spending limit by lowering the cap on the General Fund operating budget from 7% to 6% of projected total state personal income each year. This directly affects the state government's annual budget planning, requiring it to spend less relative to the state's economic output. The bill maintains the existing process for exceeding the cap, which still requires a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers. It takes effect July 1, 2025, for budgets adopted on or after that date.
Maddy summaryHB 876 requires North Carolina local governments to complete an initial administrative review of development approval applications within two business days. If an application is incomplete, the local government must provide developers with a detailed written list of deficiencies, including the specific requirements violated and corrective actions needed. Developers can then correct deficiencies, request reconsideration within two days, or opt for an independent third-party review by a licensed engineer or architect if the local government misses deadlines - after which the government must issue permits within two days and refund fees. This bill applies to most development approvals but excludes residential building plans under the North Carolina Residential Code, which follow separate 15-day review rules.