Rep. Tracy Clark

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Free to Learn Library Bill of Rights Act in North Carolina to protect residents' rights to access information, maintain privacy, and participate in library services without discrimination or undue restriction. It applies to all public libraries, including their online services and digital resources, and outlines specific rights such as unrestricted access to materials regardless of viewpoint, protection from surveillance and intimidation, confidentiality of library records, and fair access for all patrons regardless of personal characteristics. The legislation also includes anti-retaliation protections for library employees and volunteers who report violations, requires regional library systems to document compliance, and mandates strict data privacy practices for online usage tracking. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds to support implementation and directs the State Library to provide model language for interlocal agreements to ensure consistent compliance across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 957 creates a study committee to examine infrastructure challenges at North Carolina's HBCUs and MSIs, including building conditions, environmental risks, and maintenance needs. It establishes a $5 million Completion Assistance Program to provide up to $1,000 annually per student at six UNC HBCUs (Elizabeth City State, NC A&T, UNC Asheville, UNC Greensboro, UNC Pembroke, and Winston-Salem State) for tuition/fee balances, targeting students with Pell Grants who need financial aid to graduate on time. The bill also allocates specific infrastructure funds, including $5.1 million for Winston-Salem State's Hauser Hall renovations and $8 million for emergency steam repairs. These provisions directly affect students and campus facilities at the six designated institutions through financial aid and physical infrastructure support.

Maddy summaryHB 989 creates a statewide grant program to improve school safety in North Carolina public schools. It provides funding for three specific purposes: (1) crisis services for students (like therapy and family support), (2) evidence-based training for staff on trauma response and suicide prevention, and (3) safety equipment purchases (such as bullet-resistant glass, alarms, and security systems). Grants must supplement, not replace, existing school safety funding, and charter schools can now receive equipment grants. The program limits annual spending to $350,000 per grant category and prioritizes equipment like exterior door locks and active shooter alarms.

Maddy summaryHB 990 requires North Carolina landlords to provide written notice to tenants before charging certain late fees. Landlords must deliver this notice (via hand, mail, or agreed electronic means) detailing the fee amount, the specific past-due payment, and the date the fee was assessed - before collecting it. The bill applies to late fees for rent payments that are five or more days overdue, capping fees at $15 or 5% of monthly rent (or $4 or 5% weekly). This law takes effect October 1, 2025, directly affecting residential landlords and tenants in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1005 modifies the ballot language for a county sales tax referendum in North Carolina, clarifying the tax rate and its intended use. The bill changes the ballot question to specify a 0.25% sales tax (one penny per $4 spent) and explicitly states that proceeds will fund teacher and education employee pay raises, while exempting gas, groceries, motor vehicles, and prescription drugs. This change directly affects voters in counties holding referendums under Article 46 of Chapter 105, ensuring clearer communication about the tax’s scope and purpose. The bill does not alter the tax rate or funding rules but standardizes how the proposal is presented to voters.

Maddy summaryHB 879 requires landlords in North Carolina to provide and maintain operable air conditioning in residential rental units that supply AC. It directly affects landlords (who must ensure systems work at the start of each tenancy) and tenants (who gain a right to functional cooling during warm weather). The bill amends landlord obligations to explicitly mandate that air conditioning must cool premises to a reasonable indoor temperature, with repairs required upon written tenant notice (except emergencies). This applies to all new rental agreements and renewals entered into after the law takes effect. The legislation focuses on ensuring basic comfort and safety by making AC a standard maintenance requirement, not a discretionary amenity.

Maddy summaryHB 861 requires pregnancy centers in North Carolina receiving state funds through the Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship (CPCF) to participate in a competitive grant process. It mandates detailed applications covering staff credentials, services offered (including medical testing and ultrasounds), equipment use, and advertising practices, along with annual reporting on client demographics (by age, race, income), services provided, and fund expenditures. The bill sets strict limits on administrative spending (10-15% of funds) and requires all grant funds to be used for nonsectarian purposes only. This directly affects nonprofit pregnancy centers receiving state funding under CPCF, requiring them to disclose operational details and report service outcomes to state agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 839 updates North Carolina's Advanced Teaching Roles (ATR) program for public schools. It requires classroom excellence teachers to serve 20% more students than prior years, allows ATR schools to exceed K-3 class size limits for up to three years with state funding, and increases salary supplements to $10,000 for adult leadership teachers (up to 25% of ATR school teachers) and $3,000 for classroom excellence teachers (up to 10% of ATR school teachers). The bill applies to participating ATR schools beginning the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 863 appropriates $582 million in state funds to address unmet recovery needs in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. It directly affects residents and businesses in the impacted area by funding affordable housing repairs, disaster-related home improvements, business grants, park restoration, flood protection, and emergency services. Key provisions include $105 million for local housing grants (covering repairs, homelessness assistance, and mortgage help), $75 million for stream restoration and food banks, and a $75,000 business grant program for eligible companies with sales tax declines. The funds are distributed across state agencies like Housing Finance, Agriculture, and Public Safety to support physical recovery and economic stabilization.

Maddy summaryHB 880 appropriates $1 million in recurring state funds from the General Fund to support the NC A&T Aggie Academy, a laboratory school at North Carolina A&T State University. This funding, effective July 1, 2025, provides additional resources for the school's operations as a University of North Carolina laboratory school. The bill directly affects the Aggie Academy's students, staff, and programs by securing ongoing financial support. It does not create new policies but allocates existing state funds for a specific educational institution.