Rep. Alan Branson

Maddy summaryHB 775 requires background checks for three groups: initial members of charter school boards, new educator license applicants, and public school employees applying for positions. It mandates that applicants pay for criminal history checks through the State Bureau of Investigation before receiving approval for charter school board membership, educator licensure, or school employment. The State Board of Education and charter school Review Board review the results to determine if individuals pose safety risks or lack integrity, with decisions requiring written findings. This bill consolidates existing background check requirements into a single process for these school-related positions, applying only to new applicants and initial board members.

Maddy summaryHB 118 modifies North Carolina's property tax exemption for disabled veterans, replacing a flat $45,000 exclusion with a percentage-based system tied to the veteran's VA disability rating. It directly affects veterans with a 50% or higher service-connected disability rating (or surviving spouses under specific conditions), allowing them to exclude a portion of their home's appraised value from property taxes - equal to their disability percentage. For example, a veteran with a 70% disability rating would exclude 70% of their home's value from taxes. The bill takes effect for taxes due in 2025 and prohibits combining this relief with other property tax exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises North Carolina's burglary and breaking-and-entering laws to increase penalties when a firearm or deadly weapon is used. It raises the felony classification by one level for offenses like burglary (first/second degree), breaking out of a dwelling at night, or entering a building with intent to commit a felony or terrorize occupants, if a weapon was present during the crime. The law directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses when a firearm was involved, not the general public. It does not change sentencing for weapon-free offenses or address police pay, despite the title "Back the Blue Pay Act" suggesting otherwise. The changes take effect December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThe bill title "Defund Planned Parenthood and Cost Transparency" does not match the actual content of HB 192, which is focused on education funding. This bill raises teacher salaries for the 2025-2026 school year using a new salary schedule (e.g., $5,000 for 0 years experience, $6,823 for 25+ years) and reinstates education-based supplements for advanced degrees ($126-$253 monthly). It appropriates $1.597 billion for salary increases and $8 million for supplements, while directing the North Carolina Collaboratory to study a student-based funding system by February 2026. The bill directly affects public school teachers, instructional support staff, and school psychologists. The title appears to be incorrect based on the provided bill text.

Maddy summaryHB 305 modifies sales tax distribution rules for Guilford County municipalities that do not levy property taxes (ad valorem taxes). It allows qualifying municipalities to receive 25% of their per capita sales tax share - calculated under existing law - by adopting a resolution by October 1, 2025. The bill requires the state to deduct this allocation from Guilford County’s total tax proceeds before distributing remaining funds per current rules, ensuring other taxing districts (like fire districts) receive their full share. This change applies only to qualifying Guilford municipalities and expires if Guilford County repeals its Article 46 quarter-cent sales tax.

Maddy summaryHB 402 requires North Carolina state agencies to assess the financial impact of proposed permanent rules. If a rule would cost affected individuals or businesses $20 million or more over five years, it must be approved by the General Assembly before taking effect. For rules with a $1 million or more annual cost impact, agencies must prepare a fiscal note for review by the Office of State Budget and Management. The bill also mandates a two-thirds vote by agency boards to adopt rules exceeding the $1 million cost threshold. This directly affects state agencies creating regulations and the businesses or residents who would bear the costs of those rules.

Maddy summaryHB 193 would allow certain employees and volunteers at nonpublic schools (including private/religious schools) to carry firearms or stun guns on school property if authorized by the school board, trained in gun safety, and following written school policies. It also permits concealed handgun carry on school grounds only when attending religious services or ceremonies at affiliated places of worship (e.g., churches), outside school hours or during designated events. The bill increases penalties for assaulting elected officials or law enforcement officers and requires judges - not prosecutors - to set pretrial release conditions for such offenses. Currently withdrawn from committee after a first reading, this bill has not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 559 modifies fees for elevator and amusement device inspections in North Carolina to address a backlog of over 3,000 overdue inspections and staffing shortages. It establishes new, capped fee schedules for routine elevator inspections ($200-$300 depending on building size), amusement rides, and related services, effective July 2025. Fees will automatically adjust annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) starting in 2026, with increases published 60 days in advance. The bill ensures all fees are collected directly from building owners/operators and used exclusively to fund inspections, permitting, and training - without new taxpayer costs or fee reversions.

Maddy summaryHB 837 is a study bill requiring North Carolina to examine alternative highway funding methods, primarily to address potential revenue gaps as electric/hybrid vehicle adoption grows. It directs the Legislative Services Officer and Transportation Oversight Committee to hire a consultant to study mileage-based fees (VMT) for electric/hybrid vehicles and a new "Access User Fee" for all non-diesel vehicles (replacing gas taxes). The study must be completed by May 2026, with findings reported to key legislative committees. This bill does not implement new fees but assesses options affecting all vehicle owners, particularly electric/hybrid drivers and non-diesel vehicle registrants. It allocates $125,000 from the Highway Fund for the study, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 762 modernizes North Carolina's mortgage licensing rules under the S.A.F.E. Act and adjusts fee limits for second or junior lien loans. It directly affects mortgage lenders offering these second mortgages by requiring their fees to align with federal qualified mortgage standards. The bill modifies maximum permissible fees to better match federal requirements, aiming to reduce consumer costs and improve compliance. This change applies specifically to loans secured by a second or junior lien on residential properties. The bill focuses on policy adjustments without altering licensing processes or consumer protections beyond fee structures.