Rep. Pricey Harrison

Maddy summaryHB 967 clarifies that voting places during voting hours are explicitly included as "public buildings" under North Carolina's disorderly conduct law (G.S. 14-132). This means actions like making loud disturbances, vandalism, or creating nuisances at polling locations during voting hours would now be covered by the misdemeanor statute. The bill directly affects voters, election workers, and anyone engaging in conduct near polling sites during official voting hours. It expands existing disorderly conduct protections to specifically cover voting places, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 965 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to guarantee all North Carolinians the right to clean water, clean air, and a preserved environment, including protection of natural resources like air, water, wildlife, and soils. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, it would automatically become part of the state constitution, requiring the state to act as a trustee of natural resources for present and future generations. The amendment would not change current environmental laws but would establish a new constitutional standard that future legislation must align with. This bill must still pass through the legislature and gain voter approval to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 977, titled "Defend NC," primarily prohibits North Carolina law enforcement agencies and officers from assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with immigration enforcement actions, including arrests or removal warrants. This directly affects sheriffs' offices, police departments, and criminal justice officers statewide by banning cooperation with ICE under state law. The bill also includes non-binding provisions expressing intent to protect Medicaid eligibility, study federal funding losses in education, and explore replacing NIH research funds, but these do not create immediate policy changes. The core legislative action is the ban on law enforcement collaboration with ICE, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 969 directs North Carolina's Legislative Research Commission to study replacing the current "contributory negligence" rule (which bars injury claims if a plaintiff shares any fault) with comparative negligence systems. The study must evaluate how abolition would affect citizens, assess harms from the current rule, analyze fiscal impacts on insurance and businesses, and recommend the best negligence framework. It does not change law immediately but requires a 2026 report with legislative recommendations. This bill affects future legal claims for injury victims and insurers by examining potential policy shifts. The study is the only concrete action; no voting or implementation occurs until after the report.

Maddy summaryHB 968 requires all North Carolina public K-12 schools to provide emergency preparedness education, beginning in grade 3 for elementary students and continuing through high school. It mandates state-developed standards for each grade level: elementary students learn about disaster types and school response plans, middle school students research past disasters and mass casualty events, and high school students are introduced to FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) materials. Local school boards must integrate this instruction into existing courses without adding new funding requirements. The law applies to all public schools statewide and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 973, the Uniform Restrictive Employment Agreement Act, establishes new rules for noncompete, nonsolicitation, and other restrictive employment agreements in North Carolina. It requires employers to provide workers with a written copy of any proposed agreement at least 14 days before signing, clearly state prohibited activities, and give a separate notice as defined by the Department of Labor. The bill directly affects workers and employers by making agreements unenforceable without these specific disclosures and clear terms, covering common restrictions like noncompetes but excluding patent agreements or existing ownership interests. It aims to increase transparency in employment contracts where workers face post-employment work limitations.

Maddy summaryHB 960 would temporarily increase North Carolina's unemployment insurance weekly benefits to $600 during declared disasters, directly affecting unemployed workers in areas impacted by disaster declarations under state emergency management law. It requires the state to set aside specific funds in the unemployment insurance fund for these enhanced benefits and mandates certification that sufficient funds are available before implementation. The benefit increase applies only for the duration of an official disaster declaration and ends when the declaration expires. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 987 creates the North Carolina Police Leadership Fellows Program, which provides forgivable loans to eligible individuals pursuing undergraduate degrees in criminal justice, government, or related fields at UNC institutions. The program targets high school graduates or seniors facing economic barriers (e.g., unemployment, underemployment) or those expressing interest in criminal justice careers, with priority given to residents who intend to work as sworn law enforcement officers, correctional staff, sheriffs, or similar roles after graduation. Recipients may receive up to $20,000 total in forgivable loans ($3,000/year for first two years, $7,000/year for final two years), covering tuition, fees, and books, subject to criminal background checks and residency requirements. The program is administered by a committee appointed by the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, with annual selections of 50-100 recipients.

Maddy summaryHB 984 creates a framework for medical cannabis research in North Carolina, permitting studies on cannabis as a treatment for qualifying medical conditions. It establishes a state database requiring research institutions (like hospitals or universities), physicians, caregivers, and patients to register, while setting strict product limits (under 0.9% THC, at least 5% CBD). The bill protects registered researchers, caregivers, and patients from prosecution for participating in approved studies and requires secure disposal of unused cannabis. It directly affects medical researchers, healthcare providers issuing certifications, and patients enrolled in these studies, but does not legalize recreational use or broader medical access.

Maddy summaryHB 1006 proposes amending North Carolina's state constitution to require that all legislative bills address only one subject, with exceptions for general appropriations bills, tax bills, and technical corrections. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, this change would require lawmakers to draft bills with a single, clearly defined topic in their titles. The amendment must be ratified by a majority of voters in the November 2026 general election before taking effect. This is a procedural change affecting how bills are structured, not the content of legislation itself.