Rep. Pricey Harrison

Maddy summaryHB 745, the Fair Competition Study Act, requires North Carolina's Public Utilities Commission to study ways to improve competition in the state's energy market. The study will assess current electricity provider structures, evaluate regional market options like energy imbalance markets or transmission organizations, and analyze impacts on customer costs, environmental goals, and vulnerable communities. The Commission must complete the study within one year and report findings to lawmakers, with the goal of informing potential future policy changes. This bill does not change current energy laws but directs a review to guide future decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 742, the "North Carolina Healthy Schools Act of 2025," requires all public schools to adopt green cleaning policies using environmentally sensitive cleaning products when cost-effective. Public school units (including charter, regional, and local districts) must follow guidelines established by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), which will create annual standards for eco-friendly products and distribute them to schools. Schools unable to adopt the policy due to increased costs must provide annual written notifications to DPI instead. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year, with nonpublic schools having 50+ students encouraged - but not required - to follow similar practices.

Maddy summaryHB 735 amends North Carolina's transportation funding rules to clarify state support for rail projects. It sets a 10% cap on state funds for commuter and light rail projects - limiting spending to either 10% of a regional funding allocation or 10% of the project's estimated cost. The bill also creates a new eligibility category for public transit services spanning four or more counties and serving over three municipalities. Additionally, it specifies that the state will not cover costs exceeding these funding limits, requiring project agreements to include these restrictions. The changes apply directly to regional transit authorities and developers seeking state funding for rail infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $5 million in state funds to the City of Greensboro for planning water and wastewater infrastructure improvements at Piedmont Triad International Airport. The grant, administered through the Department of Environmental Quality, will cover preliminary work to extend services to economic development sites at the airport. It directly supports Greensboro's efforts to expand infrastructure needed for new business growth in that area. The funds are designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 355 directs North Carolina's Legislative Research Commission (LRC) to study challenges facing rural fire departments, focusing on volunteer recruitment, funding, equipment needs, interdepartmental cooperation, firefighter well-being, and public education. The LRC must examine specific issues like financial incentives for volunteers, equitable resource distribution, mutual aid agreements, and community fire safety programs. It requires regional public hearings and a 90-day comment period before submitting interim and final reports to the 2025 and 2027 General Assemblies. This bill does not change current law but sets up a review process to inform future legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 723 establishes the North Carolina Technology Coalitions Strategic Support Fund, allocating $10.5 million to support regional technology coalitions focused on sectors like AI, semiconductors, and cybersecurity. The fund provides grants to eligible organizations (including nonprofits, local governments, and academic institutions) operating within North Carolina to strengthen regional economic growth through coalition collaboration. Key provisions include funding for workforce training, market analysis, and matching funds to leverage private or federal investment, while requiring grantees to maintain operations in-state and avoid duplicate funding. The fund becomes effective July 1, 2025, with administration managed by the Department of Commerce’s Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Maddy summaryHB 722 requires North Carolina courts to first assess a defendant's ability to pay before imposing criminal court costs and fees. It modifies rules for collecting specific costs like failure-to-appear fees ($200), crime lab services ($600 max), and digital forensics fees, requiring judges to determine affordability before assessment. The bill also mandates that courts provide 15 days' notice to government entities (like crime labs or prosecutors) before waiving or reducing fees, ensuring affected parties can object. This directly affects defendants convicted in criminal cases and government entities that collect or rely on these fees.

Maddy summaryHB 625 creates a new parole pathway for North Carolina inmates serving life sentences without parole, allowing potential release after 20 years if they complete specific requirements. Inmates must earn a high school equivalent or college degree, complete vocational training, and work through correctional programs. Those who qualify would serve a 5-year parole term, with violations risking return to prison and a 5-year parole ban. The law applies retroactively to inmates already serving 20+ years by August 1, 2025, and becomes effective on that date.

Maddy summaryHB 623 allocates $500,000 in state funds to the City of Greensboro for two specific purposes. $250,000 covers security, law enforcement, and transportation for Greensboro’s role as a training camp host for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The remaining $250,000 supports expenses for the 2025 North Carolina Folk Festival. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and directly affects Greensboro’s event planning and budgeting for these two events.

Maddy summaryHB 639 requires all University of North Carolina (UNC) educator preparation programs to give first priority in admissions to applicants who qualify as North Carolina residents for tuition purposes under state law. This directly affects UNC schools offering teacher training programs and prospective in-state students applying to those programs starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. The bill mandates that programs follow the state's standardized residency determination process to verify applicant status. It does not change tuition rates but alters admission priority based solely on residency eligibility.