Rep. Pricey Harrison

Maddy summaryHB 644 requires North Carolina's Department of Transportation to study traffic congestion near Fort Bragg, specifically between Vass Road and N.C. Highway 87, using $500,000 in highway funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The study must identify economic benefits of reducing congestion and examine options like expanded rail routes and other surface transportation solutions. This bill directly affects the Fort Bragg military installation and surrounding communities by funding a traffic analysis, but does not implement any traffic solutions itself. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, after the study period.

Maddy summaryHB 626, the Housing Choice Act, allows North Carolina municipalities to adopt specific zoning changes to encourage more housing options and qualify for priority water infrastructure funding. Smaller cities (under 100,000 residents) can permit multifamily housing by right in residential zones, waive fees for affordable housing construction, and allow accessory dwelling units. Larger cities (100,000+ residents) must implement minimum density standards, eliminate parking requirements, and permit duplexes/triplexes in single-family zones. Both sizes must preserve existing affordable housing through incentives or funds and adopt zoning that aligns with state housing goals. The bill directly affects local governments seeking to streamline housing development while meeting criteria for state water infrastructure grants.

Maddy summaryHB 655 prohibits North Carolina public schools and charter schools from using American Indian mascots. It requires the State Advisory Council to identify schools with such mascots and report this to the State Board of Education, which must then decide within 30 days whether to require a change. Schools must replace the mascots within two years of notification, with superintendents able to grant an additional year for implementation. Failure to comply results in withheld state funds for the superintendent’s salary (for public schools) or per-pupil funding (for charter schools). The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 645 (Friendly NC Act) strengthens hate crime laws in North Carolina by expanding definitions to include offenses motivated by race, religion, nationality, or other protected characteristics. It increases penalties for hate-motivated misdemeanors (elevating them to Class 1 misdemeanors or felonies) and creates new felony charges for hate-motivated serious bodily injury. Victims gain civil remedies (including emotional distress damages and attorney fees) and can request restorative justice sessions with trained facilitators, paid for by the offender. The bill directly affects individuals who commit hate crimes and victims of such offenses, aiming to promote inclusivity through enhanced legal protections.

Maddy summaryHB 300 establishes a program to reimburse owners of retired first responder dogs for veterinary care. It directly affects owners of canines that served with law enforcement, fire departments, or correctional agencies in roles like narcotics detection or search and rescue, after retiring on or after July 1, 2024. The bill requires registration of the dog and owner with the Department of Public Safety, then allows reimbursement of up to $1,500 annually for covered care - including routine check-ups, vaccinations, emergencies, surgeries, and euthanasia. Owners must submit itemized vet bills within 90 days of service.

Maddy summaryHB 426 establishes the Workforce Diploma Program to help North Carolina adults aged 21+ without high school diplomas earn diplomas while gaining job skills. The program requires approved providers to offer courses combining diploma requirements with career training, including employability certifications and industry credentials. Participants receive milestone-based funding up to $7,500 per person, with payments tied to completing half-credits, certifications, or diplomas. The program mandates annual reports tracking participant outcomes like diplomas earned, credits, and workforce credentials. It appropriates $5 million for implementation starting July 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 621 appropriates $1.5 million from North Carolina's General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to provide a directed grant to Safe Alliance, Inc. for its Umbrella Center in Charlotte. The funds will directly support the center's services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking by enabling additional land acquisition and a deceleration lane. The bill requires the funds to be used specifically for expanding these victim services and infrastructure. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and is currently pending in the House Appropriations Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 608 amends North Carolina's computer trespass law to add automatic minimum damages for unauthorized copying of protected health information (like medical records) or government employee personnel files (including SSNs, medical history, and salary details). It establishes a $5,000 minimum penalty per violation for breaches involving either type of sensitive data, replacing the previous requirement to prove actual damages. The law directly affects healthcare providers, government employers, and anyone handling such data, ensuring victims can recover at least $5,000 per incident without proving financial loss. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 599 provides a 7.5% across-the-board salary increase for all North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) employees, directly affecting approximately 500+ state workers. The bill appropriates $2.6 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (effective July 1, 2025) and an additional $5.2 million for 2026-2027 (effective July 1, 2026) from the state general fund. These increases are funded through recurring annual appropriations, meaning the funding is guaranteed each year. The bill requires no new policy changes but allocates specific state budget resources to adjust employee compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 582, titled "Providing Relief to Impacted Families Act," creates a quarterly tax refund program for specific nonprofits using motor fuel. It directly affects eligible organizations like volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, sheltered workshops (recognized by DHHS), and nonprofits distributing free food, by refunding the excise tax paid on fuel minus one cent per gallon. The key provision requires these nonprofits to claim refunds quarterly based on prior quarter purchases, reducing their operational costs. The bill does not address family relief as implied by its title but focuses solely on tax refunds for qualifying nonprofit entities. The measure is currently pending in the House Finance Committee.