Rep. Dennis Riddell

Maddy summaryHB 360, the Homeowner Protection Act, targets fraud involving residential property documents. It increases penalties for forging deeds, leases, or wills related to homes (making it a Class D felony instead of Class H) and creates an expedited court process for victims. Homeowners affected by fraudulent property records can file a "memorandum of possible fraud" to trigger a court hearing, where judges can void the false documents and clear title clouds. The law also requires recording offices to flag fraudulent instruments and prohibits fees for these protective filings. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 100 expands North Carolina's property tax exemption for religious organizations by allowing them to temporarily exempt newly acquired undeveloped land adjacent to their currently tax-exempt property. The bill permits this exemption for up to five years if the religious organization certifies it will use the land exclusively for religious purposes or develop it for that purpose within that timeframe. The land cannot exceed twice the size of the organization's existing contiguous exempt property. If the certification requirements aren't met within five years, the land loses its exemption and becomes taxable. The law takes effect for taxes due on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 11 would allow North Carolina taxpayers to deduct overtime pay, up to $2,500 in bonus pay (defined as cash awards for workplace dedication), and reported tips from their taxable income. It applies to individuals and married couples filing jointly, with each spouse eligible for separate deductions. The bill specifically defines "bonus pay" to exclude tips and requires taxpayers to provide documentation to claim the deduction. This policy change would take effect for tax returns filed in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 284 allows Ashe, Allegheny, and Watauga County Schools in North Carolina to open earlier than the standard August 26 date if they meet "good cause" requirements related to weather or emergencies. Specifically, it permits opening as early as August 12 (instead of August 26) if the school was closed 8 days per year during four of the last ten years due to severe weather, power failures, or similar emergencies. The bill requires local school boards to adjust closing dates to maintain required instructional days if they use this waiver. It applies only to these three counties and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 289 adds one new seat to North Carolina's Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, specifically allowing the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association (PBA) to select a full-time sworn law enforcement officer to serve on the Commission. This amendment increases the Commission's membership from 35 to 36 members by adding the PBA representative to the existing list of appointed positions. The initial appointee selected by the PBA would serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2025, with subsequent appointees serving three-year terms as determined by the PBA. The bill does not change training standards or requirements, only the composition of the Commission that oversees them.

Maddy summaryHB 287 allows Franklin County Schools to set their own school calendar start and end dates, bypassing standard state requirements. Specifically, it permits the district to open as early as August 19 (instead of the usual August 26) if they demonstrate "good cause," defined as having averaged eight emergency closures per year over four of the last ten years due to weather, power issues, or other emergencies. The bill applies exclusively to Franklin County Schools and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year. It does not change statewide calendar rules but provides targeted flexibility for this district based on documented emergency closure patterns.

Maddy summaryHB 296 establishes a $89.5 million program to provide financial assistance to North Carolina corn farmers who suffered crop losses due to 2024 disasters like drought and hurricanes in USDA-designated disaster counties. Farmers must verify losses using USDA forms or equivalent documentation within 45 days, with payments calculated using county yield averages and state price data. Funds can only be used for agricultural recovery expenses like replanting or equipment repair, and recipients must provide proof of eligible spending. The program builds on existing state disaster funds and requires strict documentation to prevent misuse, with potential audits and repayment for inaccurate claims.

Maddy summaryHB 286 allows Vance County Schools to set an earlier school start date (as early as August 19, instead of the standard August 26) if the district has experienced eight emergency closures per year over four of the last ten years due to weather, power failures, or other emergencies. This waiver requires the school board to demonstrate "good cause" based on historical closure data, ensuring the calendar still meets minimum instructional day requirements. The bill applies exclusively to Vance County Schools and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 310 proposes a constitutional amendment to North Carolina that would require all eminent domain takings (government seizure of private property) to serve a "public use" and mandate fair compensation determined by a jury. It directly affects property owners, local governments, and utilities by restricting when property can be taken and ensuring compensation is set through a jury trial. The bill also updates existing law (G.S. 40A-3) to clarify which entities (like utilities or local governments) may exercise eminent domain for specific projects. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 277 grants Johnston County Schools flexibility to set an earlier school start date (as early as August 19, instead of the standard August 26) if they demonstrate "good cause" through documented emergency closures (8+ days in 4 of the last 10 years). It also allows the district to administer standardized assessments earlier if they conclude the fall semester before December 31, while maintaining required assessment timing windows for other courses. The bill specifically applies only to Johnston County Schools, effective for the 2025-2026 school year. This is a targeted procedural adjustment for one school district, not a statewide policy change.