Rep. Dennis Riddell

Maddy summaryThis amendment to House Bill 223 allows the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to permanently hire certain temporary employees without going through the standard state hiring process. To qualify for this streamlined hiring, a temporary worker must have held a substantially equivalent role for at least six months with satisfactory performance and must have been hired through the Office of State Human Resources Temporary Solutions Program. The provision applies only to positions with an annual salary of $80,000 or less and exempts the hiring from most requirements like public job postings and interviews, though it still mandates background checks and other standard pre-employment conditions. This authority is set to expire 180 days after the law is enacted, and the department must report on the number and types of positions filled under this program by July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone creating political advertisements in North Carolina to clearly state that the ad was generated using artificial intelligence. The law applies to a wide range of sponsors, including candidates, political parties, and other groups, covering ads on social media, websites, email, text messages, and automated phone calls. For digital ads, the disclaimer must follow existing size rules, while phone calls must include the statement for at least two seconds so it is easily understood. Failure to include this required label could result in a Class 1 misdemeanor charge for the sponsor.

Maddy summaryHB 984 creates a new legal process in North Carolina that allows property owners to request law enforcement agencies to quickly remove people who are occupying their private residential homes without permission. To use this process, an owner must file a sworn complaint stating that the occupants are not tenants, have no legal right to the property, and have been told to leave, while also confirming there is no ongoing lawsuit between the parties. If a police department or sheriff's office verifies the complaint, they are required to remove the unauthorized individuals within 48 hours and may arrest them for trespassing or other offenses. The bill also establishes that property owners must pay for police time if they request officers to stay on site to help change locks or secure the property, and it provides a way for removed individuals to sue for damages if the removal was done incorrectly.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state constitution to eliminate the literacy test requirement for voting. By removing this specific provision, the legislation ensures that all eligible citizens can vote regardless of their reading or writing abilities. The change directly affects voters who previously might have been disenfranchised by this barrier. It does not alter other voting qualifications or the overall structure of the election process.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Jockey's Ridge in Nags Head as a unique coastal geological area of environmental concern. It establishes specific rules for development within the site, requiring permits for sand removal projects that exceed ten cubic yards per year. Any sand removed under these permits must be returned to designated areas within the Jockey's Ridge State Park. Additionally, the legislation prohibits development activities that would significantly block the natural movement of sand, with limited exceptions for essential infrastructure and maintenance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to allow The University of North Carolina to enter into agreements with technology vendors to trade in or buy back surplus computer equipment. The legislation specifically authorizes the university to sell back devices even if they were not originally purchased from the vendor and sets conditions for distributing surplus computers to nonprofit organizations that refurbish them for low-income students. To ensure accountability, the bill requires nonprofits to report on their refurbishment efforts and the disposition of any equipment they cannot fix, with annual reports submitted to the university board and the state's education oversight committee. These changes aim to streamline the management of university surplus technology while maintaining oversight on how donated resources are used.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, prohibits payment card networks from using special codes to track purchases of firearms or ammunition at merchants in North Carolina. It also bans these networks from maintaining records that identify individuals who own firearms within the state. The law applies to entities that process electronic payments, such as credit card companies, but excludes federally insured banks and credit unions. If a payment network violates these rules, the Attorney General can impose fines of up to $10,000 per violation, and affected merchants or customers can sue for similar damages plus legal fees. The legislation aims to prevent the surveillance of lawful gun purchases and ensure that firearms merchants are not discriminated against based on their business type.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Health Care Omnibus, introduces several changes to North Carolina's healthcare regulations. It requires doctors and pharmacists to inform patients receiving opioid prescriptions about the risks of overdose, prevention methods, and the availability of reversal drugs. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that Medicaid benefits will continue for a limited time after individuals are released from prison or other incarceration facilities. The bill also expands access to mental health services by allowing reciprocal licensing for marriage and family therapists, reducing regulatory hurdles for master's level psychologists, and encouraging the use of tribal health facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal process allowing property owners to request the immediate removal of unauthorized individuals from residential homes by contacting their local sheriff. To use this process, the owner must file a sworn complaint stating that the person is not a tenant or resident, has been asked to leave, and that no valid lease exists, after which the sheriff must act within 24 hours. The legislation also increases penalties for willful damage to residential property and prohibits fraudulent rental advertisements while requiring all leases to be in writing. Property owners who incorrectly use this removal process could face civil lawsuits, including triple damages based on the rent and legal fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Physician Assistant Licensure Compact in North Carolina to make it easier for licensed PAs to practice across different states. Under the new rules, a PA holding a valid license in one participating state can obtain a temporary privilege to work in another participating state without applying for a full new license. The system requires PAs to follow the laws of the state where the patient is located and allows state boards to discipline practitioners who move between states. Additionally, the compact includes specific provisions to help active-duty military personnel and their spouses obtain practice privileges quickly when relocating.