Rep. Reece Pyrtle

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 272, known as "The Sergeant Mickey Hutchens Act," allows certain law enforcement, probation/parole, and correctional officers in North Carolina to purchase additional retirement service credit. Officers who hold an advanced law enforcement or corrections certificate and have at least five years of membership service can buy up to four years of creditable service. This purchase applies to members of the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System or the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System. To do so, they must pay a lump sum covering the full cost of the increased retirement system liability and an administrative fee, with the option for their employer to contribute to this cost.

Maddy summaryHB 695 amends the allocation of 911 funds to support the state's VIPER public safety radio network. This bill requires the 911 Board to allocate a minimum of 20% of total 911 service charges to the State Highway Patrol. These funds are designated for the support and maintenance of the VIPER system, specifically for its role in 911 services, ensuring interoperability among 911 systems, and facilitating first responder dispatch. This change aims to enhance emergency communications and dispatch capabilities throughout the state and becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 707 prohibits North Carolina state agencies and local governments from purchasing small drones (under 55 pounds) made or assembled by foreign vendors linked to China or Russia, or listed on U.S. sanctions lists. The bill directly affects all state and local government entities that buy drone technology, banning the use of state funds for such purchases starting July 1, 2027. Key provisions define "covered foreign entities" as those tied to Chinese/Russian governments, on U.S. sanctions lists, or controlled by those nations. This law aims to restrict drone acquisitions from specific foreign sources without altering existing drone usage policies.

Maddy summaryHB 887 defines "abandoned vessels" (left unattended >30 days without permission) and "derelict vessels" (in poor condition, like wrecked or sinking), directly affecting vessel owners and operators in North Carolina. It creates new rules requiring vessels to be secured properly to avoid damaging waters or property, limits docking in state waters to 10 days within any 30-day period, and gives the Commission authority to remove abandoned or derelict vessels from public or private land/waters without liability. The bill includes exceptions for historic shipwrecks under state custody and vessels abandoned during emergencies, where owners must notify authorities and remove the vessel within 10 days. This legislation aims to address safety and environmental risks posed by neglected vessels.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows federally licensed gun dealers in North Carolina to safely store firearms for private owners without charging a fee. It provides legal protection for these dealers against lawsuits if someone is injured or killed during the storage period, unless the dealer was negligent or acted unlawfully. The state Bureau of Investigation will create a standard form for these agreements and keep them confidential, while dealers cannot store illegally possessed guns or return weapons to prohibited individuals. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 890 requires North Carolina's Department of Public Instruction to create an Emergency Internet Service Plan (EISP) ensuring public schools can access temporary internet during state emergencies, like natural disasters. The bill establishes a dedicated Emergency Internet Service Fund with $3.9 million in initial funding for equipment and service contracts, which schools cannot be charged to activate. Key provisions include requiring the plan to cover activation conditions, equipment needs, data protection, and third-party partnerships, while ensuring the fund is nonreverting (unused money carries over). This directly affects all public school units by guaranteeing emergency internet access without requiring school-level funding. The plan must be updated annually and reported to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 354 requires courts in North Carolina to block filings by individuals declared legally incompetent by a court unless submitted through their guardian or attorney. It mandates courts to strike non-compliant filings and issue "gatekeeper orders" to prevent unauthorized submissions. The bill also creates a centralized database for courts to quickly identify individuals with such court declarations. This applies to all civil cases filed or pending after December 1, 2025, directly affecting people declared legally incompetent and their legal representatives.

Maddy summaryHB 53 would increase property damage thresholds for classifying at-fault car accidents under North Carolina's Safe Driver Incentive Plan. It raises the "major" accident threshold from $3,850 to $5,975, the "intermediate" range from $2,300-$3,850 to $3,570-$5,975, and sets a new "minor" threshold at $3,570 or less. This change would reduce surcharges for drivers involved in property damage accidents below these higher thresholds. The bill would take effect October 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 849 would require state, city, or public authorities to pay for relocating utility infrastructure (such as power lines, fiber optic cables, and wireless facilities) when relocation is mandated for federally funded highway projects. The state must cover these costs after deducting any increase in the facility's value or salvage value from the old infrastructure. The bill also mandates that cities reimburse utility companies for relocation expenses within their rights-of-way, though this requirement does not apply to cities with fewer than 5,000 residents unless the project is federally funded.

Maddy summaryHB 487 shortens the required separation period for retired assistant district attorneys and assistant public defenders before they can return to state employment. The bill changes North Carolina's retirement rules to allow these professionals to rejoin state work after 30 days instead of the standard six-month waiting period. This adjustment applies specifically to retired assistant district attorneys and public defenders who wish to return to state service. The policy change directly affects these two groups of retired state employees by providing greater flexibility for reemployment.