Rep. David Willis

Maddy summaryHB 52, the "Protect Those Who Serve and Protect Act of 2025," increases penalties for assaults against public safety personnel and their animals. It creates a new Class I felony offense for throwing, spraying, or projecting substances (like water) at public safety officers or law enforcement/search and rescue animals while they are on duty or due to their role. The bill also prohibits intentionally pointing laser devices at these protected individuals or animals during duty. These changes update existing assault laws to explicitly cover a wider range of emergency workers (including firefighters, medical staff, National Guard members, and school employees) and add specific protections for animals used in public safety.

Maddy summaryHB 365, the Workforce Education Act, revises North Carolina's community college funding model to base allocations on student enrollment in workforce-focused programs like career training and continuing education, starting in 2025-2026. It creates an Enrollment Increase Reserve (funded with $6 million initially) to provide additional support to colleges experiencing enrollment growth exceeding 5% or 325 students, preventing funds from reverting to the general budget. The bill also expands funding for cooperative high schools in underserved areas, with tiered payments based on county development status (e.g., $740,000 for first high schools in "Tier One" regions). These changes directly affect community colleges, public school students accessing career programs, and participating high schools seeking to expand workforce education opportunities.

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 314 creates a faster legal process for property owners (or their authorized representatives) to remove people occupying their residential property without legal right, excluding tenants who have overstayed their lease. To use this process, the owner must file a sworn affidavit with the clerk of court (paying a $25 fee) proving the occupant entered unlawfully after the owner acquired the property, was told to leave, paid no rent, and isn’t a tenant. Law enforcement must remove the occupant within 24 hours of receiving the affidavit, with the owner able to change locks afterward. The bill specifically excludes occupants with valid leases or rental agreements and requires proof that no other legal agreement or payment exists.

Maddy summaryHB 2 requires North Carolina public high schools to accept cash for admission to interscholastic athletic events and provide free entry to seniors with a Tar Heel Card (issued by the Department of Health and Human Services). It directly affects students, families, and seniors attending high school sports events by changing payment rules for admission fees. The bill mandates that schools must accept cash at the gate and honor Tar Heel Cards for free admission upon presentation. These requirements apply starting the 2025-2026 school year. The law amends state education rules governing athletic activity fees.

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 299 increases the property tax exemption for disabled veterans in North Carolina from $45,000 to $54,000 of a home's appraised value. It directly affects qualifying disabled veterans who own and occupy their primary residence, allowing them to exclude a larger portion of their home's value from property taxes. The bill amends Section 105-277.1C of state law to reflect this higher exclusion limit, while maintaining that recipients cannot claim other property tax relief. This change takes effect for property taxes due on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 274 appropriates $5 million from the General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to Crossnore Communities for Children, a nonprofit organization, to fund foster care services across North Carolina. The bill directs funds toward specific programs including family reunification, youth independent living, trauma resilience initiatives, and community engagement, all delivered from Crossnore's locations in Winston-Salem, Crossnore, and Hendersonville. These services are designed to support children in foster care and their families statewide. The appropriation is nonrecurring and becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 224 renames the "North Carolina Gaming Education Revenue Fund" to the "Indian Gaming Education Revenue Fund" and allocates specific recurring and one-time funds for tribal communities in North Carolina. The bill directs $2 million annually to the North Carolina State Commission of Indian Affairs for operations, $5.25 million annually to seven non-gaming tribes (including the Coharie, Lumbee, and Haliwa-Saponi) for cultural, educational, and economic development, and $400,000 annually to four Urban Indian Organizations for similar purposes. It also provides $100,000 yearly to support the State Advisory Council on Indian Education and $1.1 million nonrecurring funds for specific tribal school projects like the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal School. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, with all funds to be used for designated community development purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 222 appropriates $217 million from the State Emergency Response Fund to North Carolina's Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) for homeowner recovery projects related to Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. The bill requires NCORR to submit detailed monthly reports on fund usage, including expenditures and project progress, and mandates weekly financial reports to the State Auditor for oversight. It also establishes a public online dashboard tracking funds versus actual spending and includes a clawback provision to return unused funds to the Savings Reserve after projects conclude. The law revises NCORR's responsibilities, ending its role in future storm recovery programs.