Rep. Amber Baker

Maddy summaryHB 1077 creates a grant program for North Carolina community colleges to train students as tax preparers for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, allowing them to help low-income individuals, people with disabilities, and limited English speakers file their taxes for free. The bill provides $1.38 million in initial funding and $610,000 in recurring funds to support curriculum development, faculty incentives, and paid work-based learning opportunities where students earn hourly wages during tax season. Additionally, the legislation allocates $840,000 to the United Way of North Carolina to expand its VITA services by increasing the number of locations, hiring dedicated staff, and improving outreach and financial education resources. These measures aim to help an estimated 225,000 eligible North Carolina filers claim the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit, which has an average value of about $2,894 per person. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026, and includes provisions for training and technical assistance to ensure the program runs effectively.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $85 million in state funds to cover administrative cost losses for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in North Carolina, which result from a federal law reducing federal funding. The money is split between the state Department of Health and Human Services and the county-level Division of Social Services, with funds distributed to counties based on their specific financial losses. These allocations are strictly limited to the actual amount of lost federal receipts and will become available starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies North Carolina's divorce laws to allow victims of domestic violence to file for divorce without waiting the usual one-year separation period. To qualify for this expedited process, the applicant must provide proof of abuse through a domestic violence protection order, a criminal conviction against their spouse, or a judge's ruling based on evidence such as police records or medical documentation. Additionally, the legislation allocates $50,000 in state funds to a specific nonprofit organization to support victims of domestic violence. The changes apply to divorce cases filed after the law takes effect and do not impact cases already pending in court.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to North Carolina's Innovations waiver for families with children who have significant medical needs by adding 6,635 new slots and funding them with $240 million starting in 2026. It also modifies the Opportunity Scholarship Program to prioritize students from lower-income households by capping eligibility at 200% of the federal free lunch income threshold and adjusting grant amounts based on family income levels. To support these changes, the legislation reduces the overall scholarship fund by $240 million while simultaneously directing substantial recurring funding to the program's reserve for the next 15 years.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fair Share for Public Schools Act, would introduce a new 7% income tax on individuals in North Carolina earning more than $1 million annually. The revenue generated from this tax, after deducting administrative costs, would be directed to the State Public School Fund to support local schools on a per-pupil basis. The law applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and is designed to provide additional funding for public education without altering existing tax rates for lower-income earners.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $250,000 from the state General Fund to support the Shotgun House Museum in Winston-Salem. The funds are provided as a directed grant to Triad Cultural Arts, Inc., a nonprofit organization managing the historic site. The money will be used for improvements to the property to maintain its role as an immersive museum for students, visitors, and community events. This funding is designated for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1048 allocates $72,000 from the state's General Fund to support the annual Winston-Salem HIV/AIDS Awareness Walk in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funding is designated as a directed grant to Joyful Soul Treasures, Inc., a nonprofit organization responsible for organizing the event. This legislation aims to help the walk raise awareness, reduce stigma, and increase education about HIV/AIDS within the community. The bill becomes effective on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis legislation allocates $1.8 million in state funds to Guilford Technical Community College for the expansion of its Aviation Center. The money is drawn from the General Fund and is intended for capital expenses associated with the project during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. These funds will remain available until spent and are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1051 allocates $250,000 in state funds to the MedAid Foundation to improve healthcare for seniors and vulnerable populations in North Carolina. The grant is intended to address barriers such as a lack of affordable medical supplies, limited preventive care, and insufficient support from existing facilities. This funding will be available for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with the bill taking effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1056 aims to increase housing supply in North Carolina by allowing residential construction in commercial zones and banning minimum parking requirements for new developments. The bill also creates a state program to reimburse local governments for costs associated with speeding up housing permit reviews and provides additional funding to the state housing finance agency. These measures are designed to reduce regulatory barriers that currently limit the number of homes being built and help address rising housing costs.