Rep. Amber Baker

Maddy summaryHB 1053 directs the North Carolina General Assembly to allocate additional state funds to the Department of Public Instruction for classroom supplies and equipment. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the bill provides $28.6 million, with further increases of $15.1 million and $22.6 million planned for the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 fiscal years respectively. These recurring funds are intended to increase the specific allotment given to schools for instructional materials and equipment. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the North Carolina Department of Commerce to create a biennial report assessing economic opportunity, affordability, and family economic security across the state. The report must use existing public data to track specific metrics such as poverty rates, job wages, household spending on essentials like housing and childcare, and access to education and workforce training. It will be submitted to legislative committees and the public by January 31 of each odd-numbered year, with funding of $200,000 allocated starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support its implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1045, known as the Fair Wages in Health Care Act, establishes minimum hourly wages for five specific direct care occupations in North Carolina: home care aides, direct support professionals, certified nursing assistants, psychiatric aides, and licensed practical nurses. The bill sets wage floors ranging from $18 to $24 per hour depending on the role, with protections against employers using different job titles to avoid paying the required rates. To help healthcare providers meet these new costs, the Department of Health and Human Services must adjust reimbursement rates for publicly funded programs and update contracts with managed care organizations. The law takes effect on October 1, 2027, and applies to all employers in the state, regardless of whether they are public or private entities.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill allocates $31,000 in state funds to a specific nonprofit organization called Joyful Soul Treasures, Inc. The money is designated for a marketing campaign and an eight-week workshop aimed at improving sexual health education and awareness. The program specifically targets adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18, covering costs for materials, instructors, and event supplies. The funding is intended for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with the act becoming effective on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1059 establishes a new state minimum wage of $15.00 per hour in North Carolina, which will automatically increase each year based on inflation starting in 2027. The bill creates the North Carolina Wage Board to review wage competitiveness and allows local governments to set their own higher minimum wages if they choose. It also introduces a short-time compensation program to help businesses manage layoffs during economic downturns and sets a lower minimum wage of $11.00 for small businesses with annual revenue under $400,000. Additionally, the legislation maintains existing provisions for subminimum wages for students, individuals with disabilities, and seasonal food service workers while clarifying rules around tip credits and pooling.

Maddy summaryHB 1052 allocates $1 million from the state's General Fund to Forsyth County in the Triad region for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. These nonrecurring funds are designated as a directed grant specifically for the Cure Violence Program, which aims to reduce violence in the area. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and does not alter existing laws but provides new financial resources for this specific initiative.

Maddy summaryHB 1057, known as the Affordable Food Act, aims to improve food security in North Carolina by expanding access to nutritious food and supporting local agriculture. The bill authorizes the state to request a federal waiver to create a program that matches SNAP benefits for purchases of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods at retailers and farmers markets. It also allocates state funding to administer these incentive programs and covers potential administrative losses due to recent federal changes to SNAP. Additionally, the legislation seeks to protect agricultural land from development and prohibits dynamic pricing in grocery stores to stabilize food costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Plyler Educational Protections Act, ensures that all children in North Carolina public schools receive equal access to education regardless of their immigration status or their parents' citizenship. It prohibits schools from denying enrollment, excluding students from programs, or asking for documentation related to a student's or parent's immigration history, with limited exceptions for legal warrants or parental consent. To enforce these protections, the legislation requires schools to create specific action plans that designate a single point of contact for immigration authorities and establish clear procedures for handling their requests on campus. Additionally, the bill mandates that schools notify parents within 24 hours if immigration officials visit the school and provides guidelines for sharing student information only when legally required or authorized.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new salary schedules for public school teachers and principals in North Carolina effective for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It sets specific monthly pay rates for teachers based on years of experience and adds bonuses for those with advanced certifications or degrees, while also adjusting compensation for school support staff like nurses and counselors. Principals will receive annual salaries determined by their school's student enrollment and performance growth scores over the previous three years. Additionally, the legislation enhances sick leave benefits for state employees and provides a cost-of-living adjustment for certain retirees.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the authority for North Carolina counties to collect a one percent local sales tax on groceries, effectively exempting food from these local taxes. By removing the option for voters to approve this specific tax, the legislation directly affects county governments and consumers who currently pay this surcharge on food purchases. The change applies to sales made on or after October 1, 2026, and does not alter the existing state sales tax rules.