Rep. Neal Jackson

Maddy summaryHB 996 reduces North Carolina's state budget spending limit by lowering the cap on the General Fund operating budget from 7% to 6% of projected total state personal income each year. This directly affects the state government's annual budget planning, requiring it to spend less relative to the state's economic output. The bill maintains the existing process for exceeding the cap, which still requires a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers. It takes effect July 1, 2025, for budgets adopted on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 828 prohibits proposition wagers (bets on specific in-game actions like player stats or minor occurrences that don’t affect the final outcome) on college and amateur sports, effective July 1, 2025. It also bans in-person sports betting at venues hosting college events during the eight hours before and during those events. The bill defines "proposition wager" specifically to exclude such bets, while allowing other forms of legal sports wagering. It directly affects sports facilities hosting college games, bettors placing these specific wagers, and operators managing wagering platforms. The law does not restrict betting on professional sports or the final outcome of college games.

Maddy summaryHB 264, the Wire Fraud Prevention Act, requires banks to verify payment orders through specific security procedures (like verbal checks with customers and beneficiaries) before processing transfers. It mandates that banks refund full amounts for unauthorized payments within 90 days of notification, or 25% within 30 days for certain cases, while customers must report issues promptly to avoid losing interest. The law also obligates beneficiary banks to pay recipients within specific timeframes (including delaying full payment for new accounts over $100,000) and notify recipients of payment receipts by midnight the next business day. This directly affects banks handling wire transfers and their customers, with changes taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 791, the Women's Safety and Protection Act, defines "biological sex" (based on physical characteristics at birth) and "gender" in North Carolina law and mandates that single/multiple occupancy restrooms, changing facilities, and sleeping quarters in state-funded facilities (including public schools, prisons, domestic violence centers, and juvenile facilities) be designated for use by one biological sex at a time. The bill requires facilities to have policies ensuring only one biological sex uses these spaces simultaneously, with exceptions for family use, maintenance, medical emergencies, or safety threats. It specifically prohibits students from sharing sleeping quarters with individuals of another biological sex in public schools unless family members or with parental permission. The law applies to all covered facilities receiving state funds, including public schools and domestic violence centers, and subjects its provisions to "intermediate scrutiny" under constitutional review.

Maddy summaryHB 774 ("School Breakfast for All") mandates that all North Carolina public schools (pre-K through 12) provide free breakfast to every student, eliminating costs for families. It establishes a Farm-to-Table Initiative requiring schools to partner with local farmers for fresh, locally sourced ingredients in breakfast meals. The bill allocates $39 million in recurring state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to cover program costs, while requiring annual reports on participation rates, costs, and impacts on student health and academic performance. This directly affects all public school students, school districts, and North Carolina agricultural producers.

Maddy summaryHB 776, the North Carolina Religious Freedom Restoration Act, requires state and local governments to apply strict scrutiny before restricting religious practices. It protects religious gatherings in places of worship, homes, and neighborhoods from neutral laws or regulations that incidentally burden faith, such as housing rules or emergency orders. The law defines a "burden" as any government action limiting religious exercise (including withholding benefits or imposing penalties) and mandates that such restrictions must serve a compelling government interest through the least restrictive means. It explicitly does not affect constitutional protections against government establishment of religion or alter existing housing nondiscrimination laws.

Maddy summaryHB 780 appropriates $2 million to expand the All Pro Dad program in North Carolina through Family First, Inc., funding school-based chapters, father-child engagement events, and parenting resources. It also creates the "Responsible Fatherhood NC" program under the Department of Health and Human Services, requiring a nonprofit manager to run a statewide media campaign, provide father-focused resources, and promote existing fatherhood initiatives. The bill directs grants to community organizations addressing fathers' needs - such as employment, child support, and parenting skills - with priority given to areas facing high unemployment, incarceration, or single-parent households. The program directly supports North Carolina fathers and their children, aiming to improve family well-being through increased paternal involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 761 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit North Carolina's regular legislative sessions to 90 days in odd-numbered years and 45 days in even-numbered years. This would apply only to regular sessions (not reconvened or special sessions) and directly affect the North Carolina General Assembly. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election, where voters would decide whether to adopt the session length limits. If approved, it would take effect for regular sessions starting after certification. The bill does not change current session lengths, as it is pending voter approval.

Maddy summaryHB 716 modifies North Carolina's bail bond laws to clarify when a bail bond forfeiture can be overturned. It directly affects defendants, bail bondsmen (sureties), and courts by adding specific requirements for setting aside forfeitures related to defendant incarceration. The key provision requires that if a defendant is held in any U.S. jail or prison during a failure to appear, the jail must notify the local district attorney in writing (via hand delivery, electronic filing, or certified mail) and provide proof the defendant remained incarcerated for 10 days after notification. This replaces vague prior language with clear, documented procedures for bondsmen to avoid liability when defendants are incarcerated. The bill does not change bail amounts or eligibility but streamlines how forfeitures are resolved in cases of incarceration.

Maddy summaryHB 721 appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to fund Muddy Sneakers, Inc.'s fifth-grade science programs, which provide hands-on field instruction aligned with state science standards. It also allocates $2.75 million to St. Gerard House to support its autism treatment programs. The funding is designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with the Muddy Sneakers funds being recurring and the St. Gerard House grant nonrecurring. The bill directly affects fifth-grade students in North Carolina public schools and individuals receiving autism services through St. Gerard House.