Rep. Neal Jackson

Maddy summaryHB 126 requires state and local agencies to seek input from agricultural advisory boards before condemning or rezoning farmland within voluntary agricultural districts. It mandates that agencies request public hearings on such proposals, giving boards 45 days to review and submit recommendations. Agencies cannot proceed with condemnation or rezoning actions while the board is processing the request, extending the timeline to 120 days after the board submits its findings. The bill directly affects landowners in these districts and agencies making land use decisions, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 661, the Building Industry Efficiency Act of 2025, modifies North Carolina's construction and street regulations to streamline development. It prohibits inspection departments from charging fees for canceling inspections more than one business day early (Section 1.1), and limits municipalities from imposing stricter street design standards than the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for both public and private streets (Sections 1.2-1.3). For private streets, developers must disclose if engineered designs fall below NCDOT standards and provide disclosures to buyers before sales. Municipalities and counties must accept pedestrian facilities or street improvements into public road systems after project completion, but counties need agreements with NCDOT or municipalities first (Sections 1.4-1.5). The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting developers, municipalities, engineers, and property buyers.

Maddy summaryHB 860, the Social Media Control in Information Technology Act, requires social media platforms with over 1 million U.S. monthly active users to stop using North Carolina minors' (under 18) personal data for advertising or algorithm-driven content recommendations. It mandates platforms to provide clear, easy-to-use privacy tools allowing users to control data sharing, with special opt-in consent required for minors' data. The bill prohibits "dark patterns" in consent processes and defines strict terms like "personal information" to cover data ranging from location to health details. Violations would be treated as unfair business practices under North Carolina law, with funds appropriated for enforcement. The law directly affects major social media platforms operating in North Carolina, focusing on protecting minors' data privacy rather than addressing broader social media use.

Maddy summaryHB 478 changes how North Carolina fills vacancies in district attorney (DA) offices. It requires the Governor to appoint a replacement from a list of up to three candidates recommended by the political party of the outgoing DA (or by the General Assembly if the DA was unaffiliated), within 30 days of the vacancy. If recommendations aren't provided in time, the Governor can appoint directly. This affects all unexpired DA terms in the state, ensuring appointments align with the political party of the vacating official.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 560, known as the "Parents Protection Act," makes several changes to laws governing juvenile care and child adoption. The bill specifies that parents, guardians, or caretakers who raise a juvenile consistent with their biological sex, including related mental health or medical decisions, shall not be subject to abuse or neglect petitions or child abuse charges solely based on those actions. Additionally, it prohibits adoption and foster care agencies from denying opportunities or placements to prospective parents based on their refusal to support a child's gender transition. These provisions apply to petitions filed and offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 754 aims to protect disabled and older adults from financial exploitation. It empowers financial institutions to take action when they reasonably suspect such exploitation by updating relevant laws. Financial institutions are required to report suspected cases to law enforcement and social services, and they can contact designated "trusted contacts." The bill also allows these institutions to temporarily delay or refuse suspicious transactions for up to 30 days and grants them immunity from liability for these good-faith actions.

Maddy summaryHB 674, "The Firearms Liberty Act," proposes several changes to firearms regulations. It would allow for the issuance of lifetime concealed handgun permits, in addition to the current five-year permits, affecting individuals seeking to carry concealed handguns. The bill also specifies that permittees whose concealed carry permits lapse would not need to retake a firearms safety course for renewal under certain conditions. Furthermore, it aims to protect the property rights of individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders by enabling them to store or sell their firearms through qualified licensed dealers. Finally, the bill authorizes the storage and use of defensive devices in biometric safes for schools.

Maddy summaryHB 690, "The Citizens Support Act," directs several state and local agencies to ensure that state-funded benefits are provided only to U.S. citizens and noncitizens legally authorized to reside in the United States. The Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Commerce, Housing Finance Agency, and local housing authorities must develop plans to review eligibility criteria and verify the immigration status of applicants for various benefits, including housing, welfare, and medical assistance. State-funded institutions of higher education are required to adopt policies to verify applicants' legal residency for tuition and educational benefits. Additionally, the Division of Employment Security must implement a policy to verify legal residency for unemployment benefit applicants. These agencies are also mandated to report on their implementation progress and any federal laws that prevent them from denying benefits.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 818 aims to standardize access to new birth certificates for adopted individuals, making the process similar to those who are not adopted. It directs the State Registrar to prepare a new birth certificate for adoptees that lists their adoptive parents and contains no reference to the adoption itself. The bill specifies that certified copies of these new birth certificates can be provided to the adoptee, their children, adoptive parents, and other immediate adoptive family members. It also ensures original birth certificates and adoption records remain sealed, while counties receive copies of the new certificate to replace the original. This act is intended to apply to new birth certificates for persons adopted before, on, or after October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 781 bans unauthorized public camping or sleeping on public property across North Carolina, directly affecting individuals experiencing homelessness and local governments. It prohibits counties and municipalities from allowing such activities, but permits them to designate specific public property for temporary camping for up to one year. These designated sites must meet standards for safety, sanitation (including restrooms and water), and access to behavioral health services, and prohibit illegal substance use. Such designations require certification from the Department of Health and Human Services, which assesses factors like shelter bed availability and proximity to residential areas. Residents or businesses can take legal action against local governments that fail to enforce the ban.