Rep. Neal Jackson

Maddy summaryHB 934, the "Artificial Intelligence Regulatory Reform Act," establishes new regulations related to artificial intelligence and deepfakes. The bill creates a new criminal offense for the unlawful creation or distribution of "deepfakes" - images or videos created to deceive - without consent, when done to cause harm or influence an election. It also grants civil liability immunity to developers of artificial intelligence products when a "learned professional" uses their product to provide services. Under this provision, the learned professional would be solely responsible for any damages to their client resulting from errors generated by the AI product. This legislation affects individuals who create or distribute deepfakes, as well as AI product developers, licensed professionals, and their clients.

Maddy summaryHB 976 enacts the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act, establishing specific procedures for dividing or selling real property commonly owned by relatives, referred to as "heirs property." This bill affects cotenants involved in partition proceedings for such property. It requires courts to first determine if the property qualifies as heirs property and then mandates a fair market value appraisal. A key provision allows cotenants who wish to retain the property to buy out the interests of those who requested a sale, based on the determined value.

Maddy summaryHB 270 revises North Carolina's death penalty laws by altering the available methods of execution for individuals sentenced to death. It allows convicted persons to choose between electrocution, firing squad, or lethal injection, with electrocution serving as the default if no election is made or other methods are unavailable. The bill also protects licensed healthcare professionals from disciplinary action for assisting in executions and permits other medical professionals, like nurses or paramedics, to monitor the process and certify death. Additionally, it makes the identities of those involved in carrying out executions confidential.

Maddy summaryHB 483 proposes several changes to juvenile justice procedures. The bill extends the maximum terms of probation and post-release supervision for youth adjudicated of certain violent offenses (Class A, B1, or B2 felonies) to up to three years. It clarifies a victim's right to be notified and heard regarding the termination of a juvenile's probation or post-release supervision. Additionally, the bill modifies criteria for secure custody, allowing a superior court judge to issue such an order after a case is moved to juvenile court and authorizing it for juveniles who violate domestic violence protective orders.

Maddy summaryHB 97 adds stomach cancer (gastric cancer) to the list of occupationally related cancers that qualify firefighters for "killed in the line of duty" benefits under North Carolina's Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act. This means firefighters who die from stomach cancer directly linked to their firefighting duties will automatically be eligible for death benefits, easing the process for families seeking compensation. The bill appropriates $500,000 annually from 2025-2027 to cover these benefits. It takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to qualifying deaths occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 773 proposes changes to how North Carolina public schools (K-12) are graded on their performance. The bill modifies the calculation of school achievement scores by altering the specific student proficiency measures used across different grade levels and shifts from a composite weighting to giving equal weight to each achievement element. It also revises the calculation of school growth scores, specifying which achievement measures contribute to growth for each grade band and adding metrics for students in the lowest 25% for English Language Arts and mathematics. These adjustments directly impact how the State Board of Education assigns overall performance scores and grades to schools.

Maddy summaryHB 406, titled "Clarify Motor Vehicle Dealer Laws," revises regulations affecting motor vehicle manufacturers and dealerships. The bill makes it unlawful for manufacturers to unreasonably prevent the transfer or sale of a dealership, or to condition such approvals on requirements like facility construction or granting a right of first refusal. It also prohibits manufacturers from considering an applicant's past legal actions against other manufacturers or prior denials by other manufacturers when evaluating a dealership transfer. Additionally, the bill stipulates that manufacturers cannot terminate or cancel a dealer's franchise without demonstrating good cause and good faith, with the franchise remaining in effect during the Commissioner's review process.

Maddy summaryHB 139, titled "Baby Boxes/Newborn Safety Device," allows for the safe surrender of infants up to 30 days old using a specialized newborn safety device. This bill permits parents to place an infant in these devices, which must have a dual alarm system connected to the facility and be tested monthly. These devices can only be installed at continuously staffed emergency departments, emergency facilities, or social services offices, where qualified healthcare providers, first responders, or social services workers will take temporary custody of the infant. The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 875 directs the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to establish a comprehensive system of mathematics support for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. This system requires DPI to provide approved lists of high-quality supplemental math systems for screening and progress monitoring, as well as instructional materials for intervention and core curriculum. These materials must utilize structured problem-based learning, explicit instruction, and provide responsive feedback to students. The bill also mandates DPI to offer approved professional development programs for K-8 teachers to implement these new instructional approaches effectively. Parents will be notified of any identified mathematical deficiencies, including characteristics of dyscalculia, and receive information on interventions and home strategies.

Maddy summaryHB 92, titled the "NC Digital Assets Investments Act," authorizes the North Carolina State Treasurer to invest various state funds in qualifying digital assets. This includes funds from the General Fund, Highway Fund, and numerous retirement and special funds. The bill specifies that eligible digital assets must be exchange-traded products with an average market capitalization of at least $750 billion over the preceding 12 months. Additionally, investments in digital assets cannot exceed 10% of a fund's balance, and the State Treasurer must use a defined "secure custody solution" if managing these assets internally.