Rep. Sam Watford

Maddy summaryHB 411 reduces the early voting period for primary elections in North Carolina from 17 days to 6 days. The bill requires counties to conduct early voting for primaries within a six-day window ending on the last Saturday before the election, affecting voters participating in primary elections. This change applies to all primary elections (including runoffs) and takes effect January 1, 2026. The bill does not alter early voting periods for general elections or municipal elections, which maintain separate rules.

Maddy summaryHB 276 expands the definition of "killed in the line of duty" for firefighters to include deaths caused by specific cancers that previously qualified them for benefits under North Carolina's Firefighters' Cancer Insurance Program. The bill adds seven specific cancers (like mesothelioma and testicular cancer) to the list and includes any cancer diagnosis that already provided benefits under the existing program. It also formally links the Firefighters' Health Benefits Pilot Program to the Cancer Insurance Program, ensuring consistent coverage, and appropriates $2 million annually for related death benefits starting July 1, 2025. This change directly affects firefighters diagnosed with covered cancers and their families, who will now qualify for death benefits under the Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act.

Maddy summaryHB 280 allocates $30,000 in one-time state funds to support the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature, a program for older residents to engage with state policy. The funding, from the General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, covers operational costs for this existing program established under state law. It directly affects the Senior Tar Heel Legislature by providing financial resources for its activities. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not create new policy but enables the program's continued operation.

Maddy summaryHJR 157 is a procedural resolution inviting Governor Josh Stein to address a joint session of the North Carolina General Assembly on March 12, 2025. It directs a committee of five House members and five Senate members to extend the invitation and specifies that the governor's cabinet, Council of State members, and state judges may attend. This resolution does not create new policy or affect any laws; it solely schedules a ceremonial address. The invitation is effective upon ratification, as noted in the resolution's text.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs North Carolina's Secretary of State to formally request Congress to call a constitutional convention aimed at imposing term limits on members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The bill specifies that this application will be combined with similar requests from other states to reach the two-thirds threshold required to trigger the convention, while remaining separate from applications for other constitutional changes. It establishes this request as a continuing application that remains active until enough states have submitted identical petitions. Ultimately, the measure does not change any current laws but serves as an official step in the process of potentially amending the U.S. Constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Jockey's Ridge in Nags Head as a unique coastal geological area of environmental concern. It establishes specific rules for development within the site, requiring permits for sand removal projects that exceed ten cubic yards per year. Any sand removed under these permits must be returned to designated areas within the Jockey's Ridge State Park. Additionally, the legislation prohibits development activities that would significantly block the natural movement of sand, with limited exceptions for essential infrastructure and maintenance.