Rep. Kevin Crutchfield

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles to study and potentially implement digital mobile driver's licenses that function as legal supplements to physical cards. It also clarifies that ignition interlock devices are required for individuals with habitual impaired driving convictions or specific high-BAC offenses, expanding the scope of this safety measure. Additionally, the legislation increases fees for acknowledging signatures on official documents and clarifies the limited circumstances under which transporter plates can be used for moving truck cabs and bodies. These changes aim to modernize licensing options, enhance safety enforcement, and adjust administrative costs for the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the SHALOM Act, adds a new section to North Carolina law that officially adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism. The law requires state agencies and organizations to use this definition as a guide for training, education, and identifying hate crimes or discrimination against Jewish people. It also establishes a framework for tracking and reporting incidents of antisemitism within the state. The legislation includes a specific provision stating that adopting this definition does not violate free speech rights protected by the U.S. and state constitutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime in North Carolina called money laundering, which applies to anyone who knowingly handles money or property derived from criminal activities. The law defines specific actions that are illegal, such as hiding, moving, or investing these funds, but only if the total value involved is at least $10,000. Punishment depends on the amount of money, with cases under $100,000 classified as a Class H felony and those $100,000 or more as a Class C felony. Additionally, the bill allows authorities to seize any property used in or gained from these offenses and clarifies that related actions can be counted together to determine the severity of the crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires lodging establishments, vacation rental property managers, and their contractors to complete human trafficking awareness training and display public awareness signs. The Department of Labor will create or select this training in consultation with state agencies and industry groups, ensuring it is free and accessible to staff performing housekeeping, food service, or check-in duties. Employers must keep records of completed training for three years and report suspected trafficking to law enforcement or a national hotline. Violations of these new requirements can result in administrative penalties ranging from $500 for a first offense to $2,000 for subsequent offenses. The legislation also modifies existing laws related to human trafficking and adjusts the definition of a victim under the state's crime victim compensation act.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone creating political advertisements in North Carolina to clearly state that the ad was generated using artificial intelligence. The law applies to a wide range of sponsors, including candidates, political parties, and other groups, covering ads on social media, websites, email, text messages, and automated phone calls. For digital ads, the disclaimer must follow existing size rules, while phone calls must include the statement for at least two seconds so it is easily understood. Failure to include this required label could result in a Class 1 misdemeanor charge for the sponsor.

Maddy summaryHB 984 creates a new legal process in North Carolina that allows property owners to request law enforcement agencies to quickly remove people who are occupying their private residential homes without permission. To use this process, an owner must file a sworn complaint stating that the occupants are not tenants, have no legal right to the property, and have been told to leave, while also confirming there is no ongoing lawsuit between the parties. If a police department or sheriff's office verifies the complaint, they are required to remove the unauthorized individuals within 48 hours and may arrest them for trespassing or other offenses. The bill also establishes that property owners must pay for police time if they request officers to stay on site to help change locks or secure the property, and it provides a way for removed individuals to sue for damages if the removal was done incorrectly.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state constitution to eliminate the literacy test requirement for voting. By removing this specific provision, the legislation ensures that all eligible citizens can vote regardless of their reading or writing abilities. The change directly affects voters who previously might have been disenfranchised by this barrier. It does not alter other voting qualifications or the overall structure of the election process.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows sellers of manufactured signs to repossess those signs if buyers fail to make agreed-upon payments. The law specifically permits this action even when the sign has been permanently attached to real property, provided the seller does not breach the peace during the process. By amending existing state statutes, the legislation clarifies that sellers retain the right to pursue this remedy alongside any other lawful options available to them.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to allow The University of North Carolina to enter into agreements with technology vendors to trade in or buy back surplus computer equipment. The legislation specifically authorizes the university to sell back devices even if they were not originally purchased from the vendor and sets conditions for distributing surplus computers to nonprofit organizations that refurbish them for low-income students. To ensure accountability, the bill requires nonprofits to report on their refurbishment efforts and the disposition of any equipment they cannot fix, with annual reports submitted to the university board and the state's education oversight committee. These changes aim to streamline the management of university surplus technology while maintaining oversight on how donated resources are used.