Rep. Hugh Blackwell

Maddy summaryHB 47, the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 - Part I, allocates $524 million from the Helene Fund to support recovery efforts in North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. The bill directs funds to specific programs including home reconstruction ($120 million), agricultural crop loss assistance ($200 million), road and bridge repairs ($100 million), small business infrastructure grants ($55 million), debris removal ($20 million), fire department equipment ($10 million), and tourism promotion ($4 million). These resources directly assist residents, farmers, local governments, and businesses in designated hurricane-affected counties by addressing immediate rebuilding needs and supporting economic recovery. The bill requires programs to align with federal disaster recovery guidelines to maximize potential federal reimbursement, with reporting requirements for certain initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 186, the "Stars and Stripes Commitment Act," requires all North Carolina public schools (including charter, regional, and laboratory schools) to schedule the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance within one hour of the start of the instructional day. It also mandates that schools display U.S. and North Carolina flags in classrooms when available and provide age-appropriate instruction about the flag and pledge’s meaning. The bill applies to all school governing bodies and state education board meetings, requiring the pledge to open each meeting. Crucially, it explicitly states the policy does not compel anyone to stand, salute, or recite the pledge. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 35 designates November of each year as Military Appreciation Month in North Carolina. The bill creates a symbolic recognition within state law, honoring military service members and veterans during this month. It does not establish new programs, funding, or requirements - it simply formally names November for this purpose. The bill affects the state government's official calendar and public recognition efforts, with no direct impact on individuals or organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 182 creates two key policy changes: First, it allows judges to issue lifetime no-contact orders against defendants convicted of certain violent offenses (including sex offenses requiring registration), requiring a show-cause hearing to determine if the victim fears future contact. Second, it clarifies that caregivers of children under 16 who commit or allow sexual acts with the child face Class D felony charges, specifically expanding penalties for permitting such abuse. The law directly affects victims of violent crimes (through the no-contact protections) and caregivers of children under 16 (through updated felony charges for sexual abuse). These provisions apply to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 289 adds one new seat to North Carolina's Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, specifically allowing the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association (PBA) to select a full-time sworn law enforcement officer to serve on the Commission. This amendment increases the Commission's membership from 35 to 36 members by adding the PBA representative to the existing list of appointed positions. The initial appointee selected by the PBA would serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2025, with subsequent appointees serving three-year terms as determined by the PBA. The bill does not change training standards or requirements, only the composition of the Commission that oversees them.

Maddy summaryHB 142 requires North Carolina state agencies to adopt zero-based budgeting for the 2031-2033 fiscal biennium, starting with a phased implementation beginning July 1, 2027. This means agencies must justify every funding request from scratch each budget cycle - starting with a $0 baseline - rather than carrying over previous appropriations. Agencies must submit detailed justifications for each budget item, including explanations of their functions, performance data, and goals. The bill directly affects all state agencies in the executive branch, requiring them to re-evaluate all programs and costs annually. The full zero-based budget will apply to the entire state budget starting in 2031-2033.

Maddy summaryHB 127 requires North Carolina's State Board of Elections to create a sample voter registration form for use by organizations conducting organized voter registration drives. The form must clearly distinguish itself from official registration materials, include disclaimers that it is not a valid form, and provide information on where to obtain official forms, deadlines, and online registration. Organizations must register with county election boards before conducting drives, providing details like their structure, number of forms needed, and whether participants are paid or volunteers. Using the official voter registration form for drives is prohibited, with violations classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor. This bill applies to all organized voter registration activities in North Carolina starting when it becomes law.

Maddy summaryHB 154 requires NCInnovation, a state entity, to return all state funds and assets it acquired using state money to the North Carolina State Controller. The State Controller must then transfer these funds into the General Fund, where they remain unappropriated until the General Assembly votes to use them for specific purposes. This bill dissolves the financial relationship between the state and NCInnovation by repealing related statutes, effective 60 days after enactment. It directly affects NCInnovation’s financial obligations and the state’s treasury, with no new spending authorized by the transfer.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes repealing a literacy test requirement from the North Carolina Constitution, which would affect all voters by removing a historical barrier to voting. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2026 election, with the ballot explicitly stating: "Constitutional amendment to remove the literacy test requirement... The federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits implementation of this requirement." If approved, the change takes effect upon certification by the State Board of Elections. The bill does not alter current voting procedures, as the literacy test has been prohibited by federal law since 1965.

Maddy summaryHB 60 increases Medicaid dental reimbursement rates from 35% to 46% of average dentist charges (2023 rates) to align with neighboring states. The bill allocates $52 million annually from North Carolina's General Fund, matched by $95 million in federal funds, to cover this rate increase starting July 1, 2025. It directly affects dentists who accept Medicaid patients and Medicaid beneficiaries seeking dental care, aiming to boost provider participation and prevent costly emergency treatments. The change addresses years of stagnant rates that reduced dental provider enrollment in Medicaid.