Rep. Mitchell Setzer

Maddy summaryHB 849 would require state, city, or public authorities to pay for relocating utility infrastructure (such as power lines, fiber optic cables, and wireless facilities) when relocation is mandated for federally funded highway projects. The state must cover these costs after deducting any increase in the facility's value or salvage value from the old infrastructure. The bill also mandates that cities reimburse utility companies for relocation expenses within their rights-of-way, though this requirement does not apply to cities with fewer than 5,000 residents unless the project is federally funded.

Maddy summaryHB 845 requires state agencies and local governments to install visible, accessible water safety rescue equipment - including ring life buoys meeting federal safety standards - at public docks, piers, and shoreline access points. The law mandates that buoys be placed within 200 feet of shorelines, stored in bright orange/yellow stations, and not permanently secured, with specific requirements for buoyant lines and retroreflective marking. It also appropriates $25,000 for the Wildlife Resources Commission and provides up to $500 grants to local governments in economic tier one areas to cover installation costs. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting public water access facilities owned by state or local entities.

Maddy summaryHB 828 prohibits proposition wagers (bets on specific in-game actions like player stats or minor occurrences that don’t affect the final outcome) on college and amateur sports, effective July 1, 2025. It also bans in-person sports betting at venues hosting college events during the eight hours before and during those events. The bill defines "proposition wager" specifically to exclude such bets, while allowing other forms of legal sports wagering. It directly affects sports facilities hosting college games, bettors placing these specific wagers, and operators managing wagering platforms. The law does not restrict betting on professional sports or the final outcome of college games.

Maddy summaryHB 826, titled "No Retaliation Against Mandatory Reporters," protects employees required by North Carolina law to report suspected abuse, neglect, fraud, or other threats to vulnerable populations (such as child welfare workers, healthcare providers, and sex offender compliance reporters). The bill prohibits employers from taking retaliatory actions like firing, demoting, or reducing pay against these employees for making good-faith reports. Key provisions require employers to inform workers of their rights, provide annual training on reporting duties, and establish a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if adverse actions occur within 60 days of a report. Enforcement is handled by the North Carolina Commissioner of Labor, who can order reinstatement, back pay, or fines up to $5,000 per violation.

Maddy summaryHB 335 expands eligibility for emergency judges in North Carolina by allowing retired judges who previously served in both Superior Court and District Court to qualify for emergency judge roles on either court. Currently, retired judges could only serve as emergency judges on the specific court they retired from, but this bill removes that restriction for judges with dual court experience. The change directly affects retired judges who held positions in both court systems before retiring, making them eligible to be assigned to emergency duties in either court. This adjustment streamlines the pool of available judges for temporary court needs without altering compensation or other existing rules.

Maddy summaryHB 799 requires North Carolina state and city government workplaces to prohibit 13 specific concepts from training programs and hiring practices, including claims that one race is superior, individuals bear guilt for past group actions, or meritocracy is inherently biased. It bans state job applications from asking about race and prevents agencies from requiring applicants to endorse political or social beliefs as a condition of employment. Violations would be treated as employment discrimination under state law, with enforcement through existing grievance procedures. The bill explicitly excludes First Amendment-protected speech and applies only to state and city government workplaces, not private employers.

Maddy summaryHB 764 creates new criminal offenses for causing death or serious injury through reckless boating in North Carolina. It defines "Death by Reckless Boating" and "Serious Injury by Reckless Boating" as unintentionally harming others while operating a vessel recklessly (but not impaired), with "Aggravated" versions applying to those with prior reckless boating convictions within seven years. Penalties range from a Class A1 misdemeanor for basic death cases to a Class F felony for aggravated death incidents. The bill also prevents double prosecution for the same incident under both this law and manslaughter statutes. This directly affects boat operators whose reckless actions cause harm, establishing specific legal consequences for those offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 382 allows North Carolina's Wildlife Resources Commission to issue elk hunting permits through a raffle and an auction for the 2026 season. Residents can enter a $20-per-ticket raffle (max 30 tickets for $500), while a nonprofit focused on elk conservation must conduct an auction where the nonprofit keeps ≤25% of proceeds, with all other funds going to elk conservation. Permits are nontransferable, and the Commission must reserve 50% of raffle permits for North Carolina residents in future seasons. All revenue supplements existing elk management funding, and the Commission must report annually on program effectiveness to legislative committees.

Maddy summaryHB 702 updates North Carolina's chiropractic licensing rules. It requires chiropractors to complete 4,200 hours of accredited education (including a bachelor's degree) and pass exams covering subjects like anatomy and chiropractic philosophy. The bill adds new standards for chiropractors to practice acupuncture and clarifies that licensed chiropractors cannot prescribe drugs or perform surgery. It also revises Board membership rules (e.g., limiting members from the same chiropractic school) and establishes supervised training programs for students. These changes affect current and future chiropractors, chiropractic schools, and the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

Maddy summaryHB 719 creates a new regulatory framework for continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) in North Carolina. It requires all CCRC providers - both for-profit and nonprofit - to obtain a license from the North Carolina Department of Insurance and undergo annual financial reviews to ensure they can meet long-term care obligations. Key provisions include mandating that entrance fees and deposits be held in escrow, requiring actuarial opinions to verify financial stability, and establishing minimum debt service coverage ratios to prevent provider insolvency. The law directly affects CCRC residents (who pay entrance fees) and providers (who must now comply with these financial safeguards), aiming to protect residents’ savings if a provider faces financial trouble.