Rep. Ray Pickett

Maddy summaryHB 912, known as the Hometown Opportunities for Mentoring Educators (H.O.M.E.) Act, establishes a grant program to encourage teachers to work in the same local school administrative units where they were previously students. The program provides a $500 monthly salary supplement to "eligible teachers," defined as individuals who attended or graduated from a high school in a specific local unit and agree to teach there. The Department of Public Instruction will manage the program and disburse grants to local school units, which are also tasked with promoting the program to high school students. The bill appropriates $10 million annually to fund these teacher salary supplements.

Maddy summaryThis bill revives and expands a program that allows eligible retired educators to return to work in high-need schools. It defines "high-need retired teachers" as beneficiaries of the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System who meet specific retirement and service criteria, and are reemployed by local boards of education. A key provision ensures that earnings from this reemployment do not count against post-retirement earnings limits, allowing these teachers to receive both their full retirement allowance and a salary. The Department of Public Instruction is tasked with certifying these teachers, and local boards must report their employment status to the Retirement System.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 820 requires health benefit plans in North Carolina to provide coverage for early refills of prescription eye drops. This means insurers cannot deny a refill for a 30-day supply if at least 21 days have passed since the last fill, or if the patient has used 70% of the medication according to their healthcare provider's instructions. The bill also specifies that the requested refill must not exceed the total number of refills indicated on the original prescription. These requirements apply to all health benefit plans, including the State Health Plan, with an effective date of October 1, 2025, or the subsequent plan year.

Maddy summaryHB 113 creates a joint legislative committee to study potential changes to North Carolina's Medicaid program if federal funding decreases. The 12-member committee (six senators appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore, six representatives appointed by the House Speaker) will examine cost-saving options like reducing optional services, adjusting provider payments, or improving managed care efficiency. It must submit a final report with recommendations to the General Assembly by April 30, 2026, but the bill itself does not make any direct policy changes to Medicaid. This is a procedural measure establishing a study body, not a policy enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 424 exempts casual board, card, or tile games (like bridge or mahjong) played in private homes, residences, or community clubs from North Carolina's gambling laws, provided specific conditions are met. It directly affects social groups hosting these games, prohibiting the use of electronic devices, commercial betting, or profit for hosts or players beyond personal winnings. Key provisions require all players to face equal risks of winning or losing, ban slot machines or video games entirely, and prevent hosts from receiving any financial benefit. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, and applies only to non-commercial, private social gatherings.

Maddy summaryHB 898 exempts sales tax on physical equipment used by internet service providers (ISPs) or their contractors to build and maintain broadband infrastructure. This includes transmission devices, related parts, and electricity powering that equipment, regardless of where it's located. The law directly affects ISPs and their contractors by reducing their costs for essential broadband hardware. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, applying to all qualifying purchases made on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 996 reduces North Carolina's state budget spending limit by lowering the cap on the General Fund operating budget from 7% to 6% of projected total state personal income each year. This directly affects the state government's annual budget planning, requiring it to spend less relative to the state's economic output. The bill maintains the existing process for exceeding the cap, which still requires a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers. It takes effect July 1, 2025, for budgets adopted on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 999 establishes a regulatory framework for video gaming terminals in North Carolina, authorizing their operation under the State Lottery Commission. It directly affects licensed businesses (video gaming merchants) holding on- or off-premises ABC permits (e.g., bars, restaurants), requiring them to partner with licensed operators to place terminals. Key provisions include restricting terminals to locations over 1,000 feet from schools/churches, limiting operators to three terminals per location (with potential increases based on revenue), mandating real-time central monitoring, and requiring terminals to be in plain view with surveillance. Revenue from terminals (net machine revenue) allocates 32% to the Commission, with all terminals needing valid permits and compliance with security standards.

Maddy summaryHB 986, "Support Our Teachers," prohibits North Carolina school districts from requiring teachers to post lesson plans or objectives and bans schools from assigning work during teachers' designated lunch breaks. It also mandates that school districts compensate teachers financially for time spent leading professional development sessions for colleagues. The bill directly affects public school teachers and administrators across North Carolina, taking effect for the 2025-2026 school year. These provisions aim to reduce administrative burdens and recognize teachers' time spent in professional roles.

Maddy summaryHB 354 requires courts in North Carolina to block filings by individuals declared legally incompetent by a court unless submitted through their guardian or attorney. It mandates courts to strike non-compliant filings and issue "gatekeeper orders" to prevent unauthorized submissions. The bill also creates a centralized database for courts to quickly identify individuals with such court declarations. This applies to all civil cases filed or pending after December 1, 2025, directly affecting people declared legally incompetent and their legal representatives.