Maddy summaryHB 786, the "Working Families Act," reduces child care costs for low-income families by lowering parent copayments from 10% to 7% of income (effective 2025), reinstates a refundable state child tax credit with income-based payments (effective 2025), and phases up North Carolina’s minimum wage to $15/hour by 2030 with annual inflation adjustments. It also increases income limits for property tax relief, creates a homebuyers’ assistance program for public servants (like firefighters and EMTs) as first-time buyers, and establishes a paid family leave insurance program funded through an employer grant program. The bill directly affects working families, hourly workers, public-sector employees, and households using subsidized child care or property tax relief. Key mechanisms include phased wage increases, income-tiered tax credits, and targeted housing support, all designed to reduce financial strain on low-to-moderate-income households.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 760 requires tattoo artists in North Carolina to complete annual bloodborne pathogen training compliant with OSHA standards (29 C.F.R. § 1910.1030) to obtain or renew their state tattooing permits. This applies directly to all tattoo artists seeking permits from the Department of Health and Human Services, excluding licensed physicians and their supervised staff who perform tattooing as part of medical practice. The bill mandates that permit applications (both new and renewal) must include proof of this training, which the Department will verify before issuing or renewing permits. The requirement becomes effective October 1, 2025, for all permit applications received on or after that date.
Maddy summaryHB 774 ("School Breakfast for All") mandates that all North Carolina public schools (pre-K through 12) provide free breakfast to every student, eliminating costs for families. It establishes a Farm-to-Table Initiative requiring schools to partner with local farmers for fresh, locally sourced ingredients in breakfast meals. The bill allocates $39 million in recurring state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to cover program costs, while requiring annual reports on participation rates, costs, and impacts on student health and academic performance. This directly affects all public school students, school districts, and North Carolina agricultural producers.
Maddy summaryThis is a House Resolution (HR 769), not a bill, urging Congress to support H.R. 4052, which would create a National Infrastructure Bank. The resolution cites North Carolina's infrastructure needs - like roads, bridges, water systems, and lead pipe replacement - and states the proposed bank would be funded through existing Treasury debt (without new taxes or spending). It calls for Congress to pass the bank legislation to finance infrastructure projects nationwide, including those in North Carolina. The resolution itself does not create the bank but advocates for its adoption.
Maddy summaryHB 700, the Patients' Restoration of Rights Act, allows patients or their representatives to file medical malpractice or wrongful death lawsuits for injuries or deaths occurring after March 1, 2020, if those claims would otherwise be barred by statute due to missed deadlines. It specifically excludes cases where the death or injury was directly caused by contracting COVID-19. The bill temporarily revives time-barred claims from March 2020 onward for one year after the law takes effect, applying to cases under North Carolina’s civil procedures for medical malpractice (Chapter 90, Article 1B) or wrongful death (Chapter 28A). This provides a limited window for eligible claimants to pursue legal action without needing to prove new harm. The law expires one year after enactment, with no permanent change to standard statute of limitations rules.
Maddy summaryHB 716 modifies North Carolina's bail bond laws to clarify when a bail bond forfeiture can be overturned. It directly affects defendants, bail bondsmen (sureties), and courts by adding specific requirements for setting aside forfeitures related to defendant incarceration. The key provision requires that if a defendant is held in any U.S. jail or prison during a failure to appear, the jail must notify the local district attorney in writing (via hand delivery, electronic filing, or certified mail) and provide proof the defendant remained incarcerated for 10 days after notification. This replaces vague prior language with clear, documented procedures for bondsmen to avoid liability when defendants are incarcerated. The bill does not change bail amounts or eligibility but streamlines how forfeitures are resolved in cases of incarceration.
Maddy summaryHB 718 revises North Carolina's bail bondsman regulations. It requires new licensees (defined as those licensed for less than 24 months) to work under direct supervision of an experienced bondsman for their first two years, with supervisors needing five years of experience and a $200 fee. Out-of-state sureties can no longer arrest defendants directly in North Carolina but must partner with a local bondsman to surrender defendants. The bill also clarifies licensing definitions and adds requirements for supervisors to report monthly to the Department of Insurance. These changes primarily affect new bail bondsmen and out-of-state companies operating in North Carolina.
Maddy summaryHB 689 allows North Carolina high school graduates who attended NC public or nonpublic schools for four consecutive years before graduation to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities, provided they hold a NC driver's license, have a Social Security number, and enroll immediately after high school. It directly affects qualifying NC high school graduates who would otherwise pay out-of-state tuition rates. Key provisions include requiring proof of NC residency through driver's license and school attendance records each semester, with all application information kept confidential. The bill takes effect for the 2025-2026 academic year and does not change residency status for other purposes.
Maddy summaryHB 711 phases out North Carolina's corporate income tax for C Corporations over time, reducing the rate from 2.25% in 2025 to 0% after 2029. The bill directly affects C Corporations operating in North Carolina, which would pay progressively lower taxes until the tax is eliminated entirely. Key provisions include specific tax rates for taxable years beginning in 2025 (2.25%), 2026 (2%), 2028 (1%), and 0% after 2029. The bill is effective for tax years starting January 1, 2026, and does not change tax treatment for S Corporations.
Maddy summaryHB 733, the "Everybody Eats Act," would allow North Carolina to bypass federal rules that block food assistance benefits for people convicted of certain drug-related felony offenses (Class H or I). It requires individuals to complete substance abuse treatment or avoid new drug offenses for six months after release or conviction to qualify for benefits, and extends the period for renewing eligibility from less than a year to 12 months. The bill directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals with specific drug felony convictions who meet treatment or offense-free conditions. It makes no changes to federal law but adjusts North Carolina's program implementation for food assistance and temporary aid.