Maddy summarySB 276 directs North Carolina's insurance associations (NCIUA and the Joint Underwriting Association) to study potential improvements to the state's property insurance systems for disasters. Specifically, it requires them to examine two options: creating "excess property coverage" for policyholders to cover costs beyond their primary insurance, and exploring "post-event catastrophe bonds" to help pay for major storm losses exceeding insurer capacity. The study must be completed by March 1, 2026, with findings and recommendations reported to legislative insurance committees. This bill does not change current law or provide funding - it only mandates a study of potential future solutions for property insurance challenges after natural disasters.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 58 prohibits the North Carolina Attorney General from advancing arguments in court that would invalidate any executive order issued by the U.S. President. It directly affects the state's Attorney General's office, restricting their role in litigation involving presidential executive orders. The bill requires the AG to avoid participating as a party, amicus, or in any capacity in lawsuits challenging such orders. This policy change applies to all pending or future court cases filed on or after the law's effective date. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee as of February 2025.
Maddy summarySB 278, the Smart Heart Act, requires all North Carolina public schools to create cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) and install at least one AED per school. The plan must include trained response teams, annual drills, staff CPR/AED training (for nurses and athletic supervisors), and integration with local emergency services. Schools must place AEDs in unlocked, visible locations accessible within three minutes, with maintenance and training protocols set by the State Board of Education. The bill allocates $2 million for school AED purchases and plan development, effective for the 2025-2026 school year.
Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (not a policy bill) confirming the Governor's appointment of Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr., as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. It requires the Senate to formally consider his nomination, as mandated by North Carolina law (G.S. 143B-9(a) and the state constitution) for all heads of principal state departments. The resolution itself does not change any laws or policies but sets the process for the Senate to provide "advice and consent" on the appointment. It directly affects the Governor's nomination process and the Senate's confirmation authority for state department leaders.
Maddy summarySB 155 establishes the Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact to allow licensed social workers in North Carolina to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed social workers, particularly those serving military families or providing telehealth services, by removing barriers to cross-state practice. The bill creates a system where a "home state" license permits practice in all member states (called "remote states") through mutual recognition, reducing duplicate licensing requirements. Key provisions include standardized disciplinary information sharing between states and ensuring social workers comply with the laws of the state where the client is located during service.
Maddy summarySB 264 requires all North Carolina public schools - including traditional, charter, regional, and laboratory schools - to display the U.S. and North Carolina flags in every classroom and near each school's main entrance, while scheduling daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The bill also mandates age-appropriate instruction about the flags' historical significance and the pledge's meaning. Schools may not compel students or staff to stand, salute, or recite the pledge. Funding of $1 million (one-time) and $100,000 annually is provided to purchase flags, with displays only required if flags are available through donations or purchase.
Maddy summarySB 259, the School Psychologist Omnibus, aims to improve the number and quality of school psychologists in North Carolina public schools. It provides $8.1 million for 2025-2026 to increase school psychologists' salaries by $650 monthly plus 12% for those with NCSP credentials, and allocates $5 million for a grant program offering signing bonuses (up to $5,000) to recruit psychologists, requiring a one-year commitment. Another $5 million funds an internship program with stipends for psychology students and supervisor bonuses, while $5 million supports a virtual training program at Appalachian State University. These provisions directly affect school psychologists, school districts, and psychology training programs across North Carolina.
Maddy summarySB 231 allows North Carolina state agencies to sell surplus personal property (like unused equipment or supplies) through third-party online auction platforms, rather than solely through state-run processes. It directly affects state agencies managing surplus assets and private auction companies facilitating these sales. The bill updates existing rules to permit this method while maintaining current requirements for distributing surplus property to nonprofits and schools, particularly for computer equipment donated to low-income students. The key change is enabling state agencies to use external auction sites as an additional sales channel for surplus items.
Maddy summarySB 228 modifies North Carolina's property tax exclusion for disabled veterans, replacing a flat $45,000 exemption with a percentage-based system tied to the veteran's VA disability rating. It directly affects veterans with a 50% or higher service-connected disability rating (or surviving spouses if the veteran died from a service-connected condition), who own their primary residence. Under the bill, the tax exclusion equals the veteran's disability percentage multiplied by their home's appraised value (e.g., a 70% disabled veteran would get 70% of their home's value excluded). Eligibility requires VA certification of the disability rating as of January 1 prior to the tax year, and the change takes effect for taxes due in 2025.
Maddy summarySB 179 appropriates $2.5 million from North Carolina's General Fund annually for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fund middle school programming through the nonprofit Voices Together. The bill directly supports middle school students in North Carolina school systems who have intellectual or developmental disabilities or experience learning delays, preparing them for future employment services. This funding enables Voices Together to expand its existing high school-level transition services to younger students through structured educational programming. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and is currently pending in the Senate.