Sen. Bobby Hanig

Maddy summarySB 193 updates North Carolina's pension system for retired Registers of Deeds by replacing the current variable payment calculation with a fixed $1,500 monthly benefit for all eligible retirees. It directly affects retired county Registers of Deeds who meet service requirements (at least 10 years of eligible service), changing how their supplemental pension is calculated. The bill modifies statutes to set this flat rate effective October 1, 2025, ending the previous method that adjusted payments based on fund availability and years of service. This change simplifies disbursement while maintaining the existing eligibility criteria for retirees.

Maddy summarySB 162 establishes a rebuttable presumption that joint custody and shared parenting - where a child spends near-equal time with both parents - is in the best interest of the child. It requires North Carolina courts to consider 11 specific factors (including domestic violence history, child's wishes, and parental cooperation) when determining custody, while mandating mediation for custody disputes before hearings unless waived. The bill does not override safety concerns; courts must protect children and victims of domestic violence, and a parent's absence due to domestic violence cannot be used against them in custody decisions. It directly affects families involved in custody cases and alters how courts evaluate parenting arrangements. The law becomes effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows North Carolina local governments to borrow money to accelerate transportation projects already identified for funding under the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Local governments can issue "grant anticipation notes" to cover project costs before receiving state funds, but notes must mature within 12 months after the project's scheduled completion year (no renewals allowed). Borrowing is capped at the full project cost, requires a special agreement with the DOT outlining project details and repayment plans, and must be repaid solely from state grant funds - without using local tax revenue or pledging the government's credit. The bill also ensures STIP program changes won't delay repayment of these notes.

Maddy summarySB 144 exempts qualifying public cold baths from standard public swimming pool regulations in North Carolina. It applies to facilities using a single-person tub or tank with chilled water (under 60°F, 180 gallons max, seated depth), requiring continuous filtration and sanitization. These cold baths are excluded from the definition of "public swimming pool" under state law, meaning operators won't need to comply with full pool safety and maintenance rules. The bill clarifies this exemption to cover facilities like recovery centers or specialized spas meeting all specified criteria. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases North Carolina's income limit for the property tax homestead exclusion for elderly or disabled homeowners from $25,000 to $48,000, effective for taxes due in 2025. It applies to qualifying homeowners whose income would otherwise disqualify them from the exclusion. The new limit will automatically adjust annually based on Social Security cost-of-living adjustments, rounded to the nearest $100. This change directly affects low-to-moderate-income elderly or disabled homeowners seeking property tax relief.

Maddy summarySB 147, titled "Teacher License Reciprocity," changes North Carolina's teacher licensing rules to make it easier for out-of-state educators to work in the state. It prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring teachers licensed in other states to pass a standardized exam for a North Carolina continuing professional teaching license (CPL), provided they have at least three years of teaching experience and are in good standing with their home state. This directly affects educators seeking to move their teaching careers to North Carolina without retaking exams. The bill applies to license applications submitted on or after its effective date.

Maddy summarySB 143 expands North Carolina's property tax exemption for disabled veterans by increasing the excluded value from the previous amount to $45,000 of a home's appraised value. It applies to veterans who own and occupy their permanent residence as their primary home, excluding this amount from property taxes. The bill prohibits qualifying veterans from using this exemption alongside other property tax relief programs. This change takes effect for property taxes due on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 123 requires all North Carolina public schools - including traditional, charter, regional, and university-operated schools - to display U.S. and North Carolina flags in every classroom and near school entrances, and to schedule daily Pledge of Allegiance recitation with age-appropriate historical instruction. The law explicitly states that no student or staff member may be compelled to stand, salute, or recite the pledge. It allocates $1 million (nonrecurring) for flag purchases in 2025-2026 and $100,000 annually starting in 2026-2027. This applies to all public schools beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 128, the Heroes Homestead Act, increases the property tax exemption for disabled veterans in North Carolina from $45,000 to $76,500 of a home's appraised value. This change directly affects qualifying disabled veterans who own and occupy their primary residence, providing greater tax relief on their homes. The bill amends North Carolina's property tax law to set the new exclusion amount, effective for taxes due on or after July 1, 2026. It does not apply to other property tax relief programs.

Maddy summarySB 129, the Booking Photograph Privacy Act, prohibits North Carolina law enforcement agencies from releasing booking photographs - images taken during arrest or jail processing - making them confidential and not public records. The law directly affects individuals arrested and processed by police departments, sheriff's offices, or other law enforcement agencies. It bans publishing, distributing, or releasing these photos except when connected to a missing person report or if a court orders release for immediate law enforcement needs. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.