Sen. Bobby Hanig

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students attending public, private, or homeschools without a specific sport or extracurricular program to participate at the nearest public high school offering that activity. It requires public schools to permit such participation under the same terms as enrolled students, with schools able to charge a reasonable, board-approved fee for non-enrolled students. The law mandates that school districts publish all approved participation fees online by October 15 each year. It applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 43 removes the requirement for safety inspectors to check tinted windows during vehicle inspections in North Carolina. Instead, it adds a $10 fee for inspectors to use a light meter if tint is detected and mandates that drivers with tinted windows must roll down their driver-side window (or passenger-side if an officer approaches from that side) when approached by law enforcement. The bill directly affects drivers with tinted windows and inspection stations, changing how window tint is handled during safety checks and police interactions. It becomes effective December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Northeastern Workforce Development Board (serving Dare, Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan, Gates, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington counties) to select job training service providers through a competitive process. It updates the Board's duties to mandate this selection by July 1, 2014, with annual renewals thereafter. The change applies specifically to providers of adult and dislocated worker services authorized under federal law. The bill modifies existing responsibilities without creating new funding or programs.

Maddy summarySB 27 restores local governments' authority to down-zone (reduce development density or limit land uses) in ten specific coastal counties without requiring written consent from all affected property owners. It directly affects property owners in Bertie, Camden, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, and Tyrrell counties. The bill changes the law so that counties can initiate down-zoning amendments without owner consent, reversing a prior requirement. This change applies retroactively to December 11, 2024, affecting ordinances adopted after that date.

Maddy summarySB 20 prohibits organizing or participating in mass balloon releases using helium or similar gases that float in the atmosphere, directly affecting individuals or groups planning such events. The bill imposes a $250 fine for violations but excludes releases by government agencies for scientific/meteorological purposes or recoverable hot air balloons. It aims to protect North Carolina's wildlife, marine animals, and scenic beauty by banning balloon releases that pose environmental hazards. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Jockey's Ridge in Dare County as an "area of environmental concern," requiring permits for removing over 10 cubic yards of sand annually and mandating that removed sand be deposited within Jockey's Ridge State Park. It also mandates public hearings and legislative consultation before the state grants easements for spoil disposal or dumping on state property. Additionally, the bill clarifies stormwater program rules by defining "built-upon area" to exclude artificial turf, specific stone surfaces, trails, and landscaping materials, reducing regulatory burdens for certain developments. These provisions directly affect state agencies, developers, and property owners managing coastal resources and stormwater systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the bottlenose dolphin as North Carolina's official state marine mammal. It adds a new section to state law stating the bottlenose dolphin is the designated marine mammal, replacing the absence of an official designation. The bill has no policy, funding, or regulatory impact - it is purely a symbolic recognition of the dolphin's presence along North Carolina's coast. No specific groups or policies are affected by this ceremonial change.

Maddy summarySB 14 proposes repealing a North Carolina constitutional requirement that voters must demonstrate the ability to read and write parts of the state constitution. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, it would remove this literacy test for voter registration, directly affecting individuals registering to vote in North Carolina. The bill requires a statewide referendum with the ballot question: "FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment to repeal the requirement that every person presenting himself for registration shall be able to read and write any section of the Constitution in the English language." Approval by a majority of voters would make the repeal effective, ending this specific registration barrier.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires North Carolina's Division of Motor Vehicles to issue mobile drivers licenses (MDLs) upon request, making them legally equivalent to physical licenses for all purposes, including voting. It extends recognition to MDLs issued by other states with similar requirements and mandates law enforcement officers to complete training on appropriate interactions with MDL holders. The bill also explicitly states that MDLs satisfy North Carolina's photo ID requirement for in-person voting. These provisions apply to all North Carolina drivers who request an MDL, law enforcement officers, and voters needing photo ID at polling places.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a procedural local act that solely references North Carolina's 1st Senatorial District. It contains no substantive policy changes or provisions affecting residents, services, or laws. The bill's text states it "relates only to the 1st Senatorial District" and specifies it becomes effective upon enactment. As a simple reference act with no operational mechanisms, it does not directly impact any policies or constituencies.