Sen. Benton Sawrey

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal status called "special economic interest owner" for the estate of a deceased LLC member in North Carolina. When a member dies, their estate automatically becomes this status, granting them three specific rights: the right to receive financial distributions (economic interest), access to company records (information rights), and the ability to seek court-ordered dissolution of the LLC if needed. The law applies to all LLCs in North Carolina starting October 1, 2025, and directly affects estates of deceased members who were not otherwise managing members. It does not change liability for existing obligations under the LLC.

Maddy summarySB 600 allows North Carolina residents to register as organ and tissue donors when filing their state income tax returns. The bill amends tax law to add a simple check box on tax forms, where taxpayers can authorize donation after death (including spouse authorization), with clear instructions about the process and voluntary nature. This directly affects all NC resident taxpayers who file income tax returns, making donor registration as straightforward as completing their tax form. The law would integrate this election into the state's Organ Donor Registry, effective January 1, 2027, if enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 108) is a procedural measure with no substantive policy content. The bill text states only that it "relates only to the 10th Senatorial District" and specifies it becomes effective upon enactment. It does not describe any construction projects, funding mechanisms, or policy changes affecting Johnston County or Johnston Community College. The title appears misleading, as the actual bill text contains no provisions related to construction or education funding. This appears to be a reference bill with no concrete policy impact.

Maddy summaryThe bill title "SB 328: Age 21 Hemp-Derived Consumables" appears to be incorrect based on the provided text. The actual bill is titled "AN ACT TO UPDATE THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY SAFETY AND DAMAGE PREVENTION ACT" (not related to hemp). This bill updates North Carolina's underground utility safety rules by defining key terms (like "tolerance zone" for pipeline protection), requiring utility operators to mark facilities within 3 business days (10 days for subaqueous facilities), and mandating excavators to provide advance notice (3-12 days for land, 10-20 days for water areas). It specifies safety practices near pipelines (e.g., hand-digging within 24 inches of high-risk lines) and exempts small residential gardening, agricultural work under 12 inches deep, and single-family property projects. The bill does not address hemp products, age restrictions, or consumables - these terms are unrelated to the actual content.

Maddy summarySB 101 protects funds in North Carolina's 529 education savings accounts and ABLE accounts (for people with disabilities) from being seized by creditors. It ensures that money used for qualifying purposes - like education expenses for 529s or disability-related costs for ABLEs - cannot be claimed through liens, garnishments, or judgments. The bill repeals an existing law that previously allowed such claims and applies to actions filed after September 1, 2025. This directly affects account owners, beneficiaries, and contributors who use these funds for permitted purposes.

Maddy summarySB 402 allows North Carolina lottery winners who claim prizes of $50 million or more to request that their personal identifying information be treated as confidential for 90 days after claiming their prize. This applies to winners of the largest jackpots, such as Powerball or Mega Millions prizes, and does not affect how prizes are paid or distributed. The confidentiality only applies to the winner's identity, not to required disclosures for tax reporting (to North Carolina Department of Revenue, IRS, or state tax authorities), debt collection under state law, or court orders. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and does not change existing rules for smaller prizes.

Maddy summarySB 423 (Title Fraud Prevention) requires individuals to present government-issued photo ID, like a driver's license, before recording property deeds or similar documents at the register of deeds office. This applies to regular property buyers/sellers (not trusted submitters like title companies, lawyers, or banks), who must show ID in person or submit a redacted photocopy for electronic filings. The bill also creates a new court process for property owners to quickly remove fraudulent deeds from records after fraud is proven. It directly affects homeowners, real estate buyers, and sellers in North Carolina by adding an ID verification step to property transactions to prevent title fraud. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee as of March 2025.

Maddy summarySB 171 allows licensed psychological associates in North Carolina to practice independently without direct supervision after completing 3,000 hours of supervised experience over 24-60 months. This directly affects psychological associates who meet the experience requirement, reducing regulatory barriers to their practice. The bill amends licensing rules to establish this pathway, requiring an application with proof of experience and granting certification as a "health services provider psychological associate." It also updates board composition rules to ensure balanced representation. The changes take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 248 would allow adopted individuals to obtain their original birth certificates directly from state vital records offices, without requiring a court order. This bill directly affects adults who were adopted, removing a current barrier to accessing their birth records. The key provision eliminates the need for judicial approval, streamlining the process for adopted persons to access their original birth certificates. The bill passed its first reading on March 10, 2025, and is now under review by the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summarySB 349 modifies North Carolina's property tax relief program for elderly or disabled homeowners. It changes the income eligibility limit for the homestead exclusion to automatically adjust annually based on Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (rounded to $100), while eliminating the requirement to pay deferred taxes under the property tax homestead circuit breaker. The bill directly affects qualifying homeowners aged 65+ or permanently disabled who own and occupy their primary residence, as it removes the deferred tax liability that previously accrued during eligibility. This change simplifies the program by ending the process where deferred taxes became due upon disqualifying events like property transfer or loss of residency.