Sen. Benton Sawrey

Maddy summarySB 361, the "Protecting First Responders Act," increases criminal penalties for assaulting or exposing emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and other first responders to fentanyl or harmful substances. It criminalizes intentionally exposing these responders to fentanyl (a Class H felony) or causing serious injury through such exposure (Class G felony), and imposes a Class I felony for failing to warn responders about fentanyl at a scene. The bill appropriates $10.35 million in nonrecurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to provide bulletproof vests ($8.1 million) and bulletproof backpack plates ($2.25 million) to paramedics and EMTs through grants. These provisions apply to first responders registered with North Carolina’s Office of Emergency Medical Services, with funding effective July 1, 2025, and criminal provisions effective December 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 97 adds stomach cancer (gastric cancer) to the list of cancers presumed to be work-related for firefighters under North Carolina's Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act. This means firefighters who die from stomach cancer will automatically qualify for line-of-duty death benefits without needing to prove occupational connection. The bill appropriates $500,000 annually from 2025-2027 to cover these new benefits. It takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to qualifying deaths occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 556 changes North Carolina's law governing buffer zones around voting places. It sets a minimum buffer zone of 75 feet and a maximum of 100 feet from a voting place's entrance door, measured when closed. This directly affects individuals or groups distributing campaign materials, soliciting votes, or engaging in other election-related activities near polling locations. The bill revises the previous range of 25-50 feet to increase the minimum distance voters must maintain from polling sites. The change applies to all election-related activity occurring on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summarySB 490 allows individuals who disagree with certain agency decisions - such as funding denials related to eminent domain proceedings - to appeal those determinations to a superior court. It requires agencies to notify people of their right to appeal within 30 days of a final decision and sets clear procedures for filing a petition, including serving the agency and requesting a de novo court review. The law specifies courts can overturn agency decisions only if they violate the constitution, fail to follow state/federal law, or contain legal errors. This directly affects property owners or applicants challenging agency actions under North Carolina's eminent domain and funding laws.

Maddy summarySB 517 requires hospitals and clinics participating in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program (which provides discounted drugs to safety-net providers) to charge patients no more than the actual cost they paid for those drugs. It also mandates annual public reporting by these "covered entities" starting in 2026, including details on 340B drug costs, payments received from insurers/patients, charity care expenses, and contracts with pharmacies. The bill specifies that covered entities must disclose how many prescriptions used 340B drugs, whether they passed discounts to low-income patients, and financial details about pharmacy partnerships. All submitted reports will be posted online by the state health department for public access. This law directly affects North Carolina hospitals and clinics enrolled in the federal 340B Program.

Maddy summarySB 481 defines key terms for "advanced recycling" in North Carolina, specifically targeting manufacturers using chemical recycling processes. It establishes "mass balance attribution" (a trackable system for counting recycled materials) and "recycled products" (products made via this method), while requiring "third-party certification" for these processes. Crucially, the bill clarifies that products labeled as "recycled" under these definitions still must comply with all existing air, water, and hazardous waste laws. This bill directly affects chemical recycling manufacturers and the regulatory framework governing their products, without creating new environmental requirements. The definitions aim to standardize how recycled content is measured and reported under current environmental statutes.

Maddy summarySB 557 requires most North Carolina state agencies and entities using state funds to stop using the existing "development tier" system (which categorizes counties by economic distress) for programs like farmland preservation, housing tax credits, and wastewater funding by July 1, 2027. It directly affects agencies including Agriculture, Environmental Quality, Health and Human Services, Housing Finance Agency, Transportation, and Revenue. Each agency must develop new, program-specific criteria by July 1, 2026, and report their plans to relevant legislative committees. The bill does not change the underlying tier definitions but mandates replacing their use across multiple state programs with tailored alternatives.

Maddy summarySB 577 clarifies North Carolina's ban on kickbacks in title insurance transactions, directly affecting real estate agents, attorneys, lenders, and title companies during property sales. The bill prohibits paying or receiving kickbacks, rebates, or commissions related to title insurance, except for payments to employees or shareholders of legitimate title insurers meeting specific conditions. It requires written disclosures about referrals to buyers, aligning with federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) rules, and violations carry a Class 2 misdemeanor penalty with fines up to $5,000. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, applying to offenses after that date.

Maddy summarySB 489 simplifies disclosure requirements for North Carolina charitable organizations by allowing them to satisfy state reporting obligations using the acknowledgment they receive for federal tax deductions. The bill directly affects nonprofits that seek tax-exempt status under federal law (501(c)(3)), as it eliminates the need for separate state disclosures. Key provisions include expanding permissible mergers for nonprofits to include certain tax-exempt limited liability companies (LLCs) and clarifying approval processes for such mergers. The bill also updates merger procedures to align with federal tax rules and streamline administrative requirements for nonprofit entities.

Maddy summarySB 616 creates two pilot programs to provide alternatives to state psychiatric hospitals for individuals needing capacity restoration. The Community-Based Capacity Restoration Program (CBCRP) contracts with local community or regional programs, while the Detention Center Capacity Restoration Program (DCCRP) partners with county detention centers (with sheriff consent). Courts can order patients to participate in these programs instead of state hospitals, aligning with nearby psychiatric facilities. The bill directly affects patients, courts, and local health providers by expanding community-based care options. It does not change existing laws but establishes new contracting mechanisms for mental health services.