Sen. Jim Burgin

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the North Carolina Constitution to explicitly protect the right of people to farm and practice forestry. The amendment would declare activities such as growing crops, raising livestock, and harvesting timber as essential parts of the state's heritage that must be preserved for the public good. It clarifies that these rights are subject only to laws passed by the state legislature, meaning the change would not override existing regulations but rather affirm the practice of agriculture and forestry. Currently, the bill is in the process of being reviewed by state committees and would be voted on by eligible voters in a statewide election in November 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement for Ambulatory Surgical Facilities and Inpatient Rehabilitation Services to obtain a Certificate of Need before opening or expanding in North Carolina. It directly affects healthcare providers operating these facilities by eliminating a regulatory approval step that previously required state permission for new construction or major expansions. The legislation also allocates funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to help phase out the remaining Certificate of Need laws in the state and updates legal definitions to exclude behavioral health facilities from these review processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance to create and run a state-operated health insurance marketplace. It grants the commissioner the power to set rules, manage policies, and apply for federal funding to establish this exchange, while also allowing for the creation of an advisory committee to guide the process. The legislation clarifies that other state agencies cannot enter into contracts or commit resources for a federally facilitated exchange unless the General Assembly specifically approves it, reserving the state's right to decide its level of involvement. Additionally, the bill appropriates $100,000 in recurring funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support the initial setup and ongoing operations of the new state-run system.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides additional funding and establishes new procedures to support child welfare, foster care, and child care services in North Carolina. It allocates $250,000 to create a secure digital platform that sends automated notifications for court hearings and meetings, aiming to improve communication between attorneys, families, and social services. The legislation also directs $25 million annually toward foster care by reimbursing costs for home inspections, parent training, and essential items for children placed in care, while $75 million is designated to increase child care subsidy rates and expand care programs. Furthermore, the bill mandates a plan to implement a statewide floor for child care reimbursement rates and requires the state lottery to adhere to specific guidelines for distributing its revenues.

Maddy summarySB 1053 modifies how North Carolina handles criminal penalties for child care licensing violations by reducing the charge from a Class I felony to a Class A1 misdemeanor for first-time offenses, provided no child injury occurred. The bill allows prosecutors to still pursue felony charges for repeat offenders or cases involving multiple children, but requires them to consider specific factors like the number of children at risk and whether the operator took corrective action. To support these changes, the legislation allocates $75,000 to update enforcement protocols, training materials, and court forms for relevant state agencies and legal personnel.

Maddy summarySB 1054, titled "No Child Left Unfed," directs the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to allow legally operating family, friend, and neighbor child care providers to participate in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program. The bill requires the state to take administrative steps such as identifying sponsoring organizations, simplifying application processes, and seeking federal waivers to reduce barriers for these small-scale caregivers. To support this expansion, the legislation appropriates $150,000 for initial planning and outreach, along with $500,000 in recurring funds to cover ongoing administrative costs. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department submit annual reports on enrollment numbers and barriers faced by providers, with an initial report due within 12 months of the law's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for personal care services and private duty nursing starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation allocates $120.8 million in state funds to raise the payment for personal care services to $7.50 per 15-minute increment, while also increasing the rate for private duty nursing to $16.25 per 15-minute increment. These higher rates are intended to cover additional federal matching funds, ensuring that providers receive more money for each hour of care delivered to eligible beneficiaries. The changes apply to various programs including the State Plan Personal Care Services Program and Community Alternatives Programs for children and adults.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarship program to include students enrolled in home schools, allowing them to receive state funding for educational expenses. Under the new provisions, eligible home school students would qualify for a fixed annual grant of $1,500 to cover required costs such as books, equipment, and other materials, though the funding does not cover transportation or tuition fees. The legislation amends existing state statutes to define home schools as eligible nonpublic institutions and authorizes the State Education Assistance Authority to award these funds alongside scholarships for private school students. Funding for this expansion would be appropriated through the existing Opportunity Scholarship Grant Fund Reserve, maintaining the same income-based eligibility criteria used for other scholarship recipients.

Maddy summarySB 316 requires North Carolina hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities to publicly disclose detailed pricing information for common medical services, including full charges, negotiated rates, and reimbursements from Medicaid, Medicare, and major insurers. Beginning in 2015, these facilities must submit quarterly reports to the state health department on the 100 most frequent inpatient diagnoses (DRGs) and common surgical/imaging procedures. The data will be made publicly available online, enabling patients and employers to compare costs and make informed healthcare decisions. This bill directly affects healthcare providers by mandating transparency but does not alter insurance coverage or set price limits. Its key mechanism is standardized reporting of pricing data to foster competition and affordability in the healthcare market.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the North Carolina State University Board of Trustees to study the feasibility of creating a new college of veterinary medicine at a different institution within the state. The study must evaluate the need for veterinarians, particularly those specializing in large animals, and analyze the costs and benefits of establishing the program. The board is required to submit its findings to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 15, 2027, and the state will provide $300,000 to fund this research. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026.