Sen. Lisa Grafstein

Maddy summarySB 440, the "Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2025," allocates base budget funding for North Carolina's state departments, agencies, and universities for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. It specifies exact funding amounts for all state operations, including $12.94 billion for public instruction, $8.83 billion for health and human services, and $4.24 billion for the University of North Carolina system. The bill directs all state entities to spend within these allocated amounts, with unused funds reverting to the appropriate fund at year-end. As a routine budget measure, it does not create new policies or affect specific groups beyond funding existing state services.

Maddy summarySB 430 revises North Carolina's child passenger safety law to update requirements for restraining children in vehicles. It mandates that children under 8 years old or weighing less than 80 pounds and under 57 inches tall must use a weight- and height-appropriate car seat or booster seat, with newborns starting in rear-facing seats. Drivers must secure children under 5 years old in the rear seat unless the vehicle lacks a rear seat, lacks airbags, or the car seat is airbag-compatible. The law becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to all drivers transporting children meeting these criteria.

Maddy summarySB 438, titled "NC Adopt ERA," is a bill to formally ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution. The ERA, proposed by Congress in 1972, was ratified by 38 states (including Virginia in 2020), meeting the constitutional requirement for three-fourths of states. This bill directs North Carolina to send a certified copy of its ratification to the U.S. Archivist and Congress, completing the state's role in the federal amendment process. If enacted, North Carolina would join the 38 states that have ratified the ERA, which the bill states is now the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Maddy summarySB 409 bans the sale, possession, and transfer of "ghost guns" (unserialized firearms like homemade kits) and "undetectable firearms" (e.g., plastic guns or those avoiding metal detectors). It directly affects most North Carolinians, including gun owners and sellers, with exceptions only for federally licensed firearm manufacturers under ATF rules. The law imposes Class I felony penalties for violations and takes effect December 1, 2025. Key provisions define prohibited items based on federal standards and prohibit all non-licensed activity involving them.

Maddy summarySB 413, titled "Right to Use Contraception," declares that North Carolina has no legitimate interest in limiting access to contraception for pregnancy prevention. It directly affects all residents by affirming their right to use contraception without state interference, adding a new legislative declaration to the state statutes. The bill’s key mechanism is a policy statement in Chapter 90 of North Carolina’s General Statutes, explicitly stating that preventing pregnancy through contraception is protected. It does not change existing laws or create new regulations but formally codifies this policy position. The measure is currently in early committee review after its initial filing and first reading.

Maddy summarySB 458, the "KinCare Act," expands North Carolina's sick leave policy by allowing employees to use accrued sick leave for the care of family members, not just for their own illness. It defines "family member" broadly to include children, parents, domestic partners, and others with close family-like relationships, and permits up to five consecutive days of sick leave annually for this purpose. Employers must allow this use under the same conditions as sick leave for the employee's own health needs, without extending federal FMLA leave limits. The bill applies to all employers (including state/local governments) but excludes certain benefits like workers' compensation or insurance plans. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 412 increases North Carolina's childcare subsidy rates to the 75th percentile of typical market rates starting July 2025, with an additional 10% boost for rural counties and infant/toddler care (birth to 3 years). It allocates $123.5 million annually for 2025-2027 to fund these rate increases for childcare centers and homes. The bill also provides $8 million for a two-year pilot program in western NC regions impacted by Hurricane Helene, managed by regional councils to recruit new childcare providers and establish mentorship for sustainability. The pilot will track new childcare centers, family homes, and slots created across five designated regions, with progress reports required for oversight.

Maddy summarySB 398 bans the possession or carrying of dangerous weapons at North Carolina voting locations, within 100 feet of a polling place entrance, and while in line to vote. It directly affects voters and others near polling sites during voting hours, applying to all weapons defined under existing law (G.S. 14-277.2). The law creates a Class 1 misdemeanor penalty for violations, with an exception for law enforcement officers performing official duties. This bill aims to enhance safety at polling places by restricting weapons in specific proximity to voting areas during active voting periods.

Maddy summarySB 455, the Main Street Resilience Act, provides North Carolina small businesses with a new income tax deduction starting in 2026. It allows eligible small businesses to deduct up to $75,000 of their net business income from taxable income each year, with married couples filing jointly able to deduct up to $150,000 total. To qualify, a business must have fewer than 50 total employees (including related entities) and annual revenue under $5 million, excluding passive income. This deduction directly reduces tax liability for qualifying small businesses operating in North Carolina.

Maddy summarySB 407 prohibits using someone's sex, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation - whether accurate or not - as a defense in homicide or assault cases in North Carolina. It amends Chapter 14 to explicitly state that such beliefs cannot be used to justify the crime or negate elements like malice in murder prosecutions. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025, and does not affect past cases. It clarifies that evidence about a victim's conduct may still be admitted if relevant and admissible under existing rules.