Sen. Lisa Grafstein

Maddy summarySB 804, known as the Fair Maps Act, proposes to amend the North Carolina Constitution to create an independent Citizens Redistricting Commission that would draw electoral maps for state and federal offices. This bill removes the General Assembly and the Governor from the redistricting process, requiring them to establish the commission but prohibiting them from participating in the actual map-drawing. The commission must follow specific rules, such as ensuring districts have equal populations, remain contiguous, avoid splitting counties, and respect communities of interest without favoring political parties. Because this change alters the state constitution, the bill includes a provision to place the amendment on the ballot for voter approval at the November 2026 general election.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Hands Free NC Act, makes it illegal for drivers in North Carolina to hold a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle on public roads. The law prohibits texting, watching videos, or holding any electronic device, such as a cell phone or smartwatch, except when the vehicle is safely stationary or during specific emergencies like medical crises or unsafe road conditions. Drivers under 18 are allowed to use navigation systems if all destinations are entered before driving, while law enforcement, first responders, and emergency vehicle operators are exempt from these restrictions. Violations result in fines ranging from $100 to $200 depending on prior offenses within a 36-month period, and repeat offenders will face insurance points on their records. The legislation also prevents local governments from passing their own ordinances on this matter and requires driver education programs to include instructions on these new rules.

Maddy summarySB 311, titled "The Law and Order Act," increases penalties for assaulting utility and communications workers while they are identifiable in uniform and performing duties. It also creates new offenses, including criminal possession of embalming fluid, larceny of gift cards, and unlawful possession of certain explosive devices. The bill enhances punishments for reckless driving causing death, hit-and-run offenses, and firearm use by felons during crimes, while adding a mitigating factor for impaired drivers using ignition interlocks. Additional provisions revise burglary penalties, expand workplace violence prevention to cover mass picketing, and establish civil liability for gift card theft. The bill directly affects workers in essential services and individuals committing specified violent or property crimes.

Maddy summarySB 124 aims to make North Carolina state government hiring more accessible by reducing unnecessary barriers. It requires the State Human Resources Commission to review job requirements starting October 2025, removing mandatory four-year degree requirements where practical experience (like military service or trade school) is sufficient. The bill also modernizes the application process by allowing resume uploads to auto-fill forms and simplifies job postings to limit additional qualifications to five, ensuring applicants clearly see basic requirements. These changes apply to all state agencies hiring staff, directly affecting job seekers and hiring managers across North Carolina's government workforce.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 110, titled "North Carolina Work and Save," establishes the North Carolina Small Business Retirement Savings Program. This program aims to help private-sector employees aged 18 and older in North Carolina save for retirement if their employer does not already offer a retirement plan. It enables participating employers to offer a voluntary payroll deduction Individual Retirement Account (IRA) arrangement for their employees. A new North Carolina Small Business Retirement Savings Board would be created to oversee the program and manage its funds through private-sector entities.

Maddy summarySB 487 requires that every spending item in North Carolina's Current Operations Appropriations Act must be sponsored by a specific legislator, with the sponsor's name included directly in the appropriation text. This applies only to funding measures within the annual operating budget bill, not to other types of legislation. The bill mandates that appropriations become legally invalid if they lack a named sponsor, aiming to clarify accountability for each spending decision. It does not change how funding is allocated or impact public services directly, but affects how budget language is drafted and approved.

Maddy summarySB 570 prohibits shared ownership between medical practices (professional corporations) and management services organizations (MSOs) that provide non-clinical services. It requires that if a medical practice contracts with an MSO, the MSO must be owned entirely by licensed medical professionals - preventing physicians from being stakeholders in such MSOs. The bill also mandates that physicians retain full control over patient care decisions without interference from non-licensed individuals, MSO stakeholders, or out-of-state medical professionals. This directly affects medical practices using MSOs for administrative services and aims to ensure clinical decision-making remains under physician control. The law applies to contracts entered into on or after its effective date, with related rules required by October 2026.

Maddy summarySB 482, the "Don't Tread on Me: An Individual Freedoms Act," creates new legal protections for North Carolinians by limiting state agency actions across multiple areas. It directly affects all residents by prohibiting warrantless government surveillance, requiring agencies to stop demanding private medical, religious, or political information for services, banning ideological restrictions on reproductive care, and protecting parental rights in education and healthcare decisions. Key provisions mandate that schools provide fact-based education without political manipulation, prevent discrimination in employment or housing based on private beliefs, and ensure government benefits are not denied due to personal health choices or political views. The bill establishes these rights as enforceable standards for all state agencies, requiring actions to be "narrowly tailored" to a compelling state interest.

Maddy summarySB 555 establishes a $15 million Wetlands Restoration and Protection Fund to support wetland conservation in North Carolina. The bill allocates $5 million specifically for monitoring and research, and directs the Department of Environmental Quality to fund restoration projects, land protection agreements, public education, and enforcement of wetland laws. It directly affects landowners near wetlands and environmental programs by redefining "isolated wetlands" using pre-2020 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determinations and the 2010 North Carolina Wetland Assessment Manual, restoring protections lost under the *Sackett v. EPA* Supreme Court decision. The bill requires annual reports to legislators detailing fund usage, project outcomes, and research findings.

Maddy summaryThe Hands Free NC Act makes it illegal to hold or use wireless devices (like cell phones, tablets, or smartwatches) while driving on public roads in North Carolina, with exceptions for emergencies (e.g., calling 911) or certain professionals (like police or paramedics) performing official duties. It specifically prohibits texting, watching videos, or manually entering text, and imposes fines starting at $100 for first offenses (increasing to $200 for third offenses within 36 months), with insurance points added for repeat violations. Drivers under 18 are banned from using devices while driving (except for pre-entered navigation), and school bus drivers face misdemeanor charges for violations. The law also updates driver education programs to emphasize safe device use as a way to reduce accidents.