Sen. Natalie Murdock

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax deduction for North Carolina taxpayers who pay labor organization membership dues. It allows individuals to deduct dues, fees, or assessments required for membership in a labor organization (as defined by state law) from their state taxable income. The deduction applies to payments made during taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. This directly affects workers who are members of labor organizations and pay dues as a condition of membership.

Maddy summarySB 163 allows Chatham County Schools to set an earlier school start date (as early as August 19, instead of August 26) if they demonstrate "good cause" through documented emergency closures (8+ days over 4 of the last 10 years). It also permits the district to adjust assessment timing for final exams to align with a modified calendar ending the fall semester before December 31. The bill applies exclusively to Chatham County Schools and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year. This changes specific calendar and assessment requirements for one district, not statewide policy.

Maddy summarySB 168 reduces the speed limit to 25 miles per hour on residential streets in Durham City experiencing congestion, as determined by Durham's Transportation Department. It directly affects drivers operating vehicles on those specific residential streets within Durham. The bill establishes this new speed limit as the legal standard, overriding previous limits under state law for those designated streets. The law applies only to Durham and takes effect December 1, 2025, for offenses occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals two existing North Carolina law sections (G.S. 153A-145.12 and G.S. 160A-205.7) that limited how local governments could use auxiliary containers. It removes restrictions on temporary storage or handling containers for municipal operations, such as for waste management or infrastructure projects. The change would directly affect local governments by eliminating these specific legal limitations, though it does not create new requirements or funding.

Maddy summarySB 154, the North Carolina CROWN Act, prohibits employment discrimination based on hair texture or protective hairstyles. It explicitly defines "protective hairstyles" (including braids, locks, twists, and bantu knots) as protected under existing anti-discrimination law, stating that race discrimination includes hair texture and type. The bill amends Chapter 95 to add Section 95-28.1B, making it illegal for employers to deny jobs, fire, or otherwise discriminate against employees because of these hair characteristics. This applies to all employers, employees, and job applicants in North Carolina starting from the law's effective date.

Maddy summarySB 120 removes legal barriers to labor organizing in North Carolina by prohibiting employers from requiring union membership or dues as a condition of employment or continued work. It invalidates agreements that tie agricultural product purchases or settlement terms to union status and strengthens protections for workers denied jobs due to union affiliation. The bill directly affects all workers and employers in the state, including agricultural producers covered under federal labor laws. Key provisions repeal restrictions on labor agreements and clarify that union membership or dues cannot be mandated for employment under North Carolina law. The law applies to new agreements entered into after its effective date.

Maddy summarySB 107 reestablishes nonpartisan elections for North Carolina's appellate, superior, and district court judges, directly affecting candidates running for these judicial positions. The bill mandates that candidates run without party labels on ballots, requires a primary to narrow candidates to two when more file, and sets specific filing deadlines (December 1-17) for notices of candidacy. It also requires candidates to be registered voters in their county and prohibits filing for multiple judicial offices simultaneously. The law aims to restore public confidence in an independent judiciary, as stated in the bill's preamble honoring Judge Joe John's advocacy for nonpartisan judicial elections.

Maddy summarySB 94 would eliminate the death penalty in North Carolina by repealing all legal provisions allowing it as a sentencing option. It directly affects all current death row inmates, who would be resentenced to life imprisonment without parole, and future defendants convicted of capital offenses, who would receive life without parole instead of the death penalty. Key mechanisms include removing the death penalty from murder statutes (like G.S. 14-7.12), repealing related procedures (such as evidence retention for death penalty cases), and updating sentencing rules to mandate life without parole for violent habitual felons. The bill makes no exceptions for specific crimes or circumstances, replacing the death penalty with life imprisonment without parole as the sole alternative. This is a substantive policy change that would end capital punishment in North Carolina if enacted.

Maddy summarySB 99 would create 11-month contracts for specific teachers in North Carolina, including initially licensed teachers, mentor teachers, teachers in low-performing schools, and certain veteran teachers. The bill changes their salary payment structure from a standard 10-month contract to 11 months, allowing them to receive pay for an additional month during the summer. This aims to provide dedicated time for teachers to engage in professional development, collaborate with peers, and receive evaluation feedback without disrupting the regular school year. The policy directly affects eligible teachers by altering their contract term and compensation schedule under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a procedural naming act for North Carolina's 20th Senatorial District. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, people, or programs. The bill simply states that its purpose is to relate to the 20th Senatorial District and specifies it becomes effective upon enactment. No substantive changes or mechanisms are included.