Sen. Natalie Murdock

Maddy summaryThe Keep Families Fed Act directs $6 million in recurring state funding to six specific nonprofit food banks across North Carolina starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. These funds are distributed in equal amounts to each organization to help address food insecurity by supporting their existing programs. The legislation ensures that these vital food security initiatives receive guaranteed state support regardless of future annual budget decisions.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill aims to improve menopause care by funding research, expanding insurance coverage, and protecting workers from discrimination related to menopausal symptoms. It directs the state health department to evaluate current medical knowledge, collect data on symptom prevalence, and create a strategic plan to address gaps in care, particularly for underserved populations. The legislation also incentivizes doctors to receive extra continuing education credits for studying menopause and mandates that Medicaid and private health insurers cover necessary treatments like hormone therapy and behavioral health services. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to prevent employment discrimination based on menopause and allocates five million dollars to fund these initiatives and public awareness campaigns.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program in North Carolina to support community organizations focused on improving maternal health outcomes for Black women. The program provides funding ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to eligible entities that offer evidence-based services, such as mental health support, doula care, and assistance with social needs like housing and transportation. Priority is given to organizations led by Black women and those serving communities with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes. Recipients must also provide culturally respectful training for health workers and submit reports on how the funds are used to prevent maternal mortality and severe complications.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Kids Over Corporations Act, would stop the scheduled elimination of the corporate income tax in North Carolina and instead set a permanent rate of five percent. It directly affects C corporations operating in the state by requiring them to pay this tax, while S corporations remain exempt from the levy. The law includes a temporary phase-in schedule where the tax rate starts at 2.25% in 2025 and gradually decreases to zero after 2029, though the bill's title suggests a permanent five percent rate. The legislation applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and aims to ensure corporations contribute to public services funded by state revenue.

Maddy summarySB 915 establishes the 2026 Governor's Budget for North Carolina, allocating specific funding amounts to state departments, institutions, and agencies for their current operations. The bill directly affects a wide range of entities, including public schools, universities, health and human services agencies, and justice system bodies, by providing financial resources for their services. Key provisions include detailed dollar amounts for each fiscal year of the 2025-2027 biennium, with savings reverting to the state fund if not fully utilized. This legislation sets the financial framework for state government activities but does not specify new programs or policy changes beyond the budget allocations.

Maddy summarySB 887 creates a new legal process for individuals in North Carolina who were detained by the state or local authorities and later found by a court to have been unlawfully held. Under this bill, affected persons can petition the Industrial Commission for financial compensation if their detention caused harm, with a maximum award of $750,000 and eligibility for additional support such as job training, college tuition, and reimbursement for lost wages. The legislation establishes a five-year deadline for filing claims and designates $1 million in state funds to cover potential payouts, with the measure taking effect retroactively to October 1, 2021.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes strict privacy rules for immigration data held by North Carolina state agencies, limiting when such information can be shared with law enforcement or other government entities. Under the new law, state departments may only release immigration records if the individual provides consent or if a court issues a valid order, subpoena, or warrant. Additionally, the bill requires agencies to notify individuals within three business days when their data is requested and to submit annual reports detailing all such requests to the Attorney General. To support these changes, the legislation appropriates $1.5 million starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund necessary technology updates, staff training, and compliance reporting.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina legislation appropriates three million dollars in recurring funds to the Department of Public Safety for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds are designated to expand and promote the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, which trains volunteers to assist during emergencies. The Division of Emergency Management will use these resources to partner with local community organizations to conduct training sessions and develop outreach strategies. These measures aim to encourage greater community participation in emergency preparedness training programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new fund within the North Carolina Department of Commerce to help high-skilled immigrant workers pay for the costs of keeping their legal work status, such as visa renewal fees and legal processing expenses. To qualify for reimbursement grants, individuals must live and work in North Carolina and meet specific criteria related to their education, job type, or visa classification. The state has allocated one million dollars in recurring funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover these grants and administrative costs. The Department of Commerce will be responsible for setting the rules for eligibility and managing the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill reenacts North Carolina's state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for taxpayers filing returns for the year 2026 and beyond. It allows eligible individuals who claim the federal EITC to receive an additional state credit equal to 5% of their federal credit amount, with a special 4.5% rate applied to 2013 returns. The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers can receive the money even if it exceeds the taxes they owe, and it will automatically expire at the end of 2026.