Sen. Amy Galey

Maddy summarySB 249 proposes redrawing the state's congressional district boundaries to reflect new census data, directly affecting voters in those districts for the 2025 elections. The bill would establish a new map for congressional representation in the 2025 election cycle based on updated population data. It is currently pending in the Senate after being filed and passing its first reading, though it was recently withdrawn from committee. This is a procedural redistricting bill focused on boundary changes, not substantive policy.

Maddy summarySB 55 creates a fast-track court process for property owners or their authorized representatives (like real estate brokers) to remove people occupying residential property without legal right, such as squatters. To qualify, the owner must prove the occupant has no lease, hasn't paid rent, and wasn't invited, while excluding tenants who stayed past their lease term. The process requires a hearing within 48 hours of filing, with removal ordered within 4 hours of the court decision. An appeal requires a $10,000 bond and allows a full trial in district court.

Maddy summaryHarrison's Law (SB 375) revises North Carolina's hazing laws and requires public disclosure of school employee compensation. It defines hazing as causing physical or serious psychological harm during school group initiation (e.g., fraternities, sports teams), making student violations a misdemeanor and school staff (like teachers or coaches) violations a felony. The bill also mandates that all public school districts publish on their websites, starting August 15, 2025, detailed information about central office employees - including total compensation (salary, bonuses, travel reimbursements), job titles, descriptions, and position creation dates. This applies to roles like superintendents, directors, and finance officers across all school districts.

Maddy summarySB 479, the SCRIPT Act, requires health insurers in North Carolina to allow patients to choose any participating pharmacy without restrictions. It prohibits insurers from imposing unequal copayments, financial penalties, or incentives that steer patients toward specific pharmacies. The bill directly affects insurers offering prescription drug coverage, independent pharmacies (defined as groups of 10 or fewer under common ownership), and patients seeking pharmacy services. Key provisions ensure equal treatment for all pharmacies in a plan and prevent insurers from limiting patient choice based on financial incentives.

Maddy summarySB 706 restores funding for counties to address scrap tire disposal by increasing the portion of tax revenue allocated to local governments from 50% to 75%. It directs the Department of Environmental Quality to use these funds to grant counties assistance for cleaning up scrap tire disposal sites and managing tire-related waste, prioritizing areas with severe disposal problems and financial need. The bill requires counties to demonstrate higher disposal costs than prior tax reimbursements to qualify for grants and mandates annual reporting on fund usage. This directly affects North Carolina counties struggling with scrap tire accumulation, particularly those with limited resources for waste management.

Maddy summarySB 442, the "Parents Protection Act," prohibits using a child's biological sex as a basis for abuse or neglect petitions in juvenile care cases. It also bars adoption agencies from denying placements or delaying adoption opportunities due to adoptive parents' refusal to support a child's gender transition. The bill amends North Carolina law to clarify that parents or caregivers raising children consistent with their biological sex - including making related medical and mental health decisions - cannot be charged with child abuse under misdemeanor (§14-318.2) or felony (§14-318.4) statutes. These provisions apply to all adoption placements and abuse petitions filed before, on, or after July 1, 2025. The law explicitly states it does not override other prohibitions against abuse, such as causing serious injury.

Maddy summarySB 133 requires North Carolina's State Board of Community Colleges to select a new learning management system (LMS) for all 58 community colleges by 2027, with proposals due by December 2025. The system must align with those used by K-12 schools and the University of North Carolina. It also updates definitions for the North Carolina Longitudinal Data System (NCLDS), clarifying what student data (like grades and enrollment) and workforce data (like employment) can be collected. The bill exempts community colleges from standard state IT procurement rules but focuses primarily on the new LMS requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal status called "special economic interest owner" for the estate of a deceased LLC member in North Carolina. When a member dies, their estate automatically becomes this status, granting them three specific rights: the right to receive financial distributions (economic interest), access to company records (information rights), and the ability to seek court-ordered dissolution of the LLC if needed. The law applies to all LLCs in North Carolina starting October 1, 2025, and directly affects estates of deceased members who were not otherwise managing members. It does not change liability for existing obligations under the LLC.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires North Carolina courts to treat judgments from Catawba Nation tribal courts as valid as out-of-state court orders. It clarifies that counties must have written agreements with the Catawba Nation to provide services on tribal trust lands, beyond basic public health or human services. The bill also authorizes Catawba tribal police to enforce laws within tribal boundaries under specific state statutes, aligning their authority with local law enforcement standards.

Maddy summarySB 600 allows North Carolina residents to register as organ and tissue donors when filing their state income tax returns. The bill amends tax law to add a simple check box on tax forms, where taxpayers can authorize donation after death (including spouse authorization), with clear instructions about the process and voluntary nature. This directly affects all NC resident taxpayers who file income tax returns, making donor registration as straightforward as completing their tax form. The law would integrate this election into the state's Organ Donor Registry, effective January 1, 2027, if enacted.