Sen. Phil Berger

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles to create a special license plate called the 'America's Semiquincentennial' plate. The plate will feature the phrase 'America 250' and other designs to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Any registered vehicle owner in the state will be eligible to purchase this plate starting on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 50, "Freedom to Carry NC," allows most North Carolina residents aged 18 or older (who are U.S. citizens) to carry concealed handguns without a permit, while maintaining existing permit options for reciprocity. The bill prohibits concealed carry for individuals with certain felony convictions, domestic violence misdemeanors, active warrants, or specific mental health or substance use conditions. It also requires carrying valid ID and disclosing concealed weapons to law enforcement upon request. Additional provisions include increased penalties for assaults on first responders, new offenses for felons discharging firearms during crimes, and expanded benefits for law enforcement families. The bill does not change current restrictions on carrying firearms in sensitive locations like schools or government buildings.

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 summarySR 769 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring Elizabeth Hanford Dole, a former U.S. Senator from North Carolina and pioneering public servant. The resolution recognizes her career achievements, including being the first woman appointed Secretary of Transportation (1983), her leadership as president of the American Red Cross, and her founding of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation supporting military caregivers. It does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses the Senate's gratitude for her decades of service. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on June 4, 2025, and a copy will be sent to Ms. Dole.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides local boards of education with a new alternative for setting their school calendars, directly affecting public schools and students. It allows schools to start as early as the Monday closest to August 19, provided fall and spring semesters have an equal number of instructional days, and end no later than the Friday before the last Monday in May. The bill also establishes stricter enforcement mechanisms, enabling the State Board of Education to investigate non-compliance and withhold central office administration funds from local boards that fail to follow calendar requirements. Additionally, it permits residents or businesses to file civil actions against non-compliant local boards, potentially leading to court-ordered remedies, attorney's fees, and civil penalties.

Maddy summarySB 320 creates an additional retirement allowance for North Carolina state and local law enforcement officers who retire after meeting specific service and age requirements. Eligible officers with at least 30 years of service (or 55+ with 5+ years) under age 62 can choose between two calculation methods for their annual allowance: one based on their current pay rate and service, or one based on their pay rate at 30 years of service. The allowance, paid monthly from state funds, stops upon the officer’s death, reaching age 62 (for the first method), or meeting a time-based condition (for the second method). This change supplements retirement income without affecting other retirement benefits or salary increases.

Maddy summarySB 261, the Energy Security and Affordability Act, removes a mandated interim timeline for carbon reduction by North Carolina's major electric utilities (those serving 150,000+ customers) and introduces an alternative cost recovery method for ongoing construction of base load power plants. The bill requires these utilities to achieve a 70% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 (from 2005 levels) and carbon neutrality by 2050, with the Utilities Commission developing a Carbon Plan by 2026 for achieving these goals. It specifies that new solar energy must come from 45% third-party power purchase agreements for small solar facilities (80 MW or less) and 55% utility-owned or purchased sources, including for solar paired with storage. This bill directly affects North Carolina's largest electric utilities and the Utilities Commission, altering their regulatory framework for emissions and infrastructure costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a procedural measure that solely references the 26th Senatorial District without making any substantive policy changes. It contains no provisions affecting residents, businesses, or government operations. The bill's text explicitly states it "relates only to the 26th Senatorial District" and specifies it becomes effective upon enactment. As a local act, it serves only to identify the district and has no impact beyond administrative reference.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to change the North Carolina Constitution to cap the state's maximum income tax rate at five percent, down from the current seven and a half percent. The measure would directly affect all North Carolina taxpayers by limiting the highest tax rate the state can impose on individual earnings. Instead of taking effect immediately, the bill requires voters to approve this change in a referendum scheduled for the November 3, 2026, general election. If a majority of voters support the amendment, the new five percent limit would apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. If voters reject the proposal, the existing income tax rules will remain unchanged.