Sen. Michael Garrett

Maddy summarySB 722 creates the Online Safety Division within North Carolina’s Department of Justice, the Cyberbullying Unit at the State Bureau of Investigation, and an Online Child Safety Commission. It directly affects major digital platforms with over 5 million users in North Carolina and $25 million in annual revenue, requiring them to implement parental notification systems, disable manipulative design features ("dark patterns"), and provide robust privacy tools for children. Platforms must submit annual Child Impact Assessments detailing risks to minors, limit data collection for children, prohibit targeted advertising, and default to strict privacy settings. The law authorizes civil penalties of up to $500,000 per violation for noncompliance, with funding of $5 million for 2025-2026 allocated to establish these new state units.

Maddy summarySB 729 clarifies that North Carolina public schools may conduct routine health screenings (such as vision, hearing, dental, and developmental screenings) without parental consent. Schools must still notify parents at the start of each school year about which screenings will be offered and share the results with them. This applies to all public schools in North Carolina and affects parents of students in all grades. The bill specifically excludes these screenings from the parental consent requirement that applies to other health services, while maintaining notice requirements.

Maddy summarySB 753, the NC Highway Patrol Retention Act, provides funding for pay raises for all North Carolina State Highway Patrol officers starting July 1, 2025. It appropriates $40.48 million annually from the General Fund to implement new salary schedules based on years of experience (e.g., $56,000 for new officers, $105,000 for 8+ years) and rank (e.g., $120,750 for Sergeant, $224,612 for Colonel). The bill directly affects all sworn Highway Patrol members by establishing fixed pay scales for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. The changes aim to improve retention through structured compensation increases without altering existing law enforcement duties or responsibilities.

Maddy summarySB 744, the Voucher School Accountability Act, requires nonpublic schools receiving North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship funds to meet new reporting and accountability standards. It mandates annual transparency on tuition fees (capped at 5% annual increases), staff background checks, standardized testing (including ACT for 11th graders), and financial audits for schools receiving over $250,000 in scholarship funds. Schools must also publish student progress data, maintain physical facilities for in-person instruction, and comply with state academic standards. These requirements directly affect participating nonpublic schools and the families using scholarship funds. The bill focuses on enforcing accountability through concrete reporting mechanisms, not changing scholarship eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 735 establishes the North Carolina Artificial Intelligence Innovation Trust Fund to provide grants and financial support for companies developing or deploying AI in key industries, as well as AI entrepreneurship programs through partnerships with research institutions. The fund prohibits spending on projects involving mass surveillance, discriminatory profiling, or deceptive digital content intended for fraud or electoral interference. Funds will come from state appropriations, interest, and other allowable contributions, with the Secretary of Commerce managing disbursements. The bill defines key terms like "covered model" to guide future regulatory frameworks but focuses on funding innovation rather than direct oversight.

Maddy summarySB 750, "Restore the American Dream," aims to address North Carolina's affordable housing shortage by funding the Housing Trust Fund. The bill provides a one-time $30 million allocation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and establishes recurring revenue streams: 1.5% of property deed fees and 33% of real estate transfer tax proceeds will be directed to the fund. These funds will support affordable housing solutions - including home ownership, rentals, and supportive housing - for over 815,000 North Carolinians lacking access to affordable housing and 930,000 cost-burdened households. The bill seeks to reverse a 68% funding decline in the Housing Trust Fund over the past decade, ensuring sustainable resources for housing development.

Maddy summarySB 736 creates a new Housing Innovation Office within North Carolina's Housing Finance Agency, funded by a permanent increase in the real estate transfer tax. The bill raises the tax rate on property sales over $500,000 from $1 per $500 to $1 per $400, directing the additional revenue ($5 million annually for 2025-2027) to this office. The office will use these funds for research, technical assistance, grants, and loans to support affordable housing construction, maintenance, and innovative building solutions. This directly affects homebuyers/sellers (through the tax increase) and aims to address the state's housing affordability crisis by expanding funding for housing projects.

Maddy summarySB 757, the North Carolina Consumer Privacy Act, gives residents the right to access, correct, or delete personal data collected by businesses operating in the state. It requires businesses to stop processing data when consumers request it, with key exceptions for health information (covered under existing health privacy rules) and publicly available data. The law applies to businesses that collect personal data about North Carolina residents, defining "personal data" as information that can identify an individual (like name or online activity), while excluding health data processed under healthcare laws. Enforcement would be handled by the North Carolina Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Division, with specific rules for how businesses must handle consumer requests. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Rules committee.

Maddy summarySB 751 restores a public health rule requiring solid waste transport vehicles (like garbage trucks) to prevent leaks that could contaminate streets and public spaces. It reinstates a 2013-era regulation (15A NCAC 13B .0105) that was previously repealed, setting standards for securing waste containers during transport. This rule directly affects garbage truck operators and protects public health, particularly for children who may be near collection sites. The bill mandates the Public Health Commission to adopt this rule without standard administrative delays.

Maddy summarySB 738 establishes North Carolina's Digital Content Provenance Initiative to combat misinformation from AI-generated content. It requires state agencies to implement cryptographic verification (like digital watermarks) for all official communications, create a public registry tracking content origins, and develop public education tools to help residents identify synthetic media. The $500,000 allocated for Phase I (effective July 2025) will fund technical standards, partnerships with tech companies, and election-related safeguards. This directly affects state agencies creating digital content and aims to protect residents' ability to verify information during elections and public discourse.