Sen. Bob Brinson

Maddy summaryThe Workforce Act of 2026 allocates state funding to modernize education-to-workforce pathways and improve credit transfer for students in North Carolina. A primary provision directs $3.1 million to the ApprenticeshipNC program to support work-based learning and increase employer participation in apprenticeships. The bill also provides $350,000 to the Department of Commerce to create a list of industry-valued credentials and link them to labor market data such as wages and job placement. Additionally, it increases funding for short-term workforce development grants and requires private colleges to be included in the state's common digital transcript system by March 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows North Carolina local governments to create special zones around major military bases to prevent incompatible development and protect military readiness. It requires that any new projects in these areas, which extend five miles from a base, must be coordinated with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to ensure they do not disrupt training or operations. Additionally, the law mandates that public hearings on such projects notify military commanders in advance and that site plans include measures to reduce light and noise impacts on the bases. The legislation also allocates $50,000 to fund a study on land use between military installations and local governments and explicitly states that it does not remove existing property owners' legal rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs North Carolina's Department of Transportation to create a new method for funding bridge replacements that operates separately from the current Strategic Mobility Formula. To accomplish this, the state will allocate $100,000 in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support the development of this alternative plan, which must include a prioritization process and a specific revenue source. The department is required to submit its proposed formula and legislative recommendations to various committees by December 1, 2026, and the law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1065 establishes a temporary pause on new rules that would restrict commercial and recreational fishing in North Carolina's coastal waters. This bill directly affects fishermen, charter operators, seafood dealers, and related businesses by preventing state agencies from reducing bag limits, shortening seasons, closing fishing areas, or adding new reporting and gear restrictions. The legislation also requires the state to restore recreational fishing regulations to the limits that were in place on January 1, 2019, and prohibits the reallocation of existing fishing quotas. These measures are designed to provide economic stability while a comprehensive study of the state's fisheries is completed and reviewed by the General Assembly.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric public utilities in North Carolina to submit detailed reports on how well they use their existing power grids. These reports must analyze current performance, explore ways to improve efficiency without building new lines, and outline plans for implementing these improvements. The state's Utilities Commission will review the reports and set specific targets for utilities to meet, while also establishing metrics to measure grid usage. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Commission decide within 240 days how these usage metrics will influence future decisions on approving utility investment costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from the state's General Fund to provide free hyperbaric oxygen therapy to North Carolina veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury or posttraumatic stress disorder. The funding is directed to a nonprofit organization called HBOT 4 HEROES, which will administer the treatment, manage the program, and conduct outcome assessments for an estimated 350 veterans. The act requires the organization to submit a detailed report to state oversight committees by June 30, 2027, covering the number of patients served, their locations, and how the funds were spent. These changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill requires state agencies to eliminate job positions that have remained vacant for at least 24 consecutive months, with the goal of reducing government spending on unfilled roles. Starting in July 2026, the Office of State Budget and Management will transfer unused salary funds associated with these long-term vacancies into a budget reserve, which cannot be spent unless the General Assembly approves it. The law includes specific exceptions, such as positions held open due to court orders, roles funded entirely by federal money, and critical jobs in 24-hour operations like public safety and inmate care. Additionally, the bill mandates that state agencies report details about eliminated or excluded positions to the General Assembly by December 2026 and establishes a permanent rule for abolishing such vacancies in future fiscal years.

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 summaryThis North Carolina bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to provide new luggage, such as suitcases or backpacks, to children entering or currently in the foster care system when they are removed from a household. The legislation appropriates specific funds for this purpose and allows the department to accept additional donations, while explicitly defining new luggage as unused containers and excluding disposable bags. To ensure accountability, the bill requires an annual report detailing how often disposable bags are still used and how the new luggage inventory is managed. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, aiming to improve the personal belongings provided to children in state care.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the election schedule for the Town of Pink Hill to require municipal elections to occur in even-numbered years instead of odd-numbered years. It also restores in-person voting as the primary method for electing the mayor and board of commissioners, while establishing a staggered four-year term structure for all elected officials. To align with these changes, the bill extends the current terms of some officials whose terms would have ended in 2027 and 2029, and it suspends all municipal elections for the town in 2027.