Sen. Steve Jarvis

Maddy summaryThis bill amends North Carolina law governing owners' associations in condominiums and planned communities. It directly affects these associations and their members by setting specific limits on late fees (capping at $20 per month or 10% of an unpaid assessment) and fines (capping at $100), prohibiting managing agents from being paid based on fines collected, and requiring fair procedures for approving unit changes. The bill also mandates prelitigation mediation for disputes between associations and members and requires the Department of Justice to collect and report on related complaints. These changes aim to standardize association practices and provide clearer dispute resolution processes.

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 It is currently pending in the Senate after being filed and passing its first reading, though it was recently withdrawn from committee.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 summaryThis bill, officially titled "An Act to Establish Exemptions from Certain Floodplain Requirements for the Replacement or Reconstruction of Structures Damaged by Historic Flood Events," corrects the misstated title "Power Bill Reduction Act." It directly affects property owners seeking to rebuild or replace structures damaged by a "historic flood event" (defined as a flood meeting or exceeding a 200-year flood standard) within the base floodplain. The key provision allows rebuilding to the same or lesser size/volume as before the flood, without adhering to newer state or local flood regulations, but prohibits increases in size/volume unless hydrologic analysis proves it won’t raise flood elevations. This exemption applies to structures lawfully established before the flood event.

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 690 updates North Carolina's licensing rules for real estate appraisers by incorporating the "Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal" (PAREA) program as an approved path to meet experience requirements. It clarifies definitions for key terms like "certified general appraiser," "licensed residential appraiser," and "comparative market analysis" to distinguish formal appraisals from broker price opinions. The bill specifically allows appraisers to use technology-based PAREA training and mentor-supervised case studies instead of traditional supervisor/trainee methods. This directly affects individuals seeking or holding real estate appraiser licenses or certifications in North Carolina. The changes aim to modernize licensing procedures while maintaining standards for valuation work.

Maddy summarySB 387 revises tax benefits for properties cleaned up under North Carolina's Brownfields Property Reuse Act. It establishes a 5-year tax exclusion schedule for qualifying improvements on brownfields sites: 90% exclusion in year one, decreasing to 10% in year five. This directly affects property owners who have entered brownfields agreements with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for contaminated land cleanup. The bill also adds new fees: a $2,000 application fee, a cost-recovery fee for DEQ services (paid in two installments), and penalties for non-compliance, all funding the Brownfields Implementation Account. The changes take effect for taxes in 2025 and later.

Maddy summarySB 472 streamlines water quality permit reviews for specific projects in North Carolina, directly affecting developers of upland basin marinas, energy/fuel infrastructure, and maintenance dredging projects funded by certain state programs. It sets strict deadlines for the Department of Environmental Quality: requiring fee notifications within 5 business days, completeness reviews within 30 days, and final decisions within 10-15 days (or automatically waiving certification if deadlines are missed). The bill also clarifies that certain man-made ditches and upland basin marinas are not subject to coastal management regulations. These changes aim to accelerate project approvals while maintaining existing water quality standards. The bill is pending review and would take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 639, the North Carolina Farm Act of 2025, updates agricultural water planning, addresses feral swine damage, and strengthens farm conservation protections. It requires the Department of Agriculture to revise the state’s agricultural water plan by 2026, including funding for water infrastructure, conservation practices, and flood mitigation. The bill creates a Feral Swine Working Group with industry and agency representatives to develop control strategies and report annually, while also mandating 100-foot vegetative buffers around protected farm tracts in new subdivisions. Local governments gain authority to deny development permits that would negatively impact agricultural production, directly affecting farmers, landowners, and municipal planning decisions.

Maddy summarySB 248 would allow adopted individuals to obtain their original birth certificates directly from state vital records offices, without requiring a court order. This bill directly affects adults who were adopted, removing a current barrier to accessing their birth records. The key provision eliminates the need for judicial approval, streamlining the process for adopted persons to access their original birth certificates. The bill passed its first reading on March 10, 2025, and is now under review by the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summarySB 205 clarifies that private swimming pools at single-family homes used exclusively by residents and their guests - including those accessed via sharing economy platforms - remain exempt from public pool regulations. The bill explicitly states these pools must still be maintained in safe working order, regardless of whether guests pay a fee for access through platforms like Airbnb. For pools rented via sharing platforms, the bill adds specific safety requirements: 4-foot fencing with self-latching gates, clear signage, lifesaving equipment, non-slip surfaces, proper suction covers, and chemical balance maintenance. This applies only to private pools in single-family dwellings, not public facilities like hotels or community pools. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.