Sen. Steve Jarvis

Maddy summarySB 713 prevents North Carolina local governments (like cities and counties) from creating environmental rules stricter than state or federal law. It requires local ordinances to align with existing state/federal standards, unless the General Assembly specifically authorizes exceptions. Local governments must update all environmental rules by December 1, 2025, to comply, or those rules become invalid. The bill does not affect requirements needed to meet federal permits or National Flood Insurance Program conditions.

Maddy summarySB 758 (Water and Sewer Allocation Reforms) prohibits local governments in North Carolina from imposing unauthorized conditions on water or sewer service for new residential housing projects (single-family or multifamily). It bans requirements like extra fees, design restrictions, or arbitrary scoring systems for allocating service, and mandates quarterly public reports on infrastructure capacity. Local governments receiving public funds must publish capacity data, develop annual expansion plans, and prioritize areas facing imminent shortages. The bill directly affects developers seeking service and local governments managing water/sewer systems, ensuring service allocation is based on available capacity - not arbitrary rules. Violations can trigger court-ordered compliance or fines up to $5,000 per day.

Maddy summarySB 755 modifies North Carolina's General Contractor Licensing Board rules to clarify disciplinary procedures and ensure accountability. It requires written, sworn complaints (no anonymous submissions) for licensing violations and mandates that applicants pay court-ordered awards before taking licensing exams. The bill also allows the Board to recover up to $5,000 in administrative costs for violations like fraud, gross negligence, or willful rule breaches. These changes apply to licensed contractors, qualifying parties, and exam applicants, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 756 allows licensed professional land surveyors in North Carolina to legally enter private property to perform boundary surveys (including locating corners, lines, and easements) without being considered trespassers, provided they notify landowners when possible. It specifically prohibits surveyors from entering critical infrastructure sites (as defined by federal law) or facilities clearly marked as off-limits with fences or signs, and from damaging property without written permission. Landowners must allow access for survey work but are protected from liability for injuries or damage caused by surveyors, unless the landowner intentionally caused harm. The bill clarifies that surveyors cannot enter railroad properties or areas containing critical infrastructure, and requires surveyors to make reasonable efforts to notify adjacent landowners. This directly affects surveyors (granting clearer access rights) and landowners (requiring cooperation for survey purposes while protecting them from unauthorized damage).

Maddy summarySB 516, the Women's Safety and Protection Act, requires single biological sex use in restrooms, changing facilities, and sleeping quarters within covered facilities like public schools, prisons, domestic violence centers, and juvenile detention centers. It defines "biological sex" based on reproductive anatomy and mandates that facilities designated for one biological sex must be used exclusively by that sex, with exceptions for maintenance, medical emergencies, law enforcement, or natural disasters. The law applies to all state-funded facilities and includes specific rules for public schools regarding student sleeping arrangements during school activities. It explicitly states that facilities may not be used by individuals of a different biological sex unless covered by the listed exceptions.

Maddy summarySB 388 establishes strict time limits for North Carolina's Department of Transportation (DOT) to review certain permits, including driveway, encroachment, and subdivision permits. It requires the DOT to notify applicants within 10 business days whether an application is complete or incomplete, and if complete, to issue or deny the permit within 30 calendar days. If the DOT misses these deadlines, the permit is automatically approved. This directly affects property owners, contractors, and developers applying for these specific transportation-related permits. The bill aims to streamline the process by creating clear, enforceable timelines.

Maddy summarySB 373 (Vaccination Schedule Variance/Minors) prohibits healthcare providers (including doctors, physician assistants, and nurses) from refusing to treat minors or their parents/guardians solely because they choose to delay or vary from the CDC's recommended vaccination schedule. The bill ensures minors cannot be discriminated against for this reason, while clarifying that mandatory vaccination requirements under state law (G.S. 130A-152) still apply. Violations would be considered unprofessional conduct by licensing boards. The law requires the Medical Board and Nursing Board to adopt implementing rules, with the main provision effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 314 (Eliminate ETJ Overlap) prevents North Carolina cities from extending their land use authority (extraterritorial jurisdiction or ETJ) into areas within counties that have their own zoning or development regulations. The bill directly affects cities and counties by prohibiting cities from exercising powers beyond their corporate limits in counties actively enforcing zoning rules, unless the county isn't using those powers or city-county agreements exist. Key provisions require cities to get county commissioner approval for ETJ extensions beyond one mile and eliminate overlapping land use authority between cities and counties. This change streamlines land use decisions by clarifying that county zoning regulations take precedence in areas where counties are actively managing development.

Maddy summarySB 312, the "Stars and Stripes Commitment Act," requires all North Carolina public schools (including charter, regional, and laboratory schools) to schedule daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance within one hour of the start of the school day, display U.S. and North Carolina flags in classrooms when available, and provide age-appropriate instruction about the flag and pledge. It also mandates that State Board of Education and local school governing body meetings begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. The bill explicitly states these requirements do not compel any student, staff, or attendee to stand, salute, or recite the Pledge. The law applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

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.