Sen. Steve Jarvis

Maddy summaryNorth Carolina's SB 296 requires state and local governments to use iron and steel products manufactured in the United States for public works projects funded by state money. This applies to permanent materials like structural steel, pipes, and construction components, but includes exceptions when U.S. products are unavailable (e.g., insufficient supply, 20%+ cost increase), or when foreign materials cost less than 0.1% of the total project cost. The bill excludes electrical components (except poles) and does not apply to Department of Transportation projects already covered by federal Buy America rules. It takes effect July 1, 2026, for contracts awarded after that date.

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 summarySB 290, the NC REINS Act, requires North Carolina's General Assembly to approve certain state agency regulations before they take effect. It directly affects state agencies creating rules with significant economic impact (over $1 million annually) and gives legislators a 30-day window to block such rules through a specific disapproval bill. The bill adds a legislative review period for all permanent rules and mandates that rules with substantial economic impact must be ratified by the legislature, effectively creating a veto power over those regulations. This changes current process by requiring explicit legislative action for high-impact rules instead of automatic implementation after agency approval.

Maddy summarySB 240 establishes the NCSTARS Grant Program to fund community colleges partnering with public schools and local businesses to create work-based learning programs for students aged 16+ in apprenticeships or preapprenticeships. It provides matching grants of up to $500,000 per year per community college, requiring a 3:1 state-to-local funding match for program costs like student stipends, travel, and staff. The program prioritizes applications modeling the Surry-Yadkin Works FLEET program and mandates annual reports on participation and outcomes. Total funding of $4.75 million is allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, supporting the program through 2028-2029.

Maddy summarySB 109, the Veterans Appreciation Act, increases property tax relief for disabled veterans in North Carolina by expanding the homestead exclusion to cover the value increase from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) housing grants. It directly affects disabled veterans who receive VA housing grants for service-connected disabilities, allowing them to exclude up to $45,000 of their home’s appraised value plus grant-funded improvements from property taxes. The bill adds a prequalification process, letting veterans apply in advance of purchasing a home to confirm eligibility, with county assessors required to notify applicants within 30 days. This change takes effect for property taxes on homes owned after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 113 creates a new process for property owners to quickly remove unauthorized occupants (squatters) from residential property. Property owners or their authorized representatives must file a sworn affidavit with a court clerk or magistrate, pay a $25 fee, and provide specific details proving the occupant has no legal claim (e.g., no rent paid, not a tenant, and directed to leave). Once the affidavit is processed, local law enforcement must remove the person within 24 hours. This process does not apply to tenants with valid leases or rental agreements.

Maddy summarySB 24 requires that any new state health insurance mandate must be paired with the repeal of an existing mandate and include funding to cover the new cost. It directly affects North Carolina employers (especially small businesses) and taxpayers by targeting mandates that increase insurance premiums and state health plan expenses. Key provisions mandate that new health benefit requirements (like coverage for specific treatments or drugs) must include both a repeal of an equivalent existing mandate and recurring state funding for the new cost. The bill applies to all health insurance plans, including the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees, and takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis procedural bill (SB 53) establishes no new policies or affects any specific people, organizations, or issues. It solely relates to the 30th Senatorial District in North Carolina and states it will take effect upon enactment. The bill contains no substantive provisions or mechanisms beyond this administrative reference. As a local act, it does not involve voting on policy changes or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends North Carolina's building and environmental codes to limit when public water systems can require customers to install backflow preventers and to reduce the frequency of required testing for residential irrigation systems. It specifically prohibits local governments from mandating these devices on existing connections unless a high hazard is officially determined by the state Department of Environmental Quality, and it shields water system employees from civil liability if they follow these new rules. Additionally, the legislation bans the requirement for redundant inline shut-off valves between a water meter and a residential dwelling, while allowing exceptions for valves integrated into meter boxes or installed as main shutoffs near entrances. The changes also clarify that increases in water flow alone do not necessitate a backflow preventer and establish a three-year maximum testing interval for residential irrigation systems that do not use chemical feeds.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 607, known as the Regulatory Reform Act of 2024, modifies licensing rules in North Carolina to reduce barriers for certain professionals and adjust training standards. The bill exempts specific individuals, such as medical staff and inmates, from needing barber or cosmetologist licenses while performing their duties, and it removes the state residency requirement for electrologists wishing to obtain a license. Additionally, the legislation increases the minimum training hours for massage and bodywork therapists from 500 to 650 hours before they can be licensed. These changes directly affect barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, and massage therapists by altering the qualifications and exemptions required to practice legally in the state.