Sen. Dana Jones

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies teacher licensure rules in North Carolina by removing a specific testing requirement for admission into educator preparation programs. It extends the deadline for completing licensure exams to the third year of a teacher's career, provided the individual takes the exam at least once during their first year. Additionally, the legislation simplifies the process for out-of-state applicants by allowing them to obtain a North Carolina license if they have three years of teaching experience and hold a valid license from another state with similar requirements. The act also allocates $50,000 in funding for implementation and takes effect on July 1, 2026, with other provisions becoming law immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes local governments in North Carolina to borrow money to accelerate specific transportation projects that are scheduled for funding under the State Transportation Improvement Program. To access these funds early, localities must sign an expedited agreement with the Department of Transportation that outlines project details, financial forecasts, and a repayment plan. The borrowed money, known as grant anticipation notes, must be repaid solely from the future state or federal grant funds and cannot exceed the total amount of that funding. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Transportation to ensure that any changes to the state's transportation plan do not delay the repayment of these notes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires North Carolina public schools to update their computer science standards to include age-appropriate artificial intelligence literacy for students from kindergarten through 12th grade, with a focus on ethics, privacy, and safety. It mandates that all local school boards, charter schools, and state agencies adopt specific AI use policies based on a model policy developed by the Department of Public Instruction by mid-2027. Additionally, the bill establishes a framework for evaluating AI educational tools and requires the state to contract with the Friday Institute to provide training for educators and administrators on using AI effectively. These measures are designed to ensure that schools have clear guidelines and resources for integrating AI into their educational environments while protecting student data and maintaining academic integrity.

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 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 bill expands the legal definition of an independent pharmacy in North Carolina to include community-based pharmacies owned by small groups with ten or fewer locations. The law specifically covers businesses that are not publicly traded and focus primarily on pharmacy services. Additionally, the legislation allocates $100,000 from the state's general fund to the Department of Insurance to help enforce these new rules starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

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 summarySB 849, known as the Real Tickets, Real Fans Act, aims to protect consumers in North Carolina by regulating how entertainment event tickets are sold and resold. The bill defines specific terms like 'bots' and 'speculative tickets' and requires ticket sellers to clearly display the total price, including all mandatory fees, before a purchase is completed. It also prohibits the sale of speculative tickets, which are tickets not yet owned by the seller, and bans resellers from selling more than one copy of the same ticket. Additionally, the law restricts resellers from selling tickets before they are made available to the general public unless authorized by the event organizer.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the North Carolina Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to negotiate agreements allowing drivers from foreign nations to obtain licenses in the state. It specifically directs officials to evaluate whether Taiwan has comparable driver testing standards and, if so, to negotiate a memorandum of understanding for exchanging noncommercial driver licenses by January 1, 2027. The legislation also allocates $5,000 to fund a public awareness campaign about these new reciprocity options and requires a progress report to be submitted by October 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 826 requires major state entities in North Carolina, including the University of North Carolina, state departments, courts, and the General Assembly, to publicly disclose their monthly spending. The bill mandates that these organizations compile and submit an itemized list of all purchases and services costing at least one dollar, along with a total monthly expenditure sum. Within ten days of receiving these reports, the Department of Administration or the relevant entity must publish the data on its website for public viewing, while still protecting any records legally designated as confidential. To support this new reporting requirement, the act appropriates $250,000 in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover implementation costs for the affected agencies.