Sen. Paul Lowe

Maddy summarySB 1062 directs the North Carolina Department of Transportation to conduct a study on improving commuter transportation in the Piedmont Triad region, specifically focusing on Winston-Salem, High Point, and Greensboro. The bill requires the study to evaluate the feasibility of a commuter rail system while also considering other options like bus rapid transit, regional bus networks, and roadway expansions. It mandates an analysis of funding sources, governance structures for a potential regional transit authority, and the economic impacts of various transportation modes through 2050. The legislation appropriates $250,000 for this study, which must be completed and reported to state committees by December 29, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes two separate constitutional amendments to North Carolina that would legalize the possession of limited amounts of cannabis for personal use and for medical purposes by patients with qualifying conditions. If passed by voters in the November 2026 election, these changes would remove criminal penalties for these specific activities while requiring the state legislature to create detailed laws governing their implementation. The amendments do not take effect immediately upon passage by the General Assembly but instead go directly to the public for a vote, with the results determining whether the new rules become part of the state constitution.

Maddy summarySB 975 directs the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer to conduct two studies regarding digital assets and remittance costs. The first study will evaluate the feasibility and risks of accepting digital assets, specifically stablecoins, for certain state fees, while the second study will examine ways to reduce transaction costs for residents sending money abroad. The bill explicitly prohibits the state from accepting digital assets for taxes or criminal fines and does not authorize agencies to hold or invest in these assets. A final report with recommendations is due by January 15, 2027, and the legislation appropriates $50,000 to fund these studies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Nursing Fellows Program at Winston-Salem State University to support students pursuing degrees in nursing or nursing education. The legislation creates a trust fund that provides forgivable loans to high-achieving students who commit to working as nurses or instructors within North Carolina after graduation. Funds from the trust are used to cover tuition and fees, with loan amounts increasing for those who plan to become nursing instructors. The program includes provisions for mentoring, administrative costs, and extracurricular activities to enhance student success.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina legislation appropriates one million dollars from the state General Fund to Forsyth Technical Community College. The Community Colleges System Office will distribute these recurring funds to the college beginning in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The money is designated specifically to support the Boost college-to-career program. The bill becomes effective on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 934 is a local act that applies exclusively to North Carolina's 32nd Senatorial District. The bill contains no substantive policy changes, funding, or regulatory provisions. It serves as a procedural measure to formally address the district within the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates North Carolina state law to allow the City of Winston-Salem to delegate its zoning and rezoning authority to a joint planning board that includes both city and county representatives. Under this new framework, the City Council would retain the power to set rules for the board and keep the final say on decisions, while also maintaining the right to hear appeals. The legislation clarifies how the city can create different types of zoning districts, including general use areas with mixed permitted activities and special use districts for specific projects, and outlines the conditions that can be attached to permits.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates one million dollars from the state's General Fund to Forsyth County to help the county and the City of Winston-Salem build a shared emergency operations center. The funding is designated as a nonrecurring grant for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and is intended to improve coordination between the city and county during emergencies. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and currently awaits further committee review in the Senate.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina legislation reinstates a state tax credit for individuals who claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Eligible taxpayers would receive a credit equal to five percent of their federal EITC amount, which is refundable if it exceeds their state tax liability. The bill takes effect for tax years beginning in 2026 and includes a sunset provision that repeals the credit for tax years starting on or after January 1, 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates one million dollars from the state's General Fund to Forsyth County in the Triad region for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds are designated as a nonrecurring grant specifically to support the Cure Violence program, which aims to reduce violence in the area. The legislation overrides a previous spending restriction to allow this specific appropriation and is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.