Sen. Todd Johnson

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts UL-certified sign manufacturers from North Carolina's general contractor licensing requirements when installing signs, awnings, or related architectural features. It requires building permit applicants claiming this exemption to provide UL certification documentation and a sworn affidavit verifying their certification. Building inspectors must submit this documentation to the licensing board for verification, and permits may be revoked if certification is invalid. The exemption applies solely to sign manufacturing work, not other construction activities.

Maddy summarySB 552 authorizes $309.5 million from the State Capital Fund to build a new automated warehouse for North Carolina's Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Commission, requiring repayment of at least $20.67 million annually starting in 2025. It establishes new "service business permits" for establishments selling alcohol on-site, restricting what beverages they can serve based on local permit availability (e.g., malt beverages only in areas without wine permits). The bill mandates a $50 application fee for these permits and requires all permit holders (including restaurants and mobile bars) to submit recycling plans for beverage containers or apply for a one-year waiver through the Environmental Quality Division. Annual registration fees of $400 (for most permits) or $50 (for service permits) are also added, with failure to pay resulting in permit revocation.

Maddy summarySB 535 regulates hemp-derived beverages (nonalcoholic drinks containing hemp or specific cannabinoids like CBD or THC variants) by creating a new regulatory framework under North Carolina's alcohol beverage laws. It prohibits manufacturing, selling, or possessing these beverages without authorization from the ABC Commission, which will set safety standards and labeling rules. The bill directly affects businesses producing or selling hemp-based drinks, requiring them to comply with ABC Commission regulations starting July 1, 2025. This law does not legalize hemp beverages but establishes the process for their oversight, distinct from alcohol regulations.

Maddy summarySB 364 changes retirement rules for retired Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) and Assistant Public Defenders (APDs) in North Carolina. It reduces the required separation period from state employment before returning to work from six months to 30 days. This means retired ADAs and APDs can rejoin state positions after a 30-day break, rather than waiting six months like other state retirees. The bill directly affects these specific retired legal professionals who wish to return to state service.

Maddy summarySB 219 removes a statewide 10% area cap on noncontiguous land annexations for the Village of Marvin. Currently, most cities and towns in North Carolina are limited to annexing satellite areas that don’t exceed 10% of their main territory, but this bill specifically exempts Marvin from that rule. The key change is removing the restriction (found in G.S. 160A-58.1(b)(5)) that applies to other municipalities, allowing Marvin to annex additional noncontiguous land without that percentage limit. This bill directly affects Marvin’s ability to expand its jurisdiction through satellite annexations. The measure is pending final passage after recent committee review.

Maddy summarySB 614 requires owners of high-hazard or intermediate-hazard dams in North Carolina to develop and submit Emergency Action Plans within 90 days of a dam's classification. These plans must include emergency response procedures, evacuation protocols, and a downstream flood map (unless the dam is under 15 feet tall or stores less than 50 acre-feet of water). Owners must update and resubmit the plans annually for department review. The bill clarifies that flood maps don't need professional engineering oversight for most dams, except those linked to coal ash impoundments, and ensures sensitive security details remain confidential. It takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to new submissions after that date.

Maddy summarySB 548 requires North Carolina law enforcement officers (LEOs) to report observed excessive force or improper activity within 72 hours to a superior officer, and prohibits retaliation against LEOs for making such reports. The bill explicitly states that officers cannot be terminated, disciplined, or retaliated against for reporting, though disciplinary action for unrelated misconduct prior to the report remains permitted. It also makes knowingly false reports a Class 2 misdemeanor and extends protection to officers disclosing any violation of law, rule, or regulation to supervisors or government agencies. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, applying to reports made on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 701 allows North Carolina state and local law enforcement officers with at least 30 years of service to continue receiving retirement benefits while remaining actively employed. Specifically, officers aged 59.5 or older can elect to receive their retirement allowance without separating from their current law enforcement position. The bill requires employers to cover both employee and employer retirement contributions during this period, while prohibiting additional service credit accrual or eligibility for disability/supplemental retirement benefits. This policy directly affects qualifying officers who wish to stay on duty while maintaining their retirement income.

Maddy summarySB 657, the "Keeping Our Coaches Act," allocates $11 million annually from sports betting tax revenue to provide salary supplements for athletic coaches in North Carolina public schools. It directly affects eligible public school athletic coaches who currently receive non-state funds totaling less than $3,000 per year for coaching duties. The bill requires school units to maintain prior non-state funding levels for coaches, prohibits using state funds to replace those non-state contributions, and directs unspent funds to YMCA youth sports programs. This policy change becomes effective for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 615, the Property Tax Rate Transparency Act, requires local governments in North Carolina to hold a vote on whether to use a revenue-neutral tax rate during years when they conduct a general property reappraisal. This affects counties, cities, and other local governments that reappraise property values. The bill mandates that governing boards vote on adopting a tax rate calculated to maintain the same total tax revenue as the previous year (after accounting for new property values), rather than automatically adjusting rates based on reappraised values. If approved by a majority, the local government must use this revenue-neutral rate in its budget; otherwise, it follows standard tax levy procedures. This changes how local tax rates are set during reappraisal cycles, making the rate decision subject to a formal vote.