Sen. Eddie Settle

Maddy summarySB 317, the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act, creates new rules for dividing property owned by multiple family members (known as "heirs property") where ownership is unclear and at least 20% of shares are held by relatives or acquired through family lines. If a court determines property qualifies as heirs property, it must be divided under this law unless all owners agree otherwise in writing. The bill requires courts to first determine the property's fair market value through appraisal or agreement, then offers co-owners a 45-day window to buy out others' shares at that value before a court-ordered sale. This process aims to clarify ownership for family-held land without requiring all owners to agree upfront.

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 315 improves transparency and efficiency in insurance reviews of medical services by setting strict timeframes for insurers to make decisions. For urgent care, insurers must decide within 24 hours; for non-urgent care, within three business days after receiving all necessary information. The bill also requires insurers to clearly explain review processes in patient handbooks, on websites, and on membership cards, and to notify both patients and providers of outcomes. Additionally, it mandates that appeal reviews be conducted by qualified medical professionals without conflicts of interest, ensuring fairer assessments of coverage disputes.

Maddy summarySB 270 prohibits credit property insurance policies (which cover vehicles used as loan collateral) from including specific automobile physical damage coverages. It bans coverage for repossession costs, "skip/confiscation/conversion" scenarios, deductibles under $250, and broader coverage than minimum state requirements. Borrowers would no longer have these excluded coverages bundled into their credit insurance, though insurers could offer them separately without charging borrowers. If enacted, the law would apply to new or renewed insurance contracts after its effective date.

Maddy summarySB 58 prohibits the North Carolina Attorney General from advancing arguments in court that would invalidate any executive order issued by the U.S. President. It directly affects the state's Attorney General's office, restricting their role in litigation involving presidential executive orders. The bill requires the AG to avoid participating as a party, amicus, or in any capacity in lawsuits challenging such orders. This policy change applies to all pending or future court cases filed on or after the law's effective date. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee as of February 2025.

Maddy summarySB 271 clarifies permitted insurance rebate practices in North Carolina by defining specific exceptions to existing rebate prohibitions. It allows insurers and producers to offer value-added services (like risk assessments, financial wellness tools, or post-loss support) at no or reduced cost, provided they meet criteria such as being reasonably priced relative to premiums and not being discriminatory. The bill also permits non-cash gifts under $250 per policy term and small raffles with prizes under $250, as long as they don’t require insurance purchases. These provisions directly affect insurers, producers, and their employees who market or sell insurance policies. The bill explicitly maintains bans on direct premium rebates or "free" insurance promotions not specified in the policy.

Maddy summarySB 268 amends North Carolina's Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Act to update financial requirements for PEOs seeking or maintaining a license. The bill extends the deadline for submitting an audited financial statement from 90 to 120 days before application and requires PEOs to maintain at least $50,000 in tangible net worth with positive working capital. PEOs with negative working capital must provide an additional surety bond equal to the negative amount. Additionally, the bill clarifies that multiple PEOs under the same parent can apply for a single group license, with each member guaranteeing the financial obligations of all others.

Maddy summarySB 269 revises North Carolina's Insurance Guaranty Association Act to specifically include cybersecurity insurance coverage under the law. It defines "cybersecurity insurance" to cover losses from data breaches, ransomware, cyberattacks, and similar events, and sets a $500,000 cap per policy for all first- and third-party claims arising from a single cyber incident. This affects North Carolina residents or property located in the state who hold cybersecurity insurance policies with an insolvent insurer. The bill ensures the Guaranty Association pays covered claims up to this cap for cybersecurity events, while excluding punitive damages, high-net-worth claimants ($50M+ net worth), and certain other excluded claims.

Maddy summarySB 264 requires all North Carolina public schools - including traditional, charter, regional, and laboratory schools - to display the U.S. and North Carolina flags in every classroom and near each school's main entrance, while scheduling daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The bill also mandates age-appropriate instruction about the flags' historical significance and the pledge's meaning. Schools may not compel students or staff to stand, salute, or recite the pledge. Funding of $1 million (one-time) and $100,000 annually is provided to purchase flags, with displays only required if flags are available through donations or purchase.

Maddy summarySB 231 allows North Carolina state agencies to sell surplus personal property (like unused equipment or supplies) through third-party online auction platforms, rather than solely through state-run processes. It directly affects state agencies managing surplus assets and private auction companies facilitating these sales. The bill updates existing rules to permit this method while maintaining current requirements for distributing surplus property to nonprofits and schools, particularly for computer equipment donated to low-income students. The key change is enabling state agencies to use external auction sites as an additional sales channel for surplus items.