Sen. DeAndrea Salvador

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates North Carolina's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program, which provides a state tax credit to low-income workers who qualify for the federal EITC. It sets the state credit at 5% of the federal credit amount (down from 4.5% in 2013), making it refundable so eligible taxpayers receive cash even if they owe no state tax. The credit applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and continues a program that expired after 2013. The bill does not change eligibility rules or create new benefits - it simply reenacts the prior policy structure.

Maddy summarySB 320 creates an additional retirement allowance for North Carolina state and local law enforcement officers who retire after meeting specific service and age requirements. Eligible officers with at least 30 years of service (or 55+ with 5+ years) under age 62 can choose between two calculation methods for their annual allowance: one based on their current pay rate and service, or one based on their pay rate at 30 years of service. The allowance, paid monthly from state funds, stops upon the officer’s death, reaching age 62 (for the first method), or meeting a time-based condition (for the second method). This change supplements retirement income without affecting other retirement benefits or salary increases.

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 summarySB 226 expands eligibility for death benefits under North Carolina's Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act to include firefighters who die from specific cancers. It adds any cancer diagnosed after January 1, 2022, that qualified a firefighter for benefits under the Firefighters' Cancer Insurance Program (or its predecessor, the Health Benefits Pilot Program) to the list of cancers presumed to be "killed in the line of duty." This means firefighters receiving cancer benefits under the program will automatically qualify for death benefits if they later die from that cancer. The bill also permanently establishes the Cancer Insurance Program as the successor to the pilot program and allocates $2 million annually for related death benefits starting July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 279 establishes a Baby Bond Trust Fund that automatically deposits $2,000 into individual accounts for eligible North Carolina infants born on or after January 1, 2024. Eligibility requires parents to reside in North Carolina (or establish residency within six months of birth) and have household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Funds in these accounts cannot be accessed before age 18 (except for qualified education expenses), and after age 18, distributions may be used for postsecondary education, home purchases, business startup, or approved long-term investments. The State Treasurer administers the accounts with a Board of Trustees, ensuring funds remain protected from creditors and are managed solely for the account holder’s benefit.

Maddy summarySB 194 allows Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) to align their academic calendar with the calendar of a local community college, removing standard state-mandated opening (August 26) and closing (June 11) dates for CMS. The bill amends state law to explicitly permit this alignment as an exception to the standard calendar requirements, directly affecting only CMS. This change applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and aims to better coordinate school schedules with community college terms.

Maddy summarySB 201 authorizes the Town of Pineville to establish a reserve police division, allowing reserve officers to be compensated for active duty time. The bill amends Pineville's charter to let the town council set and pay reserve officers' compensation rates. This is a procedural change specific to Pineville's local government structure, not a broad policy shift. It directly affects Pineville's police operations and reserve officers who may serve.

Maddy summarySB 202 allows law enforcement officers contracted by the Park South Station Master Association to enforce traffic laws on streets, roadways, and alleys within the Park South Station community in Charlotte. It specifies that these areas will follow Charlotte’s current speed limits, and any changes to speed limits require approval from the Charlotte City Council. The bill does not alter ownership of the community’s roads or create new traffic regulations - only authorizes enforcement under existing state laws. This applies exclusively to the Park South Station community and Charlotte.

Maddy summarySB 211 reenacts North Carolina's state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), providing a cash refund to low-to-moderate income workers. It allows eligible residents to claim a credit equal to 5% of the federal EITC amount they qualify for, which is refundable (meaning they receive a cash payment even if they owe no state tax). The credit applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and directly benefits working individuals and families with low earnings. The bill reinstates a previously sunsetted provision, ensuring continued state-level support aligned with the federal EITC.

Maddy summarySB 157 allocates $100,000 from North Carolina's General Fund to Johnson C. Smith University for its Inclusive Tech-Innovation Pilot Project. The funds will support creating a community hub that uses broadband technology to foster economic growth and collaboration in the local area. The bill directs a nonrecurring grant specifically for this pilot program, which aims to connect the university with surrounding neighborhoods. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not change existing laws or regulations.