Sen. Buck Newton

Maddy summaryThe Farmers Protection Act (SB 554) aims to prevent discrimination in financing against agriculture producers. It makes it unlawful for banks to deny or cancel services to farmers based on their greenhouse gas emissions, use of fossil-fuel derived fertilizer, or fossil-fuel powered machinery. If a bank has an environmental, social, or governance (ESG) commitment related to agriculture, there is a rebuttable presumption that such a denial violates the act, unless the bank proves it was solely for financial reasons. The bill requires banks to submit annual compliance reports and allows for civil penalties for violations, which are also considered an unfair or deceptive trade practice.

Maddy summarySB 408 prohibits state and local government employees, contractors, and individuals participating in state-funded programs from using or accessing TikTok and WeChat. The bill bans these "covered applications" on all government-issued devices, information technology, and any equipment owned or leased by state or local subdivisions. It mandates the removal of any existing installations within 30 days of enactment and requires state agencies to restrict access to these applications' websites. An exception is made for law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies for investigative purposes, with guidelines to be developed for such use.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides local boards of education with a new alternative for setting their school calendars, directly affecting public schools and students. It allows schools to start as early as the Monday closest to August 19, provided fall and spring semesters have an equal number of instructional days, and end no later than the Friday before the last Monday in May. The bill also establishes stricter enforcement mechanisms, enabling the State Board of Education to investigate non-compliance and withhold central office administration funds from local boards that fail to follow calendar requirements. Additionally, it permits residents or businesses to file civil actions against non-compliant local boards, potentially leading to court-ordered remedies, attorney's fees, and civil penalties.

Maddy summaryBill SB 711, titled "ROD Removal/Gov. Security Breach Notice Costs," as presented in the provided text, primarily establishes a new ethics and removal process for county Registers of Deeds. It mandates that county boards of commissioners adopt a code of ethics for these officials. The bill outlines a mechanism for citizens to file complaints, leading to a review by the county manager and a public hearing by the board of commissioners. If ethics violations are confirmed, the board can impose sanctions, including censure, suspension, or removal from office for specific serious offenses, with an appeals process available to the Register of Deeds. This process directly affects Registers of Deeds, county governments, and the public.

Maddy summarySB 427 modifies North Carolina's property tax laws. It expands the types of personal property excluded from taxation to include certain business-related personal property valued at $20,000 or less, directly affecting businesses and individuals owning such assets. The bill also adjusts the rules and penalties for listing property for tax purposes. Additionally, it temporarily waives interest on underpaid property taxes for real and personal property located in specific "affected areas" for a period between January 7, 2025, and December 31, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 728 requires permits for utility-scale battery storage systems (1+ megawatt capacity) in North Carolina, affecting companies building or operating these facilities. The bill mandates that owners submit emergency response plans, decommissioning plans, and proof of financial responsibility to the Department of Environmental Quality before installation. It requires systems to be properly decommissioned within one year of shutdown, including recycling components like batteries and cables, restoring the site to pre-installation conditions, and covering all associated costs. Owners must also coordinate with local emergency officials and detail disposal methods for hazardous waste under the plan.

Maddy summarySB 577 clarifies North Carolina's ban on kickbacks in title insurance transactions, directly affecting real estate agents, attorneys, lenders, and title companies during property sales. The bill prohibits paying or receiving kickbacks, rebates, or commissions related to title insurance, except for payments to employees or shareholders of legitimate title insurers meeting specific conditions. It requires written disclosures about referrals to buyers, aligning with federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) rules, and violations carry a Class 2 misdemeanor penalty with fines up to $5,000. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, applying to offenses after that date.

Maddy summarySB 478 allows banks in North Carolina to deduct income tax on interest, fees, and penalties from loans secured by agricultural land, as defined by state law. This tax deduction applies to loans specifically backed by farmland, directly benefiting banks that provide such financing. The policy change takes effect for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. The bill does not directly affect farmers or landowners but alters tax treatment for financial institutions offering agricultural loans.

Maddy summarySB 504, the North Carolina Farmland and Military Protection Act, prohibits foreign governments designated as "adversarial" by the U.S. Department of State from purchasing, leasing, or holding interests in agricultural land or land within 75 miles of military installations in North Carolina. The bill defines agricultural land broadly (excluding small research leases under 250 acres) and specifically lists military sites like Fort Bragg, Camp Lejeune, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Any violation would void the transfer, and the law takes effect on December 1, 2025. This directly affects adversarial foreign governments seeking to acquire such land, aiming to protect food production and military security.

Maddy summarySB 670 prohibits North Carolina state agencies and local governments from purchasing small drones (under 55 pounds) manufactured or assembled by specific foreign vendors. It directly affects all state and local entities that use public funds for drone acquisitions, banning purchases from vendors on U.S. sanctions lists, based in China or Russia, or controlled by those governments. The law prevents the use of any state funds - including through contracts or grants - for such purchases, effective July 1, 2027. It applies to all "small unmanned aircraft systems" operated without direct human control, regardless of whether they are recoverable or expendable.