Sen. Joyce Waddell

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two main programs to support public servants in North Carolina. First, it establishes a Homebuyers' Assistance Program for first-time homebuyers who work as teachers, firefighters, police officers, or medical personnel, providing up to $25,000 or 10% of the purchase price for down payments and mortgage insurance. Second, it allows unpaid volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members to claim a state income tax credit of up to $5,000 to cover unreimbursed business expenses related to their rescue work. The down payment assistance program is funded with $200 million in recurring state money and will begin on July 1, 2026, while the tax credit applies to taxable years starting on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill establishes a legal right for patients to access assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization, and protects healthcare providers from state interference when offering these services. The legislation explicitly states that fertilized eggs or embryos outside the human body are not considered human beings under state law, while also maintaining existing health and safety regulations for medical facilities. Additionally, the bill appropriates $500,000 in state funds to increase financial support for the Medicaid Maternal Support Services program, known as the Baby Love Program, starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the North Carolina Department of Administration to create a comprehensive system for managing, cataloging, and disposing of vacant state-owned property. It requires the department to maintain detailed databases of all state buildings and land, including information on occupancy, condition, operating costs, and potential liability. Additionally, the legislation mandates the development of a five-year strategic plan to maximize facility use and reduce costs, along with specific rules to identify and sell surplus properties that no longer serve state missions. These changes primarily affect state agencies by establishing clearer procedures for space allocation and the removal of unused assets from the state portfolio.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends North Carolina law to allow same-sex couples to obtain domestic violence protective orders by removing gender restrictions from the definition of a dating relationship. It updates the legal definition of a personal relationship to include partners of any gender who are romantically involved, rather than limiting protection to opposite-sex couples. Additionally, the legislation allocates $500,000 in state funds to run a public awareness campaign focused on domestic violence prevention within same-sex relationships. The changes apply to all protection orders issued after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $50 million grant program to help North Carolina public schools hire mental health professionals like counselors and social workers, with funding prioritized for schools serving students with limited access to care. It also establishes a loan repayment program that offers eligible school mental health workers up to $15,000 annually to pay down their student loans, provided they work in high-need areas and graduated from a UNC system institution. The legislation requires the state to report annually on how these funds are used and to ensure grants supplement rather than replace existing resources.

Maddy summarySB 820, the Safe Schools and Educational Access Act, aims to protect students in North Carolina public schools and colleges from discrimination based on their immigration status or national origin. The bill prohibits schools from denying enrollment or sharing student information with immigration authorities unless a judge orders it, effectively designating schools as safe zones for learning. Additionally, the legislation allocates $181 million in state funding to support services for students with limited English proficiency, such as hiring bilingual teachers and providing translation resources.

Maddy summaryThe Every School Has Resources Act creates a grant program to help smaller, rural, and lower-wealth school districts in North Carolina hire a Development Director to find outside funding. This position would be responsible for securing money from sources like private foundations and corporate sponsors to reduce reliance on local property taxes and state aid. The program offers full government funding for the first year of the role, but requires the school district to contribute matching funds in the second and third years if the director successfully raises additional money. To qualify, schools must submit a detailed plan showing how they will hire and manage the new staff member, and the state will prioritize applications from districts serving the most economically disadvantaged students. The initiative runs for three years, ending in June 2029, and includes strict reporting rules to ensure taxpayer money is used effectively.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina legislation expands the state's hate crime laws to cover additional protected characteristics, including gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. It increases criminal penalties for offenses motivated by bias and allows victims or their families to file civil lawsuits for damages such as emotional distress. The bill also requires the state to create a hate crimes statistics database and mandates specialized training for law enforcement officers and prosecutors. Finally, it gives courts the option to order convicted offenders to participate in restorative justice sessions with victims at the defendant's cost.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal definition for school resource officers and mandates specific training for them, focusing on mental health, racial equity, and de-escalation techniques. It requires that any complaint about student delinquency filed by a school resource officer must be signed by a school administrator or social worker before it can be sent to juvenile court. To support these changes, the legislation creates a grant program to help schools cover increased salary costs associated with hiring and training officers, with funding prioritized for rural and lower-grade schools. These new requirements and funding provisions are scheduled to take effect starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax incentive for small businesses in North Carolina by allowing them to deduct contributions made to a special savings account designated for property improvements. To qualify, a business must have gross receipts under $10 million and deposit funds into a federally insured bank account specifically for projects that add value to real estate, extend its useful life by at least 10 years, or adapt it for new uses. The deduction is calculated as a percentage of the business's income, ranging from 5% for deposits up to $1 million down to 1% for amounts up to $3 million, and the benefit is only available for taxable years starting on or after January 1, 2026. If any money withdrawn from this account is not used for the specified improvements, the amount must be added back to the business's taxable income in the year of withdrawal.