Sen. Joyce Waddell

Maddy summarySB 649 reinstates education-based salary supplements for North Carolina public school teachers and instructional support personnel (ISP) who hold master's or doctoral degrees. It directs the State Board of Education to use the 2013 policy (TCP-A-006) to determine eligibility for the "M" salary schedule and degree-related pay supplements. The bill appropriates $8 million in recurring state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to cover these reinstated supplements. This policy change directly affects educators with advanced degrees by restoring previously eliminated pay incentives tied to their academic credentials.

Maddy summarySB 652, titled "Voter Fraud Prevention Act" (though it addresses party switches, not fraud), requires North Carolina legislators who change political party affiliation during their term with over six months remaining to vacate their seat automatically. This triggers a special election within 90 days, as outlined in Section 1 of the bill. Additionally, Section 2 mandates that such legislators must refund campaign contributions from the most recent election cycle to donors who request it within 30 days. The bill applies specifically to elected or appointed members of the North Carolina General Assembly and is currently pending in the Senate Rules committee.

Maddy summarySB 653, titled "Polluter Pays," requires companies or entities causing water or air pollution to cover cleanup costs and provide alternative water supplies to affected residents. It amends environmental laws to let the state’s Commission order polluters to pay for investigations, cleanup, and temporary or permanent replacement water systems (including whole-house filtration for households) when pollution endangers health or safety. The Commission can enforce these orders through civil lawsuits if polluters refuse payment, and must provide affected residents with water solutions within specified timeframes. This directly affects polluting businesses and residents whose water or air quality is harmed by pollution.

Maddy summarySB 644 allocates $1.5 billion to North Carolina public schools for energy efficiency upgrades, solar panel installations, and replacing combustion-powered school buses with electric models. The bill provides specific funding: $1 billion for building improvements like high-efficiency lighting and HVAC upgrades, $250 million for solar panels on school rooftops, and $250 million to replace qualifying buses (over 10 years old and using motor fuel) with electric buses assembled in North Carolina. These changes directly affect all local school districts through funding tied to student enrollment, aiming to reduce energy costs and emissions. The program begins July 1, 2025, with concrete, measurable infrastructure changes as the core mechanism.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill creates a civil remedy for victims of domestic violence, their children, and former foster youth who incurred debt through coercion (e.g., threats, fraud, or intimidation). It allows these individuals to submit documentation like police reports, court orders, or certified statements from domestic violence professionals to stop debt collection and repair credit reports. Debt collectors must halt collection efforts upon receiving valid documentation, but the law does not cover secured debts or require refunds for money already paid. The bill explicitly states it does not replace existing legal rights or defenses.

Maddy summarySB 645, "The Protect Our Schools Act," requires North Carolina's Department of Transportation to identify "school walk zones" near schools with high pedestrian traffic and set lower speed limits (minimum 20 mph) in those areas during school hours. It increases penalties for speeding in school zones (a $250 fine) or causing injury to a minor (a misdemeanor charge), applying to both public and private schools. The bill creates a $10 million Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Fund to support zone assessments, crosswalk guard training, and public awareness campaigns about school zone safety. These changes directly affect drivers, students, and school communities by strengthening traffic safety measures around schools. The law takes effect on December 1, 2025, with fund allocations beginning July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 647, the Child Promise Act, allocates $90.25 million to expand North Carolina's Pre-K program to 10,000 new slots by 2027, serving 4-year-olds from families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It provides $6.8 million annually in grants for childcare facilities in underserved areas (where child-to-provider ratios exceed 3:1), with funding levels based on facility size (up to $500,000 for large centers) and requiring a 15% match and 5-year service commitment. The bill also funds after-school programs in high-need public schools (over 50% free/reduced lunch students) for 3 hours daily, adjusts childcare subsidies to cover up to 300% FPL for children under 5, and creates a $1,500 tax deduction per child for families earning 300-400% FPL.

Maddy summarySB 651, "The Hustle Act," establishes North Carolina's Small Business Capital Access Act to improve financing for underserved small businesses and Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs). It creates a new Office of Small Business Capital Access within the Department of Commerce and a 11-member Oversight Board to manage a program offering loan guarantees (up to 90% for MWBEs, 80% for others), direct investments, and technical assistance. The program targets businesses headquartered in North Carolina, operating for at least one year, with demonstrated growth potential but denied traditional financing, prioritizing those in low-income or rural communities. Key provisions include requiring qualified lenders (like community banks and CDFIs) to provide loans covered by state guarantees, with funds directed toward business expansion, equipment, or working capital.

Maddy summarySB 646 prohibits individuals convicted of specific January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection-related offenses (including federal charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1752 or 40 U.S.C. § 5104) or found to have engaged in "infamous or disgraceful conduct" related to disrupting democratic processes from working in North Carolina state government, including universities and community colleges. The bill applies to all state employees and contractors hired on or after July 1, 2025, with due process protections requiring written notice, evidence disclosure, and a hearing opportunity before denial or termination. It directly affects individuals with convictions or findings related to the Capitol events, excluding pardoned individuals and requiring clear evidence for "infamous conduct" determinations. The law becomes effective July 1, 2025, for all new and existing employment decisions.

Maddy summarySB 677 requires North Carolina to use state-owned property for childcare centers benefiting state employees and first responders. It mandates that new or renovated state buildings over $5 million with more than 250 workers include childcare or adult care centers, unless costs exceed 10% or delay projects by six months. The bill creates a $5 million pilot program to establish three onsite childcare centers for state employees using underutilized state property, prioritizing providers with fewer than five facilities and requiring apprenticeship partnerships with colleges. It also allocates $6 million for county grants to fund third-shift childcare for first responders in unused county buildings and directs community colleges and UNC system schools to study feasibility of onsite childcare programs by March 2026.