Sen. Joyce Waddell

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Small Farmers Support Grant Program to provide financial assistance to North Carolina residents who are small farmers earning $1 million or less annually. The program offers grants to help eligible individuals purchase essential inputs, equipment, and make operational improvements to their farms, with funding prioritized based on factors like farm size and economic hardship. An initial $15 million in recurring funds is allocated for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support these efforts, and the bill creates an advisory committee to monitor the program's effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill allocates $4.2 million in recurring state funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support local courts that handle cases involving substance use and mental health issues. The money is designated for the Administrative Office of the Courts to establish and maintain judicially managed accountability and recovery courts, which are designed to help defendants diagnosed with alcoholism, substance use disorders, or mental health conditions. These courts will operate by creating personalized treatment plans for participants and monitoring their progress while they remain involved in the criminal justice system. The funding applies to both new and existing programs that fall under specific state statutes governing these specialized courts.

Maddy summarySB 975 directs the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer to conduct two studies regarding digital assets and remittance costs. The first study will evaluate the feasibility and risks of accepting digital assets, specifically stablecoins, for certain state fees, while the second study will examine ways to reduce transaction costs for residents sending money abroad. The bill explicitly prohibits the state from accepting digital assets for taxes or criminal fines and does not authorize agencies to hold or invest in these assets. A final report with recommendations is due by January 15, 2027, and the legislation appropriates $50,000 to fund these studies.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill prevents public utilities from disconnecting residential service during declared periods of extreme heat, extreme cold, or poor air quality, requiring instead that customers be offered deferred payment plans. It also allows landlords to restrict tenants from installing portable cooling or air filtration devices only under specific conditions, such as when the device violates safety codes, damages the property, or requires electrical capacity that cannot be provided. Additionally, the legislation defines what constitutes an extreme weather or air quality event based on official alerts from agencies like the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special fund to protect North Carolina state employees from having their take-home pay reduced if their health insurance premiums rise. To achieve this, the state will transfer $150 million from scholarship reserves to the new fund, which will be used to supplement employee compensation and maintain their net income. The State Treasurer, in consultation with the Office of State Human Resources, will manage the fund and establish rules for its administration. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies specifically to participants in the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies North Carolina's sales tax laws to exempt feminine hygiene products, diapers, and groceries from state and local sales taxes. It specifically adds items like tampons, menstrual cups, and sanitary napkins to the list of tax-free feminine hygiene goods and clarifies that certain grooming products such as soap and shampoo remain taxable. Additionally, the legislation ensures that children's and adult diapers purchased with a prescription from a Medicaid provider are not subject to sales tax. The bill also includes a provision to distribute $1.6 million in state funds to regional councils of government to inform the public about these new tax exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the North Carolina Small Business Capital Access Act to help small businesses and companies in underserved areas get the money they need to start, run, and grow. It creates a new state office and an oversight board to manage a program that includes loan guarantees, direct investments, and technical assistance for eligible businesses. The loan guarantee component is designed to encourage private lenders to provide financing by covering up to 90% of the loan amount for businesses in the most disadvantaged regions. The program specifically targets small businesses with fewer than 500 employees and those operating in low-income or rural census tracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Affordable Housing Efficiency Grant Program in North Carolina to provide funding for energy efficiency and electric upgrades in affordable multifamily housing buildings. The program targets residential complexes with at least 50% of units reserved for low-income households that have been in service for at least 15 years, with a focus on projects located in underserved communities. Eligible buildings can receive grants of up to $0.75 per square foot to cover costs for measures such as heat pumps, electric water heaters, insulation, and related planning or health improvements, provided they maintain their affordability status. The Department of Environmental Quality will manage the program using $5 million in recurring state funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, while recipients must report annually on energy savings and other outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill creates a new program to help workers who lose their jobs due to artificial intelligence or automation. It establishes a $50 million fund to pay for job retraining and education, with a focus on skilled trades like healthcare and advanced manufacturing. The law also requires companies receiving state economic incentives to report any layoffs caused by AI or automation. Finally, it directs the State Education Assistance Authority to transfer the necessary funds to the Department of Commerce to launch this program on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina legislation creates a Military Sexual Trauma Study Commission and a two-year pilot program to assist survivors of military sexual trauma. The Commission will investigate barriers to reporting and support access among active duty, reserve, and veteran populations, with a requirement to submit findings to the General Assembly by April 2027. The pilot program, managed by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, provides a confidential hotline, counseling, legal referrals, and emergency assistance to affected service members and families. These provisions aim to improve care coordination and inform future statewide implementation without duplicating existing federal services.