Sen. Joyce Waddell

Maddy summarySB 437, the "Middle Class Momentum Act," increases North Carolina's standard income tax deduction for individual filers starting in 2026. It raises the standard deduction to $26,000 for married couples filing jointly (from $25,500), $19,500 for heads of household (from $19,125), and $13,000 for single filers (from $12,750). This change directly affects most North Carolina individual taxpayers who claim the standard deduction instead of itemizing deductions. The bill takes effect for taxable years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 439 imposes a moratorium on new Opportunity Scholarships starting in the 2025-2026 school year, requiring new applicants to have received a scholarship in the prior year. It reduces funding for the program by $83.46 million annually (recurring) and $28.46 million (nonrecurring) for 2025-2026, while redirecting $113.46 million (recurring) and $28.46 million (nonrecurring) to public schools for the same year. The bill phases out the scholarship program entirely by 2037-2038 as current recipients become ineligible, and limits future scholarship funding increases to match public school funding growth. This directly affects new private school scholarship applicants and redirects funds from the Opportunity Scholarship program to North Carolina public schools.

Maddy summarySB 431 protects law enforcement officers (including criminal justice and justice officers) who report excessive force or misconduct by colleagues. It requires officers to report such incidents within 72 hours to a supervisor not involved, and prohibits retaliation like termination or discipline for making a good-faith report. The bill explicitly allows agencies to still discipline officers for misconduct that occurred *before* the report was made. It also allocates $50,000 each to two training commissions for implementing these changes, effective December 2025.

Maddy summarySB 460 creates a statewide Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Program within North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services, directly affecting individuals diagnosed with FASD, their families, and healthcare/education providers. The program requires the department to establish a coordinator, develop screening and evidence-based interventions, and serve as a central resource for FASD support and education. It also mandates a 17-member advisory committee - comprising agency representatives, affected individuals/families, and professionals - to guide prevention efforts and coordinate existing services. The bill appropriates $2 million in recurring funds for 2025-2027 to cover program operations and committee expenses, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 464 creates a new team-based care coordination service for Medicaid recipients with substance use disorders, including screening, medication treatment, recovery support, and case management. It also changes Medicaid policy to suspend coverage during incarceration (rather than terminate it), aligning with federal law to maintain access to care upon release. The bill requires the state health department to develop this service, report costs and implementation plans by October 2025, and launch a statewide education campaign for providers. This directly affects Medicaid enrollees with substance use disorders and incarcerated individuals in North Carolina.

Maddy summarySB 433 reinstates longevity pay for North Carolina educators, directly affecting teachers, instructional support staff, principals, and assistant principals in public schools. It sets specific annual payment rates based on years of state service: 1.5% for 10-14 years, 2.25% for 15-19 years, 3.25% for 20-24 years, and 4.5% for 25+ years, paid as a lump sum each year. The bill appropriates $140.3 million from the General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fund these payments. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, restoring previously cut longevity benefits.

Maddy summarySB 452 raises North Carolina's minimum marriage age to 18 for all individuals, eliminating exceptions that previously allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with court approval or parental consent. The bill repeals existing provisions (G.S. 51-2(a1) and G.S. 51-2.1) that permitted judicial authorization for marriages involving minors under 18, including requirements for court orders, guardian ad litem appointments, and best-interest determinations. This change directly affects minors under 18 who would have sought marriage under the previous law, removing all pathways for underage marriage except for those 18 or older. The policy shift standardizes the marriage age without exceptions, aligning North Carolina with states that prohibit marriage for individuals under 18.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows widows and widowers in North Carolina to legally hyphenate their pre-marriage surname with their late spouse's surname. It amends state law to add this option as a specific choice when changing a name after the death of a spouse, alongside existing choices like resuming a maiden name or using a prior spouse's surname. To implement this, individuals would apply to their county clerk of court with proof of the spouse's death, similar to current name change procedures. The change directly affects widows and widowers seeking a formal, legally recognized hyphenated surname combining their pre-marital and deceased spouse's last names.

Maddy summarySB 453 limits nonrefundable "due diligence" fees in home sales to 1% of the purchase price, preventing sellers from requiring higher amounts as a condition of accepting offers. Any contract clause exceeding this amount is void, and sellers who enforce it may face legal costs and attorney fees. The bill also allocates $10 million to the North Carolina Housing Coalition to fund homebuyer education programs statewide. These provisions directly affect homebuyers and sellers in residential transactions, aiming to reduce upfront financial barriers and improve buyer preparedness. The law takes effect for new offers on or after October 1, 2025, with the funding provision beginning July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 395, the Disaster Relief Eviction Moratorium Act, allows North Carolina's Governor to issue an executive order banning residential evictions in declared emergency areas during disasters causing widespread job loss or economic hardship. The moratorium starts at up to 90 days, with possible 30-day extensions, for a maximum total of 180 days, and applies directly to renters and landlords in the affected area. The Governor must determine that the disaster would lead to increased homelessness without the ban, and the moratorium cannot be overridden by the General Assembly or Council of State. The bill also permits the Governor to direct state and federal funds toward rental assistance programs to support both tenants and landlords during the moratorium.