Sen. Joyce Waddell

Maddy summarySB 181 allocates $2 million annually from the General Fund for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. This funding will support adding five new mobile crisis teams focused on serving communities with the highest need for mental health, developmental disability, and substance use crisis services. The bill directs these teams to operate within the state’s existing mental health framework, with implementation beginning July 1, 2025. It directly affects residents in underserved areas by expanding access to immediate crisis response through these specialized mobile units.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 150) formally asks the North Carolina Senate to confirm Governor Joey R. Hopkins' appointment of Joey R. Hopkins as Secretary of the Department of Transportation. It follows state law requiring Senate approval for heads of major state departments, as the Governor had previously nominated Hopkins for the role. The resolution does not change transportation policies or create new programs; it only initiates the Senate's formal confirmation process for a specific appointment. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on the confirmation step, not the duties or policies of the Department of Transportation.

Maddy summarySB 194 allows Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) to align their academic calendar with the calendar of a local community college, removing standard state-mandated opening (August 26) and closing (June 11) dates for CMS. The bill amends state law to explicitly permit this alignment as an exception to the standard calendar requirements, directly affecting only CMS. This change applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and aims to better coordinate school schedules with community college terms.

Maddy summarySB 201 authorizes the Town of Pineville to establish a reserve police division, allowing reserve officers to be compensated for active duty time. The bill amends Pineville's charter to let the town council set and pay reserve officers' compensation rates. This is a procedural change specific to Pineville's local government structure, not a broad policy shift. It directly affects Pineville's police operations and reserve officers who may serve.

Maddy summarySB 204 removes standardized testing as a requirement for obtaining or renewing a teaching license in North Carolina. It directly affects all educators applying for teacher licensure (both standard and limited licenses) by eliminating the need to pass standardized exams. The bill prohibits the State Board of Education from creating new rules requiring such tests, including for limited licenses (which are for teachers already employed but needing to meet full licensure requirements). This change applies only to new license applications and renewals after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summarySB 202 allows law enforcement officers contracted by the Park South Station Master Association to enforce traffic laws on streets, roadways, and alleys within the Park South Station community in Charlotte. It specifies that these areas will follow Charlotte’s current speed limits, and any changes to speed limits require approval from the Charlotte City Council. The bill does not alter ownership of the community’s roads or create new traffic regulations - only authorizes enforcement under existing state laws. This applies exclusively to the Park South Station community and Charlotte.

Maddy summarySB 211 reenacts North Carolina's state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), providing a cash refund to low-to-moderate income workers. It allows eligible residents to claim a credit equal to 5% of the federal EITC amount they qualify for, which is refundable (meaning they receive a cash payment even if they owe no state tax). The credit applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and directly benefits working individuals and families with low earnings. The bill reinstates a previously sunsetted provision, ensuring continued state-level support aligned with the federal EITC.

Maddy summarySB 209 expands data privacy protections for minors participating in local government programs or specific child-focused initiatives in North Carolina. It requires local governments in designated areas (including Chatham County, Durham County, Raleigh, and several towns like Apex and Cary) to redact minors' personal details - such as name, address, phone number, and parent information - from public records. The bill specifies that only a minor’s county, municipality, and zip code remain public (with other details redacted), while clarifying that the protected information is not considered confidential. This applies to programs funded by the North Carolina Partnership for Children or local partnerships, but does not affect scholarship award details. The bill is currently pending in the Senate after passing its first reading.

Maddy summarySB 184 allows North Carolina local governments to exempt properties being developed for affordable housing from system development fees (such as those for water and sewer infrastructure). It requires local units to establish their own criteria for determining which housing projects qualify as "affordable" for the exemption. The bill does not change existing fee structures but gives localities flexibility to support affordable housing development. This directly affects developers building affordable housing projects and local governments that set these fees.

Maddy summarySB 158 appropriates $100,000 from North Carolina's General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fund the McCrorey YMCA of Charlotte's Flying Classroom program. This grant directly supports the YMCA's educational initiative, which provides immersive, hands-on learning experiences for students in science, technology, mathematics, and literacy through expeditionary activities. The bill establishes a one-time state funding allocation to enable the program's operations during the specified fiscal year. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not create new ongoing obligations.