Sen. Joyce Waddell

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new cabinet-level Department of Housing and Community Development in North Carolina to consolidate housing and community development functions. The department will be organized into four divisions: Operations, Community Development, Housing, and a Policy and Legislative Office, each with specific duties such as managing broadband expansion, overseeing disaster resilience, and certifying building officials. A nine-member advisory board will be established to guide the department, with members appointed by the Governor and state legislative leaders. Starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the state will allocate $30 million in recurring funds to support the department's operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes constitutional changes to North Carolina's General Assembly, including a salary cap tied to public school teacher pay, a 16-year consecutive term limit for legislators, and a shift to four-year terms for Senators. The salary provision would set Assembly member pay equal to the average starting salary of state-funded public school teachers and align their travel and per diem allowances with those of state employees. Additionally, the bill would extend Senator terms from two to four years, beginning with the 2028 election, while keeping House terms at two years. All these changes are currently set for a public vote at the November 3, 2026 election, where voters will decide whether to adopt or reject the amendments.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $6.5 million in one-time funding to North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services to cover increased administrative costs within the Medicaid program. The money will be distributed to county departments of social services to help them manage expenses resulting from recent federal changes. The legislation allows these funds to be used without requiring additional state reporting that would normally be needed for such financial transfers. Effective retroactively from July 1, 2025, the act aims to ensure counties have the necessary resources to handle their Medicaid administrative duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from the state's General Fund to provide free hyperbaric oxygen therapy to North Carolina veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury or posttraumatic stress disorder. The funding is directed to a nonprofit organization called HBOT 4 HEROES, which will administer the treatment, manage the program, and conduct outcome assessments for an estimated 350 veterans. The act requires the organization to submit a detailed report to state oversight committees by June 30, 2027, covering the number of patients served, their locations, and how the funds were spent. These changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill aims to address teacher shortages by increasing salaries and creating new financial support for educators. It establishes a new monthly salary schedule for teachers starting in the 2026-2027 school year and reinstates specific pay bonuses for those with advanced degrees or professional certifications. Additionally, the legislation creates a grant program to help student teachers earn money while completing their training and directs a state study on how to further improve educator pay.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to add 1,000 slots to the state's Medicaid Innovations Waiver, which provides alternative care options for individuals with disabilities. To support this expansion, the legislation appropriates $36.2 million in recurring funds from the state's General Fund starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The changes are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, allowing more eligible residents to access services under the waiver program.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to provide new luggage, such as suitcases or backpacks, to children entering or currently in the foster care system when they are removed from a household. The legislation appropriates specific funds for this purpose and allows the department to accept additional donations, while explicitly defining new luggage as unused containers and excluding disposable bags. To ensure accountability, the bill requires an annual report detailing how often disposable bags are still used and how the new luggage inventory is managed. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, aiming to improve the personal belongings provided to children in state care.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends North Carolina's divorce laws to allow victims of domestic violence to file for divorce immediately without waiting the standard one year and six months of separation. It also eliminates the requirement to prove that the separation lasted for six months prior to filing the divorce complaint and removes defenses like recrimination that could block a divorce. Additionally, the legislation abolishes the outdated legal claims of alienation of affection and criminal conversation, which previously allowed lawsuits against third parties for interfering in a marriage. A separate provision in the bill appropriates $3 million in state and federal funds to expand the NC Medicaid Family Planning Program, effective in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Frontline Mental Health Support Program in North Carolina to offer confidential counseling to public school teachers and first responders who face occupational stress. Eligible employees, including law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, can access up to 12 licensed therapy sessions per year through in-person or telehealth options. The legislation appropriates $13 million in recurring funds starting in 2026-2027 to establish the program and expand the behavioral health workforce via grants to providers. It also mandates that participation cannot be used as grounds for any adverse employment actions and requires a report on the program's implementation by 2028.

Maddy summarySB 849, known as the Real Tickets, Real Fans Act, aims to protect consumers in North Carolina by regulating how entertainment event tickets are sold and resold. The bill defines specific terms like 'bots' and 'speculative tickets' and requires ticket sellers to clearly display the total price, including all mandatory fees, before a purchase is completed. It also prohibits the sale of speculative tickets, which are tickets not yet owned by the seller, and bans resellers from selling more than one copy of the same ticket. Additionally, the law restricts resellers from selling tickets before they are made available to the general public unless authorized by the event organizer.