Sen. Caleb Theodros

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, titled the North Carolina Consumer Privacy Act, establishes new rules to protect the personal data of individuals living in the state. It directly affects businesses that collect consumer information, requiring them to define specific terms like "personal data" and "consent" to ensure users understand how their information is used. Key provisions mandate that companies obtain clear, voluntary agreement from consumers before processing their data and set standards for handling sensitive information such as biometrics. The legislation also creates a new chapter in state law to oversee these requirements and appropriates funds to support the enforcement of these privacy protections.

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 bill creates a new Human Trafficking Records Commission within the Department of Justice to review and release records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, while redacting victim information. The legislation modifies existing laws on legislative privilege to allow the commission to investigate lawmakers and authorizes the State Bureau of Investigation to assist with inquiries into individuals identified in the released documents. Additionally, the bill establishes a legal mechanism for courts to issue Extreme Risk Protection Orders that temporarily remove firearms from people named in the commission's records. To support these new operations, the act appropriates ten million dollars in state funds for the commission and investigative activities for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs $34.88 million in state funds to three North Carolina entities for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support emergency services, public safety, and affordable housing. The Town of Davidson receives $20.44 million to build a fire station, buy an emergency vehicle, and purchase police and breathing apparatus equipment. The Town of Cornelius is allocated $10 million for land acquisition for a future public safety facility, replacing a fire engine, improving pedestrian safety, and constructing a recreation center. Additionally, the Lake Norman Community Development Corporation gets $4 million to develop affordable housing in Cornelius, including specific funding for the Smithville community. These nonrecurring funds are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the North Carolina Department of Administration's responsibilities for managing state real property and changes how seized vehicles are sold. It requires the department to create a five-year facilities plan to better utilize state-owned buildings and mandates quarterly reports on abandoned or underused properties. Additionally, the bill allows for the expedited sale of seized vehicles with low market value or high storage costs to reduce liability, and it encourages state agencies to use existing state-owned office space instead of leasing new ones.