Sen. Brad Overcash

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the North Carolina State Auditor to conduct post-election audits of election procedures in various counties after each general election is certified. The audits will focus on specific areas such as voter roll accuracy, voting equipment testing, ballot records, and compliance with state and federal laws, with the goal of identifying any errors, inefficiencies, or security vulnerabilities. While the audits must cover all county boards of elections within a reasonable time, the findings cannot be used to challenge the final results of an election. If problems are discovered, the affected county must submit a plan to fix them, and the State Auditor will publish periodic reports detailing the findings for government officials and the public.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 394, titled the North Carolina Farmland and Military Protection Act, seeks to prevent specific foreign entities from acquiring certain lands in North Carolina. The bill prohibits citizens, residents, and entities linked to China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing, leasing, or holding interests in agricultural land or land within a 25-mile radius of a military installation. It also includes provisions for the divestment of such lands if acquired in violation and requires documentation of land ownership by these entities. Exemptions apply for de minimis interests in publicly traded companies and for entities cleared by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the North Carolina High School Redesign Commission to study and recommend ways to better prepare students for college and careers by exploring flexible diploma requirements, work-based learning, and competency-based education. The fifteen-member commission includes representatives from the legislature, governor, universities, community colleges, and business organizations, and it must submit its findings by April 2027. Additionally, the legislation appropriates $3.6 million to fund a pilot program for ten high schools focused on STEM education and manufacturing skills. The bill also establishes a new procedure to monitor and prevent local school districts from spending more than their state-funded allotments.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission to create a new digital reporting and response system to help identify and address suspected human trafficking cases. The system will allow the public and professionals to submit anonymous tips through various channels, such as mobile apps or text messages, and will use artificial intelligence to prioritize reports based on their severity before routing them to the appropriate authorities. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that third-party contractors must provide human trafficking awareness training to their employees and allocates state funds to support the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office in its anti-trafficking task force.

Maddy summaryThis bill shortens the early voting period for all elections in North Carolina to a maximum of 10 consecutive days, ending the current practice of allowing voting to begin several weeks before an election. It directly affects all registered voters by limiting their ability to cast ballots in person prior to election day, with specific provisions for special elections and municipal votes. The legislation also adjusts nomination procedures for congressional vacancies and requires local governments to approve early voting schedules at least 60 days before an election. By codifying a fixed timeframe for early voting, the bill standardizes the process across different election types while removing the option for extended early voting periods.

Maddy summarySB 1080 proposes a constitutional amendment to cap North Carolina's state income tax rate at a maximum of 3.5%. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, this change would prevent the legislature from raising the income tax rate higher than that threshold in the future. The bill applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, and requires a majority vote in favor to become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the North Carolina Constitution to establish a "right to work" for all residents. The key provision states that a person's right to work cannot be denied based on whether they are a member of a labor union or pay union dues. If approved by voters in a 2026 referendum, the amendment would legally protect employees from being forced to join or financially support a union as a condition of employment. The bill also authorizes the state legislature to pass additional laws to define and implement these protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the North Carolina Constitution to explicitly protect the right of people to farm and practice forestry. The amendment would declare activities such as growing crops, raising livestock, and harvesting timber as essential parts of the state's heritage that must be preserved for the public good. It clarifies that these rights are subject only to laws passed by the state legislature, meaning the change would not override existing regulations but rather affirm the practice of agriculture and forestry. Currently, the bill is in the process of being reviewed by state committees and would be voted on by eligible voters in a statewide election in November 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the North Carolina Infrastructure Investment Commission to create a long-term, 20-year strategy for improving the state's critical systems like roads, water, and energy. The new commission will consist of ten appointed members led by the State Treasurer, who will develop a comprehensive investment plan focusing on maintenance, modernization, and resilience against severe weather. Once the plan is submitted to various legislative committees and the governor by March 2028, the commission will dissolve, and any funding decisions must still be approved by the General Assembly. The legislation also allocates $300,000 to cover the administrative costs of running the commission starting in fiscal year 2026-2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Students First Act, introduces three main changes to North Carolina's education system. First, it protects student privacy by explicitly classifying personally identifiable disciplinary records as confidential, preventing them from being released as public records. Second, it creates a work group to study and plan a transition to a weighted student funding model for K-12 public schools, aiming to increase flexibility and transparency in how schools receive state money. Finally, the bill establishes a pilot program for the 2027-2028 school year that would provide high school students with funds to participate in personalized learning and credit-bearing activities. The legislation also appropriates $300,000 to support the formation of the funding strategy work group.