Sen. Ted Alexander

Maddy summarySB 363 makes two key changes to North Carolina retirement systems. First, it extends the temporary entry period for charter schools seeking to join the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System, allowing up to two additional years beyond the initial one-year provisional period, and requires financial reviews before full participation. Second, it shifts authority from the State Treasurer to the Board of Trustees to decide whether to restore benefits forfeited due to criminal convictions, requiring individuals to repay contributions with 6.5% annual interest in a lump sum upon reversal. These changes apply to charter schools and retirement system members affected by forfeiture rules under multiple retirement systems. The bill focuses on administrative clarity and procedural updates without altering benefit eligibility or funding.

Maddy summarySB 364 changes retirement rules for retired Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) and Assistant Public Defenders (APDs) in North Carolina. It reduces the required separation period from state employment before returning to work from six months to 30 days. This means retired ADAs and APDs can rejoin state positions after a 30-day break, rather than waiting six months like other state retirees. The bill directly affects these specific retired legal professionals who wish to return to state service.

Maddy summarySB 486 appropriates $30,000 annually from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Aging for the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature program during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. This funding directly supports the program, which engages older adults in state legislative processes. The bill provides recurring annual funding without changing program eligibility or services. It becomes effective July 1, 2025. (This is a procedural funding bill, not a policy change.)

Maddy summarySB 548 requires North Carolina law enforcement officers (LEOs) to report observed excessive force or improper activity within 72 hours to a superior officer, and prohibits retaliation against LEOs for making such reports. The bill explicitly states that officers cannot be terminated, disciplined, or retaliated against for reporting, though disciplinary action for unrelated misconduct prior to the report remains permitted. It also makes knowingly false reports a Class 2 misdemeanor and extends protection to officers disclosing any violation of law, rule, or regulation to supervisors or government agencies. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, applying to reports made on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 701 allows North Carolina state and local law enforcement officers with at least 30 years of service to continue receiving retirement benefits while remaining actively employed. Specifically, officers aged 59.5 or older can elect to receive their retirement allowance without separating from their current law enforcement position. The bill requires employers to cover both employee and employer retirement contributions during this period, while prohibiting additional service credit accrual or eligibility for disability/supplemental retirement benefits. This policy directly affects qualifying officers who wish to stay on duty while maintaining their retirement income.

Maddy summarySB 724 prohibits unauthorized camping in public parks, sidewalks, and other public spaces (like non-designated areas), except for temporary sites specifically approved for homeless encampments. It defines "public camping" as using tents, bedding, or personal items on public property without authorization, making violations a misdemeanor punishable by fines or short jail time (with first offenses directed to shelters instead of charges). Local governments must enforce this ban and cannot allow regular camping on non-designated public areas, while citizens can sue municipalities that fail to comply. The bill also withholds state homelessness funding from counties or cities that violate these provisions and fail to correct violations after notice.

Maddy summarySB 723 exempts employees of North Carolina's Department of Adult Correction (DAC) from the state's ban on viewing pornography on government devices when conducting specific investigations. The bill adds a new exemption (point 8) to existing law, allowing DAC staff to view such content while investigating matters involving incarcerated offenders or misuse of DAC-owned devices. This change directly affects DAC employees performing correctional investigations, ensuring they can access necessary information without violating the device content ban. The provision applies to all investigations conducted before, on, or after the law takes effect. The bill does not alter the general ban on pornography viewing but clarifies an operational exception for correctional work.

Maddy summarySB 689 requires North Carolina's Charter Schools Review Board to approve all state rules affecting charter schools, shifting this authority from the State Board of Education. The bill exempts charter schools from reporting class rank on student transcripts and permits them to use alternative teacher evaluations aligned with state teaching standards. Low-performing charter schools must now submit improvement plans directly to the Review Board (instead of the State Board of Education), and the Board gains authority to review federal funding decisions for charter schools. Additionally, the Review Board may hire legal counsel without needing prior approval.

Maddy summarySB 420 redirects funds previously allocated for lottery advertising toward foster care programs. The bill eliminates the Lottery Commission’s authority to spend public funds on advertising (as specified in revised G.S. 18C-130(e)) and instead requires those monies to be added to the existing $30 million annual allocation for foster care under G.S. 18C-163(3)(b). This policy change directly affects North Carolina’s foster care system by increasing its funding stream without creating new revenue. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter other lottery advertising rules or responsibilities.

Maddy summarySB 365 creates a new Class F felony for entering someone's property without legal justification during a declared state of emergency in an affected county and damaging or taking another person's temporary housing. It specifically targets acts against temporary shelters like tents, mobile homes, or vehicles used as emergency housing, excluding permanent structures. The law imposes felony penalties for these actions and allows victims to seek triple damages plus legal costs. It applies only to counties within an emergency area during an active state of emergency, as defined by existing state law, and takes effect December 1, 2025.