Sen. Ralph Hise

Maddy summaryThe Workforce Act of 2026 allocates state funding to modernize education-to-workforce pathways and improve credit transfer for students in North Carolina. A primary provision directs $3.1 million to the ApprenticeshipNC program to support work-based learning and increase employer participation in apprenticeships. The bill also provides $350,000 to the Department of Commerce to create a list of industry-valued credentials and link them to labor market data such as wages and job placement. Additionally, it increases funding for short-term workforce development grants and requires private colleges to be included in the state's common digital transcript system by March 2027.

Maddy summarySB 1037, known as the DIGITAL NC Act, creates a new nine-member Board of Governors to oversee North Carolina's state information technology enterprise. This board will develop a comprehensive twenty-year plan to modernize the state's IT infrastructure, consolidate technical staff, and enhance cybersecurity defenses. The bill designates the Board's members through appointments by the Governor, House Speaker, and Senate President Pro Tempore, requiring specific expertise in technology leadership, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. The resulting plan will recommend significant changes, such as transitioning the state to a 'cloud-first' approach and potentially reorganizing the Department of Information Technology into a new Digital Sovereignty Authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows adults aged 18 and older to carry self-defense devices, such as pepper spray, tasers, and ordinary pocket knives, on the property of North Carolina colleges and universities. It creates an exception to state laws that typically restrict carrying concealed weapons on school grounds, explicitly permitting students, staff, and visitors to possess these items for self-defense. Additionally, the legislation allocates $10,000 to fund public awareness campaigns informing the campus community about this new permission. The changes will take effect in July 2026, with the advertising funds available for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines the practice of nursing for advanced practice registered nurses, including nurse practitioners, midwives, anesthetists, and clinical specialists, to clarify their roles in North Carolina. It establishes specific duties for each type of provider, such as diagnosing illnesses, prescribing treatments, and ordering diagnostic tests, while also listing the various patient populations they serve. The legislation aims to remove current legal ambiguities surrounding these roles and align state statutes with the education and training that APRNs have received. By codifying these definitions, the bill seeks to ensure that over 20,000 licensed APRNs can practice to the full extent of their licensure without regulatory barriers.

Maddy summarySB 940, titled the 2026 Appropriations Act, allocates state funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support the daily operations of North Carolina state agencies, departments, and institutions. The bill distributes money from the General Fund, the Highway Fund, and the Highway Trust Fund to cover essential services, including transportation maintenance, while also funding federal block grants for health and other programs. It incorporates existing budget rules and applies only to the specific fiscal year unless other laws indicate a longer duration. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and includes standard provisions ensuring that any remaining funds revert to their original sources at the end of the year.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2026, allocates state funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover the daily operations of North Carolina's government agencies, departments, and institutions. It distributes money from various sources, including the General Fund, the State Highway Fund, and the Highway Trust Fund, to support essential services such as transportation maintenance and federal block grant programs. The legislation also incorporates existing budget rules and specifies that its provisions apply only to the 2026-2027 period, with any unused funds reverting to the state at the end of the fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates North Carolina laws regarding driver education and commercial driver training to improve safety and oversight. It requires the Division of Motor Vehicles to provide free printed copies of the driver's license handbook to public schools, ensuring students learn about proper interactions with law enforcement during traffic stops. The legislation also imposes stricter rules on commercial driver training schools, mandating they meet public school education standards and keep their contracts available for inspection. Additionally, the bill establishes continuing education requirements for driver instructors, sets specific license renewal fees, and allocates $100,000 in state funds to help cover the costs of these new regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the North Carolina General Assembly to allocate funding for state agencies and departments for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It distributes money from the General Fund, Highway Fund, and federal block grants to cover current operations and maintenance costs. Unused funds are required to revert to the state treasury at the end of the fiscal year unless otherwise specified by law. The act becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and applies specifically to the 2026-2027 budget period.

Maddy summarySB 915 establishes the 2026 Governor's Budget for North Carolina, allocating specific funding amounts to state departments, institutions, and agencies for their current operations. The bill directly affects a wide range of entities, including public schools, universities, health and human services agencies, and justice system bodies, by providing financial resources for their services. Key provisions include detailed dollar amounts for each fiscal year of the 2025-2027 biennium, with savings reverting to the state fund if not fully utilized. This legislation sets the financial framework for state government activities but does not specify new programs or policy changes beyond the budget allocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of an independent pharmacy in North Carolina to include community-based pharmacies owned by small groups with ten or fewer locations. The law specifically covers businesses that are not publicly traded and focus primarily on pharmacy services. Additionally, the legislation allocates $100,000 from the state's general fund to the Department of Insurance to help enforce these new rules starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.