Sen. Kandie Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates five million dollars to provide high-dosage early literacy tutoring based on the science of reading for first-grade students in North Carolina, with options for both in-person and virtual instruction. It clarifies that schools are permitted to use virtual tutoring programs and requires local school districts to report detailed reading proficiency data for first, second, and third-grade students on their websites. The reporting requirements include specific metrics on student performance, retention rates, and participation in reading camps to ensure public accountability. These changes take effect starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects the right of homeowners and tenants in North Carolina to operate licensed family child care homes by preventing restrictions from private and public entities. It makes it illegal for homeowners associations to ban or penalize child care operations and voids any lease clauses that prevent tenants from running such businesses. Additionally, the law requires local governments to treat licensed child care homes as standard residential properties, ensuring they are not subjected to stricter zoning rules or special permits than other homes. If these rules are violated, licensed operators can seek legal relief and recover legal fees, while landlords and associations remain responsible for enforcing general safety and maintenance standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows North Carolina courts to order individuals who are behind on child support payments to participate in job search activities or specific work training instead of facing jail time. Under the new rules, a person subject to this order must pay at least $50 per month in support, attend the program for no more than six months, and report their progress to the court every 30 days. The legislation also allocates $3 million in state funds to community colleges to help cover the costs of providing these training programs.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study health challenges faced by women serving in the military. The study will examine how to improve maternity care coordination, access to community resources, and mental health support for pregnant and postpartum veterans, while also looking at ways to reduce maternal mortality and address racial disparities. To complete this research, the state has allocated $100,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, and the final report with recommendations is due by April 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill aims to improve access to affordable child care by increasing subsidy rates and providing financial support to providers. Starting in October 2026, the state will raise payment rates for licensed centers and homes to match the 75th percentile of market rates, with a specific provision to maintain higher local rates in counties with very few children if the statewide rate would be too low. The legislation appropriates $110 million in recurring funds to implement these rate increases and reinstitutes a $50 million stabilization grant program to help providers with compensation. Additionally, the bill allocates $50 million for matching grants to counties and private employers for physical improvements and capacity expansion, and $60 million for a two-year pilot program that offers subsidies to help child care workers afford care for their own children. To qualify for the worker assistance pilot, providers must be full-time employees earning below 85% of the state median income, and the program requires a 25% match from the employer while prioritizing areas with the highest unmet demand for care.

Maddy summarySB 1030 expands North Carolina's Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income families by requiring health and safety improvements, such as better indoor air quality measures, alongside standard energy efficiency upgrades. The bill authorizes community-scale projects that target multiple homes in neighborhoods facing shared environmental or economic challenges, allowing local agencies and utilities to submit proposals for these initiatives. To fund these changes, the legislation appropriates $10 million for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with rules established to prioritize projects that maximize energy savings and address housing vulnerabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special fund within the state's Highway Fund to provide financial relief to airport workers in North Carolina who lose pay due to federal funding lapses. The program offers interest-free loans to eligible airports, which then distribute funds to Transportation Security Officers and Air Traffic Controllers who have not been paid for at least 14 consecutive days. These loans are designed to be automatically repaid when the federal government issues back pay to the affected workers. The state has appropriated $25 million for this purpose, and the Department of Transportation will oversee the fund's administration and reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill creates a temporary Artificial Intelligence in Education Task Force to study how AI tools are used in schools and to develop rules for their regulation. The task force will include representatives from the state government, universities, and private businesses, and it must submit its findings by March 2028. Separately, the legislation requires the State Board of Education to create standards for teaching AI concepts to students from kindergarten through grade 12, covering topics like how AI works, ethical use, and critical thinking. To support these efforts, the bill appropriates $250,000 to provide professional development for teachers and administrators.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to expand affordable housing in North Carolina by providing both immediate funding and a new revenue stream for the state's Housing Trust Fund. It allocates $30 million in one-time funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and establishes a permanent fee on real estate transfer documents, directing a portion of those proceeds to the fund. The legislation directly affects North Carolina residents by increasing resources available to create and preserve safe, affordable housing options, while also impacting real estate transactions through a new tax mechanism. By addressing a significant shortage of affordable units, the bill seeks to support families and stabilize the local economy through improved housing access.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurance companies to provide clearer notices to homeowners and renters when their premiums exceed standard state-approved rates. It mandates that insurers explain the specific reasons for higher charges and suggest steps policyholders can take to lower their costs, while also banning the use of credit scores to set rates for these types of home and auto insurance. Additionally, the legislation directs the Department of Insurance to publish detailed annual reports on pricing data, claim outcomes, and demographic information to increase market transparency. The bill also allocates funds to the department to run a public awareness campaign about how insurance rates are determined.