Sen. Kandie Smith

Maddy summarySB 718, the "Fair Procurement and Ownership Reform Act," requires North Carolina's major electric utilities to use competitive bidding for all renewable energy sources (including solar, wind, and storage) without mandating utility ownership percentages, affecting utilities, developers, and customers. It eliminates previous rules like the 55% utility ownership requirement for solar projects, allowing third-party developers to compete equally, and reallocates shared solar capacity to 45% for large commercial customers, 25% for small commercial, and 15% each for government and residential users. Utilities must conduct these all-source procurements every two years, using standardized criteria focused on cost, reliability, emissions goals, and transparency, with public reports on bids and outcomes. The bill aims to promote fair competition, faster renewable deployment, and equitable access for all customer types while removing ownership barriers.

Maddy summarySB 716, the Fair Competition Study Act, requires North Carolina's Public Utilities Commission to study whether reforms to the state's energy market could improve competition, meet climate goals, and benefit consumers. The study will evaluate current energy costs and benefits, assess options like a regional energy-sharing system (energy imbalance market) or grid management organization (regional transmission organization), and analyze impacts on rates, environmental quality, economic opportunity, and vulnerable communities. It does not change existing laws but will inform future policy decisions, with a one-year deadline for the Commission to submit findings. The $350,000 study is funded through the state budget and will examine both North Carolina's system and potential regional coordination with South Carolina and the Southeast.

Maddy summarySB 735 establishes the North Carolina Artificial Intelligence Innovation Trust Fund to provide grants and financial support for companies developing or deploying AI in key industries, as well as AI entrepreneurship programs through partnerships with research institutions. The fund prohibits spending on projects involving mass surveillance, discriminatory profiling, or deceptive digital content intended for fraud or electoral interference. Funds will come from state appropriations, interest, and other allowable contributions, with the Secretary of Commerce managing disbursements. The bill defines key terms like "covered model" to guide future regulatory frameworks but focuses on funding innovation rather than direct oversight.

Maddy summarySB 750, "Restore the American Dream," aims to address North Carolina's affordable housing shortage by funding the Housing Trust Fund. The bill provides a one-time $30 million allocation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and establishes recurring revenue streams: 1.5% of property deed fees and 33% of real estate transfer tax proceeds will be directed to the fund. These funds will support affordable housing solutions - including home ownership, rentals, and supportive housing - for over 815,000 North Carolinians lacking access to affordable housing and 930,000 cost-burdened households. The bill seeks to reverse a 68% funding decline in the Housing Trust Fund over the past decade, ensuring sustainable resources for housing development.

Maddy summarySB 749 allows courts to require delinquent child support payers to participate in work search or job training instead of facing jail time for nonpayment. It directly affects individuals who owe child support and are found in contempt of court, mandating they pay at least $50 monthly while enrolled in work-specific training for up to six months. Key provisions require courts to review progress every 30 days, mandate participants to notify the court of training completion or attendance issues within 14 days, and maintain enforcement authority during appeals. The bill changes enforcement procedures to prioritize workforce engagement over incarceration for this specific violation.

Maddy summarySB 736 creates a new Housing Innovation Office within North Carolina's Housing Finance Agency, funded by a permanent increase in the real estate transfer tax. The bill raises the tax rate on property sales over $500,000 from $1 per $500 to $1 per $400, directing the additional revenue ($5 million annually for 2025-2027) to this office. The office will use these funds for research, technical assistance, grants, and loans to support affordable housing construction, maintenance, and innovative building solutions. This directly affects homebuyers/sellers (through the tax increase) and aims to address the state's housing affordability crisis by expanding funding for housing projects.

Maddy summarySB 747, titled "AI Learning Agenda," creates North Carolina's Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy within the Department of Commerce and establishes an AI Learning Laboratory program. The bill requires state agencies to inventory all AI tools they use or plan to use by 2026, including details on vendor, function, data sources, and risks. Businesses can apply to participate in the Learning Laboratory, where they may receive reduced penalties during testing (called "regulatory mitigation") in exchange for sharing data and findings with the Office. The Office must publish annual reports on AI policy findings and recommend legislation to address regulatory gaps or barriers.

Maddy summarySB 732 requires North Carolina's Department of Commerce to measure economic well-being using specific, publicly reported metrics like poverty rates, living wage job access, housing/childcare costs relative to income, and concentrated poverty areas. The bill appropriates $200,000 annually (2025-2027) to conduct bi-annual analyses and submit reports to the General Assembly by January 31 each odd-numbered year. These reports must include data on hardship, cost burdens, education costs, and neighborhood conditions across all counties. The law directly affects how state policymakers assess economic progress, shifting focus from market metrics alone to people's lived experiences. It does not change existing laws but establishes a framework for measuring policy impacts on residents' economic security.

Maddy summarySB 757, the North Carolina Consumer Privacy Act, gives residents the right to access, correct, or delete personal data collected by businesses operating in the state. It requires businesses to stop processing data when consumers request it, with key exceptions for health information (covered under existing health privacy rules) and publicly available data. The law applies to businesses that collect personal data about North Carolina residents, defining "personal data" as information that can identify an individual (like name or online activity), while excluding health data processed under healthcare laws. Enforcement would be handled by the North Carolina Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Division, with specific rules for how businesses must handle consumer requests. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Rules committee.

Maddy summarySB 751 restores a public health rule requiring solid waste transport vehicles (like garbage trucks) to prevent leaks that could contaminate streets and public spaces. It reinstates a 2013-era regulation (15A NCAC 13B .0105) that was previously repealed, setting standards for securing waste containers during transport. This rule directly affects garbage truck operators and protects public health, particularly for children who may be near collection sites. The bill mandates the Public Health Commission to adopt this rule without standard administrative delays.