Sen. Kandie Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to lower healthcare expenses and shield patients from unexpected financial burdens by establishing new rules for insurance plans and medical billing. It directly affects individuals with health insurance, hospitals, and insurance companies operating in North Carolina. Key provisions include capping annual out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000, prohibiting surprise billing for nonemergency care at in-network facilities, and delaying the reporting of unpaid medical bills to credit agencies until 180 days past due. Additionally, the legislation requires hospitals to publicly report negotiated prices for common medical procedures and mandates that emergency ground ambulance services be covered under standard health benefit packages.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Military Family Food Security and Readiness Act, aims to assist North Carolina military families by adjusting how their income is calculated for food assistance programs during deployments or activations. It would temporarily exclude certain military allowances, such as housing and subsistence pay, from income counts and allow eligible households to qualify for benefits with up to 25% higher income limits. For families who still do not meet standard criteria, the state would provide a supplemental nutrition program offering monthly benefits between $150 and $300, with an expedited application process to ensure quick access. The legislation applies to active-duty personnel, National Guard members, and reservists and includes funding to support these new provisions starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the North Carolina Children's Safe Screens Act to protect minors under 18 from online harms by regulating large internet platforms. It creates a new Online Safety Division within the Department of Justice to enforce rules that ban deceptive design tactics, require parental notification for child accounts, and mandate strict privacy settings by default. Covered platforms, defined as those with over five million users in the state and $25 million in annual revenue, must submit annual impact assessments and provide tools for parents to manage screen time and content. The legislation empowers the Attorney General to file civil lawsuits against non-compliant companies, with potential fines of up to $500,000 per violation, while funding enforcement through a dedicated state fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Small Farmers Support Grant Program to provide financial assistance to North Carolina residents who are small farmers earning $1 million or less annually. The program offers grants to help eligible individuals purchase essential inputs, equipment, and make operational improvements to their farms, with funding prioritized based on factors like farm size and economic hardship. An initial $15 million in recurring funds is allocated for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support these efforts, and the bill creates an advisory committee to monitor the program's effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-time grant program for the 2026-2027 school year to help public school districts in North Carolina start Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) where they do not currently exist. The state will provide $2,000 for each school without a PTA, up to a total of $30,000 per district, but requires the district to match every dollar of state funding with two dollars of their own money. Districts must use these funds specifically to establish new PTAs and return any unspent money if a PTA is not formed for each school that received a grant. The program includes a requirement for the state education department to report on how many PTAs were created and any effects on student outcomes by April 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local governments in North Carolina to create inclusionary zoning rules, which can require developers to include affordable housing units in new projects. It also directs the state to provide $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Housing Finance Agency for a workforce housing loan program. The legislation directly affects local planning authorities and developers by expanding their zoning options, while also increasing funding available for loans aimed at helping workers afford housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction to distribute state funds to 17 local reentry councils starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The primary goal is to help individuals returning to society after incarceration by hiring new staff and providing financial support for housing and transportation. Specific provisions include funding for two new full-time positions at each council, rental assistance for those reentering the community, and transportation vouchers for people under post-release supervision. Additionally, the legislation allocates money to two community colleges to hire education navigators for justice-involved students and funds the creation of online training modules for agencies serving people with criminal records.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill allocates $4.2 million in recurring state funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support local courts that handle cases involving substance use and mental health issues. The money is designated for the Administrative Office of the Courts to establish and maintain judicially managed accountability and recovery courts, which are designed to help defendants diagnosed with alcoholism, substance use disorders, or mental health conditions. These courts will operate by creating personalized treatment plans for participants and monitoring their progress while they remain involved in the criminal justice system. The funding applies to both new and existing programs that fall under specific state statutes governing these specialized courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the State Education Assistance Authority to transfer $50 million in unused funds to support affordable housing initiatives in North Carolina. Specifically, $10 million will be given to the Housing Finance Agency to help developers secure low-cost financing for new housing units, while $40 million will go to the Department of Health and Human Services to fund transitional housing programs. The legislation also allows each agency to use up to 3% of their allocated funds for administrative costs. These financial resources are intended to become available for use starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 975 directs the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer to conduct two studies regarding digital assets and remittance costs. The first study will evaluate the feasibility and risks of accepting digital assets, specifically stablecoins, for certain state fees, while the second study will examine ways to reduce transaction costs for residents sending money abroad. The bill explicitly prohibits the state from accepting digital assets for taxes or criminal fines and does not authorize agencies to hold or invest in these assets. A final report with recommendations is due by January 15, 2027, and the legislation appropriates $50,000 to fund these studies.