Sen. Kandie Smith

Maddy summarySB 353, the Second Chance Coding Act, requires North Carolina's Division of Juvenile Justice to create a program teaching coding and computer skills to juveniles in youth development centers. The program must include specialized courses, industry certification opportunities, and workforce connections like mentorship and job placement to help these youth transition into careers after release. Implemented by January 1, 2026, with $250,000 in funding for 2025-2026, the bill aims to reduce recidivism by improving job prospects. It directly affects youth committed to juvenile facilities, focusing on concrete skill-building rather than speculative outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 350, the Marijuana Justice and Reinvestment Act, would legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older in North Carolina, allowing possession of up to 2 ounces of cannabis, 15 grams of concentrate, or products containing no more than 2,000mg THC. It establishes a regulatory framework requiring licenses for cultivation, manufacturing, and retail sales, with mandatory lab testing, potency labeling, and restrictions on advertising. The bill directly affects North Carolina residents over 21, cannabis businesses, and communities disproportionately impacted by past cannabis prohibition - addressing the ACLU finding that Black individuals were 3.6 times more likely to be arrested for possession than white individuals despite similar usage rates. Key provisions include creating three funds to reinvest tax revenue into affected communities for substance abuse treatment, education, and business support, while requiring licensed businesses to prioritize diversity, fair wages, and community investment.

Maddy summarySB 351, the Right to Start Act, allows new businesses (corporations, S corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other entities) less than five years old with under $5,000 in net income to defer their state income tax payment for one year. It also requires state agencies to prioritize contracting with businesses operating under five years and mandates the Department of Administration to collect and report annual data on these contracts, including demographic and geographic breakdowns. The bill directly affects small, newly formed businesses seeking tax relief and state procurement decisions. Key provisions include the tax deferral eligibility criteria and the data collection/reporting requirements for state contracts.

Maddy summarySB 324, the 2025 Safe Drinking Water Act, requires North Carolina's Commission for Public Health to establish safe limits for harmful chemicals in drinking water by October 2025. It directly affects all North Carolina residents by mandating maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for specific toxins like PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, hexavalent chromium, and 1,4-Dioxane - chemicals linked to cancer or serious health risks. The bill directs the Commission to base these limits on scientific evidence from other states and federal agencies, ensuring protections for vulnerable groups like children and pregnant people, while aligning with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. The law also requires annual reviews to update these limits as new health science becomes available.

Maddy summarySB 325 establishes North Carolina's Department of Housing and Community Development as a unified cabinet-level department, replacing fragmented housing and community development functions across state agencies. The department includes four divisions: Community Development (focusing on revitalization and broadband access), Housing (managing affordable housing, homelessness, and disaster resilience), Operations, and a Policy and Legislative Office. It directly affects low- to moderate-income residents through housing programs and community development initiatives, with $30 million in recurring funding allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill formalizes the department’s structure, mission, and governance, including a nine-member board appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders.

Maddy summarySB 303 repeals North Carolina's service tax, which previously applied to certain services like repairs, maintenance, installation, and service contracts. This directly affects retailers and service providers who collected this tax on qualifying transactions. The bill removes specific tax code provisions (including those governing real property services and bundled transactions) and makes necessary adjustments to other related tax laws. The repeal would eliminate the tax obligation for businesses and customers involved in these service transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates North Carolina's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program, which provides a state tax credit to low-income workers who qualify for the federal EITC. It sets the state credit at 5% of the federal credit amount (down from 4.5% in 2013), making it refundable so eligible taxpayers receive cash even if they owe no state tax. The credit applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and continues a program that expired after 2013. The bill does not change eligibility rules or create new benefits - it simply reenacts the prior policy structure.

Maddy summarySB 317, the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act, creates new rules for dividing property owned by multiple family members (known as "heirs property") where ownership is unclear and at least 20% of shares are held by relatives or acquired through family lines. If a court determines property qualifies as heirs property, it must be divided under this law unless all owners agree otherwise in writing. The bill requires courts to first determine the property's fair market value through appraisal or agreement, then offers co-owners a 45-day window to buy out others' shares at that value before a court-ordered sale. This process aims to clarify ownership for family-held land without requiring all owners to agree upfront.

Maddy summarySB 294 requires greater public involvement in North Carolina's state budget process. It mandates at least one week for virtual public comments, one in-person public hearing, and three nonvoting committee meetings before key budget votes. The bill also removes confidentiality for budget-related communications between state agencies, legislators, and legislative staff, making these documents public records once the budget is enacted. These changes apply to the Current Operations Appropriations Act for fiscal years starting after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summarySB 281, the Essential Relief for Child Care Act, appropriates $50 million in nonrecurring state funds for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to continue compensation grants for child care providers. This funding directly supports licensed child care facilities across North Carolina, helping them cover operational costs and prevent closures. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain these grants at current 2024-2025 funding levels through the fourth quarter. It aims to address ongoing financial pressures on providers, which the bill states could lead to 20% facility closures without continued support.