Sen. Michael Lazzara

Maddy summarySB 226 expands eligibility for death benefits under North Carolina's Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act to include firefighters who die from specific cancers. It adds any cancer diagnosed after January 1, 2022, that qualified a firefighter for benefits under the Firefighters' Cancer Insurance Program (or its predecessor, the Health Benefits Pilot Program) to the list of cancers presumed to be "killed in the line of duty." This means firefighters receiving cancer benefits under the program will automatically qualify for death benefits if they later die from that cancer. The bill also permanently establishes the Cancer Insurance Program as the successor to the pilot program and allocates $2 million annually for related death benefits starting July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 290, the NC REINS Act, requires North Carolina's General Assembly to approve certain state agency regulations before they take effect. It directly affects state agencies creating rules with significant economic impact (over $1 million annually) and gives legislators a 30-day window to block such rules through a specific disapproval bill. The bill adds a legislative review period for all permanent rules and mandates that rules with substantial economic impact must be ratified by the legislature, effectively creating a veto power over those regulations. This changes current process by requiring explicit legislative action for high-impact rules instead of automatic implementation after agency approval.

Maddy summarySB 155 establishes the Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact to allow licensed social workers in North Carolina to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed social workers, particularly those serving military families or providing telehealth services, by removing barriers to cross-state practice. The bill creates a system where a "home state" license permits practice in all member states (called "remote states") through mutual recognition, reducing duplicate licensing requirements. Key provisions include standardized disciplinary information sharing between states and ensuring social workers comply with the laws of the state where the client is located during service.

Maddy summarySB 265, the "Protecting Our Community Act," regulates hemp-derived consumable products (like edibles or vapes with ≤0.3% delta-9 THC) and bans them on school grounds. It requires businesses to verify buyers' ages (no sales to under 21), mandates independent lab testing for THC levels, and defines terms like "distributor" and "final form product." The law directly affects hemp product manufacturers, sellers (including online retailers), and schools, which must prohibit these items on campus. Key provisions include mandatory child-resistant packaging at point-of-sale and restrictions on selling to minors, aiming to limit youth access while creating new regulatory requirements for the industry.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 150) formally asks the North Carolina Senate to confirm Governor Joey R. Hopkins' appointment of Joey R. Hopkins as Secretary of the Department of Transportation. It follows state law requiring Senate approval for heads of major state departments, as the Governor had previously nominated Hopkins for the role. The resolution does not change transportation policies or create new programs; it only initiates the Senate's formal confirmation process for a specific appointment. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on the confirmation step, not the duties or policies of the Department of Transportation.

Maddy summarySB 183 appropriates $30,000 annually from North Carolina's General Fund to fund a part-time Veteran Services Officer (VSO) position in Jones County for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. This bill directly affects Jones County veterans by providing dedicated local support through a VSO who assists with benefits and services. The key provision is the recurring annual funding to cover the salary and operational costs of this specific role within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing veteran service policies.

Maddy summarySB 188 appropriates $450,000 annually from the General Fund for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to fund North Carolina for Military Employment (NC4ME) programs. It directly supports veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses through employer training, military-specific job fairs, and employment outreach for spouses. The bill requires NC4ME to submit annual reports detailing fund usage, participants served, and employment outcomes to the Department of Commerce and the legislative oversight committee. This funding aims to strengthen veteran workforce integration and employer partnerships, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows North Carolina local governments to borrow money to accelerate transportation projects already identified for funding under the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Local governments can issue "grant anticipation notes" to cover project costs before receiving state funds, but notes must mature within 12 months after the project's scheduled completion year (no renewals allowed). Borrowing is capped at the full project cost, requires a special agreement with the DOT outlining project details and repayment plans, and must be repaid solely from state grant funds - without using local tax revenue or pledging the government's credit. The bill also ensures STIP program changes won't delay repayment of these notes.

Maddy summarySB 128, the Heroes Homestead Act, increases the property tax exemption for disabled veterans in North Carolina from $45,000 to $76,500 of a home's appraised value. This change directly affects qualifying disabled veterans who own and occupy their primary residence, providing greater tax relief on their homes. The bill amends North Carolina's property tax law to set the new exclusion amount, effective for taxes due on or after July 1, 2026. It does not apply to other property tax relief programs.

Maddy summarySB 106 appropriates $3 million in one-time state funds from the General Fund to the Onslow Water and Sewer Authority for constructing a water tower specifically serving North Topsail Beach. This bill directly affects the Onslow Water and Sewer Authority (as the recipient) and residents of North Topsail Beach (as the primary beneficiaries of the infrastructure). The key provision is the dedicated funding for the physical construction of the water tower, with the funds allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not include additional policy changes or regulations.