Sen. Michael Lee

Maddy summarySB 195, the "Protect Campus Survivors Act," exempts personally identifiable student disciplinary records at North Carolina's public colleges and universities from being disclosed as public records under state law. It defines these records as any materials containing student identifiers (like names, addresses, or social security numbers) related to disciplinary investigations, making them confidential even if federal law (FERPA) might permit disclosure. This applies to all UNC system institutions, community colleges, and their disciplinary processes. The bill takes effect upon enactment, affecting how schools handle and share such records with the public. It does not change federal privacy rules but ensures these specific records remain private under North Carolina's public records law.

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 summarySB 109, the Veterans Appreciation Act, increases property tax relief for disabled veterans in North Carolina by expanding the homestead exclusion to cover the value increase from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) housing grants. It directly affects disabled veterans who receive VA housing grants for service-connected disabilities, allowing them to exclude up to $45,000 of their home’s appraised value plus grant-funded improvements from property taxes. The bill adds a prequalification process, letting veterans apply in advance of purchasing a home to confirm eligibility, with county assessors required to notify applicants within 30 days. This change takes effect for property taxes on homes owned after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 86 increases North Carolina firefighters' monthly pension payments from $175 to $180 starting January 1, 2025, for eligible members who reach age 55 with 20 years of service. It updates disability benefit rules, clarifies death benefits for firefighters killed on duty (including monthly payments to surviving spouses or beneficiaries), and adds protections for members displaced by city annexations or department takeovers. These changes directly affect current and future firefighters, rescue squad workers, their families, and members whose departments are absorbed by municipalities. The bill modifies existing pension fund statutes without creating new programs or altering contribution requirements.

Maddy summarySB 34 is a procedural bill that solely references North Carolina's 7th Senatorial District. It contains no substantive policy provisions, as Section 1 states it "relates only to the 7th Senatorial District" and Section 2 declares it "effective when it becomes law." This is a routine administrative act with no direct policy impact on constituents or legislation. The bill is currently in early stages, having been filed and passed its first reading in February 2025.

Maddy summarySB 14 proposes repealing a North Carolina constitutional requirement that voters must demonstrate the ability to read and write parts of the state constitution. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, it would remove this literacy test for voter registration, directly affecting individuals registering to vote in North Carolina. The bill requires a statewide referendum with the ballot question: "FOR [ ] AGAINST Constitutional amendment to repeal the requirement that every person presenting himself for registration shall be able to read and write any section of the Constitution in the English language." Approval by a majority of voters would make the repeal effective, ending this specific registration barrier.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing wastewater regulations to allow for the discharge of treated domestic wastewater into low-flow or zero-flow surface waters, such as intermittent streams and wetlands, under specific conditions. It directly affects municipalities, businesses, and developers by establishing a new permitting process that permits discharges of up to 2 million gallons per day if the treated water has high dissolved oxygen and low biological oxygen demand. The legislation requires the Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Management Commission to develop and submit draft rules to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approval by August 1, 2024. Once approved, these rules will create site-specific criteria based on flow data from the U.S. Geological Survey to ensure wastewater discharge does not harm water quality.

Maddy summaryThis amendment to Senate Bill 303 modifies procedures for questioning juveniles aged 16 or older by law enforcement. It requires officers to make a reasonable effort to contact a parent, guardian, or custodian if the minor requests their presence during an interview. If the primary adult is unavailable, the law allows a caretaker to be present instead. These changes aim to ensure that minors have adult support during police interactions while maintaining the focus on the questioning process itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends North Carolina laws to improve how the State Bar handles attorney discipline and grievance complaints. It requires the Bar to provide accused attorneys with full complaint details and evidence at least 30 days before a disciplinary hearing, while also allowing them to present their case directly to the Grievance Committee. The legislation introduces a new "vexatious complainant" designation for individuals who file repetitive or frivolous grievances, which can lead to future complaints being rejected unless verified by a licensed attorney. Additionally, the bill directs the State Bar to adopt rules for expunging certain disciplinary records and ensures that attorneys facing disbarment or long suspensions can appeal to the Court of Appeals.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment in North Carolina to require all voters to present photographic identification before casting a ballot, expanding a rule that currently applies only to those voting in person. The legislation would place this change on the ballot for a statewide vote on November 5, 2024, asking voters to decide whether to mandate photo ID for everyone regardless of how they vote. If approved by a majority of voters, the amendment would become part of the state constitution and allow the General Assembly to set specific rules for acceptable forms of identification. If rejected, the proposal will have no effect and the existing voting requirements will remain unchanged.