Rep. John Torbett

Maddy summaryHB 292 allows Gaston County Schools to set an earlier student school start date (as early as August 19, instead of the standard August 26) if they demonstrate "good cause," defined as experiencing eight days of school closures per year on average over four of the last ten years due to weather, power failures, or emergencies. The bill modifies the state's standard school calendar requirements specifically for Gaston County, exempting it from the usual opening and closing date rules. It also confirms that schools already operating under a modified calendar (like those designated in 2003-2004) remain exempt. This change applies only to Gaston County Schools starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 230 creates a new felony offense for individuals who commit a domestic violence misdemeanor (under G.S. 14-32.5) and have two or more prior domestic violence convictions within the past 15 years. The first conviction under this law is a Class H felony, with penalties increasing for subsequent offenses (up to Class C felony). The bill also expands police authority to make warrantless arrests for domestic violence misdemeanors when officers have probable cause to believe the crime occurred. This directly affects repeat domestic violence offenders in North Carolina, with the law taking effect December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 235 targets fraudulent real estate deeds and property transfers in North Carolina. It creates a new civil process allowing property owners to file lawsuits (without lawyers) to have false recordings removed from public records, with courts able to issue emergency orders within 72 hours. The bill also requires tax certification from county tax collectors before recording deeds in 30 specific counties (like Buncombe and Wake), unless handled by a licensed attorney. Violating these rules can lead to criminal charges, with penalties ranging from Class G (under $100k property) to Class C felonies (over $100k).

Maddy summaryHB 86, titled "Citizens' Expungement Clarification of 2025," prohibits non-citizens and non-legal residents of the U.S. from clearing criminal convictions or charges from their records through expungement in North Carolina. The bill requires courts to verify a petitioner’s U.S. residency or citizenship status at least 30 days before granting expungement, including potential queries to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It exempts individuals who lawfully entered the U.S. and have filed or are awaiting an immigrant petition with U.S. immigration authorities. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, applying to all expungement petitions filed after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the SHALOM Act, adds a new section to North Carolina law that officially adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism. The law requires state agencies and organizations to use this definition as a guide for training, education, and identifying hate crimes or discrimination against Jewish people. It also establishes a framework for tracking and reporting incidents of antisemitism within the state. The legislation includes a specific provision stating that adopting this definition does not violate free speech rights protected by the U.S. and state constitutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to North Carolina that would restrict voting rights exclusively to United States citizens who are at least 18 years old. The legislation does not change current law immediately but instead sets up a statewide vote on November 5, 2024, where voters will decide whether to adopt this new rule. If approved by the majority of voters, the amendment will permanently update the state constitution to remove the ability of non-citizens to vote in any election. If voters reject the measure, the existing voting qualifications will remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state constitution to eliminate the literacy test requirement for voting. By removing this specific provision, the legislation ensures that all eligible citizens can vote regardless of their reading or writing abilities. The change directly affects voters who previously might have been disenfranchised by this barrier. It does not alter other voting qualifications or the overall structure of the election process.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies North Carolina's mask exemption laws by clarifying that wearing a mask for personal health or safety is allowed, but individuals must remove it upon request by law enforcement during a traffic stop or when asked to identify themselves on private property. It also increases criminal penalties for anyone convicted of a misdemeanor or felony if they were wearing a mask or other item that concealed their identity at the time of the offense. Additionally, the legislation creates civil liability for demonstration organizers who obstruct emergency vehicles and updates campaign finance rules regarding federal political committees.

Maddy summaryThis amendment to House Bill 207 requires school principals or their designated representatives to accept detailed eyewitness accounts of incidents that could lead to student suspensions. The bill mandates that these accounts be submitted by the end of the school day following the incident, though they can still be accepted after that deadline. Eyewitness testimony can be provided in writing or orally, with the requirement that any oral statements be transcribed into writing by the school official. This change directly affects school administrators and students by formalizing the process for collecting immediate witness statements during disciplinary investigations.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes the North Carolina community college statutes to clarify the system's purpose and designates the Community Colleges System Office as the lead agency for workforce and adult education. It introduces several specific changes, including a ban on using secondary school accreditation status to determine community college admissions and requiring the state board to competitively bid for a learning management system. The legislation also expands a career and college readiness program, allows Fayetteville Technical Community College to partner with private entities for facility construction, and adjusts requirements for AI school safety and special needs pilot programs. Additionally, the bill increases the classroom hour requirement for individuals seeking a massage therapy license.