Rep. Allison Dahle

Maddy summaryThe Safeguarding Elections Act in North Carolina establishes new protections to prevent federal interference and voter intimidation during elections. It prohibits the deployment of troops or armed personnel at voting locations within 17 days of an election unless there is an immediate threat of armed conflict, while allowing law enforcement to remain for emergencies. The bill also criminalizes specific acts of voter intimidation, such as threatening individuals for voting, falsely challenging their eligibility, or conditioning employment on how employees vote, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. Additionally, it creates a restitution fund to support voter education campaigns and allows aggrieved individuals to seek court injunctions against violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee voters in North Carolina the right to early voting for all primary and general elections. If approved by voters in a 2026 referendum, the amendment would require county election boards to designate a minimum of 14 days for early voting, with sites open at least 8:00 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. on weekdays and same-day voter registration available at these sites. The legislation also mandates that early voting locations and staffing levels be adjusted to meet voter demand, ensuring consistent operating hours across the state. This change would be implemented only if a majority of voters cast ballots in favor of the amendment at the upcoming general election.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a $10 fee on every customer entering sexually oriented businesses in North Carolina that also hold an alcohol permit. The collected fees must be remitted quarterly to the Department of Revenue and deposited into a fund designated for sexual assault and rape crisis services. Businesses are required to keep daily records of customer counts without collecting personal names, and they must submit these records for audit upon request. The legislation aims to address secondary impacts on public health and safety by funding support services rather than targeting the businesses' expressive content.

Maddy summaryHB 258, the Utility Worker Protection Act, increases penalties for assaulting utility and communications workers by designating such assaults as Class A1 misdemeanors - the highest misdemeanor level - when the worker is visibly identifiable (e.g., wearing company-logoed uniforms) and performing duties. It directly affects workers providing electricity, gas, telecommunications, or internet services, including those employed by public, private, or cooperative entities. The bill adds specific language to North Carolina’s assault statute, requiring prosecutors to apply this enhanced penalty for assaults meeting these criteria, without needing other legal provisions. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 369, the Parking Lot Reform and Modernization Act, restricts local governments from mandating minimum parking space sizes (beyond 9x20 feet) or numbers for new developments, effective July 2025. It also bans the future purchase or import of pavement sealants containing high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), effective January 2026. The bill clarifies stormwater rules for redevelopment sites, stating that existing stormwater controls cannot be retroactively required for redeveloped properties unless new impervious area is created, and allows local governments to offer incentives for stormwater capture. These provisions directly affect developers, property owners, and local governments managing zoning, parking, and stormwater regulations in North Carolina.

Maddy summaryHB 1102, known as the Fuel Gas Safety Act, requires landlords in North Carolina to install and maintain fuel gas detectors in any room containing appliances powered by propane, natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas. The bill mandates that these detectors be operational at the start of each tenancy, with landlords responsible for replacing batteries and repairing or replacing units upon written notice of defects. It also extends similar safety requirements to commercial buildings and public higher education facilities, while allowing security deposits to cover damage to these devices. Penalties of up to $500 per violation may be imposed on landlords who fail to comply with the new installation and maintenance rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to allocate $2,178,000 in state funds to hire at least 25 additional Adult Protective Services workers across North Carolina counties starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The money is intended specifically to cover salaries and benefits for new staff who will investigate reports of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, with distribution based on factors like case volume and the number of seniors in each area. The legislation explicitly prohibits using these funds to replace existing staff or for any purpose other than paying the new workers. Although the bill was withdrawn from committee in May 2026, its primary function is to increase state funding for local social services agencies to address a growing demand for elder abuse investigations.

Maddy summaryHB 1172, known as the Ciji Graham Act, establishes a High-Risk Pregnancy Care Navigation Program in North Carolina to assist patients with high-risk pregnancies by providing licensed nurse consultants who help coordinate care and address access barriers. The bill also creates a statewide pregnancy consultation hotline for healthcare providers and community organizations to offer real-time clinical guidance and referrals, alongside a centralized digital hub containing clinical guidelines and provider directories. Funded through the state's General Fund starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, these measures aim to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities by ensuring timely access to specialized care and resources.

Maddy summaryHB 1161 establishes state protections for artificial intelligence across elections, education, employment, courts, and insurance. In elections, the bill bans the use of AI-generated images, videos, voices, or text in political advertisements and imposes severe penalties, including donation freezes, for violations. For schools, it empowers local districts to restrict student access to AI tools and allows for disciplinary action, while also mandating new middle school courses on critical thinking and technology awareness. The legislation appropriates funds to help implement these measures and applies to political ads immediately and to school policies starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the penalty charged to taxpayers in North Carolina when their checks or electronic payments for taxes bounce due to insufficient funds. Instead of the current rule that imposes the greater of a flat $25 fee or 10% of the payment amount, the new law sets a tiered penalty structure based on how often a person bounces payments within a five-year period. For the first two violations, the fee will be $25 plus 1% of the payment amount, while any subsequent violation will incur a $50 fee plus 2% of the payment amount, with a maximum penalty cap of $1,000. The legislation also includes an exemption for taxpayers who had sufficient money in their accounts but accidentally failed to initiate the transaction, and it provides funding to help educate the public and tax collectors about these changes.