Rep. Eric Ager

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 834, titled the "Sportsman's Voter Act," requires that individuals applying for a hunting or fishing license in North Carolina be offered the opportunity to register to vote. It also mandates that these applicants be offered the chance to participate in the state's Organ Donor Registry. The bill directs the Wildlife Resources Commission to create rules for implementing these offers during the license application process, in consultation with the State Board of Elections and the Division of Motor Vehicles. This act will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution formally recognizes the 250th anniversary of the United States and honors the historical contributions of North Carolina to the nation's founding. The bill specifically highlights key events such as the Halifax Resolves and the Mecklenburg Resolves, noting North Carolina's pivotal role in the movement for independence. It encourages citizens of the state to participate in commemorative events leading up to July 4, 2026, but does not allocate funding or mandate specific actions. As a non-binding resolution, it serves primarily as an official statement of recognition rather than a law with enforceable requirements.

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 summaryHB 133, the NC Farmland and Military Protection Act, bans U.S.-designated adversarial foreign governments from buying, leasing, or holding interests in agricultural land or land within 75 miles of major military installations like Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune. It directly affects foreign governments identified by the U.S. State Department as adversaries under arms regulations, preventing them from acquiring land critical to food production or near military sites. The law excludes agricultural research leases under 250 acres and makes any violating land transfer legally void. This focuses on restricting foreign control of strategic land without altering existing domestic land transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 517 modifies North Carolina's Nonprofit Corporations Act to expand merger options for charitable organizations and simplify disclosure requirements. It allows charitable nonprofits to merge with specific tax-exempt limited liability companies (LLCs) that would qualify for 501(c)(3) status if not disregarded for tax purposes, and clarifies rules for merging with unincorporated entities like partnerships. The bill also permits charitable organizations to satisfy state disclosure obligations by providing the acknowledgment required for federal tax deductions, aligning state and federal compliance. This directly affects North Carolina-based charitable nonprofits and their merger partners by reducing administrative barriers and clarifying legal pathways.

Maddy summaryHB 1200, known as the Tax-Free Family Essentials Act, removes the state sales tax on specific items including diapers, baby wipes, over-the-counter children's medication, prenatal vitamins, and feminine hygiene products. The bill directly affects families purchasing these goods by exempting them from the tax, while also clarifying the legal definitions of these items to ensure consistent application. These tax exemptions will take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply to all sales occurring on or after that date.

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 House Resolution honors the life and memory of James Michael "Mike" Clampitt, a former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from District 119. The bill formally recognizes his extensive background in public service, which included decades as a firefighter and deputy sheriff in North Carolina before his election to the state legislature. It expresses the House's appreciation for his legislative work and extends condolences to his family, with a copy of the resolution sent to them.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors the Carolina Hurricanes hockey team for winning the 2026 Stanley Cup and recognizes their contributions to the state of North Carolina. The bill formally acknowledges the team's historic season, including their record-breaking regular performance and playoff victory, while also praising the owner, management, and coaching staff for their leadership. It directs the Principal Clerk to send a certified copy of the resolution to the team, its owner Tom Dundon, and head coach Rod Brind'Amour. This measure serves as a commemorative gesture rather than establishing new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 565 ("Check Yes, Save Lives") allows North Carolina taxpayers to register as organ donors by checking a box on their state income tax return, starting with tax returns for 2026 and later. This directly affects all North Carolina taxpayers who file income tax returns, providing a simple, automatic way to enroll in the organ donation program during annual tax filing. The bill amends tax and organ donation statutes to add income tax return enrollment as a valid method for making an anatomical gift (under Section 130A-412.7(1a)), while keeping existing options like driver's license or wills. It requires coordination between the Department of Revenue and Motor Vehicles to update the Organ Donor Registry, ensuring the tax-based enrollment is properly recorded. The policy change streamlines donor registration without altering the existing organ donation process or eligibility.