Rep. Mark Pless

Maddy summaryHB 169 ends Haywood County's ability to collect an occupancy tax (typically on short-term lodging like hotels) by repealing the legal authority for this tax. It directly affects Haywood County, its Tourism Development Authority, and businesses subject to the tax. The bill requires the Tourism Development Authority to spend any remaining funds within six months for tourism purposes, after which the Authority must dissolve. The repeal takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Madison County in North Carolina to sign agreements with sheriff's offices in three neighboring Tennessee counties for joint law enforcement work. These agreements would enable the sheriff's offices to cooperate on special operations and other crime-fighting activities across state lines. The bill also requires that any such agreement include a plan for sharing liability for damages and mandates an annual report to the state Department of Justice.

Maddy summaryHB 763, the Neighbor State License Recognition Act, allows professionals licensed in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia to obtain a North Carolina license more easily if they move to the state. It applies to most licensed occupations (excluding healthcare, law, architecture, engineering, and others listed in the bill) and requires applicants to have held a current license in one of those states for at least one year, be in good standing, and meet competency standards through their home state's requirements. The bill streamlines the process by eliminating redundant exams or paperwork for qualifying applicants, while requiring licensing boards to publish clear eligibility criteria online. The bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 336 removes seven specific properties (identified by tax IDs) from the corporate limits of Maggie Valley, North Carolina. This deannexation means those properties will no longer be subject to municipal taxes for taxable years beginning July 1, 2025, or later. The bill ensures existing tax liens and assessments against these properties remain valid and enforceable after removal. It becomes effective June 30, 2025, with the tax change applying to properties as of January 1, 2025. The bill directly affects the owners of the listed properties by changing their municipal tax obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 279 addresses how vacancies are filled on the Haywood County Board of Commissioners. The bill states its purpose is to ensure these vacancies are filled in accordance with G.S. 153A-27, which typically involves appointment by the remaining board members. To achieve this, the bill amends G.S. 153A-27.1(h) to

Maddy summaryHB 675 modifies the credentialing requirements for various emergency medical services personnel, including EMTs, paramedics, and emergency medical responders. Beginning January 1, 2026, individuals seeking new or renewed credentials must pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination. Those currently holding non-NREMT state credentials prior to this date must obtain NREMT certification by January 1, 2030. The bill also requires a criminal history background check for applicants and mandates specific examinations from the International Board of Specialty Certification for specialty roles.

Maddy summaryHB 219 proposes to repeal the existing law that authorizes counties to franchise ambulance services. The bill also specifies that county officials, such as a county manager or EMS administrator, would no longer be required to approve modifications to the level of care offered by certain emergency medical services (EMS) providers. This change applies to EMS providers that are not owned or operated by a city within the county or by the county itself, removing a layer of county oversight for these services.

Maddy summaryHB 123 makes it a crime for health care providers to willfully destroy, alter, or falsify medical records to conceal medical errors causing patient harm, illegally obtain money, or hide facts related to potential legal claims. It creates specific criminal penalties: a serious felony for hiding errors that caused injury or death, a lesser felony for financial gain, and a misdemeanor for other concealment. The law applies to all health care providers and becomes effective December 1, 2025. It explicitly states this does not affect existing civil remedies available to patients.

Maddy summaryHB 676 allocates $1,524,978 in one-time state funds to Haywood County Schools for specific facility improvements. The bill directs $998,538 for a turf field at Tuscola High School, $26,440 for a multipurpose locker room building at C.E. Weatherby Stadium, and $500,000 for stadium upgrades at Bethel Middle School. These funds are designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and must be used solely for the specified projects. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not change existing school policies or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 405 is a procedural bill that repeals a specific subsection (subsection (a) of Section 2) from S.L. 2023-92. It does not describe the North Carolina Coordinate System of 1983 or explain its purpose, so it cannot be determined who it directly affects or what concrete changes it would make. The bill text only specifies the repeal and effective date, with no substantive policy provisions. As a purely procedural measure, it is currently pending referral to a House committee.