Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill requires all private employers with 25 or more employees to use the federal E-Verify system to check the work authorization of every new hire. It mandates that state and local government agencies also comply with these verification rules and allows employers to avoid penalties if they can prove they acted in good faith and did not knowingly accept fraudulent documents. The legislation establishes a 30-day grace period for employers to fix minor compliance errors and increases fines for repeat offenders while protecting workers who report suspected violations from retaliation. Additionally, it grants the state labor commissioner the authority to conduct random or risk-based audits of employers and provides funding to support enforcement efforts.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Mike Clampitt 1st Responder Tax Fairness Act, aims to expand tax exemptions for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads in North Carolina. Specifically, it allows these independent groups, which have two or fewer paid employees and are already exempt from state income tax, to avoid paying a highway use tax on specific emergency vehicles like fire trucks, forest firefighting units, and other emergency service vehicles. The change applies to vehicles when a certificate of title is issued on or after July 1, 2026, ensuring these organizations can acquire necessary equipment without incurring this particular tax. By broadening the existing exemption, the legislation directly benefits volunteer responders who operate outside of local government units.
Maddy summaryHB 1193, known as the Mike Clampitt Bone Marrow Donation Act, designates November as Marrow Donation Awareness Month in North Carolina. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Motor Vehicles to promote bone marrow donation by posting public service announcements online and displaying them at driver license offices. Additionally, the legislation appropriates $100,000 to fund a state-wide public awareness campaign for this initiative, with the law taking effect on July 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Rural Healthcare Infrastructure Fund in North Carolina to help build, repair, and modernize healthcare facilities in rural areas. The fund will provide money through grants and low-interest loans to support construction and renovation projects, while also replacing an older stabilization program. A state council must first develop and get approval for a detailed plan outlining how the fund will be managed and who can apply before any money is awarded. The bill also updates the duties of the state health council and requires annual reports on how the fund is being used.
Maddy summaryHB 1191, titled the Fostering Care in NC Act 2026, introduces several changes to how North Carolina handles cases involving juveniles and child welfare. The bill increases privacy protections by sealing court records in abuse and neglect cases and clarifying who can access them. It also updates procedures for expunging names from the responsible individuals list and requires courts to schedule permanency planning hearings within 30 days. Additionally, the act mandates that siblings be placed together whenever possible and ensures counties communicate before transferring cases to improve coordination on care and financial support.
Maddy summaryHB 1091, known as the DWI Modernization Act of 2026, updates North Carolina laws regarding impaired driving to improve enforcement, increase penalties, and provide clearer procedures for drivers. The bill requires magistrates to provide written explanations when dismissing DWI charges, ensuring officers must justify their probable cause decisions based on specific test results and observations. It also adjusts fees for license restoration, increases fines for repeat offenders, and mandates that transportation network drivers meet the same sobriety standards as commercial bus drivers. Additionally, the legislation makes it a felony for adults to help minors obtain alcohol if that minor causes serious injury, while also clarifying the immediate revocation process for drivers who refuse chemical tests.