Rep. Frances Jackson

Maddy summaryHB 268 authorizes the University of North Carolina system to finance specific capital projects at UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Wilmington using alternative funding sources like gifts, grants, and revenue bonds - instead of state general funds. It specifically covers major projects including Chapel Hill's electrical system upgrade and Fetzer Hall addition, plus Wilmington's parking deck and student housing. The bill allows the university board to issue special obligation bonds up to 5% over the project costs to cover expenses, with potential adjustments approved by the state budget director. This directly affects the two universities by enabling them to fund these infrastructure improvements through non-state appropriations.

Maddy summaryHB 832 revises North Carolina's school safety grant program to expand eligible uses of funds for training aimed at improving student well-being and safety. It allows public school units to fund evidence-based programs including suicide prevention training (CALM), trauma-focused therapies (like cognitive behavioral therapy), violence prevention, and peer mentoring facilitation. The bill specifically permits up to $350,000 in annual funding for these expanded services, directly affecting school staff, counselors, and students in North Carolina public schools. This change modifies existing grant rules without creating new funding or altering overall program structure.

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 summaryThis bill requires the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Information Technology, and the Administrative Office of the Courts to study the state's involuntary commitment process. The agencies must identify gaps in the current system and submit a report with recommendations by February 1, 2027. Key areas for improvement include ensuring judges receive timely clinical data, training legal officials on community-based treatment options, and updating electronic forms to capture consistent data. The legislation also aims to increase data sharing between health and court systems to support more effective legal and clinical outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 349 updates North Carolina's requirements for healthcare powers of attorney (POA) and advance health care directives (like living wills). It clarifies witness and notary rules to prevent conflicts of interest (e.g., prohibiting facility staff from witnessing), standardizes forms for easier use, and allows electronic filing of directives with the Secretary of State’s registry. The bill directly affects residents planning ahead for medical decisions, ensuring their chosen agents or instructions are legally recognized. Key changes include revised witness eligibility criteria, simplified form language, and a new online filing option to improve accessibility. The bill does not alter medical care standards but streamlines the legal process for end-of-life planning.

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 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 315 creates new criminal offenses for wrongfully entering restricted business areas (like secure storage rooms) and for stealing or fraudulently obtaining gift cards. It directly affects businesses (by protecting secure areas), gift card holders (by criminalizing theft of their cards), and individuals who commit these acts. Key provisions include classifying unauthorized building entry as a misdemeanor or felony based on prior offenses, defining gift card theft as a Class 1 misdemeanor for cards under $1,000 (or felony for higher value), and expanding "organized retail theft" to include conspiracy around gift cards with penalties tied to total value stolen. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the University of North Carolina system to finance specific capital improvement projects, such as dormitory renovations and new construction, using non-state funds like gifts, grants, and hospital receipts. It allows the university to issue special obligation bonds to cover these costs and includes a mechanism for the Director of the Budget to adjust project funding if necessary. Additionally, the legislation standardizes the residency determination process for admission to the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and revises tuition grant rules for graduates of that school and the UNC School of the Arts. These changes aim to support university infrastructure development and ensure equitable access to specialized science and arts programs for North Carolina residents.