Maddy summaryHB 376 makes various changes to regulations concerning on-site wastewater systems and the professionals who manage them in North Carolina. The bill establishes term limits for members of the On-Site Wastewater Contractors and Inspectors Certification Board. It also modifies the certification and renewal requirements for various on-site wastewater roles, such as contractors, inspectors, and evaluators, by detailing specific education, experience, examination, liability coverage, and continuing education criteria. Additionally, the bill revises the process for local boards of health to adopt more stringent wastewater system rules, requiring an agreement and approval from the Department, along with public hearings for such proposals.
Sponsored bills
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 87 (Educational Choice for Children Act) allows North Carolina to participate in a federal tax credit program that encourages donations to private scholarship organizations. The bill requires the State Education Assistance Authority to maintain and publish an annual list of qualifying scholarship groups operating in North Carolina, enabling donors to claim federal tax credits for contributions. These scholarships can cover elementary and secondary school costs, including homeschooling expenses, as permitted under federal law. The law becomes effective after 2026, with the Authority needing to establish necessary rules by July 2026 to comply with federal requirements.
Maddy summaryHB 402 requires North Carolina state agencies to assess the financial impact of proposed permanent rules. If a rule would cost affected individuals or businesses $20 million or more over five years, it must be approved by the General Assembly before taking effect. For rules with a $1 million or more annual cost impact, agencies must prepare a fiscal note for review by the Office of State Budget and Management. The bill also mandates a two-thirds vote by agency boards to adopt rules exceeding the $1 million cost threshold. This directly affects state agencies creating regulations and the businesses or residents who would bear the costs of those rules.
Maddy summaryHB 768 clarifies exemptions from in-building emergency responder communication system requirements in North Carolina's fire code. It exempts specific small buildings: R-2 apartment buildings of Type V construction meeting egress rules, and hotels/motels under two stories with direct exterior egress from each unit. The bill also provides rules for disconnecting existing communication systems in these exempt buildings and requires the Building Code Council to adopt formal rules incorporating these changes. These provisions directly affect property owners and developers of qualifying residential buildings by reducing compliance requirements.
Maddy summaryHB 661, the Building Industry Efficiency Act of 2025, modifies North Carolina's construction and street regulations to streamline development. It prohibits inspection departments from charging fees for canceling inspections more than one business day early (Section 1.1), and limits municipalities from imposing stricter street design standards than the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for both public and private streets (Sections 1.2-1.3). For private streets, developers must disclose if engineered designs fall below NCDOT standards and provide disclosures to buyers before sales. Municipalities and counties must accept pedestrian facilities or street improvements into public road systems after project completion, but counties need agreements with NCDOT or municipalities first (Sections 1.4-1.5). The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting developers, municipalities, engineers, and property buyers.
Maddy summaryHB 831 allows private inspectors to conduct building code compliance checks for commercial and multifamily projects, replacing the state’s centralized "marketplace pool" of inspectors. It requires private inspectors to obtain certification from the State Board based on North Carolina Building Code knowledge and training, and mandates local governments to expedite approval of plans sealed by certified private inspectors. The bill directly affects commercial developers, local building departments, and private inspection firms by shifting oversight from state-managed inspectors to a private certification system. Key provisions include new definitions for private inspectors, certification standards, and the repeal of the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s inspector pool.
Maddy summaryHB 997 requires members of the North Carolina General Assembly to certify whether they have reviewed the U.S. Constitution and the North Carolina Constitution. This certification must be submitted to the Principal Clerk of their respective house before they take their oath of office. The review of the Constitutions must have occurred within the two years prior to taking the oath. This act is scheduled to become effective on January 1, 2027.
Maddy summaryHB 674, "The Firearms Liberty Act," proposes several changes to firearms regulations. It would allow for the issuance of lifetime concealed handgun permits, in addition to the current five-year permits, affecting individuals seeking to carry concealed handguns. The bill also specifies that permittees whose concealed carry permits lapse would not need to retake a firearms safety course for renewal under certain conditions. Furthermore, it aims to protect the property rights of individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders by enabling them to store or sell their firearms through qualified licensed dealers. Finally, the bill authorizes the storage and use of defensive devices in biometric safes for schools.
Maddy summaryHB 870 modifies the administration of environmental programs in North Carolina, primarily focusing on agreements between state environmental agencies and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). It requires the General Assembly to approve all memorandums of agreement between the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and USEPA before they can be executed. The bill also directs DEQ to initiate discussions with the USEPA to revise sedimentation control agreements, aiming to streamline regulations and reduce costs for those involved in land-disturbing activities. Additionally, DEQ must request pre-publication consultation from the USEPA on proposed federal regulation changes and report on funding for federal environmental programs.