Sen. Bobby Hanig

Maddy summarySB 37 authorizes Hertford County to establish a Rural Development Authority to coordinate local economic growth initiatives. The bill creates a formal structure for the county to manage projects like infrastructure improvements and business support programs. This measure directly affects Hertford County's ability to implement targeted rural development efforts under existing state law.

Maddy summaryThe Farmers Protection Act (SB 554) aims to prevent discrimination in financing against agriculture producers. It makes it unlawful for banks to deny or cancel services to farmers based on their greenhouse gas emissions, use of fossil-fuel derived fertilizer, or fossil-fuel powered machinery. If a bank has an environmental, social, or governance (ESG) commitment related to agriculture, there is a rebuttable presumption that such a denial violates the act, unless the bank proves it was solely for financial reasons. The bill requires banks to submit annual compliance reports and allows for civil penalties for violations, which are also considered an unfair or deceptive trade practice.

Maddy summarySB 408 prohibits state and local government employees, contractors, and individuals participating in state-funded programs from using or accessing TikTok and WeChat. The bill bans these "covered applications" on all government-issued devices, information technology, and any equipment owned or leased by state or local subdivisions. It mandates the removal of any existing installations within 30 days of enactment and requires state agencies to restrict access to these applications' websites. An exception is made for law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies for investigative purposes, with guidelines to be developed for such use.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 513 modifies requirements for proposed wind energy facilities in North Carolina. The bill establishes enhanced public notice rules, requiring developers to directly notify property owners within 20 miles of a proposed facility and expanding public hearing notices to include adjacent counties. It also mandates that wind energy facilities install light-mitigating technology systems. Permit applicants must seek Federal Aviation Administration approval for these systems, and the state's Department cannot issue a final permit until the FAA's decision on the technology is received. These changes directly affect wind energy developers, adjacent property owners, and the state department responsible for permit approvals.

Maddy summarySB 357 expands and modernizes collaborative practice agreements between physicians and pharmacists. It allows licensed pharmacists, designated as "clinical pharmacist practitioners," to provide a broader range of "health care services" under a physician's supervision, including modifying drug dosages, ordering tests, and managing drug therapy for patients. These services must be conducted under specific, written collaborative practice agreements and adhere to rules set by the North Carolina Medical Board and Board of Pharmacy. The bill also permits therapeutic drug substitutions by pharmacists with physician authorization and allows for multi-provider collaborative agreements in institutional settings.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 110, titled "North Carolina Work and Save," establishes the North Carolina Small Business Retirement Savings Program. This program aims to help private-sector employees aged 18 and older in North Carolina save for retirement if their employer does not already offer a retirement plan. It enables participating employers to offer a voluntary payroll deduction Individual Retirement Account (IRA) arrangement for their employees. A new North Carolina Small Business Retirement Savings Board would be created to oversee the program and manage its funds through private-sector entities.

Maddy summarySB 89 requires all public schools and certain nonpublic schools in North Carolina to install automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and provide training to staff on their use and on CPR. The State Board of Education will adopt rules for public schools, which include placing at least two AEDs per school, with one in an athletic facility, and implementing staff training. Local school boards, charter schools, and other public school entities must then develop policies in line with these state rules. The bill appropriates $4,000 per school to assist with the purchase and installation of AEDs and staff training.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to repeal North Carolina's Certificate of Need (CON) laws, which currently require healthcare providers to obtain state approval for certain projects. These projects include building new facilities, expanding existing services, or acquiring major medical equipment. By eliminating these requirements, the bill would remove a regulatory step for various healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and diagnostic centers, looking to establish or grow their operations. The bill achieves this by amending several state statutes to remove references to the Certificate of Need process.

Maddy summarySB 427 modifies North Carolina's property tax laws. It expands the types of personal property excluded from taxation to include certain business-related personal property valued at $20,000 or less, directly affecting businesses and individuals owning such assets. The bill also adjusts the rules and penalties for listing property for tax purposes. Additionally, it temporarily waives interest on underpaid property taxes for real and personal property located in specific "affected areas" for a period between January 7, 2025, and December 31, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 63 establishes a nine-member Board of Motor Vehicles to oversee North Carolina's Division of Motor Vehicles, replacing the current structure where the Commissioner is appointed by the Transportation Secretary. The Board will appoint the Motor Vehicles Commissioner and include members from the Transportation Secretary, Information Technology Secretary, Highway Patrol, and appointments by the Governor and General Assembly. The bill also mandates a study by the Department of Transportation to evaluate creating a separate Motor Vehicle Authority (replacing the current Division), including feasibility, required legal changes, a timeline, and implementation steps. The study must be completed and reported to the General Assembly by January 1, 2026, but does not create the Authority itself.