Sen. Natalie Murdock

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill creates a temporary Artificial Intelligence in Education Task Force to study how AI tools are used in schools and to develop rules for their regulation. The task force will include representatives from the state government, universities, and private businesses, and it must submit its findings by March 2028. Separately, the legislation requires the State Board of Education to create standards for teaching AI concepts to students from kindergarten through grade 12, covering topics like how AI works, ethical use, and critical thinking. To support these efforts, the bill appropriates $250,000 to provide professional development for teachers and administrators.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurance companies to provide clearer notices to homeowners and renters when their premiums exceed standard state-approved rates. It mandates that insurers explain the specific reasons for higher charges and suggest steps policyholders can take to lower their costs, while also banning the use of credit scores to set rates for these types of home and auto insurance. Additionally, the legislation directs the Department of Insurance to publish detailed annual reports on pricing data, claim outcomes, and demographic information to increase market transparency. The bill also allocates funds to the department to run a public awareness campaign about how insurance rates are determined.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to lower healthcare expenses and shield patients from unexpected financial burdens by establishing new rules for insurance plans and medical billing. It directly affects individuals with health insurance, hospitals, and insurance companies operating in North Carolina. Key provisions include capping annual out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000, prohibiting surprise billing for nonemergency care at in-network facilities, and delaying the reporting of unpaid medical bills to credit agencies until 180 days past due. Additionally, the legislation requires hospitals to publicly report negotiated prices for common medical procedures and mandates that emergency ground ambulance services be covered under standard health benefit packages.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Military Family Food Security and Readiness Act, aims to assist North Carolina military families by adjusting how their income is calculated for food assistance programs during deployments or activations. It would temporarily exclude certain military allowances, such as housing and subsistence pay, from income counts and allow eligible households to qualify for benefits with up to 25% higher income limits. For families who still do not meet standard criteria, the state would provide a supplemental nutrition program offering monthly benefits between $150 and $300, with an expedited application process to ensure quick access. The legislation applies to active-duty personnel, National Guard members, and reservists and includes funding to support these new provisions starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill prevents public utilities from disconnecting residential service during declared periods of extreme heat, extreme cold, or poor air quality, requiring instead that customers be offered deferred payment plans. It also allows landlords to restrict tenants from installing portable cooling or air filtration devices only under specific conditions, such as when the device violates safety codes, damages the property, or requires electrical capacity that cannot be provided. Additionally, the legislation defines what constitutes an extreme weather or air quality event based on official alerts from agencies like the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special fund to protect North Carolina state employees from having their take-home pay reduced if their health insurance premiums rise. To achieve this, the state will transfer $150 million from scholarship reserves to the new fund, which will be used to supplement employee compensation and maintain their net income. The State Treasurer, in consultation with the Office of State Human Resources, will manage the fund and establish rules for its administration. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies specifically to participants in the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies North Carolina's sales tax laws to exempt feminine hygiene products, diapers, and groceries from state and local sales taxes. It specifically adds items like tampons, menstrual cups, and sanitary napkins to the list of tax-free feminine hygiene goods and clarifies that certain grooming products such as soap and shampoo remain taxable. Additionally, the legislation ensures that children's and adult diapers purchased with a prescription from a Medicaid provider are not subject to sales tax. The bill also includes a provision to distribute $1.6 million in state funds to regional councils of government to inform the public about these new tax exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Affordable Housing Efficiency Grant Program in North Carolina to provide funding for energy efficiency and electric upgrades in affordable multifamily housing buildings. The program targets residential complexes with at least 50% of units reserved for low-income households that have been in service for at least 15 years, with a focus on projects located in underserved communities. Eligible buildings can receive grants of up to $0.75 per square foot to cover costs for measures such as heat pumps, electric water heaters, insulation, and related planning or health improvements, provided they maintain their affordability status. The Department of Environmental Quality will manage the program using $5 million in recurring state funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, while recipients must report annually on energy savings and other outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Tropical Storm Chantal Mitigation Fund within North Carolina's Division of Emergency Management to assist homeowners in seven specific counties affected by the storm. The fund will provide financial support for buying out homes, relocating residents, or repairing and rebuilding properties, with each person eligible to receive up to $500,000. A total of $25 million is allocated from the state's general fund for these purposes, with unused money returning to a disaster relief fund by June 2028. The legislation is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill creates a new program to help workers who lose their jobs due to artificial intelligence or automation. It establishes a $50 million fund to pay for job retraining and education, with a focus on skilled trades like healthcare and advanced manufacturing. The law also requires companies receiving state economic incentives to report any layoffs caused by AI or automation. Finally, it directs the State Education Assistance Authority to transfer the necessary funds to the Department of Commerce to launch this program on July 1, 2026.