Sen. Vickie Sawyer

Maddy summarySB 474, the DAVE Act, creates a new Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency within North Carolina's State Auditor's office. It requires all state agencies to report by October 2025 on how they spend public funds and list vacant positions held for six months or longer, including reasons for vacancies. The Division will assess whether agencies or specific positions remain necessary, using AI tools to analyze spending effectiveness, duplication, and budget use. By December 2025, the Division must recommend to the legislature which agencies or positions should be eliminated based on this review.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in North Carolina law to modernize and simplify the state's human resources system for employees in state agencies and universities. It creates a decentralized system under the Governor's direction where agency heads are responsible for managing their own personnel, while the Office of State Human Resources provides oversight. The legislation sets core principles for the workforce, including equal opportunity, fair compensation, and clear accountability, and it defines specific categories of employees such as career and temporary staff. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds to support these modernization efforts and clarifies the roles of various government bodies within the new framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "Truth in Taxation," requires local taxing authorities in North Carolina to follow a specific process before raising property tax rates above a revenue-neutral level during years when a general reappraisal of real property occurs. To implement this change, the governing body must publish public notices in newspapers and online, send direct mail to taxpayers detailing the proposed tax increase, and hold a dedicated public hearing where a majority vote is required to approve the higher rate. If a local government fails to comply with these procedures and collects excess taxes, the bill mandates that they refund the overage to affected property owners. Additionally, the legislation increases the late reinstatement fee for expired real estate appraiser trainee registrations, licenses, and certificates to $12 per month, up from $10.

Maddy summarySB 227 prohibits North Carolina public schools from teaching or promoting 12 specific "divisive concepts" defined in the bill, such as claims that one race is inherently superior or that individuals bear responsibility for past actions of their race. The bill directly affects K-12 students, teachers, and school employees by banning instruction on these concepts and restricting professional development that includes them. Key provisions include requiring schools to avoid "discriminatory practices" and preventing staff from being compelled to affirm divisive concepts. The bill does not ban all diversity initiatives but targets specific teachings it deems contrary to "equality and rights of all persons." This is a proposed bill (not yet law) currently under review in the North Carolina Senate.

Maddy summarySB 153, the North Carolina Border Protection Act, requires state law enforcement and correctional facilities to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. It mandates that state employees determine the immigration status of people in custody, report non-citizens to ICE, and enter into 287(g) agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to allow designated officers to enforce immigration laws under ICE supervision. The bill also prohibits UNC constituent institutions from adopting sanctuary policies. These provisions directly affect state departments of Public Safety and Adult Correction, as well as UNC universities. The bill does not change existing federal immigration law but requires state agencies to align their practices with federal enforcement priorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "NC Farm Act of 2025" but actually addressing vehicle dealer regulations, extends the grace period for dealer license renewals from 30 to 60 days after expiration while an application is pending. It also aligns dealer registration plate renewals with license renewals, requiring plates to expire at the same time as the license and mandating replacement every three to four years. The changes directly affect vehicle dealers in North Carolina who must renew licenses and plates, ensuring their business operations remain valid during review and simplifying renewal scheduling. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, for licenses and plates issued on or after that date. (Note: The title "Farm Act" is misleading, as the bill contains no agricultural provisions.)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires counties in North Carolina that completed a property reappraisal effective January 1, 2026, to temporarily pause using those new values for tax calculations. Instead, these counties must use the property values from their previous reappraisal for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and continue using the 2026 reappraisal values for all future years until a new general reappraisal is conducted. The legislation also clarifies the timeline for scheduling the next reappraisal and allows taxpayers to appeal property listings related to the 2026 reappraisal during the 2027 calendar year. Additionally, the bill updates qualifications and requirements for county assessors, mandating a $20 examination fee for certain candidates and requiring all assessors to complete 30 hours of continuing education every 24 months.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 587 clarifies the rules for existing properties that no longer meet current land development regulations, termed "nonconformities." It defines a nonconformity as a lawfully established lot, structure, or use that doesn't comply with new regulations, provided it's not expanded or intensified. The bill establishes that new regulations generally cannot apply to these existing nonconformities without the property owner's written consent, protecting their continued use. Property owners are permitted to reconstruct or repair nonconforming elements as long as they are not enlarged. However, this protection may expire if the nonconformity is intentionally and voluntarily discontinued for 24 consecutive months, with provisions to pause this period during certain legal proceedings or emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution initiates the confirmation process for Daniel Johnson to serve as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The bill directs the Senate to review and vote on the Governor's nomination, following the state constitution's requirement for senatorial advice and consent. Once adopted, the resolution formally begins the legislative steps needed to officially appoint Johnson to the leadership role.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SB 503, aims to improve efficiency within the Office of Vital Records. It establishes a 30-calendar-day deadline for the Office of Vital Records and local register of deeds offices to process requests for birth and death certificate amendments, directly affecting individuals seeking these changes. Additionally, the bill prohibits employees of the Office of Vital Records from teleworking, except during declared disasters or emergencies as determined by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.