Sen. Vickie Sawyer

Maddy summaryThe Safe Camps Act establishes a new permitting and safety program for youth camps in North Carolina, requiring operators to obtain annual permits from the Department of Health unless they are religiously sponsored day camps. Key provisions include a ban on placing cabins in floodplains, mandates for emergency planning and warning communication systems, and the creation of minimum safety standards for campgrounds covering sanitation, water, and aquatic safety. The bill also defines specific terms like "youth camp" and "cabin" to clarify which facilities are regulated and outlines a process for updating permits after significant changes to camp structures or boundaries. Implementation of these rules will be overseen by the Department of Health, which will provide technical assistance and conduct inspections to ensure compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Ferry Division within the Department of Transportation. The audit will review financial spending, evaluate current operations and maintenance activities, and analyze the route system to identify ways to increase revenue and lower costs. Additionally, the auditor will explore options for diversifying revenue sources to support capital projects and cover operating expenses. The final report must be submitted to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division by October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates North Carolina laws regarding driver education and commercial driver training to improve safety and oversight. It requires the Division of Motor Vehicles to provide free printed copies of the driver's license handbook to public schools, ensuring students learn about proper interactions with law enforcement during traffic stops. The legislation also imposes stricter rules on commercial driver training schools, mandating they meet public school education standards and keep their contracts available for inspection. Additionally, the bill establishes continuing education requirements for driver instructors, sets specific license renewal fees, and allocates $100,000 in state funds to help cover the costs of these new regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies teacher licensure rules in North Carolina by removing a specific testing requirement for admission into educator preparation programs. It extends the deadline for completing licensure exams to the third year of a teacher's career, provided the individual takes the exam at least once during their first year. Additionally, the legislation simplifies the process for out-of-state applicants by allowing them to obtain a North Carolina license if they have three years of teaching experience and hold a valid license from another state with similar requirements. The act also allocates $50,000 in funding for implementation and takes effect on July 1, 2026, with other provisions becoming law immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes local governments in North Carolina to borrow money to accelerate specific transportation projects that are scheduled for funding under the State Transportation Improvement Program. To access these funds early, localities must sign an expedited agreement with the Department of Transportation that outlines project details, financial forecasts, and a repayment plan. The borrowed money, known as grant anticipation notes, must be repaid solely from the future state or federal grant funds and cannot exceed the total amount of that funding. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Transportation to ensure that any changes to the state's transportation plan do not delay the repayment of these notes.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands sales tax exemptions in North Carolina for specific nonprofit organizations and adds a new exemption for diapers and incontinence underpads prescribed by Medicaid providers. It clarifies which types of nonprofits, such as hospitals and certain 501(c)(3) groups, qualify for tax-free purchases of goods and services needed for their operations, while explicitly excluding certain utility services and liquor. The legislation also establishes a formal application process requiring nonprofits to obtain an exemption number from the state and imposes liability for back taxes if the exemption number is misused. Additionally, the bill modifies ownership rules for property used by charities and sets annual dollar limits on the total tax exemptions and refunds available to eligible entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires North Carolina public schools to update their computer science standards to include age-appropriate artificial intelligence literacy for students from kindergarten through 12th grade, with a focus on ethics, privacy, and safety. It mandates that all local school boards, charter schools, and state agencies adopt specific AI use policies based on a model policy developed by the Department of Public Instruction by mid-2027. Additionally, the bill establishes a framework for evaluating AI educational tools and requires the state to contract with the Friday Institute to provide training for educators and administrators on using AI effectively. These measures are designed to ensure that schools have clear guidelines and resources for integrating AI into their educational environments while protecting student data and maintaining academic integrity.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill requires state agencies to eliminate job positions that have remained vacant for at least 24 consecutive months, with the goal of reducing government spending on unfilled roles. Starting in July 2026, the Office of State Budget and Management will transfer unused salary funds associated with these long-term vacancies into a budget reserve, which cannot be spent unless the General Assembly approves it. The law includes specific exceptions, such as positions held open due to court orders, roles funded entirely by federal money, and critical jobs in 24-hour operations like public safety and inmate care. Additionally, the bill mandates that state agencies report details about eliminated or excluded positions to the General Assembly by December 2026 and establishes a permanent rule for abolishing such vacancies in future fiscal years.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles to create a special license plate called the 'America's Semiquincentennial' plate. The plate will feature the phrase 'America 250' and other designs to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Any registered vehicle owner in the state will be eligible to purchase this plate starting on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Tyler's Law, requires North Carolina to conduct a full investigation before officially ruling any death as a suicide. Under the new rules, medical examiners must interview people connected to the scene and test for gunshot residue if a firearm was involved, ensuring these steps are documented before a final determination is made. To support this expanded work, the legislation increases the fee paid to county medical examiners from $200 to $400 per case and provides state funding to cover the cost increase starting in 2026. The law applies to all deaths occurring on or after it becomes effective, aiming to ensure thorough reviews of apparent suicides.