Sen. Michael Lee

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 summarySB 257, the 2025 Appropriations Act, allocates funding for North Carolina's state agencies, departments, and institutions for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. It provides budget authority from the General Fund, Highway Fund, and Highway Trust Fund to cover current operations, maintenance, and specific programs like those managed by the Department of Transportation. The bill also includes federal block grant funding for health and human services (DHHS) and other designated programs. This funding measure directly affects all state entities receiving these appropriations and becomes effective July 1, 2025.

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 558 (North Carolina Senate Bill 558) requires public universities and community colleges to adopt diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that comply with state law while prohibiting the promotion of specific "divisive concepts." It defines 12 concepts as "divisive," including claims that one race or sex is inherently superior, individuals bear guilt for past actions of their race, or meritocracy is inherently racist. The bill mandates that institutions avoid teaching these concepts and bars community colleges from investigating protected speech (like satire) labeled as "microaggressions." It directly affects all public higher education employees, faculty, and students in North Carolina's university system and community colleges.

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 creates the North Carolina High School Redesign Commission to study and recommend ways to better prepare students for college and careers by exploring flexible diploma requirements, work-based learning, and competency-based education. The fifteen-member commission includes representatives from the legislature, governor, universities, community colleges, and business organizations, and it must submit its findings by April 2027. Additionally, the legislation appropriates $3.6 million to fund a pilot program for ten high schools focused on STEM education and manufacturing skills. The bill also establishes a new procedure to monitor and prevent local school districts from spending more than their state-funded allotments.

Maddy summarySB 1080 proposes a constitutional amendment to cap North Carolina's state income tax rate at a maximum of 3.5%. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, this change would prevent the legislature from raising the income tax rate higher than that threshold in the future. The bill applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, and requires a majority vote in favor to become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the North Carolina Constitution to establish a "right to work" for all residents. The key provision states that a person's right to work cannot be denied based on whether they are a member of a labor union or pay union dues. If approved by voters in a 2026 referendum, the amendment would legally protect employees from being forced to join or financially support a union as a condition of employment. The bill also authorizes the state legislature to pass additional laws to define and implement these protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the North Carolina Constitution to explicitly protect the right of people to farm and practice forestry. The amendment would declare activities such as growing crops, raising livestock, and harvesting timber as essential parts of the state's heritage that must be preserved for the public good. It clarifies that these rights are subject only to laws passed by the state legislature, meaning the change would not override existing regulations but rather affirm the practice of agriculture and forestry. Currently, the bill is in the process of being reviewed by state committees and would be voted on by eligible voters in a statewide election in November 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the North Carolina Infrastructure Investment Commission to create a long-term, 20-year strategy for improving the state's critical systems like roads, water, and energy. The new commission will consist of ten appointed members led by the State Treasurer, who will develop a comprehensive investment plan focusing on maintenance, modernization, and resilience against severe weather. Once the plan is submitted to various legislative committees and the governor by March 2028, the commission will dissolve, and any funding decisions must still be approved by the General Assembly. The legislation also allocates $300,000 to cover the administrative costs of running the commission starting in fiscal year 2026-2027.