Rep. Jeremy Wooldridge

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1702 proposed to expand sales and use tax exemptions for certain machinery and equipment used in manufacturing processes in Arkansas. It specifically aimed to add machinery and equipment used for "closed-loop recycling" to the list of items exempt from these taxes. This exemption would apply to equipment that mechanically reclaims and converts materials generated directly from a manufacturer's own process, reintroducing them into the original production cycle. The bill defined a "closed-loop circular process" as one where reclaimed post-use materials become a recognized component of the finished product.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 554 creates the Behavioral Health Loan Forgiveness Program, administered by the Department of Human Services. This program offers student loan payments to mental health professionals and licensed alcoholism and drug abuse counselors. To participate, individuals must commit to serving a minimum of three years full-time in designated "behaviorally underserved communities" in Arkansas. Upon completion of each year of service, participants receive an annual disbursement towards their eligible loans, up to a maximum of three years. Failure to fulfill the service obligation requires repayment of funds received with interest.

Maddy summaryHB 1685, known as the Grocery Tax Relief Act, exempts groceries from state sales and use taxes. This legislation amends existing state law regarding sales and use taxes levied on food and food ingredients. The bill directly affects consumers by removing the state sales tax typically applied to their grocery purchases.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 400, titled "TO AMEND THE FAIR-FUNDING PROGRAM," modifies the structure of the state's fair-funding program by reassigning specific counties to different fair districts. The bill removes Independence County from one assignment and explicitly places Lee County, Monroe County, and Phillips County into the Tri-County Fair. These changes directly affect the designated counties and the fair organizations by clarifying their participation within the state's fair-funding framework. The bill also includes a minor typographical correction.

Maddy summaryHB 1471 modifies the licensing process for speech-language pathologists and audiologists in Arkansas. This bill amends how licenses issued by the Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology expire and are renewed. It revises the grace period for license renewals, allowing licensees up to 15 days after their license's expiration date to submit renewal requests without being considered late or incurring a penalty. If renewal payment is postmarked 16 or more days after the expiration date, a late fee may be charged.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1524, now Act 939, amends the existing laws concerning bidding procedures for the construction of buildings and facilities. This legislation directly affects government agencies and construction companies involved in public building projects by modifying how bids are processed. Senate Amendment No. 1, which was adopted, specifically clarifies a provision within the bill. It ensures that certain conditions apply only to the preparation and approval of plans and specifications, rather than a broader section. The bill aims to refine the framework for these construction bidding processes.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 241 amends the Uniform Attendance and Leave Policy Act to provide paid leave for public employees. It allows for up to forty hours of catastrophic leave with pay each calendar year in the event of the death of an immediate family member. The bill broadly defines "immediate family member" to include various relatives, in-laws, and individuals acting as a parent or guardian. It also clarifies "child" to encompass biological, unborn, step, adoptive, and foster children. This leave is available to employees if the administrator of their catastrophic leave program elects to provide it.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 371 establishes a new, standardized system in Arkansas to aid in the search for missing children. This system is specifically designed for cases where a child does not meet the criteria for activating an Arkansas Amber Alert. While the provided text does not detail the specific mechanisms of this new system, its aim is to provide additional resources for locating children in these particular situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new system for property insurance for public schools, state-supported higher education institutions, and other state-owned properties. It creates the State Captive Insurance Program and the Office of Property Risk within the Department of Transformation and Shared Services to manage these combined insurance efforts. The act allows the state to create its own captive insurance company and prohibits the use of public adjusting for these property insurance claims. The goal is to create a more stable and sustainable property insurance system for these state entities by consolidating existing programs and ensuring proper property valuation. (SB 481, Act 779)

Maddy summarySenate Bill 535 creates a sales and use tax exemption specifically for the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation. This means that these two organizations will not be required to pay sales tax on their purchases of physical goods, digital products, or services. The bill amends existing state code to add this new exemption. This change aims to reduce the tax burden on the museum and its associated foundation.