Rep. Jeremy Wooldridge

Maddy summarySB 627, now Act 746, aims to assist the administration of the Code Enforcement section within the Department of Labor and Licensing. This legislation specifically focuses on enhancing the enforcement of state safety laws related to electricians, HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) professionals, elevators, and boilers. The provided text, which is an amendment adding cosponsors, does not detail the specific mechanisms or provisions of how the bill achieves this administrative assistance.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1255, now Act 857, amends the coverage of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) within the Arkansas Medicaid program. This legislation directly affects individuals enrolled in Arkansas Medicaid who require these devices for managing their health. While the specific details of the coverage changes are not provided in the amendment text, an amendment to HB 1255 removed the phrase "processes and paperwork" from the bill. The act ultimately modifies how these essential medical devices are covered for Medicaid beneficiaries in Arkansas.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1681 establishes the Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program. This program provides grants to local entities to help fund improvements and upgrades to their water and sewer treatment infrastructure. The grants will be supported by revenues authorized by law. The program is set to expire five years after its effective date, and the administering commission is required to report annually on the status of all awarded grants.

Maddy summaryHB 1732 aims to increase the income tax deduction available to teachers. This deduction applies to money teachers spend on their classrooms, often referred to as classroom investment. By increasing the allowed deduction, the bill enables teachers to reduce a larger portion of these out-of-pocket expenses from their taxable income. This change directly affects teachers who incur costs for their classrooms.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 1115 is a commemorative resolution that recognizes and commends the outstanding contributions of community action agencies in Arkansas. It acknowledges their dedication to improving the lives of Arkansans by providing critical services like housing and energy assistance, education programs, and health initiatives. The resolution expresses gratitude for their ongoing efforts to eliminate poverty and create opportunities for success across the state.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1653 establishes new standards for the licensing and regulation of psychiatric residential treatment facilities. It amends rules regarding facility expansion, including reducing the maximum bed capacity to 900 and requiring Legislative Council approval for any changes in authorized beds. The bill clarifies that facility surveys apply to all residents, who must require intensive inpatient psychiatric services. Additionally, it revises the licensing and renewal processes for long-term care facility administrators, creating distinct schedules for nursing home administrators and other long-term care facility administrators.

Maddy summaryHB 1320 regulates how healthcare insurers cover services provided by Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs), which offer immediate mental health or substance use crisis care. The bill expands the definition of "healthcare provider" to include CSUs under existing state laws. It generally prohibits health benefit plans from imposing utilization limitations or requiring prior authorization for CSU services, unless these align with Medicaid practices or are specifically authorized by the Insurance Commissioner. The Department of Human Services also cannot limit CSU access through utilization rules without the Insurance Commissioner's joint adoption. These changes affect healthcare insurers, CSUs, and individuals seeking crisis stabilization services.

Maddy summaryThis House Memorial Resolution (HMR 1010) honors Attorney Roger Colbert, who passed away in February 2025, for his professional and community contributions. It specifically recognizes his legal work in Paragould and Greene County, leadership roles in the Greene-Clay Bar Association and Arkansas Bar Association, and service with organizations like the Community Foundation of Greene County. The resolution formally commemorates his legacy and directs that a copy be presented to his family. As a memorial resolution, it does not create any new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1821 creates a single State Captive Insurance Program to replace fragmented property insurance systems for public schools, state-supported colleges/universities, and state-owned properties in Arkansas. It combines these entities under one program, prohibits the use of public adjusting firms (which the bill states increased premiums), and requires independent reappraisals of higher education properties to ensure proper valuation. The bill also establishes the Office of Property Risk within the Department of Transformation and Shared Services to manage the program and mandates coordination among state agencies for a smooth transition. These changes aim to stabilize insurance costs and improve market competitiveness for these public entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1743 amends Arkansas's 1997 Feed Law to update administrative details and clarify inspection fees for feed manufacturers and distributors. It revises definitions (like "official sample" and "board") to consistently reference the Department of Agriculture, and adjusts fee requirements: a $0.30 per ton inspection fee applies to commercial feeds, with a $10 minimum fee for quarterly reports on small-volume distributions (25-34 tons or less). These changes directly affect businesses manufacturing, distributing, or labeling commercial feed within Arkansas, requiring them to pay fees and file reports as outlined. The bill focuses on administrative clarity and fee structure updates, with no new policy changes to feed safety standards.