Maddy summarySB 279 amends Arkansas' wage enforcement laws to strengthen the Division of Labor's ability to recover unpaid wages for workers. It clarifies investigation timelines (allowing reviews of wages from the past two years, extendable if investigations are hindered), tolls the statute of limitations during complaints, and sets a one-year deadline for legal action after a final decision. The bill directly affects Arkansas workers owed wages, the Division of Labor (which enforces it), and employers who may face enforcement actions. Key provisions include allowing employees to join administrative proceedings if violations delayed investigations and requiring the Division to fully investigate all wage complaints. These changes aim to make wage enforcement more efficient and accessible for workers.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 270 amends Arkansas law to standardize filing periods for nonpartisan candidates running for school boards and municipal offices. It requires all such candidates to file petitions or statements during a consistent one-week window - beginning at noon and ending at noon - exactly 90 days before the election. This applies to school board candidates (under §6-14-111), independent municipal candidates (§14-42-206), and city manager/administrator form candidates (§§14-47-110, 14-48-109). The change replaces previous varying deadlines with a single, uniform 90-day filing period across these election types.
Maddy summaryHB 1593 combines reporting requirements for Arkansas' correctional agencies. It mandates that the Board of Corrections, Division of Correction, and Division of Community Correction submit a single biennial report to the Governor and General Assembly, including statistics on inmate discipline, facility use, and racial breakdowns for community corrections. The bill also requires quarterly reports on vacant parole and probation officer positions. These changes consolidate previous reporting duties into one streamlined process. The bill was enacted as Act 358 on March 20, 2025.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 263 (now Act 330) increases the amount of the homestead property tax credit available to Arkansas homeowners. This policy change directly benefits qualifying homeowners who own and occupy their primary residence, reducing their annual property tax bill. The bill amends the existing tax credit structure to provide a higher dollar amount for eligible taxpayers. It became law after passing the Arkansas legislature and being delivered to the Governor on March 13, 2025. The change represents a concrete adjustment to tax relief for qualified homeowners without altering eligibility requirements.
Maddy summarySB 272 prohibits pre-filled party affiliation fields on Arkansas voter registration forms, requiring these fields to remain blank for applicants. The bill directly affects voters registering to vote in Arkansas by ensuring they actively choose their party affiliation rather than having it pre-selected. It amends Arkansas Constitution Amendment 51, Section 6, to implement this change in voter registration procedures. The bill became law as Act 278 on March 12, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution passed by the Arkansas House of Representatives expressing support for President Trump's nomination of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as U.S. Ambassador to Israel. It has no legal effect but urges swift confirmation to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations, citing Huckabee's experience, pro-Israel advocacy, and religious ties. The resolution was adopted unanimously and transmitted to the President and Senate for consideration.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling to issue provisional licenses to Licensed Associate Counselors and Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapists. The provisional license would be valid for one year, allowing up to three attempts to pass the required licensure exam, and cannot be renewed. It directly affects associate-level mental health professionals working toward full licensure in counseling or marriage/family therapy. The policy change standardizes the provisional licensing process for both professions under existing qualification requirements.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution recognizing Peyton Bolling of Rogers, Arkansas, as Miss America's Teen 2025. It honors her historic achievement as the first Arkansas contestant to win the national title, her academic accomplishments (4.2 GPA, AP Scholar), and her civic initiatives like "Civics in Motion." The resolution has no policy provisions - it simply expresses the Arkansas House's recognition and will present her with a copy upon adoption. As a procedural resolution, it does not affect any laws or directly impact constituents.
Maddy summaryHB 1278 requires surveyors to notify the owner and follow all visitor protocols - including biosecurity measures - before entering a commercial poultry farm for surveying purposes. It specifically applies to farms with poultry houses exceeding 5,000 square feet, directly affecting surveyors working near such facilities and poultry farm owners. The bill mandates these steps to protect farm biosecurity without creating new protocols, only requiring surveyors to comply with existing farm rules. This law, now Act 99, aims to prevent potential contamination risks during survey activities.