Rep. Carol Dalby

Maddy summarySenate Bill 575, as amended, modifies laws related to driver's license reinstatement fees and establishes a Justice System Task Force. It repeals specific state code sections that classify certain driver's license reinstatement fees as special revenue, thus changing their financial categorization. The bill also expands the proposed Justice System Task Force from ten to thirteen members, incorporating representatives from judicial councils and local government associations. These provisions are scheduled to become effective on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 568 amends laws concerning taxes on lithium extraction and development, including establishing a sales and use tax exemption for lithium resource development. It also modifies the distribution of severance taxes, specifically detailing how funds collected from salt water are allocated. The bill creates a tiered system where portions of these salt water severance taxes are directed to state general revenues. A significant share is also allocated to county road funds, distributed based on where the tax was generated. This impacts companies involved in lithium development and the funding available for state and local government services.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 5 (SCR 5) is a resolution that expresses the Arkansas General Assembly's continued encouragement for the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to achieve National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation. The resolution commends the Institute's progress, acknowledges its fundraising efforts, and encourages further private fundraising and collaboration among state entities to support this goal. This legislative action aims to facilitate the establishment of an NCI-designated cancer center in Arkansas, which could expand access to advanced cancer treatments, clinical trials, and research for Arkansans.

Maddy summaryHB 1352 (now Act 937) is a technical amendment to a bill that primarily changes a single word in the legislation - replacing "and" with "or" on page 6, line 31. It does not introduce new policies, alter substantive requirements, or directly affect any specific groups or entities. The bill was passed by the Arkansas Senate with Amendment No. 1 and signed into law on April 21, 2025. As a minor procedural correction, it has no meaningful impact on how the law operates or who it governs.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 313, as amended, concerns forensic mental health evaluations and treatment within the legal system. It establishes procedures for prosecutors and defense counsel to request mental health evaluations for defendants, allowing for ex parte or in camera hearings when privileged information is involved. The bill details the court's authority to order the administration of medication to incarcerated defendants to maintain their fitness to proceed, outlining specific conditions based on whether the defendant poses a danger. Additionally, time spent in the department's physical custody under these provisions counts towards credit for time served.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 314 amends the law regarding sexual solicitation, directly affecting individuals convicted of this offense. The bill reclassifies the penalties for sexual solicitation. A first offense is now designated as a Class A misdemeanor, carrying maximum sentences of 90 days imprisonment and/or a $2,000 fine. For a second or subsequent offense, the bill reclassifies sexual solicitation as a Class

Maddy summarySenate Bill 485 amends Arkansas laws regarding suspended sentences, probation, parole, and post-release supervision. It requires courts to tailor probation conditions to an individual's "criminogenic risks and needs" - factors that increase the risk of reoffending - and to consider presentence investigation findings. The bill also allows courts to mandate participation in community-based rehabilitative programs proven to reduce recidivism. Additionally, it establishes an Evidence-based Practices and Quality Assurance Unit within the Department of Corrections to research and evaluate offender treatment programs. These changes aim to reduce reoffending by focusing on individualized, data-driven approaches to supervision and rehabilitation.

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 488, now Act 755, amends Arkansas law regarding when a juvenile is considered adjudicated delinquent and clarifies the definition of a "juvenile." The bill specifies that a juvenile must be at least 10 years old at the time of committing certain acts, including felonies, misdemeanors, specific violations like cyberbullying a school employee, or capital/first-degree murder. It also updates the definition of a "juvenile" to include individuals from birth to 18, those who committed offenses before turning 18, and those under ongoing juvenile court jurisdiction. These changes affect how individuals under 18 are legally classified and handled within the state's juvenile justice system.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 523, now Act 762, amends state law regarding alcoholic beverages and private clubs. It expands the definition of a "private club" to allow for-profit entities, such as corporations or partnerships, to obtain private club permits, specifically for hotels, restaurants, and large-event facilities. The bill modifies membership rules, stating that in areas where alcohol sales are permitted, a person is only required to become a club member upon ordering an alcoholic beverage. Additionally, it repeals specific violations for private clubs related to maintaining membership books and serving non-members or non-guests.