Rep. Scott Richardson

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 1071 amends Arkansas's Frank Broyles Publicity Rights Protection Act to clarify how the law applies to the commercial use of an individual's name, voice, photograph, or likeness. It specifies that the law should be interpreted liberally to protect these rights and does not invalidate existing contracts or licenses for such use. The amendment also explicitly states that these rights are not considered "intellectual property" under federal law (47 U.S.C. § 230), which shields online platforms from liability for user content. This change ensures state publicity rights remain enforceable without conflicting with federal internet regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 1060 (now Act 134) requires Tennessee public schools to revise curriculum content about government systems. It mandates teaching students how communist and autocratic systems have failed historically, while reinforcing lessons on the resilience of the U.S. constitutional republic. The bill directly affects K-12 schools and students in Tennessee by adding specific instructional requirements to social studies courses. Key provisions include amending existing curriculum standards to include these new teaching points, with the 2026-2027 school year as the effective implementation timeline. The policy change focuses on mandated classroom content, not advocacy or political outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 1437 prohibits Level 3 or Level 4 sex offenders from entering water parks, swimming areas, or children's playgrounds within 100 feet of Arkansas State Parks or public parks. It directly affects individuals required to register under Arkansas' Sex Offender Registration Act who have been assessed as Level 3 or 4 offenders. The bill expands prior restrictions by adding swimming areas and playgrounds to the prohibited zones, with violations classified as Class D felonies. This law amends Arkansas Code § 5-14-134 to cover all public parks and state parks, not just local government-owned facilities.

Maddy summarySB 142, now Act 122, bans students from possessing or using personal electronic devices (like phones) during the entire school day, directly affecting public school students. The law requires schools to update discipline policies to include specific exemptions: devices issued by the school for educational use, special events (defined by future rules), and devices needed for students with special education plans or concurrent enrollment college courses. It replaces prior rules with these clear exemptions while maintaining the overall "bell to bell" device ban. The bill passed in February 2025 and became law without additional committee action.

Maddy summarySB 59 requires all public schools to provide one free breakfast daily to every student upon request, without checking if they qualify for federally funded free or reduced-price meals. This policy directly affects all public school students in the state, eliminating eligibility barriers for breakfast access. The bill includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon enactment. It changes school meal procedures by mandating universal breakfast availability as a standard practice, not tied to existing federal program eligibility. The bill became law as Act 123 on February 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1204 (now Act 28) amends Arkansas law to clarify that plaintiffs in medical negligence cases can only recover the actual costs they paid for necessary medical care, treatment, or services - or costs legally owed by them or a third party. It directly affects individuals filing medical malpractice claims and healthcare providers by limiting recoverable damages to amounts actually paid or legally responsible. The key provision changes the standard for medical cost recovery from billed rates to verified payments, preventing recovery of unpaid or inflated charges. This law, enacted on February 11, 2025, provides a clearer financial framework for medical negligence claims in Arkansas.

Maddy summaryHB 1219, a proposed Arkansas bill, would require all law enforcement agencies and public entities employing officers (including school resource officers, university police, and state capitol police) to provide body-worn cameras to every officer by December 31, 2026. It mandates that officers wear cameras during all public interactions, undergo training on their use, and that agencies establish recording policies. The bill also requires state agencies to create implementing rules by August 1, 2026. This legislation was introduced in January 2025 but was withdrawn by its author on February 6, 2025, and never advanced.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) recognizing Lorie Tudor for her 41-year career with the Arkansas Department of Transportation. It formally acknowledges her service to the state but contains no policy changes or funding provisions. The resolution has no direct impact on citizens, laws, or government operations - it serves only as a symbolic gesture of appreciation. No voting record is relevant, as it does not advance legislation.