Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1534 proposes to increase the existing homestead property tax credit. This bill directly affects homeowners by reducing the amount of property taxes they owe on their primary residence. The key mechanism is an adjustment to the credit amount, providing a larger tax reduction for eligible households.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 394, as amended, modifies the conditions under which a county's quorum court can refer changes in the allocation of county sales and use tax revenues for capital improvements to a public vote. It stipulates that such a public vote on revenue distribution among the county and its municipalities is permissible only if the population of the largest municipality in the county exceeds the population of the unincorporated areas of the county. This change directly affects county quorum courts and the process for altering how these specific tax revenues are divided within a county.
Maddy summarySB 321 amends Arkansas' State Administration of Justice Fund law to change the order of funding priority when the fund balance is insufficient. It directs that available funds must first cover: court reporters' costs, the Arkansas District Judges Council's executive director, the Trial Court Administrator Fund, and county juror reimbursements. This bill directly affects court operations and funding for judicial support services across Arkansas. The bill passed the Senate in March 2025 but died in the House Judiciary Committee on May 5, 2025, without becoming law.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 204 proposes to exempt certain financial gains from state gross income for tax purposes. This exemption would apply to taxpayers whose property is acquired by a government or entity under the right of eminent domain or the threat of condemnation. Essentially, any profit a property owner makes from such a forced sale would not be considered taxable income under this bill.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 472 aimed to establish a new violation in Arkansas law. It would have made it illegal for minors to purchase or possess e-liquid or vapor products. An amendment was adopted, providing an exception if the minor was acting under the specific conditions outlined in § 5-27-227(c) of state code.
Maddy summaryHB 1708, titled "The Keep the Bonus, Axe the Tax: The No-Tax Bonus Act," proposed to exempt certain bonus payments from state income tax in Arkansas. This bill directly affects employees who receive these specific types of bonuses. It defines a bonus as an additional, nonrecurring payment that does not increase an employee's base pay and includes no commitment for future payments. If passed, these defined bonuses would not be subject to income tax for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 1203 aimed to eliminate a specific fee for businesses in Arkansas applying for a new sales tax permit. The bill would have prohibited the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration from charging a $50 nonrefundable fee that was previously required to issue a new gross receipts tax permit. While removing this application fee, the bill maintained the existing requirement for out-of-state businesses to provide a cash deposit or bond to cover their annual sales tax.
Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 1004 (HJR 1004) proposes that the state formally requests the United States Congress to call a Convention of the States. The specific purpose of this convention would be to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This amendment would establish term limits for members of the United States Congress, directly affecting those who serve in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Maddy summaryHB 1070, titled "TO CREATE THE BALLOT DRAW STANDARDIZATION ACT OF 2025," aimed to establish standardized procedures for drawing ballots in elections. The bill's context does not provide specific policy details about its provisions or who it would directly affect. The bill was introduced with cosponsors added via amendment, passed committee review, but ultimately failed on third reading in the House on March 13, 2025. It died on the House calendar after the legislative session ended on May 5, 2025. No substantive policy changes or mechanisms are described in the provided context.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends campaign finance reporting requirements for candidates seeking school district, township, municipal, and county offices. It mandates annual reports for candidates not on a ballot and adjusts filing deadlines for certain preelection and supplemental reports. The bill also creates exceptions to preelection reporting for candidates with less than $500 in campaign activity (excluding filing fees) or those running unopposed. Conversely, candidates receiving over $5,000 in contributions will now be required to file monthly preelection reports.
