Rep. Kendon Underwood

Maddy summarySB 294 amends Arkansas election audit laws to require the State Board of Election Commissioners to audit any county that had less than 100% accuracy in a previous election audit. This directly affects county election offices, mandating they undergo an additional audit before the next primary or general election if their prior audit showed accuracy below 100%. The bill adds this requirement to existing procedures, specifying that counties failing the accuracy standard must be selected for audit in the subsequent election cycle. The law, now Act 280, became effective March 12, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 210 requires anyone signing an initiative or referendum petition in Arkansas to read the petition's summary (ballot title) aloud in the presence of a canvasser, or have it read to them by the canvasser. This applies directly to petition signers and canvassers who collect signatures. The bill adds a new requirement to the canvasser's affidavit verifying that signers read the summary in their presence, and creates a misdemeanor offense for canvassers who accept signatures without this verification. The bill declares an emergency to ensure it takes effect before the 2026 election, citing the need to strengthen integrity in the citizen-initiative process.

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 summarySB 208 requires canvassers collecting signatures for initiative or referendum petitions to request photo identification from signers before obtaining their signatures. This change directly affects petitioners, canvassers, and voters participating in signature-gathering for statewide initiatives or referendums. The bill amends existing law to specify that canvassers may request a "document or identification card permitted under § 7-1-101(40)" as proof of identity. The bill was passed with an emergency clause on March 3, 2025, and became law as Act 240 the following day.

Maddy summarySB 211 requires canvassers gathering signatures for initiative or referendum petitions to submit a sworn affidavit before those signatures can be counted. This change directly affects petition circulators, mandating they verify signature authenticity through an official affidavit. The bill includes a limited exception allowing signatures to count if a canvasser dies or has a medical disability preventing affidavit submission. It was passed as an emergency measure, expediting its approval and making it law as Act 241.

Maddy summarySB 207 requires petition circulators (canvassers) to inform people that signing initiative or referendum petitions is subject to criminal penalties for fraud. It amends the law to specify that petition fraud is a "criminal offense" (replacing "Class A misdemeanor") when disclosed to petition signers. The bill was enacted as Act 218 after an emergency clause was adopted, but does not change the actual penalties for fraud. This directly affects individuals collecting signatures for citizen-led ballot measures by mandating this disclosure during the petition process.

Maddy summarySB 214 adds second-degree murder (as defined under Arkansas law §5-10-103) to the list of crimes that make inmates ineligible for meritorious furloughs - a program allowing eligible prisoners to earn early release for good behavior. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of second-degree murder, barring them from participating in such furlough programs. It expands an existing exclusion list that already covers capital murder, first-degree murder, rape, and other serious offenses under Arkansas correctional rules. The change became law as Act 137 on February 25, 2025.

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 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.