Rep. Steve Unger

Maddy summaryHB 1001 reduces income tax rates for Arkansas residents, including individuals, trusts, estates, and both domestic and foreign corporations. For individuals, the bill establishes a progressive tax structure with rates ranging from 0% to 3.7% for income up to $94,700, while providing a specific tax credit for income between $94,701 and $97,600. Corporations see their tax brackets adjusted starting in 2027, with rates increasing from 1% to 4.1% on net income exceeding $11,000. The legislation also includes provisions for annual adjustments to the individual tax tables to account for inflation or other economic factors.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $506,000 in state funding to the Arkansas Department of Corrections for reentry center grants during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The money will support programs that help individuals transitioning from incarceration to community life, with funds drawn from the Division of Community Correction Fund Account. The legislation includes standard state financial compliance requirements and declares an emergency to ensure the funding takes effect on July 1, 2026, regardless of legislative delays.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 277 amends the Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013 in Arkansas. It specifically allows individuals to file a new petition to seal a misdemeanor conviction for theft of property. This petition can be filed after a period of ten years has elapsed since the date the theft of property offense occurred.

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 summaryHB 1576 aimed to prohibit the placement of solid waste landfills in specific geological areas. The bill proposed to ban landfills in the outcrop areas of geologic formations, explicitly including karst topography. This measure would have directly affected waste management companies by restricting potential landfill sites and aimed to protect communities and environments in areas with these geological features.

Maddy summarySB 526 proposed to prohibit the retail sale of specific disposable vapor products in Arkansas. It defined a "disposable vapor product" as one with a non-detachable battery that cannot be refilled and is designed for disposal after use. The bill would have banned retailers from selling such products if they originated from a "prohibited foreign party." The Director of Arkansas Tobacco Control could seize non-compliant products, with violations being a Class A misdemeanor, although FDA-approved products were exempt. A 90-day grace period was included for businesses to liquidate existing inventory.

Maddy summarySB 120 aimed to require all private care agencies in Arkansas to obtain licensure, intended to provide consumer protection for vulnerable aging adults. A key provision of the bill mandated specific background checks for applicants. These checks would involve federal and state criminal background screenings, as well as searches of child and adult maltreatment registries.

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 summaryHouse Bill 1776 aimed to amend the requirements for obtaining or expanding permits for solid waste landfills and transfer stations in Arkansas. The bill defined a "host community" as the closest governmental unit with zoning authority within a twelve-mile radius of the proposed site. It stipulated that applicants must first obtain a certificate of need from the regional solid waste management board, which would expire after four years during the permit application process. Furthermore, the application would need to include a city council resolution or quorum court minute order from the host community reflecting its decision, voted on at a regularly scheduled public meeting.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1626, as amended, aimed to prohibit the sale of certain disposable vapor products. The bill's central provision was to ban the sale of disposable vapor products that originate from a "prohibited foreign party," a term defined by referencing an existing legal statute (§ 18-11-802). This measure would have directly impacted retailers selling vapor products and consumers who purchase them. The bill did not pass and died in committee.