Rep. Trey Steimel

Maddy summarySenate Bill 263 (now Act 330) increases the amount of the homestead property tax credit available to Arkansas homeowners. This policy change directly benefits qualifying homeowners who own and occupy their primary residence, reducing their annual property tax bill. The bill amends the existing tax credit structure to provide a higher dollar amount for eligible taxpayers. It became law after passing the Arkansas legislature and being delivered to the Governor on March 13, 2025. The change represents a concrete adjustment to tax relief for qualified homeowners without altering eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1596 increases penalties for moving traffic violations (like speeding or reckless driving) committed in highway work zones or new "mobile work zones" in Arkansas. Mobile work zones are temporary areas marked by flashing equipment (e.g., work vehicles with rotating lights) where construction or maintenance occurs for limited times. The law requires clear warning signs 1,500-5,000 feet ahead of these zones and doubles the standard fine for violations when construction personnel are present. All additional fines collected go to local county or city treasuries for general use, not specifically for roadwork.

Maddy summaryHB 1319, which was withdrawn by its author on March 17, 2025, would have created a state sales tax exemption for disabled veterans, their unremarried spouses, and surviving spouses of disabled veterans in Arkansas. The bill would have allowed these individuals to exclude up to $5,000 annually in sales tax on tangible personal property and certain digital products purchased at physical stores within the state. To claim the exemption, veterans would have needed an identification card from the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, while surviving spouses would have required certification from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The exemption would not apply to local sales taxes or the compensating use tax.

Maddy summarySB 236 amends Arkansas' Insurance Holding Company Regulatory Act to update definitions related to insurer capital and liquidity standards. It formally incorporates the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) "group capital calculation instructions" and "liquidity stress test framework" into state law, requiring insurers to follow these NAIC guidelines. The bill directly affects Arkansas-based insurance companies and the Insurance Commissioner, who must enforce these updated standards. This change aligns state regulations with national NAIC frameworks but does not alter existing investment limits or operational requirements for insurers.

Maddy summaryHB 1049 (now Act 238) amends Arkansas criminal law to establish a new offense for "unlawful squattering." The bill makes it a criminal violation for a person to occupy property without the owner's permission, specifically targeting individuals who enter or remain on property after being asked to leave. This directly affects individuals occupying vacant or abandoned properties without legal right, such as vacant homes or land. The key provision creates a specific criminal charge (likely a misdemeanor) for this conduct, distinct from general trespass laws, and specifies that the offense applies after the owner or their agent has issued a verbal or written demand to vacate.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 1028) formally recognizes National FFA Week (February 15-22, 2025) in Arkansas. It acknowledges the work of the National FFA Organization and Arkansas FFA Association - highlighting their 17,503 members and role in agricultural education - without creating new laws or funding. The resolution serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment, directing the House to send a copy to both FFA organizations. It has no policy impact beyond symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis is a memorial resolution (HMR 1004), not a substantive bill. It formally commemorates James "Jim" Guy Tucker, who served as Arkansas Attorney General, U.S. Congressman, and the state's 43rd Governor. The resolution honors his career and legacy without enacting any policy changes or affecting any group. It passed unanimously in the Arkansas House of Representatives on February 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1353 regulates vision benefit managers and amends Arkansas' Vision Care Plan Act and Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act. It prohibits insurance contracts from automatically reducing vision benefits solely due to other coverage (e.g., multiple vision plans), requiring such reductions to follow Insurance Commissioner-approved rules instead. The bill defines key terms like "covered materials" (e.g., lenses, frames) and "vision benefit manager," while banning agreements that force providers to charge more for non-covered services than their standard rates. This directly affects Arkansans with vision insurance plans and eye care providers, ensuring fairer billing practices for covered vision care services and materials. The bill passed in February 2025 and became Act 142.

Maddy summaryHB 1420 proposed multiple changes to Arkansas' insurance regulations. It amended rules for the state workers' compensation insurance plan (requiring commissioner approval for delegated administration), updated attorney bond requirements for reciprocal insurers, and repealed two existing laws: the Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool Act and minimum mental health benefits standards for group health policies. The bill also updated coverage requirements for alcohol and drug dependency treatment, mandating a minimum $6,000 annual benefit for policies exceeding $6,000 in total coverage. Note: This bill was withdrawn by its authors on February 18, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1419 would revise Arkansas's workers' compensation insurance plan by requiring the Insurance Commissioner to competitively select the plan's administrator and insurance providers at least every three years, based on cost, service quality, and performance history. The bill allows the commissioner to skip competitive bidding if the current provider has improved service, continuation benefits Arkansas, and coverage for employees working in other states remains adequate. It also mandates an annual report to the legislature detailing the selection process, plan performance, coverage in other states, and compliance with the law.