Rep. Nicole Clowney

Maddy summaryThe provided context for HB 1657 only shows cosponsor additions and procedural status (it became Act 709 on April 16, 2025), not the bill's substantive policy content. The title references an "income tax credit" for wood energy products and forest maintenance, but the text does not explain how the credit is amended or who it affects. Without the actual policy provisions or bill text describing changes to the tax credit, a factual summary of its mechanisms or impact cannot be generated. To provide a meaningful summary, the bill's specific policy language would be required.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1782, now Act 642, prohibits the sale, transfer, or furnishing of over-the-counter diet pills to individuals who are under eighteen years of age. This means that retailers and other parties are not permitted to provide these specific products to minors. The law directly affects sellers of these pills and individuals under 18 seeking to purchase them.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1333, now Act 627, mandates that health insurance plans must provide coverage for breastfeeding and lactation consultant services. This bill directly affects individuals who utilize these services by ensuring their insurance covers the costs. It requires health insurance providers to include this specific coverage in their plans. An amendment clarified that these services must be provided by a certified healthcare provider.

Maddy summaryHB 1641 (now Act 600) makes it a crime to use a tracking device to follow or monitor someone without their consent for the purpose of harassment. It specifically adds using such devices to the list of harassment offenses under Arkansas law, defining a "tracking device" as one that reveals location via electronic signals. The law includes an exception allowing parents or legal guardians to track minors with a tracking device. This directly affects individuals who use location-tracking technology without consent to harass others, while permitting parental monitoring of children. The change clarifies that unauthorized tracking for harassment is now explicitly punishable under existing harassment statutes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 29, 2025, as Vietnam War Veterans Day and March 2025 as Vietnam Era Veterans Month in Arkansas. It formally recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of Vietnam War veterans through state-level ceremonial observance. The resolution does not create new laws, programs, or benefits - it serves solely as a symbolic gesture of appreciation. It affects Arkansas residents by establishing official dates for state-level recognition of veterans' service.

Maddy summaryHB 1245, now Act 432, establishes a registration system for behavior analysts in Arkansas. It requires practitioners to pay an application fee of up to $200 and a renewal fee of up to $150, with fines for violations ranging from $500 to $1,000 for initial offenses and up to $5,000 plus potential license revocation for repeat violations. The law directly affects behavior analysts providing services in Arkansas and explicitly states it does not require additional training or continuing education beyond existing certification. Key provisions include standardized fees, penalty structures, and verification of current certification for renewal. The bill was enacted on April 3, 2025, after Senate amendments were approved.

Maddy summaryHB 1322 expands death benefits for police and firefighters who die from specific occupational cancers while on duty. It amends Arkansas retirement law to include leukemia, lymphoma, mesothelioma, and other cancers linked to firefighting or police work - particularly those diagnosed during active service and tied to workplace carcinogen exposure. Surviving spouses now qualify for adjusted annuities based on 25 years of service (or their standard benefit), whichever is greater, for deaths occurring after November 2019. The bill declares an emergency to ensure timely implementation by July 1, 2025, without requiring retroactive payments for past cases.

Maddy summaryHR 1084 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Arkansas House of Representatives to honor Martha Jarrow, Director of Member Services, for her dedicated service to the House and state. The resolution recognizes her leadership in developing staff training programs, improving legislative communication, and fostering a collaborative workplace environment. Adopted on March 20, 2025, it formally acknowledges her contributions and will be presented to her by the House Chief Clerk.

Maddy summarySB 307, now Act 373, creates the "Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025" to support energy infrastructure investments. It requires the Arkansas Public Service Commission to consider strategic investments in natural gas and electric generation when setting utility rates, allowing companies to recover costs for approved projects. The bill mandates refunds to customers for imprudently incurred costs and sets new requirements for utility infrastructure projects to ensure grid reliability during extreme weather. It directly affects investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities operating in Arkansas by changing how they recover infrastructure costs through rate cases. The legislation declares an emergency to expedite these energy infrastructure developments.

Maddy summaryHR 1076 is a ceremonial House Resolution recognizing Judge Stacey Zimmerman's retirement after 34 years of service as a juvenile judge in Madison and Washington Counties, Arkansas. It formally honors her career, including her legal education, private practice, and roles as a judge and community volunteer. The resolution, adopted by the Arkansas House of Representatives on March 19, 2025, includes no new laws or policy changes - it is a non-binding gesture of appreciation. The House will present a copy of the resolution to Judge Zimmerman personally. This bill directly affects no individuals through legal obligations, as it solely expresses legislative recognition.