Rep. Kendra Moore

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1940 sets requirements for public school districts that choose to implement a four-day school week. The bill outlines how state aid funds will be determined and distributed to these districts. Its primary aim is to ensure that schools operating on a four-day schedule receive an equitable share of state aid. This is intended to guarantee that the educational opportunities provided are equivalent to those offered by districts following a traditional five-day school week.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1687 (HB 1687) proposes to amend Arkansas law concerning tax exemptions for water authorities. The bill would explicitly exempt water authorities formed under the relevant chapter from all excise taxes of any kind or nature. This expands their existing tax-exempt status, which already includes exemptions from ad valorem property taxes. The change aims to reduce the tax obligations for these public entities.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1431 amends the Domestic Abuse Act of 1991 in Arkansas. It expands the definition of "domestic abuse" to include patterns of behavior described as "course of control" or "disturbing the peace." The bill also defines "disturbing the peace" as a pattern of behavior that unreasonably destroys the mental or emotional calm of a family or household

Maddy summaryHJR 1015 was a proposed constitutional amendment in Arkansas that aimed to change how judicial candidates appear on the ballot. If approved, it would have required candidates for Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judge, Circuit Judge, and District Judge to declare their political party affiliation or independent status. This declared affiliation or independent status would then be printed on the ballot for voters to see. The stated purpose of the amendment was to ensure transparency regarding judicial candidates' affiliations. This amendment would have taken effect on January 1, 2027, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 1435 aimed to modify state income tax laws concerning child care. The bill sought to amend the existing income tax credit available to employers who provide child care services. Additionally, it proposed to establish a new income tax credit specifically for licensed child care providers. These provisions were intended to adjust financial incentives for both businesses supporting child care and the providers themselves.

Maddy summaryHB 1430 aims to update definitions within Arkansas's Domestic Abuse Act of 1991. The bill clarifies "course of control" as a pattern of behavior between family or household members that interferes with a person's free will and personal liberty. It also expands the definition of "disturbing the peace" to include specific actions such as exhibiting course of control, stalking, repeated threats, criminal impersonation, various forms of harassment, destroying personal property, and criminal trespass. These changes directly affect how domestic abuse is legally defined and addressed for individuals within family or household relationships.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 5 (SCR 5) is a resolution that expresses the Arkansas General Assembly's continued encouragement for the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to achieve National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation. The resolution commends the Institute's progress, acknowledges its fundraising efforts, and encourages further private fundraising and collaboration among state entities to support this goal. This legislative action aims to facilitate the establishment of an NCI-designated cancer center in Arkansas, which could expand access to advanced cancer treatments, clinical trials, and research for Arkansans.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 450 (SB 450) requires the Arkansas Department of Education to incorporate a discussion of human fetal growth and development into its academic standards. This provision will be implemented during the regular academic standards revision cycle, affecting the curriculum taught to public school students. The bill specifies that this discussion must include a high-quality, computer-generated rendering or animation. This visual aid will depict the process of fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus, noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development during each week of pregnancy until birth.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1801 authorizes outsourcing facilities that compound legend drugs and controlled substances to sell these compounded products to certain entities. It also mandates that the relevant board adopt rules for Arkansas-licensed retail pharmacies when dispensing these compounds to patients. These rules will require patient education on the compound and disclosure of the outsourcing facility's name that prepared it. This bill aims to regulate the sale and dispensing of compounded medications from outsourcing facilities.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 313, as amended, concerns forensic mental health evaluations and treatment within the legal system. It establishes procedures for prosecutors and defense counsel to request mental health evaluations for defendants, allowing for ex parte or in camera hearings when privileged information is involved. The bill details the court's authority to order the administration of medication to incarcerated defendants to maintain their fitness to proceed, outlining specific conditions based on whether the defendant poses a danger. Additionally, time spent in the department's physical custody under these provisions counts towards credit for time served.