Rep. Kendra Moore

Maddy summaryHB 1303 (now Act 546) creates a state income tax credit for businesses producing sustainable aviation fuel in Arkansas. The credit allows eligible producers to reduce their state income tax liability by up to the full amount of tax they owe in a given year. It directly affects aviation fuel producers who meet the bill's sustainability criteria, providing financial incentive to develop and use cleaner fuel alternatives. The law, enacted April 10, 2025, establishes this credit as part of Arkansas' efforts to support sustainable energy infrastructure.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 320 amends multiple Arkansas statutes to update references to the Arkansas Juvenile Code of 1989, specifically citing sections §9-27-301 et seq. and §9-35-101 et seq. The bill clarifies how the juvenile code applies to cases involving underage alcohol possession, custody transfers, and juvenile delinquency proceedings. It ensures consistent legal references across statutes without changing substantive law. This affects juvenile courts, law enforcement, and child welfare agencies when handling cases under the juvenile code.

Maddy summarySB 83 requires health insurance plans to cover breast reconstruction surgeries following mastectomy, directly affecting patients needing this care and insurers providing coverage. The bill mandates prior authorization (meaning insurers must approve coverage before surgery) and sets a minimum reimbursement rate for providers, aligning it with an existing rate under Arkansas law. It applies to all health insurance plans sold in Arkansas, ensuring consistent coverage standards for this specific medical procedure. The law became effective after Governor approval as Act 424 on April 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1609 increases penalties for human traffickers who recruit victims from high-risk locations. It mandates a 10-year prison sentence (up from standard penalties) if traffickers target individuals at facilities like youth shelters, correctional facilities, foster homes, childcare institutions, or juvenile detention centers. The bill directly affects traffickers who exploit vulnerable populations in these specific settings. It creates a clear legal mechanism to impose harsher sentences based on the victim’s location at the time of recruitment. The bill became law as Act 366 on March 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1348 expands survivor benefits under Arkansas' public employees' and state police retirement systems to include dependent children who previously lost coverage upon reaching a certain age. The bill directly affects minor children of deceased retirees from these systems by ensuring they continue receiving benefits until age 18 (or 22 if in school), removing prior eligibility cutoffs. Key provisions amend existing statutes to clarify that dependent children qualify for survivor benefits regardless of age, provided they meet dependency requirements. The bill was passed as an emergency measure and became Act 364 on March 20, 2025.

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 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.

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 1581 amends Arkansas law to include "trafficking of persons" (under § 5-18-103) and "grooming a minor for future sex trafficking" (under § 5-18-106) in the legal definition of "sex offense" for victim rights purposes. This change directly affects victims of human trafficking and minor grooming, granting them the same legal protections and rights as victims of other defined sex offenses. The bill adds these specific crimes to the existing list in Arkansas Code § 16-90-1101(6), ensuring they qualify for victim services and support under the state's rights framework. It does not create new penalties but expands eligibility for victim protections. The bill was enacted as Act 316 on March 18, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 1007 is a concurrent resolution urging Congress to reevaluate Medicare reimbursement rates for Arkansas healthcare providers. It specifically requests that Congress adjust the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule locality structure to create separate reimbursement categories for the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers (CBSA 22220) and Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway (CBSA 30780) metropolitan areas, which currently share a single locality code (Locality 13) despite higher operational costs. The resolution argues that current reimbursement rates fail to reflect actual practice costs in these urban areas, disproportionately impacting providers and limiting patient access to care. Arkansas lawmakers note the state ranks third-worst nationally for Medicare locality reimbursement, urging Congress to correct this to ensure fair compensation aligned with regional economic realities. (Note: This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, intended to encourage federal action.)