Rep. Stetson Painter

Maddy summaryHB 1815, now Act 687, modifies the state's legal authority in two distinct areas. It amends the state's jurisdiction regarding federal lands located within its borders. Additionally, the bill ensures that the state retains jurisdiction over juvenile justice matters. An amendment clarifies that these juvenile cases will be heard by the circuit court or the juvenile division of the circuit court.

Maddy summaryHMR 1013 is a ceremonial House Memorial Resolution honoring the late Yellville Mayor Shawn Lane, who died on April 4, 2025. The resolution commemorates his 18-year service as Yellville's mayor, his community work (including fire department leadership, city projects like the rail spur and park upgrades), and his 34-year career at Yelcot Communications. It contains no policy changes or funding provisions - only formal recognition of his contributions to Yellville and Arkansas. The resolution was adopted by the Arkansas House of Representatives on April 15, 2025, with a copy to be presented to his family. This is a standard commemorative resolution, not a legislative bill with substantive effects.

Maddy summaryHB 1526 authorizes Arkansas' Department of Military and Arkansas National Guard to form public-private partnerships (e.g., with businesses for facility maintenance or training support) while adding transparency requirements. It directly affects the military department, National Guard, and private entities entering such agreements. The bill requires the department to report partnerships valued between $10,000-$50,000 annually or $350,000 total to the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee for review, and mandates full committee review for partnerships exceeding those thresholds. This updates existing gift rules to cover partnership agreements, ensuring legislative oversight of significant military spending without creating new funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1821 creates a single State Captive Insurance Program to replace fragmented property insurance systems for public schools, state-supported colleges/universities, and state-owned properties in Arkansas. It combines these entities under one program, prohibits the use of public adjusting firms (which the bill states increased premiums), and requires independent reappraisals of higher education properties to ensure proper valuation. The bill also establishes the Office of Property Risk within the Department of Transformation and Shared Services to manage the program and mandates coordination among state agencies for a smooth transition. These changes aim to stabilize insurance costs and improve market competitiveness for these public entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1515 (now Act 574) amends Arkansas law to expand the authority of the Adjutant General to order the Arkansas National Guard into active service. It specifically authorizes the Guard for two purposes: (1) supporting military justice proceedings when federal duty orders are unavailable, and (2) providing voluntary state active-duty support to address critical security staffing shortages in military operations. The bill directly affects the Arkansas National Guard and state military justice processes. This change became law on April 14, 2025, after passing both chambers of the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 1745, now Act 604, requires commercial drivers in Arkansas to possess valid U.S. work authorization (such as a work visa or Employment Authorization Document) and demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to read traffic signs, converse with the public, respond to officials, and complete vehicle records. It directly affects commercial motor vehicle operators in Arkansas who must meet these requirements to legally drive. Violations carry fines up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses. The law creates specific offenses for operating without required work authorization or English proficiency.

Maddy summaryHB 1802 creates a state-funded Talent Recruitment Grant Program to incentivize individuals to relocate to Arkansas. The program provides grants to municipalities and qualifying nonprofits (e.g., for economic development) to offer relocation incentives to individuals who either hold remote jobs paying at least $55,000 annually or accept full-time in-state employment. Grants up to $500,000 per applicant require recipients to cover 20% of program costs and meet 50% of their target relocation goals before receiving final payment. Recipients must report quarterly on participant income, tax impacts, and economic outcomes to ensure accountability.

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 1498 amends the law governing military-type canteens and exchanges to restrict their merchandise offerings. The bill specifically prohibits these establishments from selling automobiles, household appliances, furniture, building products, motorcycles, or bicycles. This change directly affects military canteens and exchanges operating under the current law, limiting their product range. The bill was enacted as Act 507 on April 10, 2025.

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.