Rep. Fran Cavenaugh

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1653 establishes new standards for the licensing and regulation of psychiatric residential treatment facilities. It amends rules regarding facility expansion, including reducing the maximum bed capacity to 900 and requiring Legislative Council approval for any changes in authorized beds. The bill clarifies that facility surveys apply to all residents, who must require intensive inpatient psychiatric services. Additionally, it revises the licensing and renewal processes for long-term care facility administrators, creating distinct schedules for nursing home administrators and other long-term care facility administrators.

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 1688, now Act 710, amends Arkansas law concerning the use of a dealer's extra license plate. Based on the bill's title, it aims to modify regulations that directly affect vehicle dealers and how they utilize these specialized plates. The provided text, however, focuses on an amendment that added Senator Stone as a cosponsor, rather than detailing the specific policy changes within the bill.

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 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 summarySB 529 updates Arkansas' Independent Tax Appeals Commission Act to clarify procedures for taxpayers challenging state tax decisions. It defines "small claims" as disputes under $10,000 (excluding penalties/interest) and requires commissioners to have either legal/accounting credentials or five years of tax experience. The bill mandates the Commission to hire a staff attorney and a tax accountant with manufacturing/business expertise, while also setting commissioner salaries comparable to state district court judges. These changes directly affect taxpayers filing appeals and the Commission's operational structure, clarifying its jurisdiction limits (e.g., excluding constitutional challenges or pending lawsuits).

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 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 summaryHB 1920 would transfer general state revenue to the Aging and Adult Services Fund to provide food services for elderly residents. This funding directly supports older adults participating in state-supported meal programs, particularly those facing food insecurity. The bill includes an emergency declaration to expedite the transfer, allowing immediate use of funds without waiting for regular budget cycles. The policy change ensures prompt access to nutritious meals for seniors through existing state services.