Rep. Jon Milligan

Maddy summaryHB 1049 (now Act 238) amends Arkansas criminal law to establish a new offense for "unlawful squattering." The bill makes it a criminal violation for a person to occupy property without the owner's permission, specifically targeting individuals who enter or remain on property after being asked to leave. This directly affects individuals occupying vacant or abandoned properties without legal right, such as vacant homes or land. The key provision creates a specific criminal charge (likely a misdemeanor) for this conduct, distinct from general trespass laws, and specifies that the offense applies after the owner or their agent has issued a verbal or written demand to vacate.

Maddy summaryHB 1368 amends the list of musicians honored on Arkansas Music Appreciation Day by adding specific names to the official roster. The bill directly affects the state's commemorative designation for music professionals recognized annually. It is a procedural update to the existing holiday framework, not a policy change with broader implications. The bill became law as Act 203 on February 27, 2025, after passing both chambers.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 1028) formally recognizes National FFA Week (February 15-22, 2025) in Arkansas. It acknowledges the work of the National FFA Organization and Arkansas FFA Association - highlighting their 17,503 members and role in agricultural education - without creating new laws or funding. The resolution serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment, directing the House to send a copy to both FFA organizations. It has no policy impact beyond symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 1353 regulates vision benefit managers and amends Arkansas' Vision Care Plan Act and Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act. It prohibits insurance contracts from automatically reducing vision benefits solely due to other coverage (e.g., multiple vision plans), requiring such reductions to follow Insurance Commissioner-approved rules instead. The bill defines key terms like "covered materials" (e.g., lenses, frames) and "vision benefit manager," while banning agreements that force providers to charge more for non-covered services than their standard rates. This directly affects Arkansans with vision insurance plans and eye care providers, ensuring fairer billing practices for covered vision care services and materials. The bill passed in February 2025 and became Act 142.

Maddy summarySB 59 requires all public schools to provide one free breakfast daily to every student upon request, without checking if they qualify for federally funded free or reduced-price meals. This policy directly affects all public school students in the state, eliminating eligibility barriers for breakfast access. The bill includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon enactment. It changes school meal procedures by mandating universal breakfast availability as a standard practice, not tied to existing federal program eligibility. The bill became law as Act 123 on February 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 14 allows Arkansas' Unclaimed Property Administrator to directly pay or deliver property valued under $5,000 to someone named as the apparent owner in official reports, without requiring them to file a formal claim. This applies to individuals (not other states) who are reasonably identified as the rightful owner of the property. The bill streamlines the process for small-value unclaimed property by removing the claim requirement when ownership is clear and the amount is under $5,000. It directly affects Arkansans with unclaimed assets like old bank accounts or forgotten checks under this threshold. The law became effective on February 18, 2025, as Act 114.

Maddy summaryHB 1351 aimed to regulate vision benefit managers and amend Arkansas' Vision Care Plan Act and Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act. It would have prohibited insurers from reducing vision benefits solely due to other insurance coverage, defined key terms like "covered materials" and "vision benefit manager," and set rules for provider agreements. The bill specifically targeted how vision care providers (like optometrists) and insurers handle payments for services and materials such as glasses, contacts, and eye exams. However, the bill was withdrawn by its authors on February 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) recognizing Lorie Tudor for her 41-year career with the Arkansas Department of Transportation. It formally acknowledges her service to the state but contains no policy changes or funding provisions. The resolution has no direct impact on citizens, laws, or government operations - it serves only as a symbolic gesture of appreciation. No voting record is relevant, as it does not advance legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution commending St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro for opening Arkansas's first Maternal Life360 HOME in November 2024. It recognizes the facility's partnership with the Department of Human Services to provide home-visit services for high-risk pregnancies and postpartum care through Medicaid programs, addressing maternal health outcomes and related social needs. As a symbolic honor (not a policy change), it does not alter laws or affect any specific group beyond acknowledging this healthcare milestone.