Rep. Joey Carr

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1875 amends existing law regarding the use of ignition interlock devices. Its primary purpose is to extend the mandatory period for which individuals, often those with certain driving offenses, are required to use these devices. An amendment to the bill clarifies a notification procedure for device removal and sets an effective date of July 1, 2026, for the act.

Maddy summaryHB 1941 amends Arkansas law to streamline the process for handling ethics complaints against teachers and restructure certain Department of Education boards. It modifies the Professional Licensure Standards Board's duties, establishing an ethics subcommittee to investigate complaints, recommend sanctions, or dismiss cases. The bill outlines new procedures for hearings, allows educators to appeal decisions to the State Board of Education, and details public disclosure of certain ethical violations. Additionally, it repeals the School Worker Defense Program Advisory Board.

Maddy summaryHB 1938 updates state law regarding planning and accountability for Arkansas public schools and districts. It requires public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools to submit annual "district strategic plans" covering literacy, mathematics, and funding prioritization. The bill also amends requirements for school-level improvement plans, ensuring they include parental involvement and literacy components based on the science of reading. Additionally, it clarifies the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education's role in developing a comprehensive accountability system and reviewing these plans, which must be publicly posted online.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1803 authorizes the placement of a monument on the State Capitol Grounds. This monument is intended to recognize and honor Maurice Lee “Footsie” Britt.

Maddy summaryThe provided context for HB 1657 only shows cosponsor additions and procedural status (it became Act 709 on April 16, 2025), not the bill's substantive policy content. The title references an "income tax credit" for wood energy products and forest maintenance, but the text does not explain how the credit is amended or who it affects. Without the actual policy provisions or bill text describing changes to the tax credit, a factual summary of its mechanisms or impact cannot be generated. To provide a meaningful summary, the bill's specific policy language would be required.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided information, the full text of HB 1615 is not available, only an amendment (Amendment No. 5). This amendment makes minor textual changes to the bill, such as adjusting a line number and modifying specific phrases like "(a) The state government shall license or certify any". Without the complete bill text, it is not possible to describe what the bill does, who it affects, or its key mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1712 establishes the Social Work Licensure Compact in Arkansas, which directly affects licensed social workers and individuals seeking social work services. This compact allows social workers licensed in one member state to practice in other member states without needing to obtain separate licenses for each state, using a "Multistate Authorization to Practice." The bill aims to improve public access to social work services, reduce burdensome licensing requirements for professionals, and address workforce shortages by increasing the mobility of social workers. It also establishes a Compact Commission to facilitate information sharing regarding licensure and disciplinary actions among member states, ensuring accountability and supporting the use of telehealth services.

Maddy summaryAct 624 generally prohibits Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) from holding retail pharmacy permits in the state, directly affecting PBMs, retail pharmacies, and their patients. The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy will identify existing retail pharmacies affiliated with PBMs and notify them of this prohibition by January 1, 2026. Affected pharmacies must then notify their patients and prescribing healthcare providers that they can no longer dispense retail drugs after this date. However, an exception allows for temporary "limited use permits" for PBM-affiliated pharmacies if a rare, orphan, or limited distribution drug is otherwise unavailable to patients in the market. This exception for limited use permits is set to expire on September 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1968 requires auto dealers to collect sales tax at the point of sale when selling new or used motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers. This means customers would pay the tax during the purchase transaction instead of through a different process. The bill also amends a 1958 law related to sales tax collection for vehicle sales. It directly affects dealers (who must collect the tax) and buyers (who pay the tax at the time of purchase).

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.