Rep. Joey Carr

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 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 summaryHB 1757, now Act 528, creates a new criminal offense for tampering with railroad infrastructure without lawful authority or permission. It directly affects individuals or entities who interfere with tracks, signals, or equipment on rail lines. The key provision adds specific penalties for damaging or obstructing rail infrastructure, strengthening protections for railroad operations. This law amends existing railroad regulations to explicitly address unauthorized tampering as a punishable violation. The bill passed both chambers in April 2025 and is now effective state law.

Maddy summaryHB 1733 combines Arkansas's two preschool programs - the Arkansas Better Chance Program and Arkansas Better Chance for School Success Program - into a single program with unified eligibility standards. It affects approximately 23,000 preschool slots for children aged birth through five, directly benefiting Arkansas families and childcare providers who use these services. The bill establishes that children meeting either program's eligibility criteria will qualify under the new unified system, administered by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. This change aims to improve program efficiency and resource utilization. The bill became Act 504 on April 10, 2025, after passing both chambers.

Maddy summaryHB 1705 (now Act 478) requires public school social studies standards to include specific content about how the religious and moral beliefs of the founding fathers influenced the founding of the United States. This law directly affects K-12 students and educators in the state by mandating that existing social studies curriculum standards incorporate this historical perspective. The bill amends standards to explicitly reference "religious and moral beliefs" held by the founding fathers and their role in shaping the nation's founding principles. It does not create new educational programs but revises current standards to include this specific historical analysis.

Maddy summaryHB 1474 requires certain businesses to display the national human trafficking hotline number (1-888-373-7888) in visible locations. It applies directly to hotels, airports, and liquor-permitted clubs that do not operate as food service establishments. The law mandates that these venues display the hotline information alongside details about services like showers, fuel, and parking. This became law as Act 484 on April 8, 2025, with no changes to trafficking prevention laws - only adding signage requirements for specified businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1561) is a technical amendment to remove all references to "the State of Qatar" from existing state laws. It deletes phrases like "or the State of Qatar" or "from the State of Qatar" from 17 different sections of the code, correcting outdated or erroneous text. The bill does not create new policies, affect any individuals or groups, or change legal requirements. It was passed by both chambers and became law as Act 473 on April 8, 2025, solely to update legal references.

Maddy summaryHB 1697 increases temporary staffing limits and vehicle quotas for specific Arkansas public colleges and universities. It raises provisional staff positions at Arkansas State University-Jonesboro (375 to 425), Northwest Arkansas Community College (80 to 100), and other institutions like the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (750 to 1,000). The bill also adjusts motor vehicle authorizations, such as increasing Black River Technical College’s limit from 14 to 20 vehicles. These changes are declared an emergency to align with federal grant disbursements and fiscal year requirements, effective July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects state-supported higher education institutions by modifying their operational resource allocations.

Maddy summarySB 409 prohibits financial services providers from refusing to do business with or terminating relationships with agricultural producers solely based on their status as such. It defines "agricultural producer" to include those growing crops, raising animals, or producing livestock/dairy products. The bill requires Arkansas' Treasurer to publish a list of financial providers found to discriminate against agricultural producers, after giving them 45 days' notice and a 30-day window to prove they are not discriminating. This list will be posted online, with the process involving an ESG Oversight Committee and requiring agricultural producers to consent to sharing financial data if they report discrimination.