Rep. Dwight Tosh

Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 1833, amends the law concerning admissions at the University of Arkansas College of Medicine. The provided text, Amendment No. 1, modifies specific conditions related to the number of qualified applicants. It specifies that certain admission provisions apply only if fewer than twenty-five applicants from a congressional district, or fewer than twenty-five Arkansas residents, meet published admissions standards and accept an offer. This directly affects prospective medical students and the College of Medicine's admissions process by setting thresholds for geographic and residency-based considerations.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1844 (HB 1844) amends existing state law concerning the offense of fleeing by means of a vehicle or conveyance. The bill specifically increases the penalty for individuals who jump from a moving vehicle or conveyance while they are fleeing. This change directly affects those charged with this particular offense.

Maddy summaryHB 1824, also known as the "Dog and Cat Rescue Act: Daisy's Law," amends Arkansas law concerning cruelty to animals. This act authorizes law enforcement officers to temporarily secure a dog or cat and transfer its possession to an appropriate place of custody. This action can be taken after a complaint of cruelty if there is a substantial likelihood the animal's condition would deteriorate. Officers may also consider the condition of other dogs or cats belonging to the same owner as evidence to support securing the animal.

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 1077 requires Arkansas correctional facilities to verify the veteran status of incarcerated individuals within 14 days using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs data. If a veteran is incarcerated for six months or more, facilities must notify the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs within 45 days of admission and again upon release. The bill also mandates that facilities provide incarcerated veterans with access to apply for VA benefits or veterans treatment court programs. This law directly affects veterans in state or local correctional facilities and the facilities themselves, creating a formal notification process to connect veterans with available support services.

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 1636 would phase out Arkansas' soft drink tax by gradually eliminating it based on sales tax collections from soft drink sales. The bill proposed replacing the current tax with a system tied directly to existing sales tax data, ensuring a smooth transition. This change would directly affect soft drink retailers (who collect the tax) and consumers (who pay it). The legislation aimed to replace an outdated tax structure with one aligned to current sales tax reporting practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1654 creates a special license plate for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid South, allowing Arkansas drivers to purchase it by paying a $30 design-use fee that goes directly to the foundation and a $10 administrative fee deposited into the state's fund. It also stops the issuance of new Mid-South Community College education license plates while permitting existing plates to be renewed until current inventory is exhausted. The bill establishes standard procedures for plate design, renewal, and fee remittance under Arkansas law. This affects plate buyers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Mid-South Community College through the plate program.

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.