Rep. Jason Nazarenko

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1529 creates a new criminal offense and a civil cause of action related to "deepfake visual material." It makes it illegal to unlawfully create or distribute such material, directly affecting individuals involved in these actions. Additionally, the bill allows individuals who are victims of unlawfully created deepfake visual material to file a lawsuit to seek compensation. This legislation provides both criminal penalties and a civil remedy for the misuse of deepfake technology.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1680, now Act 811, restricts certain foreign entities from acquiring interests in land. It prohibits businesses controlled by a "foreign party" from leasing land. The bill also prevents "prohibited foreign parties" from holding an interest in real property or agricultural land under specific circumstances. An amendment clarifies that an individual is not considered a "prohibited foreign party" if they are also a citizen of the United States.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1681 establishes the Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program. This program provides grants to local entities to help fund improvements and upgrades to their water and sewer treatment infrastructure. The grants will be supported by revenues authorized by law. The program is set to expire five years after its effective date, and the administering commission is required to report annually on the status of all awarded grants.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1976 creates the "Open Access to Public-Use Vertiports Act" in Arkansas, establishing regulations for infrastructure designed for vertical take-off and landing aircraft. This bill prevents the state and local governments from granting exclusive access rights to a single operator at public-use vertiports, aiming to promote competition and equitable access for advanced air mobility services. It encourages local zoning authorities to ensure a sufficient number and varied locations for these vertiports. Additionally, all vertiport designs and operations must adhere to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and secure FAA approval.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1986 allows public school students who are children of fallen service members or first responders to receive excused absences. These absences are permitted for mental health concerns or to attend events offered by organizations supporting families of fallen service members or first responders, or those providing grief and resiliency support. To qualify, a parent or guardian must provide written documentation, and the student must have good academic standing and a prior record of good attendance, and complete any missed classwork. However, such absences are not allowed during standardized testing days.

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 summaryHMR 1013 is a ceremonial House Memorial Resolution honoring the late Yellville Mayor Shawn Lane, who died on April 4, 2025. The resolution commemorates his 18-year service as Yellville's mayor, his community work (including fire department leadership, city projects like the rail spur and park upgrades), and his 34-year career at Yelcot Communications. It contains no policy changes or funding provisions - only formal recognition of his contributions to Yellville and Arkansas. The resolution was adopted by the Arkansas House of Representatives on April 15, 2025, with a copy to be presented to his family. This is a standard commemorative resolution, not a legislative bill with substantive effects.

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 summaryHB 1802 creates a state-funded Talent Recruitment Grant Program to incentivize individuals to relocate to Arkansas. The program provides grants to municipalities and qualifying nonprofits (e.g., for economic development) to offer relocation incentives to individuals who either hold remote jobs paying at least $55,000 annually or accept full-time in-state employment. Grants up to $500,000 per applicant require recipients to cover 20% of program costs and meet 50% of their target relocation goals before receiving final payment. Recipients must report quarterly on participant income, tax impacts, and economic outcomes to ensure accountability.

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.