Rep. Jason Nazarenko

Maddy summaryHB 1319, which was withdrawn by its author on March 17, 2025, would have created a state sales tax exemption for disabled veterans, their unremarried spouses, and surviving spouses of disabled veterans in Arkansas. The bill would have allowed these individuals to exclude up to $5,000 annually in sales tax on tangible personal property and certain digital products purchased at physical stores within the state. To claim the exemption, veterans would have needed an identification card from the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, while surviving spouses would have required certification from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The exemption would not apply to local sales taxes or the compensating use tax.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution recognizing Wednesday, March 12, 2025, as "Scouting Day" at the Arkansas State Capitol. It formally designates this date to honor Scouting organizations in Arkansas, including programs like Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing. The resolution acknowledges Scouting's history, values, and contributions through the Natural State Council and its statewide partnerships. It does not create new laws or affect policies - only serves as a symbolic gesture for Scouting groups to engage with state government.

Maddy summaryHB 1217 establishes Arkansas as a participating state in the Interstate Massage Compact, creating a formal agreement with other states to streamline massage therapy licensing. The bill creates a Compact Commission that can charge annual assessments on member states to cover its operational costs, with fees allocated via a Commission-determined formula. This directly affects massage therapists seeking to practice across state lines in participating jurisdictions and Arkansas' regulatory oversight of the profession. The bill was enacted as Act 267 on March 12, 2025, enabling Arkansas to join the interstate agreement.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution passed by the Arkansas House of Representatives expressing support for President Trump's nomination of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as U.S. Ambassador to Israel. It has no legal effect but urges swift confirmation to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations, citing Huckabee's experience, pro-Israel advocacy, and religious ties. The resolution was adopted unanimously and transmitted to the President and Senate for consideration.

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 1315 (now Act 147) allows individuals to voluntarily have their blood type added to their driver's license or state ID card. The bill places responsibility on applicants to ensure the accuracy of this information when submitting it and to request corrections if needed. It does not require blood type to be added, nor does it change how the state handles medical information. The law became effective January 1, 2026, following passage by both legislative chambers in February 2025.

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 summaryThis symbolic resolution formally recognizes the Yellville-Summit girls' track and field team as the 2024 Class 2A state champions, marking their fourth consecutive title. It highlights their achievement despite practicing on public park trails without a dedicated track facility and acknowledges key athletes like K.J. Moore, who won six events. The resolution will be presented to head coach April Martin upon adoption.

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.