Rep. Shad Pearce

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 summaryHB 1783 amends Arkansas law concerning the reclassification of a city from first class to second class. The bill changes the population threshold for this reduction, raising it from less than 5,000 inhabitants to less than 7,500 inhabitants, based on the most recent federal decennial census. It also modifies the process, requiring a city council to adopt an ordinance instead of a resolution to request the reclassification. This affects first-class cities whose populations fall below the new 7,500 resident mark, allowing them to be reduced to a city of the second class.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1886 designates the Labrador Retriever as the official canine of the state of Arkansas. This bill establishes a symbolic recognition for the breed within the state.

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 summaryHouse Bill 1887 amends Arkansas law to strengthen the framework for statewide child abduction response teams, aiming to improve efforts to rescue abducted or endangered children. It mandates collaboration among several state agencies, including the Office of the Attorney General and the Division of Arkansas State Police, to form and implement these multiagency teams. These agencies are required to execute a memorandum of understanding and coordinate their resources for responding to and preventing child abductions. The Division of Arkansas State Police is responsible for assembling the teams, while the Criminal Justice Institute coordinates their certification and recertification.

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 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.

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 summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a law. It declares April 9, 2025, as "Arkansas Lineworker Appreciation Day" at the State Capitol to honor utility lineworkers. The resolution commends these workers for their year-round service maintaining critical energy infrastructure, working in dangerous conditions, and serving as first responders during emergencies. It does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - only formally recognizes their contributions.