Rep. Aaron Pilkington

Maddy summaryHB 1444 (now Act 548) is a technical amendment to Arkansas' sales tax exemption rules for data centers. It clarifies that data submitted to the tax commission for exemption eligibility will be used **only** for determining eligibility, not for other purposes. The bill does not change who qualifies for the exemption or alter the exemption itself - only the reporting process. This procedural adjustment was passed by the Senate and signed into law on April 10, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1455 allows private clubs located in entertainment districts to purchase specific beer products directly from small breweries with permits, under exclusive agreements. This law affects small breweries and private clubs, requiring both to be in adjacent counties and limiting breweries to one exclusive agreement with a single private club at a time. The bill changes existing rules by enabling direct sales between these entities without requiring distributor intermediaries for eligible products. It became law as Act 500 on April 10, 2025.

Maddy summaryArkansas Senate Bill 305 (now Act 491) requires manufacturers and sellers of medical marijuana products to test for specific concentrations of THC and CBD. It directly affects licensed medical marijuana businesses producing processed products like edibles or oils sold in Arkansas. The law mandates testing to ensure accurate labeling of these compounds but explicitly excludes ready-made inhalable products (such as prerolls or blunts) from this requirement. This provision aims to improve product transparency and safety for medical users without regulating certain pre-made smoking products.

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phrases like "or the State of Qatar" or "from the State of Qatar" from 17 different sections of the code, correcting outdated or erroneous text.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 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.

Maddy summarySB 317 prohibits Arkansas public institutions of higher education from engaging in specific activities with "prohibited foreign parties." It directly affects universities and colleges receiving state funding by banning them from conducting agricultural research under contract or selling agricultural products (including seeds) with such entities. The bill defines "prohibited foreign parties" but does not specify which entities qualify. This policy change restricts certain financial and research transactions between Arkansas colleges and designated foreign entities, without altering broader academic collaboration rules. The bill passed as Act 351 on March 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 307, now Act 373, creates the "Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025" to support energy infrastructure investments. It requires the Arkansas Public Service Commission to consider strategic investments in natural gas and electric generation when setting utility rates, allowing companies to recover costs for approved projects. The bill mandates refunds to customers for imprudently incurred costs and sets new requirements for utility infrastructure projects to ensure grid reliability during extreme weather. It directly affects investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities operating in Arkansas by changing how they recover infrastructure costs through rate cases. The legislation declares an emergency to expedite these energy infrastructure developments.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds nitrogen gas as an additional method of execution for individuals sentenced to death in Arkansas, alongside the existing lethal injection option. It requires prison officials to notify death row inmates of the chosen execution method (nitrogen gas or lethal injection) at least seven days in advance. The bill also includes confidentiality provisions preventing public disclosure of execution protocols, drug sources, and personnel involved under Arkansas' public records laws. This change applies to all future capital punishment cases in Arkansas, following its passage into law as Act 302.

Maddy summarySB 119 establishes Arkansas' participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, an agreement between states to streamline medical licensing. It directly affects licensed physicians and surgeons who provide care across state lines, such as through telemedicine or in border communities. The bill creates a system where Arkansas would recognize licenses from other participating states and vice versa, reducing the need for separate state-specific applications. This eliminates administrative barriers for healthcare providers seeking to practice in multiple states. The bill became law as Act 269 on March 12, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 213, now Act 140, creates Arkansas' "Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act" to improve maternal health through Medicaid reforms. It requires the Arkansas Medicaid Program to cover specific services separately (not as bundled payments), including prenatal visits, blood pressure monitoring devices with training, remote ultrasounds, and doula/community health worker home visits for prenatal/postpartum care. The law also mandates depression screening for pregnant women and allows immediate enrollment for pregnant applicants while awaiting full processing. These changes directly affect pregnant and postpartum Medicaid enrollees in Arkansas, aiming to expand access to critical health services.