Rep. Zack Gramlich

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1812 amends the Arkansas Educational Support and Accountability Act. This bill creates an exception to school attendance requirements specifically for students who are taking a GED test. Additionally, it modifies the score requirements needed to pass the GED test. This legislation directly affects Arkansas students by offering more flexibility for those pursuing a GED and adjusting the standards for achieving it.

Maddy summaryHB 1717 creates the Arkansas Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act, which aims to safeguard the online privacy of children and teens in Arkansas. The act establishes rules for online service operators regarding the collection, use, and deletion of personal information, including provisions for audio file retention and allowing teens or their parents to request data deletion. Enforcement of these provisions falls exclusively to the Attorney General, and the act explicitly states that it does not provide for a private right of action for violations.

Maddy summaryHB 1604, now Act 943, amends existing laws regarding contracts made by state agencies in Arkansas. The bill specifically prohibits state agencies from using public funds to purchase promotional items that are manufactured in China. This measure aims to regulate the types of products state agencies can acquire using taxpayer money. These new provisions apply to contracts executed on or after the act's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1352 (now Act 937) is a technical amendment to a bill that primarily changes a single word in the legislation - replacing "and" with "or" on page 6, line 31. It does not introduce new policies, alter substantive requirements, or directly affect any specific groups or entities. The bill was passed by the Arkansas Senate with Amendment No. 1 and signed into law on April 21, 2025. As a minor procedural correction, it has no meaningful impact on how the law operates or who it governs.

Maddy summaryHB 1682, known as the "Arkansas Good Neighbor Act," clarifies and expands liability protections for entities and individuals involved in donating and distributing food. The bill grants civil and criminal immunity to good faith donors, gleaners (those who harvest donated crops), and nonprofit organizations, even if the donated food does not meet consumer safety standards or is not readily marketable due to appearance or surplus. To qualify for this protection, donors must inform the receiving organization, and the organization must inform recipients, about the food's condition to the best of their knowledge. This immunity does not apply in cases of gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. The act aims to encourage food donations by reducing liability concerns for those who help provide food to the public through charitable channels.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1484, now Act 910, limits the number of credits a student can obtain through a course credit recovery program. Amendment No. 1 to the bill specifically changes this limit, allowing students to earn up to ten credits instead of the previously proposed seven. Additionally, the amendment introduces exceptions to these limits for certain student groups. These include students who have participated in an English as a Second Language program in grades nine through twelve, and students enrolled in a credit recovery open-enrollment public charter school.

Maddy summaryHB 1642 amends the criteria used to calculate a school's overall rating. It also specifies that a student who passes a GED test will not be counted as a dropout for the purpose of calculating a school's five-year graduation rate. These changes directly affect how public schools are evaluated and how student outcomes contribute to those evaluations.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 367, now Act 735, repeals the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund for Pollution Control and Prevention Technologies Act. It also repeals the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund. This legislative action means that the specific loan funds established by these acts, which previously offered financial assistance to small businesses for purposes like pollution control, will no longer be authorized or operate under these legal frameworks.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 515 (Act 647) requires that existing Arkansas history course content guidelines include a dedicated unit. This unit will focus on Arkansas veterans and their families. The bill directly affects public education by modifying the curriculum for Arkansas history courses, ensuring students learn about the contributions and experiences of veterans and their families within the state's history.

Maddy summarySB 467 modifies the definition of "healthcare provider" as it relates to student athlete concussion education. The bill expands this definition to specifically include chiropractors and chiropractic physicians. This means that these professionals are now recognized alongside other healthcare providers, such as physicians and athletic trainers, concerning concussion education for student athletes in Arkansas.