Rep. Cindy Crawford

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 summaryHJR 1018, titled "THE CITIZENS ONLY VOTING AMENDMENT," is a joint resolution that successfully passed both legislative chambers and was approved by the Governor. Based on its title, this bill proposes an amendment aimed at restricting voting eligibility to citizens only. However, the provided bill text primarily consists of an amendment adding various representatives and senators as cosponsors to the resolution, and does not detail the specific language, mechanisms, or provisions of the proposed "Citizens Only Voting Amendment" itself.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 313, as amended, concerns forensic mental health evaluations and treatment within the legal system. It establishes procedures for prosecutors and defense counsel to request mental health evaluations for defendants, allowing for ex parte or in camera hearings when privileged information is involved. The bill details the court's authority to order the administration of medication to incarcerated defendants to maintain their fitness to proceed, outlining specific conditions based on whether the defendant poses a danger. Additionally, time spent in the department's physical custody under these provisions counts towards credit for time served.

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 summarySenate Bill 352 prohibits antisemitism in public elementary and secondary schools. It also extends this prohibition to state-supported institutions of higher education. The bill establishes a standard for conduct within these educational environments, directly affecting students, faculty, and staff. This legislation aims to prevent and address antisemitic acts or expressions within these institutions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 314 amends the law regarding sexual solicitation, directly affecting individuals convicted of this offense. The bill reclassifies the penalties for sexual solicitation. A first offense is now designated as a Class A misdemeanor, carrying maximum sentences of 90 days imprisonment and/or a $2,000 fine. For a second or subsequent offense, the bill reclassifies sexual solicitation as a Class

Maddy summarySB 530 is a procedural bill that added 21 senators and 37 representatives as cosponsors to the original bill. It did not change the tax credit policy itself, as the title references an existing Arkansas Wood Energy Products and Forest Maintenance Income Tax Credit. The bill's purpose was solely to expand the list of legislators supporting the tax credit legislation. The bill was passed and became Act 701 on April 18, 2025. No substantive policy changes to the tax credit were made by this amendment.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 426 creates the "Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act." This legislation establishes enhanced penalties for individuals identified as illegal aliens. These increased penalties apply specifically when an illegal alien commits serious felonies involving violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new system for property insurance for public schools, state-supported higher education institutions, and other state-owned properties. It creates the State Captive Insurance Program and the Office of Property Risk within the Department of Transformation and Shared Services to manage these combined insurance efforts. The act allows the state to create its own captive insurance company and prohibits the use of public adjusting for these property insurance claims. The goal is to create a more stable and sustainable property insurance system for these state entities by consolidating existing programs and ensuring proper property valuation. (SB 481, Act 779)

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the requirements for a property tax exemption offered to disabled veterans, their surviving spouses, and minor dependent children. It requires recipients to notify the county collector if their eligibility status, property description, ownership, use, or occupancy changes, or if they change their homestead. Additionally, if an exemption is determined to be erroneously granted, the county collector must remove it and may levy up to three years of unpaid property taxes, along with any applicable penalties, interest, and costs.