Rep. Mary Bentley

Maddy summaryHB 1662, titled "TO PROHIBIT LOBBYING FOR A COVERED FOREIGN ENTITY," aimed to prevent individuals or organizations from lobbying on behalf of certain foreign entities. The provided text is an amendment to the bill, which made minor changes to specific wording and references within the original text. Without the full original bill text, the specific definitions of "covered foreign entity" or the detailed mechanisms and scope of the prohibition are not available.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 11 (SJR 11) proposes a constitutional amendment to the Arkansas Constitution. This measure aims to modify Article 2, Section 5, with the specific intent to protect the right to keep and bear arms for individuals. If enacted, it would alter the state's foundational document concerning this right.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 5 (SCR 5) is a resolution that expresses the Arkansas General Assembly's continued encouragement for the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to achieve National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation. The resolution commends the Institute's progress, acknowledges its fundraising efforts, and encourages further private fundraising and collaboration among state entities to support this goal. This legislative action aims to facilitate the establishment of an NCI-designated cancer center in Arkansas, which could expand access to advanced cancer treatments, clinical trials, and research for Arkansans.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1916 amends the Protecting Minors from Medical Malpractice Act of 2023. This bill expands the act by specifically including gender-affirming interventions as a basis for a medical malpractice lawsuit. It establishes a legal "right of action," allowing individuals or their representatives to sue healthcare providers for alleged malpractice related to gender-affirming interventions provided to minors.

Maddy summaryHB 1877 expands criminal offenses related to sexually explicit material depicting a child to include computer-generated images that are indistinguishable from a child. The bill defines "artificial intelligence" and "adversarial testing," which involves evaluating AI systems in a controlled environment. It creates exemptions for law enforcement investigations and for interactive computer services conducting good-faith adversarial testing to prevent AI systems from generating such content. However, these exemptions do not apply if the testing is for personal or exploitative purposes. Additionally, the bill renames the offense of "Possession or use of child sexual abuse material" to "Electronic facilitation of child sexual abuse."

Maddy summaryHB 1685, known as the Grocery Tax Relief Act, exempts groceries from state sales and use taxes. This legislation amends existing state law regarding sales and use taxes levied on food and food ingredients. The bill directly affects consumers by removing the state sales tax typically applied to their grocery purchases.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 486 establishes requirements for designating multi-occupancy restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters in certain entities, including shelters and state and local correctional facilities, based on an individual's sex. The bill includes provisions for assigning transgender or intersex inmates in correctional facilities on a case-by-case basis to ensure their health and safety, referencing federal regulations. It also outlines procedures for individuals to file legal claims with the Arkansas State Claims Commission for damages and to recover attorney's fees if these provisions are violated.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 217 requires the Arkansas Department of Human Services to request a federal waiver. This waiver would seek to exclude candy and soft drinks from the list of food items eligible for purchase under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If the waiver is granted, it would change what SNAP beneficiaries in Arkansas are able to buy with their benefits. The bill mandates the department to pursue this specific modification to the program's eligible food list.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1995 separates the combined offices of sheriff and tax collector in Perry County, Arkansas, into two distinct positions. Starting January 1, 2027, Perry County voters will elect a separate sheriff and a separate tax collector during the 2026 general election. Each officer will be responsible for their specific duties, post a bond, and receive compensation and allowances as determined by the Perry County Quorum Court.

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.