Rep. Mary Bentley

Maddy summarySB 433 (now Act 573) requires all Arkansas state government buildings to display a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in a large font, alongside the national motto and accurate representations of both the U.S. and Arkansas state flags. The law mandates specific placement, with the U.S. flag displayed under the national motto and the Arkansas flag(s) included. This procedural bill affects all state government facilities, not specific individuals or policies. The legislation passed in 2025 and became effective after the governor signed it on April 14, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1306 would grant legal protection from lawsuits (civil immunity) to churches and other places of worship, as well as volunteer security personnel working there, if they act in good faith. The bill specifically requires that volunteer security personnel receive "adequate training" to qualify for this immunity, replacing an earlier "requires training" language through Amendment 1. This legislation directly affects religious institutions and their volunteer security staff by limiting their liability for certain actions taken while providing security. The bill was withdrawn by its author on April 10, 2025, and is no longer active.

Maddy summaryHMR 1012 is a House Memorial Resolution honoring Hettie Lue Brooks, a Hot Springs resident whose decades of community and international service - including founding Brookhill Ranch Summer Camp, Christian Ministries Church, and a school in Belize - positively impacted thousands of Arkansans and people worldwide. The resolution, adopted by the Arkansas House of Representatives on April 10, 2025, formally recognizes her legacy as an Arkansas legend without creating new laws or policies. It directs that a copy be presented to her family, as specified in the resolution's adoption. This is a commemorative measure with no direct legislative effect on public policy or funding.

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 summarySB 118 amends the legal definition of "audiology" to clarify the scope of practice for audiologists in the state. The bill specifically allows audiologists to order certain medical tests (like bloodwork, cultures, and non-radiographic ear canal exams) solely for evaluating hearing or balance disorders, but explicitly prohibits them from interpreting those test results. It also permits audiologists to order radiographic imaging for ear conditions without interpretation. These changes directly affect licensed audiologists by defining what diagnostic procedures they may initiate within their professional practice. The bill was passed and became law (Act 517) on April 10, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1669, now Act 509, creates the "Keep Kids First Act" to protect adoption and foster care providers who refuse services based on sincerely held religious beliefs. The law prevents discrimination against these providers (such as agencies or workers) when they decline to place children due to religious objections. It specifically adds legal safeguards ensuring providers cannot face penalties or lose licensing for such actions. This law directly affects adoption/foster care providers and the children/parents seeking services, making religiously based refusals legally protected. The bill passed the Arkansas legislature and was signed into law on April 10, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 320 amends multiple Arkansas statutes to update references to the Arkansas Juvenile Code of 1989, specifically citing sections §9-27-301 et seq. and §9-35-101 et seq. The bill clarifies how the juvenile code applies to cases involving underage alcohol possession, custody transfers, and juvenile delinquency proceedings. It ensures consistent legal references across statutes without changing substantive law. This affects juvenile courts, law enforcement, and child welfare agencies when handling cases under the juvenile code.

Maddy summarySB 332 is a funding bill that allocates state funds for the existing Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program within Arkansas' Department of Education for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It specifically appropriates money for this program in public schools, without changing the program's content or requirements. The bill was passed by the legislature and signed into law as Act 536 on April 10, 2025. This is a procedural funding measure for an established educational program, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1636 would phase out Arkansas' soft drink tax by gradually eliminating it based on sales tax collections from soft drink sales. The bill proposed replacing the current tax with a system tied directly to existing sales tax data, ensuring a smooth transition. This change would directly affect soft drink retailers (who collect the tax) and consumers (who pay it). The legislation aimed to replace an outdated tax structure with one aligned to current sales tax reporting practices.