Rep. Karilyn Brown

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1244 proposes to amend the requirements for Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNPs) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) in Arkansas to obtain a certificate of full independent practice authority. The bill reduces the required practice hours from 6,240 to 2,000 hours. These hours can be completed either under a board-required collaborative practice agreement with a physician in Arkansas or from practice in another state, territory, or foreign country where the professional had prescriptive authority. The aim is to adjust the pathway for these healthcare professionals to achieve independent practice.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 1009 proposes an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution, establishing what would be known as the "Arkansas Victims' Bill of Rights." This amendment aims to provide specific rights for individuals who are victims of both misdemeanor and felony offenses. It would directly affect victims involved in both the adult and juvenile justice systems within the state. The bill intends to enshrine these rights into the state's constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 1663 sought to change alimony laws in Arkansas related to domestic abuse. The bill would have prohibited a court from awarding alimony to a person if they were found to have committed an act of domestic abuse or were convicted of specific domestic battering or assault offenses against the individual who would pay the alimony. For those already receiving alimony, it would have allowed a court to terminate the award if the recipient was subsequently found to have committed such an act or convicted of such an offense against the payor. These findings or convictions would be considered a significant change in circumstances for existing alimony awards.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1626, as amended, aimed to prohibit the sale of certain disposable vapor products. The bill's central provision was to ban the sale of disposable vapor products that originate from a "prohibited foreign party," a term defined by referencing an existing legal statute (§ 18-11-802). This measure would have directly impacted retailers selling vapor products and consumers who purchase them. The bill did not pass and died in committee.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 1004 (HJR 1004) proposes that the state formally requests the United States Congress to call a Convention of the States. The specific purpose of this convention would be to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This amendment would establish term limits for members of the United States Congress, directly affecting those who serve in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Maddy summaryHB 1540 was a legislative bill intended to amend existing income tax credits and deductions for taxpayers who maintain, support, and care for an individual with a disability. While the bill aimed to modify these specific tax provisions, the provided text only contains an amendment adding a cosponsor, not the detailed changes to the credit or deduction themselves. The bill ultimately died in the House Committee.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1066 aims to increase the standard deduction available to taxpayers. This legislative change would directly affect individuals and potentially impact their taxable income. By raising the standard deduction, the bill proposes to reduce the portion of income subject to state taxes for those who choose not to itemize deductions.

Maddy summaryHJR 1015 was a proposed constitutional amendment in Arkansas that aimed to change how judicial candidates appear on the ballot. If approved, it would have required candidates for Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judge, Circuit Judge, and District Judge to declare their political party affiliation or independent status. This declared affiliation or independent status would then be printed on the ballot for voters to see. The stated purpose of the amendment was to ensure transparency regarding judicial candidates' affiliations. This amendment would have taken effect on January 1, 2027, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 1065, titled "TO CREATE THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT OF 2025," died in the House Committee on Revenue & Taxation on May 5, 2025, without becoming law. The provided bill text contains no substantive policy language or specific mechanisms; it only includes a list of supporting legislators and procedural details. No concrete policy changes, affected groups, or key provisions are described in the available text. As a bill that stalled in committee with no enacted provisions, it did not implement any inflation-related measures. The title appears to be a placeholder, as no actual inflation reduction policy was outlined in the submitted bill.

Maddy summaryHB 1435 aimed to modify state income tax laws concerning child care. The bill sought to amend the existing income tax credit available to employers who provide child care services. Additionally, it proposed to establish a new income tax credit specifically for licensed child care providers. These provisions were intended to adjust financial incentives for both businesses supporting child care and the providers themselves.