Rep. David Ray

Maddy summarySB 91 prevents local governments (like cities or counties) from setting limits on rental application fees or security deposits for private residential or commercial properties. It directly affects landlords who set these fees and renters who pay them by removing local regulatory authority. The bill amends existing law to state that local units have no power to control these specific charges, except as outlined in a separate provision (§18-16-304). This means landlords can set these fees without local government oversight, and the policy change applies to all private rental properties covered by the law.

Maddy summaryHB 1637 requires state agencies to prepare and present fiscal impact statements for statewide initiatives, referendums, and legislatively referred constitutional amendments. It removes references to "local" impacts, ensuring these statements focus exclusively on statewide financial effects. This change directly affects voters, election officials, and state agencies by standardizing how fiscal consequences of ballot measures are communicated. The bill became law as Act 457 on April 3, 2025, streamlining the process for transparent voter information.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 1059) formally commends the Maumelle Charter High School Falcons boys' cross country team for winning the 2024 Class 3A State Championship. The resolution recognizes their victory with a team score of 56, three top-ten individual finishes, four All-State honorees, and specific athlete placements, and directs that a copy be presented to their head coach, Dalton Diles. As a procedural resolution, it has no policy impact beyond ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution commending the Maumelle Charter High School Falcons boys' golf team for winning the 2024 Class 3A State Championship. It formally recognizes their victory (with a team score of 241), their five-stroke margin of victory, and three All-State selections, citing specific players and coach James Mitchell. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely expresses legislative appreciation and directs a copy to be presented to the coach. It does not create new laws, affect any regulations, or change existing policies.

Maddy summarySB 409 prohibits financial services providers from refusing to do business with or terminating relationships with agricultural producers solely based on their status as such. It defines "agricultural producer" to include those growing crops, raising animals, or producing livestock/dairy products. The bill requires Arkansas' Treasurer to publish a list of financial providers found to discriminate against agricultural producers, after giving them 45 days' notice and a 30-day window to prove they are not discriminating. This list will be posted online, with the process involving an ESG Oversight Committee and requiring agricultural producers to consent to sharing financial data if they report discrimination.

Maddy summaryHB 1497 adds the Arkansas Department of the Military to the list of state agencies authorized to withhold tax refunds from taxpayers who owe them money. It also updates the legal definition of "debt" to include specific fines related to certain state laws. This change directly affects taxpayers with outstanding debts to the Department of the Military, allowing the agency to offset those debts against state tax refunds. The bill modifies existing provisions without creating new taxes or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1517, now Act 347, prohibits earned wage access service providers from making false, misleading, or deceptive statements about their services. It directly affects companies offering early wage access (like employer-sponsored apps or third-party platforms), requiring clear disclosures to workers. The law modifies existing state code (sections 23-52-203 and 23-52-204) to clarify that banking, savings, and credit union entities remain exempt. This policy change ensures transparency for workers using these services while excluding traditional financial institutions from the rules.

Maddy summarySB 317 prohibits Arkansas public institutions of higher education from engaging in specific activities with "prohibited foreign parties." It directly affects universities and colleges receiving state funding by banning them from conducting agricultural research under contract or selling agricultural products (including seeds) with such entities. The bill defines "prohibited foreign parties" but does not specify which entities qualify. This policy change restricts certain financial and research transactions between Arkansas colleges and designated foreign entities, without altering broader academic collaboration rules. The bill passed as Act 351 on March 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 263 (now Act 330) increases the amount of the homestead property tax credit available to Arkansas homeowners. This policy change directly benefits qualifying homeowners who own and occupy their primary residence, reducing their annual property tax bill. The bill amends the existing tax credit structure to provide a higher dollar amount for eligible taxpayers. It became law after passing the Arkansas legislature and being delivered to the Governor on March 13, 2025. The change represents a concrete adjustment to tax relief for qualified homeowners without altering eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1634 establishes the Arkansas Sports Raffle Act, allowing Arkansas public colleges and universities and their approved nonprofit affiliates to conduct raffles tied to official athletic games. These raffles can be sold digitally or in person, with proceeds limited to supporting student-athletes (e.g., scholarships, publicity rights), athletic programs, and facility improvements - never for staff compensation. The law prohibits sales to minors, caps transactions at $250, and requires public prize announcements. It amends gambling laws to exempt these sports-linked raffles from standard restrictions, effective as Act 305.