Rep. David Ray

Maddy summaryThis bill adds nitrogen gas as an additional method of execution for individuals sentenced to death in Arkansas, alongside the existing lethal injection option. It requires prison officials to notify death row inmates of the chosen execution method (nitrogen gas or lethal injection) at least seven days in advance. The bill also includes confidentiality provisions preventing public disclosure of execution protocols, drug sources, and personnel involved under Arkansas' public records laws. This change applies to all future capital punishment cases in Arkansas, following its passage into law as Act 302.

Maddy summaryHB 1369 establishes a maximum limit on campaign contributions for Arkansas state elections, setting this cap through the Arkansas Ethics Commission rather than the legislature. It directly affects state political candidates, committees, and donors by restricting how much they can contribute to campaigns. The bill amends existing campaign finance laws to implement this commission-set limit and declares an emergency to expedite its implementation. This is a concrete policy change to regulate campaign funding, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 188 (now Act 272) requires sponsors of statewide initiative and referendum petitions in Arkansas to publicly post specific details on the Secretary of State’s website within five business days of gathering signatures. Sponsors must provide the full proposed measure text, official ballot description, and popular name, all certified by the Attorney General. The Secretary of State must keep this information online unless the petition fails to qualify, the sponsor requests removal, or a court removes the measure from the ballot. This law directly affects petition sponsors and aims to increase transparency about proposed ballot measures.

Maddy summaryHB 1499 amends Arkansas law governing the sale of public property by clarifying which state agencies must follow the updated procedures. It removes specific entities - including the State Highway Commission, Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission, State Parks Commission, and institutions of higher education - from the list of exemptions, requiring them to adhere to the new sale process. This change directly affects state boards and commissions managing public assets when disposing of property. The bill became law as Act 288 on March 12, 2025, streamlining public property sales for covered agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 1514 updates Arkansas' definition of "critical-need employee" under the Uniform Attendance and Leave Policy Act. It expands the list of state agencies requiring 24/7, 7-day staffing to include the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Military, adding these to the existing seven agencies. This change directly affects state employees in designated positions at these nine agencies who must be available around the clock. The bill, now Act 253 after passing both legislative chambers and reaching the Governor, modifies eligibility for specific leave and attendance policies without altering the core policy structure.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution passed by the Arkansas House of Representatives expressing support for President Trump's nomination of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as U.S. Ambassador to Israel. It has no legal effect but urges swift confirmation to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations, citing Huckabee's experience, pro-Israel advocacy, and religious ties. The resolution was adopted unanimously and transmitted to the President and Senate for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 1049 (now Act 238) amends Arkansas criminal law to establish a new offense for "unlawful squattering." The bill makes it a criminal violation for a person to occupy property without the owner's permission, specifically targeting individuals who enter or remain on property after being asked to leave. This directly affects individuals occupying vacant or abandoned properties without legal right, such as vacant homes or land. The key provision creates a specific criminal charge (likely a misdemeanor) for this conduct, distinct from general trespass laws, and specifies that the offense applies after the owner or their agent has issued a verbal or written demand to vacate.

Maddy summaryHB 1368 amends the list of musicians honored on Arkansas Music Appreciation Day by adding specific names to the official roster. The bill directly affects the state's commemorative designation for music professionals recognized annually. It is a procedural update to the existing holiday framework, not a policy change with broader implications. The bill became law as Act 203 on February 27, 2025, after passing both chambers.

Maddy summaryHB 1222 requires the state Attorney General to review ballot titles for initiatives and referendums to ensure they don’t conflict with the U.S. Constitution or federal law. If a title conflicts, the bill prohibits submitting that petition. It directly affects citizens and groups seeking to place initiatives or referendums on the ballot by adding a pre-submission review step. The key mechanism is the Attorney General’s mandatory review process, which blocks conflicting petitions before they can be circulated. This policy change aims to prevent state ballot measures from violating federal legal standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1221 requires that signatures on initiative and referendum petitions must be collected before the next general election after the ballot title is certified. It invalidates signatures gathered after that election date and sets the ballot title certification to expire on the next general election. This directly affects citizens who gather signatures to propose new laws or constitutional amendments through Arkansas's initiative process. The bill includes an emergency clause to take effect before the 2026 general election.