Rep. Brit McKenzie

Maddy summaryHB 1180, also known as the "Baby Olivia Act," mandates specific video content for human fetal growth and development discussions. These discussions must include a high-definition ultrasound video showing early fetal organ development. Additionally, a video at least three minutes long depicting fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus until birth is required. The bill tasks the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education with approving a list of these videos, specifically mentioning the "Meet Baby Olivia" video. This legislation would affect the content of educational discussions on fetal development and the responsibilities of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Maddy summarySB 215 aimed to amend how public school districts in Arkansas can donate unneeded real estate. It would have expanded the types of entities, including charter schools, higher education institutions, and local governments, that can receive donated property for purposes like preservation, holding classes, or community programs, explicitly excluding housing. The bill also mandated that consolidated school districts make unneeded property available for donation or low-cost lease after two years. Additionally, it would have updated definitions for public school facilities and required districts to offer unused facilities to local charter schools for lease or purchase before donating them.

Maddy summaryHB 1790 proposed changes to how local governments regulate short-term rentals (like Airbnb properties). The bill aimed to amend existing laws governing these rentals but was amended (Amendment No. 1) before failing to pass. It did not become law, as it died on the House Calendar after failing on third reading on April 8, 2025. The bill directly affected local governments and property owners operating short-term rentals within their jurisdictions. No concrete policy changes were enacted through this legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 1708, titled "The Keep the Bonus, Axe the Tax: The No-Tax Bonus Act," proposed to exempt certain bonus payments from state income tax in Arkansas. This bill directly affects employees who receive these specific types of bonuses. It defines a bonus as an additional, nonrecurring payment that does not increase an employee's base pay and includes no commitment for future payments. If passed, these defined bonuses would not be subject to income tax for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

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 1139, known as the "Released Time Education Act," would require public schools and open-enrollment public charter schools in Arkansas to excuse students from school to attend religious moral instruction. Upon request from a parent or guardian, students could be released for these "released time courses," which are taught by an independent entity off school grounds. Students would be excused for a minimum of one hour and a maximum of five hours per week to attend these courses.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1973 (HB 1973) proposes to prohibit governmental bodies in Arkansas from using state or local funds to enter into contracts with external lobbyists. This means that state and local taxpayer money could not be used to pay individuals or firms whose primary purpose is to lobby on behalf of a government entity. The bill also extends this prohibition to using state or local funds to pay membership dues to organizations that lobby on behalf of governmental bodies. However, it clarifies that governmental bodies are still permitted to employ their own staff, including registered lobbyists, to conduct lobbying activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1934 proposed to create the Arkansas Forward Engagement Committee working group. This temporary group, composed of various state agency secretaries and legislative members, would be tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of state government spending and regulations. Its purpose would be to identify inefficiencies, opportunities to optimize resources, and regulations that are unnecessary or burdensome. The working group would also accept public submissions on waste and inefficiencies, incorporating them into a final report of findings and recommendations to legislative leadership by July 1, 2026. The group was scheduled to be abolished by January 1, 2027, with a potential extension by the Governor.

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 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.