Rep. Ashley Hudson

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1681 establishes the Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program. This program provides grants to local entities to help fund improvements and upgrades to their water and sewer treatment infrastructure. The grants will be supported by revenues authorized by law. The program is set to expire five years after its effective date, and the administering commission is required to report annually on the status of all awarded grants.

Maddy summaryHB 1732 aims to increase the income tax deduction available to teachers. This deduction applies to money teachers spend on their classrooms, often referred to as classroom investment. By increasing the allowed deduction, the bill enables teachers to reduce a larger portion of these out-of-pocket expenses from their taxable income. This change directly affects teachers who incur costs for their classrooms.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1433, now Act 828, modifies the process for law enforcement officers serving orders of protection. It requires officers to perform a check for any active arrest warrants for the individual being served. This check must be completed before the order of protection is officially executed. The bill directly impacts law enforcement procedures and individuals subject to protective orders.

Maddy summaryHB 1815, now Act 687, modifies the state's legal authority in two distinct areas. It amends the state's jurisdiction regarding federal lands located within its borders. Additionally, the bill ensures that the state retains jurisdiction over juvenile justice matters. An amendment clarifies that these juvenile cases will be heard by the circuit court or the juvenile division of the circuit court.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1782, now Act 642, prohibits the sale, transfer, or furnishing of over-the-counter diet pills to individuals who are under eighteen years of age. This means that retailers and other parties are not permitted to provide these specific products to minors. The law directly affects sellers of these pills and individuals under 18 seeking to purchase them.

Maddy summaryHB 1824, also known as the "Dog and Cat Rescue Act: Daisy's Law," amends Arkansas law concerning cruelty to animals. This act authorizes law enforcement officers to temporarily secure a dog or cat and transfer its possession to an appropriate place of custody. This action can be taken after a complaint of cruelty if there is a substantial likelihood the animal's condition would deteriorate. Officers may also consider the condition of other dogs or cats belonging to the same owner as evidence to support securing the animal.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1333, now Act 627, mandates that health insurance plans must provide coverage for breastfeeding and lactation consultant services. This bill directly affects individuals who utilize these services by ensuring their insurance covers the costs. It requires health insurance providers to include this specific coverage in their plans. An amendment clarified that these services must be provided by a certified healthcare provider.

Maddy summaryHB 1859 amends Arkansas law to strengthen health insurance coverage for mastectomy patients. It requires health insurers to cover specific benefits including a minimum 48-hour hospital stay post-mastectomy, full breast reconstruction (including both breasts for symmetry), prostheses, lymphedema treatment, and coverage for mesh/nerve grafts. Insurers must provide written coverage notices at enrollment and annually, and cannot deny coverage or penalize providers for following these requirements. The law applies to most health plans (excluding state/public school employee plans) and expires June 30, 2031.

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 1077 requires Arkansas correctional facilities to verify the veteran status of incarcerated individuals within 14 days using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs data. If a veteran is incarcerated for six months or more, facilities must notify the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs within 45 days of admission and again upon release. The bill also mandates that facilities provide incarcerated veterans with access to apply for VA benefits or veterans treatment court programs. This law directly affects veterans in state or local correctional facilities and the facilities themselves, creating a formal notification process to connect veterans with available support services.