Rep. Denise Ennett

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution honors the Arkansas Minority Health Commission during American Heart Month in February. It recognizes the Commission's efforts to address heart disease specifically among minority populations in Arkansas.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1880 proposes amendments to Arkansas's Human Life Protection Act and Unborn Child Protection Act. The bill seeks to add new exceptions to the state's abortion prohibitions, allowing the procedure in cases of pregnancies resulting from incest or rape, provided a report has been filed with law enforcement. It also includes an exception for fetal abnormalities incompatible with life. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "medical emergency" to include circumstances where an abortion is necessary to preserve the health of a pregnant woman, not just her life.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1073 proposed to establish the Advanced Energy Jobs Task Force in Arkansas. This task force would have been responsible for planning and promoting employment opportunities within the state's advanced energy industry. The bill outlined the task force's composition, including legislators and representatives from state agencies and energy associations, and defined terms related to advanced electricity systems. The task force was intended to meet regularly to develop strategies for economic development in this sector.

Maddy summaryHB 1728 requires institutions of higher education to report the number of students who receive accommodations for a disability. This bill mandates that colleges and universities provide data on how many of their students are utilizing disability support services. The purpose is to collect information on the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities at these institutions.

Maddy summaryThe context provided does not include the actual provisions or policy details of HB 1766 (the Arkansas RISE Act). While the bill's title indicates it aims to "Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower" (RISE), the available information only confirms its procedural status: it was passed by both chambers in 2025, enrolled as Act 907 on April 16, 2025, and transmitted to the Governor. No specific mechanisms, affected groups, or policy changes are described in the provided text. To summarize the bill's content, the full legislative text or official summary would be required.

Maddy summarySB 540 limits the suspension, revocation, or imposition of restrictions on a driver's license for individuals who have suffered a seizure. This bill directly affects drivers who have experienced a seizure by placing boundaries on the actions that can be taken against their driving privileges. The legislation aims to provide specific protections regarding license status for this group. SB 540 has passed both legislative chambers and is now Act 702.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 535 creates a sales and use tax exemption specifically for the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation. This means that these two organizations will not be required to pay sales tax on their purchases of physical goods, digital products, or services. The bill amends existing state code to add this new exemption. This change aims to reduce the tax burden on the museum and its associated foundation.

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 summaryHouse Bill 1855 transfers the authority for recommending adjustments to fire protection district boundaries from the State Forestry Commission to the Department of Agriculture. This bill allows the Department of Agriculture to recommend boundary changes to county courts for districts that overlap, abut areas without fire service, or are contiguous. Various fire protection organizations, including volunteer departments, can request these recommendations under specific conditions. The process involves the Department making a recommendation, the requesting district filing a petition with the county court, public notice, and a final decision by the county court to accept, reject, or modify the proposed boundary adjustment.

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.