Rep. R.J. Hawk

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1494, known as the "Arkansas Guidance Out of the Darkness Act," requires Arkansas state agencies to publish specific federal guidance documents on their publicly accessible websites. This applies to documents that influence state laws, the administration of federal funds, or provide recommendations for federal compliance. Agencies must post the full document, the date it was received, and a summary of its potential impact within 30 days. The bill aims to increase transparency regarding how federal guidance affects state policies, with the Auditor of State tasked with reviewing agency compliance annually.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1626, as amended, aimed to prohibit the sale of certain disposable vapor products. The bill's central provision was to ban the sale of disposable vapor products that originate from a "prohibited foreign party," a term defined by referencing an existing legal statute (§ 18-11-802). This measure would have directly impacted retailers selling vapor products and consumers who purchase them. The bill did not pass and died in committee.

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 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.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1044 aims to establish the Arkansas Sports Raffle Act. An amendment to the bill introduces a specific rule regarding payment methods for these raffles. It mandates that if a qualifying organization permits credit card payments, each transaction using a credit card will have a maximum limit of $250. This provision directly affects organizations that choose to operate sports raffles and individuals participating in them via credit card. The provided text only includes an amendment, so the full details of the Arkansas Sports Raffle Act are not available.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 11 (SJR 11) proposes a constitutional amendment to the Arkansas Constitution. This measure aims to modify Article 2, Section 5, with the specific intent to protect the right to keep and bear arms for individuals. If enacted, it would alter the state's foundational document concerning this right.

Maddy summaryHB 1694 amends the law concerning campaign finance reporting. It allows candidates to submit their campaign contribution and expenditure reports via email, fax, or a paper copy to the Secretary of State in the event of an emergency, ensuring they meet filing deadlines. However, candidates utilizing this emergency provision are required to electronically upload the report within ten days of submitting the paper copy. This bill directly affects candidates who are required to file campaign finance reports.

Maddy summaryHB 1685, known as the Grocery Tax Relief Act, exempts groceries from state sales and use taxes. This legislation amends existing state law regarding sales and use taxes levied on food and food ingredients. The bill directly affects consumers by removing the state sales tax typically applied to their grocery purchases.

Maddy summaryHB 1952 provides funding and clarifies the administrative authority of the State Athletic Commission, directly affecting promoters, referees, and participants in combative sports in Arkansas. The bill grants the commission sole discretion over combative sports events, including oversight for professional wrestling events with 1,500 or more attendees. It establishes a five-percent fee on event admission receipts and requires promoters to reimburse the commission for event-related costs, such as inspectors and permit fees. Additionally, the bill updates the definition of "combative sports" and mandates specific certification for professional referees and judges.