Rep. R.J. Hawk

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1561) is a technical amendment to remove all references to "the State of Qatar" from existing state laws. It deletes phrases like "or the State of Qatar" or "from the State of Qatar" from 17 different sections of the code, correcting outdated or erroneous text. The bill does not create new policies, affect any individuals or groups, or change legal requirements. It was passed by both chambers and became law as Act 473 on April 8, 2025, solely to update legal references.

Maddy summarySB 414 modifies Arkansas election procedures by requiring county clerks to send election commissioners a written oath notice via registered mail within 30 days of their selection. It also mandates that county clerks notify political party committee chairs about candidate ballot filing deadlines at least 100 days before general elections, using registered mail or certified mail. The bill allows email notification (with read receipt) as an alternative method if both political parties agree in writing. These changes directly affect county clerks, election commissioners, and political party committees involved in election administration.

Maddy summaryHB 1693 standardizes how Arkansas election officials handle damaged or defective ballots. It requires election officials to create a true duplicate of such ballots in the presence of witnesses, label both the original and duplicate with "original" and "duplicate," assign the same serial number, and securely store them before counting the duplicate. The bill also authorizes the State Board of Election Commissioners to create detailed rules for this duplication process. This directly affects election officials at polling sites and central counting facilities, ensuring consistent handling of disputed ballots during elections. The law updates existing procedures to clarify ballot duplication requirements and reporting timelines for county election boards.

Maddy summaryHR 1092 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing the Bryant High School Hornets boys' basketball team as the Class 6A state champions for 2025. It directly affects the team, their coach, and school staff by formally honoring their championship victory in a non-binding resolution. The bill contains no new policy provisions or funding; it simply expresses legislative recognition of the team's achievement and includes a provision to present a copy of the resolution to the head coach. This is a procedural resolution with no legal effect beyond symbolic acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 1089) officially recognizes the Benton High School Panthers boys' basketball team as the Class 5A state champions for their 2024-2025 season. It commemorates their first state championship victory - a narrow 58-57 win over Maumelle in the March 14, 2025, final - with specific acknowledgment of their 31-3 season record, back-to-back conference titles, and individual honors for players like Terrion Burgess (Most Valuable Player) and Harrison Pickett (Division 1 scholarship signee). As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect policy; it solely serves to honor the team’s achievement through formal legislative recognition. The resolution was adopted by the Arkansas House of Representatives on April 2, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 409 prohibits financial services providers from refusing to do business with or terminating relationships with agricultural producers solely based on their status as such. It defines "agricultural producer" to include those growing crops, raising animals, or producing livestock/dairy products. The bill requires Arkansas' Treasurer to publish a list of financial providers found to discriminate against agricultural producers, after giving them 45 days' notice and a 30-day window to prove they are not discriminating. This list will be posted online, with the process involving an ESG Oversight Committee and requiring agricultural producers to consent to sharing financial data if they report discrimination.

Maddy summarySB 413 requires school board directors in Arkansas to take and submit proof of an oath within 10 days of their election or appointment. The bill mandates that directors provide a certified copy of their signed oath, including the administrator's signature and date, to the county clerk by the deadline specified in the notification. Failure to comply results in disqualification from serving and a holdover period until the oath is properly submitted. This procedural change directly affects all newly elected or appointed school board members across Arkansas school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1610 is a technical amendment to Arkansas' Human Life Protection Act and Unborn Child Protection Act, clarifying existing medical exception language. It removes redundant phrases like "in the judgment of the physician" and replaces them with simpler terms such as "judgment" throughout the statutes. This change streamlines how medical professionals can cite exceptions for abortions when the mother's health is at risk, directly affecting healthcare providers and patients navigating the current abortion restrictions. The bill, now Act 387, became law on March 20, 2025, without altering the core prohibitions on abortion.

Maddy summarySB 317 prohibits Arkansas public institutions of higher education from engaging in specific activities with "prohibited foreign parties." It directly affects universities and colleges receiving state funding by banning them from conducting agricultural research under contract or selling agricultural products (including seeds) with such entities. The bill defines "prohibited foreign parties" but does not specify which entities qualify. This policy change restricts certain financial and research transactions between Arkansas colleges and designated foreign entities, without altering broader academic collaboration rules. The bill passed as Act 351 on March 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 200 (now Act 329) expands Arkansas's sales tax exemption for public schools by including leased textbooks and instructional materials alongside purchased ones. It directly affects Arkansas public school districts, schools receiving state funding, and the state government when distributing materials. The key change modifies tax exemption rules to explicitly cover materials "leased" by qualifying schools or the state, removing a previous distinction that only applied to purchased items. This policy change reduces costs for schools using leased educational resources without altering existing exemptions for other items like extracurricular supplies. The bill became law on March 18, 2025.