Rep. Paul Childress

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 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 summarySenate Bill 263 (now Act 330) increases the amount of the homestead property tax credit available to Arkansas homeowners. This policy change directly benefits qualifying homeowners who own and occupy their primary residence, reducing their annual property tax bill. The bill amends the existing tax credit structure to provide a higher dollar amount for eligible taxpayers. It became law after passing the Arkansas legislature and being delivered to the Governor on March 13, 2025. The change represents a concrete adjustment to tax relief for qualified homeowners without altering eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds nitrogen gas as an additional method of execution for individuals sentenced to death in Arkansas, alongside the existing lethal injection option. It requires prison officials to notify death row inmates of the chosen execution method (nitrogen gas or lethal injection) at least seven days in advance. The bill also includes confidentiality provisions preventing public disclosure of execution protocols, drug sources, and personnel involved under Arkansas' public records laws. This change applies to all future capital punishment cases in Arkansas, following its passage into law as Act 302.

Maddy summaryHB 1568 amends state law to require a postmortem examination for any death appearing to be caused by drug, alcohol, or poison toxicity. This directly affects medical examiners, law enforcement, and coroners handling death investigations in these specific cases. The bill expands existing requirements by explicitly including "apparent" toxicity from these substances as a trigger for mandatory examinations. It modifies current procedures to ensure standardized investigations when substance involvement is suspected, without creating new requirements beyond this scope. The law became effective as Act 289 on March 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 1064 is a commemorative House Resolution recognizing Scottie Pippen and the University of Central Arkansas for his achievements and contributions. It formally honors Pippen's basketball career, his Arkansas roots, and his community impact through a series of factual "whereas" statements detailing his NBA success, Olympic medals, and ties to UCA. The resolution does not create new policies, allocate funds, or affect any group through legislative action. It was passed by the Arkansas House of Representatives on March 6, 2025, as a ceremonial gesture.

Maddy summaryHB 1049 (now Act 238) amends Arkansas criminal law to establish a new offense for "unlawful squattering." The bill makes it a criminal violation for a person to occupy property without the owner's permission, specifically targeting individuals who enter or remain on property after being asked to leave. This directly affects individuals occupying vacant or abandoned properties without legal right, such as vacant homes or land. The key provision creates a specific criminal charge (likely a misdemeanor) for this conduct, distinct from general trespass laws, and specifies that the offense applies after the owner or their agent has issued a verbal or written demand to vacate.

Maddy summaryHB 1570 would require coroners and law enforcement officers to collect and secure narcotic drugs found on a deceased person to prevent misuse. The bill mandates that collected drugs must be destroyed within 30 days - either through a court order or by sending them to the Arkansas Department of Health for disposal. It excludes prescription drugs already in the care of hospitals or hospice providers, which are handled under existing healthcare disposal rules.