Rep. Les Warren

Maddy summarySB 526 proposed to prohibit the retail sale of specific disposable vapor products in Arkansas. It defined a "disposable vapor product" as one with a non-detachable battery that cannot be refilled and is designed for disposal after use. The bill would have banned retailers from selling such products if they originated from a "prohibited foreign party." The Director of Arkansas Tobacco Control could seize non-compliant products, with violations being a Class A misdemeanor, although FDA-approved products were exempt. A 90-day grace period was included for businesses to liquidate existing inventory.

Maddy summarySB 161 aims to update the laws governing benefits for local police and fire pension and relief funds. It would directly affect police officers and firefighters who are members of these local pension systems by potentially altering their benefit structures. However, the provided bill text does not specify the exact mechanisms or changes to these benefits.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 204 proposes to exempt certain financial gains from state gross income for tax purposes. This exemption would apply to taxpayers whose property is acquired by a government or entity under the right of eminent domain or the threat of condemnation. Essentially, any profit a property owner makes from such a forced sale would not be considered taxable income under this bill.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 158 aimed to amend the existing laws concerning benefits for members of the Arkansas State Highway Employees' Retirement System. The bill's stated purpose was to modify these benefits, directly affecting current and future highway employees, though the specific changes or mechanisms were not detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1787 aimed to provide an income tax exemption for certain retirement benefits received by retired law enforcement officers and firefighters in Arkansas. It would have amended state law to specifically exempt these benefits from state income tax. The bill defined who qualifies as a "firefighter" or "law enforcement officer" for this exemption and clarified how it would interact with other existing retirement benefit exemptions, allowing a combined exemption up to $6,000. If enacted, these changes would have applied to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1343 aims to amend the existing laws regarding benefits within the Arkansas Judicial Retirement System. While the bill's stated purpose is to modify these benefits, the provided text does not specify the particular changes or mechanisms it would introduce. It directly affects individuals who are part of or will be part of the Arkansas Judicial Retirement System.

Maddy summaryHB 1345 aimed to amend the existing laws regarding "credited service" within the State Police Retirement System. This bill would have directly affected members of the State Police Retirement System in Arkansas. However, the provided bill text does not specify the exact changes or mechanisms it intended to implement concerning credited service.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1339 aimed to amend the laws governing age and years of service requirements for various state retirement systems and Arkansas public employee retirement plans. Its purpose was to modify the criteria for retirement eligibility within these systems. However, the provided bill text does not detail the specific changes or mechanisms it proposed to alter these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1342 aimed to amend the existing laws governing the administration of the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System. However, the provided bill text only states this general purpose and does not include specific details about the proposed changes or mechanisms. Therefore, it is not possible to describe the concrete policy changes or who would be directly affected beyond those involved with the retirement system.

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.