Rep. John Maddox

Maddy summaryHB 1368 amends the list of musicians honored on Arkansas Music Appreciation Day by adding specific names to the official roster. The bill directly affects the state's commemorative designation for music professionals recognized annually. It is a procedural update to the existing holiday framework, not a policy change with broader implications. The bill became law as Act 203 on February 27, 2025, after passing both chambers.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 1028) formally recognizes National FFA Week (February 15-22, 2025) in Arkansas. It acknowledges the work of the National FFA Organization and Arkansas FFA Association - highlighting their 17,503 members and role in agricultural education - without creating new laws or funding. The resolution serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment, directing the House to send a copy to both FFA organizations. It has no policy impact beyond symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 1196 separates the roles of sheriff and tax collector in Montgomery County, Arkansas, effective January 1, 2027. The bill requires Montgomery County voters to elect both positions separately in the 2026 general election, with each officer taking office on January 1, 2027. Both officials must post bonds and receive county-determined compensation within state-set limits, as approved by the Montgomery County Quorum Court. This law, now Act 160, directly affects Montgomery County residents and county government operations by ending the combined office.

Maddy summaryHB 1353 regulates vision benefit managers and amends Arkansas' Vision Care Plan Act and Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act. It prohibits insurance contracts from automatically reducing vision benefits solely due to other coverage (e.g., multiple vision plans), requiring such reductions to follow Insurance Commissioner-approved rules instead. The bill defines key terms like "covered materials" (e.g., lenses, frames) and "vision benefit manager," while banning agreements that force providers to charge more for non-covered services than their standard rates. This directly affects Arkansans with vision insurance plans and eye care providers, ensuring fairer billing practices for covered vision care services and materials. The bill passed in February 2025 and became Act 142.

Maddy summarySB 203 amends Arkansas law to establish a formal framework for recreational tramway systems within state parks and other designated locations. The bill defines key terms, clarifies liability for recreation operators (adding "for negligence" to operator responsibilities), and updates procedural language to support these systems. It directly affects state park administrators, tramway operators, and visitors using these facilities. The bill became law as Act 155 on February 25, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summarySB 98 allows third-party delivery services (like food apps) to deliver alcohol from participating retail stores, directly affecting alcohol retailers and delivery companies. The bill requires retailers to be open for at least 30 hours weekly for retail sales and creates a $500 annual permit for third-party delivery services. Delivery workers must complete annual training on identifying intoxication, verifying IDs, and understanding Arkansas's wet (alcohol-selling) and dry (alcohol-prohibited) counties. This replaces previous restrictions on alcohol delivery and adds new operational requirements for permit holders.

Maddy summarySB 59 requires all public schools to provide one free breakfast daily to every student upon request, without checking if they qualify for federally funded free or reduced-price meals. This policy directly affects all public school students in the state, eliminating eligibility barriers for breakfast access. The bill includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon enactment. It changes school meal procedures by mandating universal breakfast availability as a standard practice, not tied to existing federal program eligibility. The bill became law as Act 123 on February 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1282 (now Act 110) amends Arkansas law to clarify and strengthen penalties for unauthorized practice of law. It directly affects non-lawyers who offer legal services in personal injury or property damage cases, such as those advising on claims, negotiating settlements, or soliciting clients for these matters. The bill specifically prohibits actions like contracting for representation on a contingent fee basis, advising on settlement offers, or entering exclusive agreements for selecting legal counsel without a license. This makes it a criminal offense to engage in these activities with the intent of gaining direct economic benefit, tightening existing restrictions on unlicensed legal assistance. The law took effect on February 18, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryHB 1351 aimed to regulate vision benefit managers and amend Arkansas' Vision Care Plan Act and Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act. It would have prohibited insurers from reducing vision benefits solely due to other insurance coverage, defined key terms like "covered materials" and "vision benefit manager," and set rules for provider agreements. The bill specifically targeted how vision care providers (like optometrists) and insurers handle payments for services and materials such as glasses, contacts, and eye exams. However, the bill was withdrawn by its authors on February 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) recognizing Lorie Tudor for her 41-year career with the Arkansas Department of Transportation. It formally acknowledges her service to the state but contains no policy changes or funding provisions. The resolution has no direct impact on citizens, laws, or government operations - it serves only as a symbolic gesture of appreciation. No voting record is relevant, as it does not advance legislation.