Rep. DeAnn Vaught

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 summarySB 607 aimed to establish requirements for Arkansas public school districts that choose to implement a four-day school week. The bill would authorize local school boards to adopt this schedule, explicitly preventing the State Board of Education from approving or denying their decision. However, the State Board would be required to set standards for state funding distribution and ensure districts provide an average of 30 hours of instruction per week. Districts would also need to provide documentation of their program's success using state-approved tests and include the four-day week on their annual report for community input. A district could forfeit the four-day week option if classified as needing intensive support and showing persistent underperformance.

Maddy summaryHB 1388 aims to amend state sales tax laws by creating specific exemptions for certain services. The bill proposes to exempt particular storage services from sales tax. Additionally, it seeks to exempt the sales tax on accommodations provided by tourist camps or tourist courts, referencing Referred Act 19 of 1958. These changes would directly affect businesses offering these services and their customers by removing the sales tax on these transactions.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1940 sets requirements for public school districts that choose to implement a four-day school week. The bill outlines how state aid funds will be determined and distributed to these districts. Its primary aim is to ensure that schools operating on a four-day schedule receive an equitable share of state aid. This is intended to guarantee that the educational opportunities provided are equivalent to those offered by districts following a traditional five-day school week.

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 summaryHouse Bill 1464 aimed to create a sales and use tax exemption for farmers and agricultural businesses in Arkansas. It sought to exempt the gross receipts or proceeds from the sale of parts used to modify, replace, or repair existing agricultural equipment and machinery. Additionally, the bill proposed to exempt services related to the installation, alteration, or repair of this equipment. "Agricultural equipment and machinery" was defined to include items like irrigation pipe and aviation machinery used directly in farming, but excluded timber production equipment, motor vehicles, or hand tools.

Maddy summaryHJR 1015 was a proposed constitutional amendment in Arkansas that aimed to change how judicial candidates appear on the ballot. If approved, it would have required candidates for Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judge, Circuit Judge, and District Judge to declare their political party affiliation or independent status. This declared affiliation or independent status would then be printed on the ballot for voters to see. The stated purpose of the amendment was to ensure transparency regarding judicial candidates' affiliations. This amendment would have taken effect on January 1, 2027, if passed.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1190 aimed to create an income tax exemption for qualified teachers in Arkansas. The bill defined a "teacher" as an individual primarily engaged in K-12 student instruction at public or open-enrollment charter schools. It proposed to exempt the first $50,000 of a teacher's wages from state income tax. This change would have applied to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1290 aims to mandate insurance coverage for mental health wellness examinations and establish the Arkansas Support of Mental Health Wellness Examinations Act. This bill would directly affect individuals with health benefit plans and the healthcare insurers providing those plans. An amendment to the bill clarified provisions regarding the scope of these examinations, including age-appropriate screenings and other clinically appropriate supports. It also specified that cost-sharing is required for health benefit plans issued by a healthcare insurer to a state entity.

Maddy summaryHB 1699 proposed to expand the state's existing sales tax holiday. If enacted, it would have allowed consumers to purchase firearm safety devices and firearm storage devices without paying sales tax during the designated holiday period. This measure aimed to make these specific items, intended for secure firearm storage, temporarily more affordable for individuals.