Rep. DeAnn Vaught

Maddy summaryHB 1745, now Act 604, requires commercial drivers in Arkansas to possess valid U.S. work authorization (such as a work visa or Employment Authorization Document) and demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to read traffic signs, converse with the public, respond to officials, and complete vehicle records. It directly affects commercial motor vehicle operators in Arkansas who must meet these requirements to legally drive. Violations carry fines up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses. The law creates specific offenses for operating without required work authorization or English proficiency.

Maddy summarySB 123 (now Act 553) removes a restriction preventing insurance coverage for mammograms and breast ultrasounds. The bill amends state law by deleting language that previously stated such screenings "shall not" be covered, requiring insurers to provide coverage for these preventive services. This directly affects Arkansans with health insurance who need routine mammograms or breast ultrasounds for early cancer detection. The change ensures these medically necessary screenings are covered under most insurance plans without prior authorization barriers.

Maddy summaryHB 1740 exempts specific agricultural data from public disclosure under Arkansas' Freedom of Information Act. It protects veterinary inspection certificates and personal information linked to animal identification tags held by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. This directly affects farmers and ranchers who provide this information to the Department, as it prevents public access to these records through FOIA requests. The law changes how certain farm-related data is handled, making it non-public without altering broader agricultural regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 1148, now Act 597, creates the Arkansas Privacy Act with specific provisions for drone imagery. It directly affects law enforcement, emergency medical services, and search/rescue teams by allowing them to capture images using unmanned aircraft systems (drones) for incident command, training, crime scene investigation, and search/rescue operations without triggering privacy restrictions. The bill clarifies that drone use by these agencies for these purposes is exempt from privacy requirements, removing prior ambiguities about "documenting" versus "investigating" crime scenes and adding search/rescue as a permitted use. This focuses on defining when drone surveillance does not require privacy safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 1594 creates a Farmer Sales Tax Identification Card that allows eligible farmers to claim sales tax exemptions when purchasing goods for farming. To qualify, farmers must prove they operate a commercial farm (via tax documents or a business plan) and meet resource requirements. Sellers who accept the card in good faith are protected from sales tax liability for those purchases. The card expires after 8 years and requires a $20 fee for new applications or $10 for renewals, with fees funding administration.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 29, 2025, as Vietnam War Veterans Day and March 2025 as Vietnam Era Veterans Month in Arkansas. It formally recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of Vietnam War veterans through state-level ceremonial observance. The resolution does not create new laws, programs, or benefits - it serves solely as a symbolic gesture of appreciation. It affects Arkansas residents by establishing official dates for state-level recognition of veterans' service.

Maddy summaryHB 1303 (now Act 546) creates a state income tax credit for businesses producing sustainable aviation fuel in Arkansas. The credit allows eligible producers to reduce their state income tax liability by up to the full amount of tax they owe in a given year. It directly affects aviation fuel producers who meet the bill's sustainability criteria, providing financial incentive to develop and use cleaner fuel alternatives. The law, enacted April 10, 2025, establishes this credit as part of Arkansas' efforts to support sustainable energy infrastructure.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 320 amends multiple Arkansas statutes to update references to the Arkansas Juvenile Code of 1989, specifically citing sections §9-27-301 et seq. and §9-35-101 et seq. The bill clarifies how the juvenile code applies to cases involving underage alcohol possession, custody transfers, and juvenile delinquency proceedings. It ensures consistent legal references across statutes without changing substantive law. This affects juvenile courts, law enforcement, and child welfare agencies when handling cases under the juvenile code.

Maddy summaryHB 1772, now Act 529, prohibits Arkansas local governments (counties, cities, etc.) from banning vegetable gardens on residential properties. It defines a "vegetable garden" broadly to include plots growing vegetables, herbs, fruits, or edible plants for personal use or noncommercial sharing. While localities may still regulate specific aspects like water use during droughts, fertilizer, invasive species control, or reasonable garden size/location (e.g., backyard placement), they cannot outright prohibit such gardens. This law directly affects homeowners and renters cultivating edible plants on their property across Arkansas.

Maddy summaryHB 1636 would phase out Arkansas' soft drink tax by gradually eliminating it based on sales tax collections from soft drink sales. The bill proposed replacing the current tax with a system tied directly to existing sales tax data, ensuring a smooth transition. This change would directly affect soft drink retailers (who collect the tax) and consumers (who pay it). The legislation aimed to replace an outdated tax structure with one aligned to current sales tax reporting practices.