Rep. DeAnn Vaught

Maddy summaryHB 1710 prohibits public school districts, charter schools, and private schools in Arkansas from using or referencing publicly published school ratings (from the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education) in any advertising, promotional materials, or public communications. The bill aims to prevent schools from leveraging these ratings for marketing purposes. It was introduced on March 10, 2025, but was withdrawn by its author on April 8, 2025, and is no longer active. This bill directly affects schools that might have used rating systems in their public outreach.

Maddy summaryHB 1731 would require children under 16 to obtain employment certificates before working, directly affecting young workers and employers in Arkansas. The certificates, issued by the Division of Labor, would require proof of age, work details, and parental consent, aiming to reduce child labor violations. The bill cites research showing states with such mandates have 15.5% lower child labor violation rates. This bill was filed in March 2025 but withdrawn by its author on April 8, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1705 (now Act 478) requires public school social studies standards to include specific content about how the religious and moral beliefs of the founding fathers influenced the founding of the United States. This law directly affects K-12 students and educators in the state by mandating that existing social studies curriculum standards incorporate this historical perspective. The bill amends standards to explicitly reference "religious and moral beliefs" held by the founding fathers and their role in shaping the nation's founding principles. It does not create new educational programs but revises current standards to include this specific historical analysis.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1561) is a technical amendment to remove all references to "the State of Qatar" from existing state laws. It deletes phrases like "or the State of Qatar" or "from the State of Qatar" from 17 different sections of the code, correcting outdated or erroneous text. The bill does not create new policies, affect any individuals or groups, or change legal requirements. It was passed by both chambers and became law as Act 473 on April 8, 2025, solely to update legal references.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April as "Parliamentary Law Month" in Arkansas through a ceremonial resolution. It recognizes the importance of parliamentary procedure in democratic governance, citing historical figures like Thomas Jefferson and Robert's Rules of Order. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any individuals, organizations, or policies - it is purely symbolic, aligning Arkansas with the National Association of Parliamentarians' existing designation. The bill was passed unanimously by the Arkansas House of Representatives on April 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1574 requires paid canvassers working on statewide initiative petitions or referendums in Arkansas to be both residents of the state and domiciled in Arkansas. The law defines domicile as "actual residence plus the intent to remain" in the state, based on a 2000 Arkansas Supreme Court ruling. This applies specifically to canvassers collecting signatures for statewide ballot measures, not local elections. The bill amends Arkansas Code § 7-9-103(a) to add this requirement and clarifies that individuals may have only one domicile. The law became effective as Act 453 on April 3, 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 summaryHB 1609 increases penalties for human traffickers who recruit victims from high-risk locations. It mandates a 10-year prison sentence (up from standard penalties) if traffickers target individuals at facilities like youth shelters, correctional facilities, foster homes, childcare institutions, or juvenile detention centers. The bill directly affects traffickers who exploit vulnerable populations in these specific settings. It creates a clear legal mechanism to impose harsher sentences based on the victim’s location at the time of recruitment. The bill became law as Act 366 on March 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 1084 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Arkansas House of Representatives to honor Martha Jarrow, Director of Member Services, for her dedicated service to the House and state. The resolution recognizes her leadership in developing staff training programs, improving legislative communication, and fostering a collaborative workplace environment. Adopted on March 20, 2025, it formally acknowledges her contributions and will be presented to her by the House Chief Clerk.

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.