Rep. Bruce Cozart

Maddy summarySenate Bill 598 amends various Arkansas laws related to the Division of Workforce Services and the definition of "employee." It establishes a specific "twenty-factor test," based on federal regulations, to determine if an individual is an employee or an independent contractor. This test guides employers and agencies when making employment status determinations for various purposes. The bill applies this updated standard to definitions of "employee" under the Workers' Compensation Law, wage discrimination laws, and other statutes administered by the Division of Workforce Services.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 352 prohibits antisemitism in public elementary and secondary schools. It also extends this prohibition to state-supported institutions of higher education. The bill establishes a standard for conduct within these educational environments, directly affecting students, faculty, and staff. This legislation aims to prevent and address antisemitic acts or expressions within these institutions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 426 creates the "Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act." This legislation establishes enhanced penalties for individuals identified as illegal aliens. These increased penalties apply specifically when an illegal alien commits serious felonies involving violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new system for property insurance for public schools, state-supported higher education institutions, and other state-owned properties. It creates the State Captive Insurance Program and the Office of Property Risk within the Department of Transformation and Shared Services to manage these combined insurance efforts. The act allows the state to create its own captive insurance company and prohibits the use of public adjusting for these property insurance claims. The goal is to create a more stable and sustainable property insurance system for these state entities by consolidating existing programs and ensuring proper property valuation. (SB 481, Act 779)

Maddy summarySenate Bill 535 creates a sales and use tax exemption specifically for the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation. This means that these two organizations will not be required to pay sales tax on their purchases of physical goods, digital products, or services. The bill amends existing state code to add this new exemption. This change aims to reduce the tax burden on the museum and its associated foundation.

Maddy summarySB 627, now Act 746, aims to assist the administration of the Code Enforcement section within the Department of Labor and Licensing. This legislation specifically focuses on enhancing the enforcement of state safety laws related to electricians, HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) professionals, elevators, and boilers. The provided text, which is an amendment adding cosponsors, does not detail the specific mechanisms or provisions of how the bill achieves this administrative assistance.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1680, now Act 811, restricts certain foreign entities from acquiring interests in land. It prohibits businesses controlled by a "foreign party" from leasing land. The bill also prevents "prohibited foreign parties" from holding an interest in real property or agricultural land under specific circumstances. An amendment clarifies that an individual is not considered a "prohibited foreign party" if they are also a citizen of the United States.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1681 establishes the Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program. This program provides grants to local entities to help fund improvements and upgrades to their water and sewer treatment infrastructure. The grants will be supported by revenues authorized by law. The program is set to expire five years after its effective date, and the administering commission is required to report annually on the status of all awarded grants.

Maddy summaryHR 1113 is a ceremonial House resolution recognizing the Arkansas State Police's Interstate Criminal Patrol for winning the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Awards. It specifically highlights the team's 2024 achievements, including seizing $32.25 million in narcotics, recovering $4.1 million in cash, and earning individual honors like "Officer of the Year" for Trooper Ana Escamilla and "Largest Cash Seizure" for Corporal Chris Short. The resolution has no binding effect - it does not create new laws or allocate funds - but formally acknowledges the team's work through a symbolic gesture. It was adopted by the Arkansas House of Representatives on April 15, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1821 creates a single State Captive Insurance Program to replace fragmented property insurance systems for public schools, state-supported colleges/universities, and state-owned properties in Arkansas. It combines these entities under one program, prohibits the use of public adjusting firms (which the bill states increased premiums), and requires independent reappraisals of higher education properties to ensure proper valuation. The bill also establishes the Office of Property Risk within the Department of Transformation and Shared Services to manage the program and mandates coordination among state agencies for a smooth transition. These changes aim to stabilize insurance costs and improve market competitiveness for these public entities.