Rep. Julie Mayberry

Maddy summarySB 120 aimed to require all private care agencies in Arkansas to obtain licensure, intended to provide consumer protection for vulnerable aging adults. A key provision of the bill mandated specific background checks for applicants. These checks would involve federal and state criminal background screenings, as well as searches of child and adult maltreatment registries.

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 summaryHB 1283 requires the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to revise its Kindergarten through Grade Twelve (K-12) library media standards. These updated standards must include digital media literacy, covering topics such as the negative effects of social media on mental health, online exploitation, the permanency of online content, digital footprints, and cybersecurity. The division is also tasked with curating age-appropriate resources for parents, educators, and students to support these new standards. Additionally, the bill amends the job duties of library media specialists to include providing instruction in digital media literacy.

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 summaryHouse Bill 1862 amends Arkansas's income tax laws related to caring for individuals with disabilities. The bill repeals the $500 income tax deduction previously available for taxpayers caring for a totally and permanently disabled child in their home. Simultaneously, it increases the state income tax credit for taxpayers maintaining, supporting, and caring for an individual with a developmental disability from $500 to $750. The bill also updates the definition of "developmental disability" for the credit and expands the types of licensed medical professionals who can provide certification for the disability.

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 Bill 1626, as amended, aimed to prohibit the sale of certain disposable vapor products. The bill's central provision was to ban the sale of disposable vapor products that originate from a "prohibited foreign party," a term defined by referencing an existing legal statute (§ 18-11-802). This measure would have directly impacted retailers selling vapor products and consumers who purchase them. The bill did not pass and died in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1070, titled "TO CREATE THE BALLOT DRAW STANDARDIZATION ACT OF 2025," aimed to establish standardized procedures for drawing ballots in elections. The bill's context does not provide specific policy details about its provisions or who it would directly affect. The bill was introduced with cosponsors added via amendment, passed committee review, but ultimately failed on third reading in the House on March 13, 2025. It died on the House calendar after the legislative session ended on May 5, 2025. No substantive policy changes or mechanisms are described in the provided context.

Maddy summaryHB 1540 was a legislative bill intended to amend existing income tax credits and deductions for taxpayers who maintain, support, and care for an individual with a disability. While the bill aimed to modify these specific tax provisions, the provided text only contains an amendment adding a cosponsor, not the detailed changes to the credit or deduction themselves. The bill ultimately died in the House Committee.

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.