Rep. Jeff Wardlaw

Maddy summaryHB 1512, now Act 341, prohibits Arkansas public schools and charter schools from granting excused absences for "political protest." It allows excused absences for student "social or public policy advocacy" or "influencing legislation" only with parental consent. Schools must annually report the number of such absences and their purposes to the education division. The law directly affects public school students, parents, and school administrators by changing absence policies for non-academic activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1417, now Act 215, designates the mallard duck as Arkansas' official state duck without creating new laws or requirements. The bill explicitly states state agencies are not obligated to update publications or displays to include this designation, though they may choose to do so in future materials. It also clarifies that the designation does not grant any legal protections or conservation status to mallard ducks. This is a purely symbolic measure with no direct impact on residents, businesses, or state operations.

Maddy summarySB 63 amends Arkansas law to update the name of a state department referenced in annual reporting requirements. Specifically, it replaces "Transportation" with "Transformation" in the text governing reports submitted by secretaries of cabinet-level departments. This is a technical correction to the bill language, not a substantive policy change. The bill directly affects department secretaries who prepare these annual reports but does not alter reporting content or requirements. The amendment passed and became Act 219 on February 26, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 1018 is a House Resolution recognizing McGehee Elementary School in Arkansas as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School for its success in closing achievement gaps between student groups, as awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. The resolution, adopted by the Arkansas House of Representatives on February 26, 2025, formally honors the school's academic performance and holistic approach to student support. A copy of the resolution will be provided to the school's principal as a tribute to the school's accomplishments. This is a recognition measure with no policy changes or funding impacts.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 1028) formally recognizes National FFA Week (February 15-22, 2025) in Arkansas. It acknowledges the work of the National FFA Organization and Arkansas FFA Association - highlighting their 17,503 members and role in agricultural education - without creating new laws or funding. The resolution serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment, directing the House to send a copy to both FFA organizations. It has no policy impact beyond symbolic recognition.

Maddy summarySB 213, now Act 140, creates Arkansas' "Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act" to improve maternal health through Medicaid reforms. It requires the Arkansas Medicaid Program to cover specific services separately (not as bundled payments), including prenatal visits, blood pressure monitoring devices with training, remote ultrasounds, and doula/community health worker home visits for prenatal/postpartum care. The law also mandates depression screening for pregnant women and allows immediate enrollment for pregnant applicants while awaiting full processing. These changes directly affect pregnant and postpartum Medicaid enrollees in Arkansas, aiming to expand access to critical health services.

Maddy summaryHB 1427, now Act 124, creates Arkansas' "Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act" to improve maternal health through Medicaid reforms. It requires the Arkansas Medicaid Program to reimburse for specific services including depression screening during pregnancy, separate coverage for prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care (such as office visits, blood work, and remote glucose monitoring), and self-measured blood pressure monitoring equipment. The bill also mandates reimbursement for remote ultrasounds, home visits by doulas and community health workers, and establishes presumptive eligibility to immediately enroll pregnant women in Medicaid while their full applications are processed. These provisions directly affect pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in Arkansas Medicaid, aiming to expand access to preventative and specialized care.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a longstanding prohibition that prevented nonprofit, tax-exempt, or governmentally-funded hospitals in Arkansas from operating retail pharmacies. It allows these hospitals to obtain pharmacy permits for selling drugs directly to the public, with specific rules about permit limits (one per hospital plus one for every 100 beds). Hospitals would need to employ a licensed pharmacist-in-charge and must inform patients about their pharmacy choice options under the 340B Drug Pricing Program. The bill also creates new reporting requirements for the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy regarding pharmacy permits and closures.

Maddy summarySB 182 requires Arkansas counties and municipalities to automatically continue operating under their previous year’s budget if they fail to adopt a new annual appropriation ordinance by January 1. This ensures essential services like payroll, public safety, and basic government operations continue without interruption. The bill specifies that only necessary operational expenses - such as employee salaries (as of December 31), contracts, and debt payments - may be funded under the previous budget, while excluding new capital purchases, county judge salaries, and justices of the peace per diem until a new budget is approved. It declares an emergency, stating that without this provision, local governments would risk disrupting critical services and endangering public health and safety. The law applies immediately upon enactment to prevent service gaps during budget adoption delays.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution designates January 21, 2025, as Arkansas Forestry Day at the state Capitol. It formally recognizes the economic and environmental significance of Arkansas' forestry industry, which supports over 26,000 jobs and contributes $7 billion to the state economy. The resolution directs the House to send a copy to the Arkansas Forestry Association upon adoption. As a commemorative measure, it has no binding effect and serves only to acknowledge the industry's contributions.