Rep. Howard Beaty

Maddy summaryHB 1797, as modified by Amendment No. 2, updates the law concerning the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) to enhance legislative oversight and financial accountability. The bill requires the ADFA President to appear before the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee upon request to report on contracts and procurement matters. Additionally, it explicitly subjects the ADFA and all its records and data to inspection and audit by Arkansas Legislative Audit.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 375 creates the new offense of "capital rape" in Arkansas, targeting individuals who commit sexual offenses against victims aged thirteen (13) years or younger under specific aggravated circumstances. This offense is defined by actions such as causing or threatening serious physical injury, committing certain other felonies concurrently, using a deadly weapon, or having prior convictions for similar offenses. For offenders aged eighteen (18) or older, the penalties include death or life imprisonment without parole, while offenders younger than eighteen (18) face life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after twenty (20) years. The bill also ensures that prosecution for capital rape can be commenced at any time.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 420 expands eligibility for state water development programs and amends the Water Authority Act. It also modifies the uses of the Construction Assistance Revolving Loan Fund. Specifically, the bill allows investor-owned water or wastewater utilities to be eligible for these programs and funds, in addition to existing governmental authorities. This change broadens the types of entities that can access state support for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 449 grants civil immunity to law enforcement officers, school employees, and other individuals in positions of trust or authority over a minor. This immunity applies when they confiscate alternative nicotine products, vapor products, e-liquid products, tobacco products, or cigarette papers from a minor at a school. The bill defines "minor" as a person under 21 and "school" broadly to include school property and school-sponsored events. This protection from civil liability does not extend to the confiscation of medical devices or medications, such as asthma inhalers.

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 302 creates a new criminal offense called "gift card fraud." This bill makes it illegal to use gift card information or obtain it from a cardholder or issuer with the intent to deprive the owner of property. It directly affects individuals who engage in these fraudulent activities and aims to protect owners of gift cards from such fraud. The bill also includes an emergency declaration, meaning it would take effect immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 530 is a procedural bill that added 21 senators and 37 representatives as cosponsors to the original bill. It did not change the tax credit policy itself, as the title references an existing Arkansas Wood Energy Products and Forest Maintenance Income Tax Credit. The bill's purpose was solely to expand the list of legislators supporting the tax credit legislation. The bill was passed and became Act 701 on April 18, 2025. No substantive policy changes to the tax credit were made by this amendment.

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 590 establishes a Recidivism Reduction System within the Department of Corrections. This system aims to reduce the rate at which individuals return to prison after release. The bill requires the Department of Corrections to submit a feasibility study to the Legislative Council regarding the implementation of this new system. It directly affects the operations of the Department of Corrections and individuals within its supervision. The bill also includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon becoming law (Act 769).

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.