Rep. Howard Beaty

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1529 creates a new criminal offense and a civil cause of action related to "deepfake visual material." It makes it illegal to unlawfully create or distribute such material, directly affecting individuals involved in these actions. Additionally, the bill allows individuals who are victims of unlawfully created deepfake visual material to file a lawsuit to seek compensation. This legislation provides both criminal penalties and a civil remedy for the misuse of deepfake technology.

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 summaryHouse Bill 1679 amends the Revised Arkansas Anatomical Gift Act. It allows certain individuals to revoke or modify an anatomical gift after the donor's death, specifically following the irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions. The bill also requires organ procurement organizations to submit certain reports. This legislation affects individuals who have made anatomical gift decisions and the organizations responsible for facilitating these gifts.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1925 (now Act 846) amends the law concerning absentee ballots. It updates the absentee ballot voter statement to include a clear warning about penalties for providing false information under penalty of perjury. The bill generally requires an absentee voter's sworn statement to be witnessed by at least one individual aged 18 or older, who must provide their name, signature, and mailing address. However, this witness requirement does not apply to voters unable to attend polls due to illness, disability, residency in a long-term care facility, religious observance, or active military service outside the county.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1875 amends existing law regarding the use of ignition interlock devices. Its primary purpose is to extend the mandatory period for which individuals, often those with certain driving offenses, are required to use these devices. An amendment to the bill clarifies a notification procedure for device removal and sets an effective date of July 1, 2026, for the act.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1894, now Act 842, establishes a method for valuing real property used for affordable housing in Arkansas. The bill directs the Assessment Coordination Division to create rules and guidelines to ensure the fair and equitable assessment of all real property used for housing, specifically including affordable housing and properties under certain U.S. Department of Agriculture programs. This process aims to provide a consistent valuation approach for these types of properties. The division is required to file these initial rules by January 1, 2026, or as soon as practicable after legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHB 1931, now Act 694, establishes a framework for developing a Recidivism Reduction System within the Department of Corrections. This system is intended to help prevent individuals released from prison from committing new crimes. The bill specifically requires the Department of Corrections to conduct and submit a feasibility study to the Legislative Council, detailing how such a system could be implemented. It also includes an emergency clause, allowing the act to take effect immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summaryThe provided context for HB 1657 only shows cosponsor additions and procedural status (it became Act 709 on April 16, 2025), not the bill's substantive policy content. The title references an "income tax credit" for wood energy products and forest maintenance, but the text does not explain how the credit is amended or who it affects. Without the actual policy provisions or bill text describing changes to the tax credit, a factual summary of its mechanisms or impact cannot be generated. To provide a meaningful summary, the bill's specific policy language would be required.

Maddy summaryHB 1796 requires all Arkansas driver's licenses and identification cards to display gender information as either "M" for male or "F" for female. The bill explicitly prohibits the use of "X" or no gender information on these documents. Applicants whose identity documents lack gender information or state "X" must select "M" or "F" on a form to receive a card. To amend gender information on a license or ID, an applicant must provide an amended birth certificate issued by a vital records office. The Office of Driver Services can also amend existing records with "X" gender to "M" or "F" to match other identity documents.