Rep. Howard Beaty

Maddy summarySB 421 authorizes the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue up to $500 million in state bonds for water, waste disposal, pollution control, drainage, irrigation, flood control, and wetlands projects. It directly affects local entities like counties, water districts, and municipalities by enabling them to access funding for infrastructure development. Key provisions include a $165 million cap for irrigation projects and a requirement for voter approval via the 2026 general election. The bonds can be issued in series without legislative approval, with annual limits of $60 million for irrigation projects during odd-numbered years.

Maddy summarySB 407 repeals the Arkansas Catfish Processor Fair Practices Act of 1987, which previously regulated payment practices for catfish processors. This repeal removes requirements that larger processors (those buying over $50,000 annually from producers) must register with the Agriculture Department, pay producers within 14 days, and face penalties for late payments or bad checks. The law directly affected catfish processors and producers by establishing payment timelines and enforcement mechanisms. With this repeal, the state eliminates these specific regulatory obligations for the catfish industry.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 29, 2025, as Vietnam War Veterans Day and March 2025 as Vietnam Era Veterans Month in Arkansas. It formally recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of Vietnam War veterans through state-level ceremonial observance. The resolution does not create new laws, programs, or benefits - it serves solely as a symbolic gesture of appreciation. It affects Arkansas residents by establishing official dates for state-level recognition of veterans' service.

Maddy summaryHB 1303 (now Act 546) creates a state income tax credit for businesses producing sustainable aviation fuel in Arkansas. The credit allows eligible producers to reduce their state income tax liability by up to the full amount of tax they owe in a given year. It directly affects aviation fuel producers who meet the bill's sustainability criteria, providing financial incentive to develop and use cleaner fuel alternatives. The law, enacted April 10, 2025, establishes this credit as part of Arkansas' efforts to support sustainable energy infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 1636 would phase out Arkansas' soft drink tax by gradually eliminating it based on sales tax collections from soft drink sales. The bill proposed replacing the current tax with a system tied directly to existing sales tax data, ensuring a smooth transition. This change would directly affect soft drink retailers (who collect the tax) and consumers (who pay it). The legislation aimed to replace an outdated tax structure with one aligned to current sales tax reporting practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1561) is a technical amendment to remove all references to "the State of Qatar" from existing state laws. It deletes phrases like "or the State of Qatar" or "from the State of Qatar" from 17 different sections of the code, correcting outdated or erroneous text. The bill does not create new policies, affect any individuals or groups, or change legal requirements. It was passed by both chambers and became law as Act 473 on April 8, 2025, solely to update legal references.

Maddy summarySB 403 creates the 2030 Arkansas Complete Count Committee to coordinate statewide efforts for the 2030 U.S. Census. The bill requires the committee to plan and conduct educational outreach programs aimed at increasing community awareness and participation in the federal decennial census. This directly affects all Arkansas residents, as accurate census counts determine federal funding allocations and political representation for the next decade. The key mechanism is the establishment of a dedicated state committee tasked with organizing community engagement initiatives to ensure full participation in the 2030 Census. The bill passed as Act 449 on April 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1509, now Act 452, creates the "Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act" to prohibit financial institutions from discriminating against individuals exercising Second Amendment rights. The law specifically bans institutions from restricting or terminating accounts based on firearm ownership or purchases, but only applies to transactions exceeding $10,000. This directly affects banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions, requiring them to avoid discriminatory practices tied to gun-related activities. The bill's key provision sets a clear monetary threshold ($10,000) for when these protections apply to financial transactions.

Maddy summarySB 409 prohibits financial services providers from refusing to do business with or terminating relationships with agricultural producers solely based on their status as such. It defines "agricultural producer" to include those growing crops, raising animals, or producing livestock/dairy products. The bill requires Arkansas' Treasurer to publish a list of financial providers found to discriminate against agricultural producers, after giving them 45 days' notice and a 30-day window to prove they are not discriminating. This list will be posted online, with the process involving an ESG Oversight Committee and requiring agricultural producers to consent to sharing financial data if they report discrimination.

Maddy summaryHB 1511 would have prohibited recipients of an Attorney General subpoena from disclosing the subpoena's existence or the related investigation to anyone except their attorney, with limited exceptions. This rule would have directly affected individuals or organizations receiving such subpoenas during investigations. The bill added this confidentiality requirement to Arkansas law, allowing disclosure only with the Attorney General's written permission. However, the bill was withdrawn by its author on March 20, 2025, and did not become law.