Rep. Howard Beaty

Maddy summarySB 240 amends Arkansas' Credit Reporting Disclosure Act to clarify what must be included in a "notice of adverse action" sent to consumers when a creditor denies credit or takes other negative action. The bill requires such notices to include the consumer's Social Security number, but only if the consumer previously provided it to the creditor or the number is already in the consumer report. This change directly affects consumers receiving credit denials and the creditors/reporting agencies that must send these notices. The law ensures notices provide consistent, necessary information without requiring creditors to obtain new SSNs from consumers. (Arkansas Code § 4-93-104(a), effective as Act 343, 2025)

Maddy summarySB 242 is a technical amendment to existing law governing loans involving state bank stock. It changes the language from "A renewal" to "Each renewal" in the relevant statute to clarify that multiple loan renewals are permitted under the same terms. This minor adjustment affects how financial institutions interpret renewal procedures for these specific loans but does not change any substantive requirements or create new obligations. The bill was enacted as Act 344 on March 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 317 prohibits Arkansas public institutions of higher education from engaging in specific activities with "prohibited foreign parties." It directly affects universities and colleges receiving state funding by banning them from conducting agricultural research under contract or selling agricultural products (including seeds) with such entities. The bill defines "prohibited foreign parties" but does not specify which entities qualify. This policy change restricts certain financial and research transactions between Arkansas colleges and designated foreign entities, without altering broader academic collaboration rules. The bill passed as Act 351 on March 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 307, now Act 373, creates the "Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025" to support energy infrastructure investments. It requires the Arkansas Public Service Commission to consider strategic investments in natural gas and electric generation when setting utility rates, allowing companies to recover costs for approved projects. The bill mandates refunds to customers for imprudently incurred costs and sets new requirements for utility infrastructure projects to ensure grid reliability during extreme weather. It directly affects investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities operating in Arkansas by changing how they recover infrastructure costs through rate cases. The legislation declares an emergency to expedite these energy infrastructure developments.

Maddy summarySB 304 allows voters who have moved to a new county to vote in an upcoming election if they update their registration with the new county clerk's office by 4 days before the polls close. It directly affects Arkansans who change counties shortly before an election but haven't completed registration changes in time for the current voting cycle. The bill amends voting rules to permit voting in the new county's precinct if the updated registration is received by the county clerk no later than the fourth day before election day. Voters who miss this 4-day deadline will not be eligible to vote in that specific election.

Maddy summarySB 222 aligns Missouri's Medicaid provider marketing rules with federal standards by requiring direct service providers to follow the federal managed care marketing rules (42 C.F.R. § 438.104) as they existed on January 1, 2025. This affects Medicaid providers who market services to enrollees, ensuring their advertising complies with established federal guidelines. The bill mandates that the state department revise its marketing rules to match these federal requirements. The legislation was passed quickly with an emergency clause, becoming law on March 18, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 263 (now Act 330) increases the amount of the homestead property tax credit available to Arkansas homeowners. This policy change directly benefits qualifying homeowners who own and occupy their primary residence, reducing their annual property tax bill. The bill amends the existing tax credit structure to provide a higher dollar amount for eligible taxpayers. It became law after passing the Arkansas legislature and being delivered to the Governor on March 13, 2025. The change represents a concrete adjustment to tax relief for qualified homeowners without altering eligibility requirements.

Maddy summarySB 300 creates a new criminal offense in Arkansas for "organized retail theft," targeting individuals who coordinate group thefts of consumer goods (like clothing or electronics) valued at over $1,000 within 120 days. The bill defines specific actions as part of this offense, such as organizing thefts, using devices to bypass security, or using stolen vehicles to facilitate the theft. It classifies the crime as a Class D felony (for $1,001-$5,000 value), Class C felony ($5,001-$25,000), or Class B felony (over $25,000), with penalties increasing based on the total value stolen. This law directly affects those involved in organized retail theft operations and provides clearer legal standards for prosecuting such cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds nitrogen gas as an additional method of execution for individuals sentenced to death in Arkansas, alongside the existing lethal injection option. It requires prison officials to notify death row inmates of the chosen execution method (nitrogen gas or lethal injection) at least seven days in advance. The bill also includes confidentiality provisions preventing public disclosure of execution protocols, drug sources, and personnel involved under Arkansas' public records laws. This change applies to all future capital punishment cases in Arkansas, following its passage into law as Act 302.

Maddy summarySB 246, the Arkansas Access Act, prohibits Arkansas public schools from granting excused absences for political protests. It allows excused absences for student participation in social or public policy advocacy or efforts to influence legislation, but only with written consent from a parent, guardian, or legal custodian. Schools must annually report to the state education division the number of such absences requested, granted, and the stated purpose of each absence. The bill directly affects public school districts and charter schools in Arkansas, along with students and their families.