Rep. Matthew Shepherd

Maddy summarySB 416 repeals Arkansas' Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant Program and the associated Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund. The bill ends the state's funding mechanism that provided grants to public or private entities for building Level 2 and Level 3 EV charging stations. This directly affects the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, which previously administered these programs and used the dedicated fund for EV infrastructure projects. The repeal eliminates both the program and the fund, halting future state funding for EV charging infrastructure under these specific provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1633 modifies eligibility rules for students who transfer schools, removing academic standing requirements that previously barred them from participating in extracurricular activities like sports or clubs immediately after transferring. The bill directly affects transfer students in Arkansas public schools, ensuring they can join activities without waiting periods tied to prior academic performance. It declares an emergency to expedite the law's implementation, making the policy change effective immediately upon enactment. The bill became Act 475 on April 8, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.

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phrases like "or the State of Qatar" or "from the State of Qatar" from 17 different sections of the code, correcting outdated or erroneous text.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 368 amends Arkansas laws governing mineral, timber, and resource management on state lands. It reduces the Natural Resources Committee membership from nine to eight members by renumbering existing positions (removing the former (E) slot). The bill also updates notification requirements, adding the Arkansas Forestry Commission and Department of Energy and Environment to the list of state agencies that must receive notices about leases and permits for state land resources. These changes affect state agencies involved in land management, leasing, and resource oversight, streamlining committee structure and notification processes without altering resource management policies.

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 1508 is a technical recodification bill that makes minor corrections to Arkansas' public finance code (Title 19). It corrects typographical errors in the code, such as changing "aw" to "law" on page 40, "mayo" to "may" on page 139, and updating a section reference from "19-11-1301" to "19-69-101." The bill does not create new policies or affect any specific groups; it solely organizes and clarifies existing finance-related statutes. It was enacted as Act 419 on March 25, 2025, after passing with minor amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 1689 requires all public high schools in Arkansas to grant military recruiters equal access to campus facilities and student engagement opportunities as other groups like employers or colleges. It mandates that schools allow military recruiters to interact with students in grades 10-12 during regular school hours, at public events, or outside school hours - without extra restrictions beyond those applied to other organizations. The bill also extends this requirement to state-supported career academies and postsecondary institutions, ensuring military recruiters can share educational and career opportunities on the same terms as other entities. Schools must inform students about these opportunities through electronic means or class sessions, and the Arkansas National Guard will monitor compliance. This law directly affects students, schools, and military recruiters by standardizing access to campus recruitment activities.

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 summaryHB 1634 establishes the Arkansas Sports Raffle Act, allowing Arkansas public colleges and universities and their approved nonprofit affiliates to conduct raffles tied to official athletic games. These raffles can be sold digitally or in person, with proceeds limited to supporting student-athletes (e.g., scholarships, publicity rights), athletic programs, and facility improvements - never for staff compensation. The law prohibits sales to minors, caps transactions at $250, and requires public prize announcements. It amends gambling laws to exempt these sports-linked raffles from standard restrictions, effective as Act 305.

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.