Rep. Matthew Shepherd

Maddy summaryHB 1357 is a technical correction bill that amends minor wording in Arkansas Code Title 16, which covers court procedures and practices. It specifically revises a phrase in the code to clarify language about who may be subject to certain court procedures. This bill does not create new laws or affect any individuals or groups; it only fixes a grammatical or structural error in existing legal text. As a purely procedural amendment, it has no substantive impact on court operations or citizens' rights.

Maddy summaryHB 1363 makes technical corrections to Arkansas Code Title 25, primarily updating outdated references and clarifying state entity names. It removes obsolete provisions (like a 2004 website privacy policy deadline and repealed boards such as the "Arkansas State Board of Registration for Foresters"), clarifies cybersecurity office references (e.g., standardizing "State Cyber Security Office"), and fixes inconsistent language in government relocation and operations rules. The bill directly affects state government code and administrative procedures but does not create new policies or impact citizens. It streamlines existing law by removing outdated language and ensuring consistent terminology for state entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1364 makes technical corrections to Arkansas' transportation code (Title 27) by removing outdated language and updating references. It revises sections concerning deaf person license decals, disabled veteran parking definitions, antique vehicle plate requirements, and obsolete traffic law references. The bill specifically repeals obsolete definitions (like "disabled veteran - World War I") and outdated provisions (such as speed limit reporting exceptions for chauffeurs). It does not create new policies or change existing transportation rules, but aligns the code with current law by removing references to repealed statutes.

Maddy summarySB 172 makes technical corrections to Arkansas' education code by removing obsolete provisions and fixing errors. It repeals outdated sections like the 2024 meeting deadline for education cooperatives (§6-13-1006(c)) and the expired Smart Core Incentive Program (§6-15-215), which ended in 2020. The bill also corrects grammatical errors in sections about computer science courses (§6-16-152) and updates references to include open-enrollment charter schools in teacher compensation rules (§6-17-2403). These changes ensure the code accurately reflects current law without altering existing programs or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1362 makes minor technical corrections to Arkansas retirement and pension laws without changing policy. It updates the title of the executive director position in the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System (Section 1), removes an obsolete 2004 rule adoption deadline (Section 2), and deletes a duplicated vacation pay provision (Section 3). These changes clarify existing language and eliminate redundancies in Title 24 of the Arkansas Code. The bill affects the administrative structure of retirement systems but does not alter benefits, eligibility, or funding. The General Assembly confirmed these are purely technical updates, not substantive policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 177 makes technical corrections to existing licensing laws for professionals in Arkansas, primarily fixing grammatical errors and updating obsolete language in statutes covering body art, dentistry, dietetics, and nursing. It clarifies requirements for dental licensing exemptions, corrects wording in body art training rules, and repeals outdated dietetics licensing provisions. The bill does not create new rules or change who must be licensed - it only ensures existing statutes are accurately worded and current. This affects licensed professionals and applicants in these fields by removing confusion from the code. (2 sentences, as it is a procedural technical correction bill.)

Maddy summaryThis bill makes minor technical corrections to Arkansas Code Title 23 (public utilities and regulated industries) without creating new policies or affecting any groups. It fixes grammatical errors (e.g., changing "Specify" to "Shall specify" in utility contracts), clarifies refund procedures under the Uniform Money Services Act, and removes outdated references (such as expired health insurance pool provisions). The corrections address typographical, reference, and designation errors in existing law to improve clarity and accuracy. It does not change how utilities operate or alter consumer protections.

Maddy summaryHB 1360 makes technical corrections to Arkansas Code Title 20 regarding public health and welfare. It clarifies two specific provisions: (1) school building egress requirements under fire safety law to align with existing ADA standards as of January 1, 2023; and (2) permit rules for hemp businesses when leadership or ownership changes, specifying that permits become void upon such changes but allow temporary operation for up to 30 days while new permits are processed. The bill explicitly states these are non-substantive corrections to existing code, not policy changes. It directly affects schools complying with fire safety regulations and hemp businesses managing permit transitions.

Maddy summarySB 173 makes minor technical corrections to Arkansas election laws without changing policy. It updates ballot duplication procedures for damaged ballots (specifying how officials must handle duplicates at polling sites and central facilities), reduces a reporting threshold for independent expenditures from $500 to $200, and corrects grammatical wording in petition interference language. These changes directly affect election officials, county election boards, and entities filing campaign finance reports. The bill, now Act 166, clarifies existing code without altering substantive election rules or voter rights.

Maddy summaryHB 1359 makes minor, technical updates to Arkansas Code Title 19 regarding public finance. It removes outdated references in exemptions for insurance pools (like the Arkansas Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool) and clarifies how the State Insurance Department Trust Fund can be used, including adding funding for fire department training. The bill does not change existing policies or create new obligations; it only corrects language in the code. It was enacted as Act 175 on February 25, 2025, with no substantive impact on affected entities like insurance guaranty associations or fire departments.