Rep. Matthew Shepherd

Maddy summarySB 171 makes minor grammatical corrections to Arkansas Code § 4-56-107(d)(4)(A), which addresses digital currency and financial institution compliance. It changes phrases like "does not require" to "does not prohibit" and "from compliance with" to "from complying with" to fix errors in existing law. The bill directly affects financial institutions by clarifying that they are not prohibited from complying with federal laws like the Right to Financial Privacy Act and Bank Secrecy Act. It contains no new requirements or policy changes - it is purely a technical correction to the wording of an existing provision. The bill does not alter legal obligations or create new rules for businesses or consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 1358 makes minor technical corrections to Arkansas property laws in Title 18 of the Arkansas Code. It fixes a typo in the felony penalty for foreign-controlled businesses violating land ownership rules (changing "is guilty of a an unclassified felony" to "is guilty of an unclassified felony") and corrects reference errors in definitions related to foreign agricultural land ownership. These changes clarify existing provisions about "significant interest" and "substantial control" without altering the underlying law. The bill affects foreign-owned businesses and landowners subject to current property ownership restrictions, but does not create new requirements or penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1356 makes minor technical corrections to Arkansas Code sections related to law enforcement, emergency management, and military affairs. It updates references in existing laws - such as clarifying which offices handle sex offender registry disclosures, refining victim notification system language for criminal justice proceedings, and adding specific requirements for Department of Corrections employees carrying concealed handguns. The bill also corrects definitions in child maltreatment law and fixes an office name reference within the Department of Public Safety. These changes are purely editorial, aligning wording with current practice without creating new policies or obligations.

Maddy summarySB 174 makes minor technical corrections to two existing Arkansas environmental law provisions without changing policy. It adds "may" to clarify a tire program's authority to enter agreements (Ark. Code § 8-9-410(d)) and corrects wording about university analysis for nuclear fuel storage (Ark. Code § 8-9-802(4)(A)). These changes fix grammatical errors and clarify references in the Arkansas Code. The bill does not create new requirements or alter existing legal obligations.

Maddy summarySB 175 makes minor technical corrections to Arkansas Code § 11-10-310(f), which governs budget processes for the Division of Workforce Services. It updates outdated reference language (changing "this section" to "this subsection and subsection (e)") to fix errors in the existing code. This is a purely procedural adjustment with no new policy changes, affecting how the Division references budget procedures but not workers or employers. The bill was enacted as Act 168 on February 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1355 makes technical corrections to Arkansas' criminal code (Title 5) without creating new laws or penalties. It removes outdated references (like a non-existent offense in child crime fines), clarifies reporting requirements for seized property (e.g., tracking firearms sales), and refines definitions for offenses like "death by delivery" and "personal use" of controlled substances. These changes primarily affect law enforcement agencies, courts, and legal proceedings by ensuring existing statutes accurately reflect current law. The bill was enacted as Act 171 on February 25, 2025, with the General Assembly confirming it only makes technical, not substantive, updates.

Maddy summarySB 176 makes minor technical updates to Arkansas Code sections related to natural resources and economic development. It clarifies rules for state employees providing golf lessons (requiring outside work hours and PGA/LPGA certification), refines definitions for "eligible companies" investing in tourism projects (specifying minimum dollar amounts by county type), and updates selection criteria for the Arkansas Great Places Program (removing outdated references and adjusting timelines). These changes are strictly procedural and do not create new programs or funding. The bill was enacted as Act 169 on February 25, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 170 repeals an expired section (Arkansas Code § 1-2-125) from Title 1 of the Arkansas Code that previously governed electronic document submissions by state agencies, courts, and local governments. This is a purely procedural bill making technical corrections to the code, not a substantive policy change. It directly affects the Arkansas Code by removing outdated language that had already expired (as noted in the section's expiration date of August 1, 2021). The bill does not create new requirements or impact any specific groups, as it simply removes a section that was no longer in effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1317 amends Arkansas law to expand fraud penalties to cover state retirement systems. It makes it a Class D felony to knowingly make false statements or falsify records to defraud the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System, State Police Retirement System, or Arkansas Judicial Retirement System. The bill upgrades penalties from misdemeanors to felonies for these specific frauds against retirement programs. This directly affects individuals who attempt to defraud these state-run retirement systems through false documentation or statements.

Maddy summaryHMR 1001 is a ceremonial House Memorial Resolution honoring former U.S. Representative Beryl Anthony, Jr. It commemorates his life, service to Arkansas (including his 1978-1993 tenure in Congress), and contributions to rural healthcare, infrastructure, and communities like Hot Springs. The resolution expresses the Arkansas House's recognition of his dedication to public service and legacy. As a memorial resolution, it has no policy or legal effect - it simply serves as a formal tribute to his memory.