Rep. Wade Andrews

Maddy summaryHB 1506 prohibits Arkansas public employers (including state agencies, schools, courts, and local governments) from deducting labor union or professional association dues from public employees' paychecks. It defines "public employees" broadly to cover both full- and part-time government workers, excluding only public safety employees (like police, firefighters, and emergency responders) from this protection. The bill would have required employers to stop automatic payroll deductions for union dues effective upon enactment. However, the bill was withdrawn by its author on April 1, 2025, and did not become law.

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 1704 (now Act 388) amends child custody law to require courts to specifically consider circumstances that maximize contact time between a child and a parent who is a first responder (e.g., police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel), while still prioritizing the child's best interests. The law mandates that courts weigh the unique scheduling demands of first responder parents when making custody decisions, ensuring their ability to maintain consistent involvement with their child. This change directly affects custody cases involving parents employed in emergency response roles. The bill became effective March 25, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers and receiving gubernatorial approval.

Maddy summaryHB 1414 updates the schedule of equipment rates used by fire departments when submitting claims for reimbursement. It directly affects fire departments and state agencies processing these claims by adjusting the standardized rates for equipment costs. The bill modifies administrative procedures for claim submissions but does not change eligibility for services or coverage. As a procedural update to existing billing rates, it became law as Act 417 on March 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1293 increases death benefit payments to designated beneficiaries or survivors of public employees who die while performing their duties. The bill specifically expands coverage to include state highway employees, adding them to the list of eligible workers previously covered (such as police, firefighters, and coroners). This amendment, enacted as Act 414 on March 25, 2025, directly affects families of these public safety workers by raising the financial support they receive. The change modifies existing state law to provide higher compensation for qualifying deaths in the line of duty.

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 1240 would have expanded Arkansas' State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program to cover certain volunteer firefighters. Specifically, it defined "volunteer firefighter" as someone earning under $5,000 annually from their fire department and added them to the program's eligibility list. Volunteer firefighters would have been responsible for paying premiums, either through monthly bank drafts or with partial/full payment assistance from their fire department. The bill aimed to provide health and life insurance coverage to this group, who previously weren't included under the program. (Note: The bill was withdrawn by its author on March 19, 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 1051 amends Arkansas public school start date requirements by adding an emergency clause to require schools to establish annual calendars earlier. The bill states that timely calendar decisions are vital for teacher/administrator contracts and school operations, declaring an immediate need to clarify statutory requirements. It would have allowed the law to take effect upon governor approval or veto override, bypassing standard implementation timelines. Note: The bill was withdrawn by its author on March 18, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1480 proposed to expand the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program by updating the definition of "approved institution of higher education" to include vocational-technical schools, technical institutes, and specific training programs like the Arkansas Fire Training Academy. The bill required vocational-technical schools and technical institutes to be bonded and insured to qualify for the scholarship program. This change would have directly affected students seeking scholarships at these newly included institutions, particularly those pursuing certificate-based training. The bill was withdrawn by its author on March 18, 2025, before moving forward.

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.