Sen. Ben Gilmore

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1894, now Act 842, establishes a method for valuing real property used for affordable housing in Arkansas. The bill directs the Assessment Coordination Division to create rules and guidelines to ensure the fair and equitable assessment of all real property used for housing, specifically including affordable housing and properties under certain U.S. Department of Agriculture programs. This process aims to provide a consistent valuation approach for these types of properties. The division is required to file these initial rules by January 1, 2026, or as soon as practicable after legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1935 establishes a Modernization and Automation Tax Credit designed to encourage existing businesses within the state to invest in upgrading their operations. An amendment to the bill increases the maximum annual amount for this tax credit from $5 million to $25 million. To qualify for the credit, businesses must now submit a notice of intent to the relevant department before applying for incentives. Additionally, the proposed modernization or automation project must receive a positive cost-benefit analysis from the commission.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1872 (now Act 693) amends the law concerning fees that county sheriffs in Arkansas may collect for their services. The bill primarily allows sheriffs to charge a fee for *attempting* to serve certain legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, and court notices, set at $30.00. It also updates the fee schedule for a range of other services provided by sheriffs, including serving various writs, executing certificates of purchase, and advertising elections. This legislation directly affects county sheriffs and individuals or entities that utilize their services for legal and administrative processes.

Maddy summaryHB 1931, now Act 694, establishes a framework for developing a Recidivism Reduction System within the Department of Corrections. This system is intended to help prevent individuals released from prison from committing new crimes. The bill specifically requires the Department of Corrections to conduct and submit a feasibility study to the Legislative Council, detailing how such a system could be implemented. It also includes an emergency clause, allowing the act to take effect immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summaryThe provided context for HB 1657 only shows cosponsor additions and procedural status (it became Act 709 on April 16, 2025), not the bill's substantive policy content. The title references an "income tax credit" for wood energy products and forest maintenance, but the text does not explain how the credit is amended or who it affects. Without the actual policy provisions or bill text describing changes to the tax credit, a factual summary of its mechanisms or impact cannot be generated. To provide a meaningful summary, the bill's specific policy language would be required.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1572 mandates a technical feasibility study to explore new nuclear energy generation within the state. It requires the hiring of a specialized consulting firm to evaluate various nuclear reactor technologies, including small modular reactors and microreactors, their siting requirements, safety criteria, and potential industrial uses. The study involves collaboration with the Department of Energy and Environment, investor-owned electric utilities, and electric generation and transmission cooperatives. A third-party evaluation will ensure the technical accuracy and independence of the final report. The bill also includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1891 (now Act 715) amends the law concerning how candidates for nonpartisan judicial offices can use their titles when filing. Previously, only judges who had been elected to their position could use their judicial title as a prefix. This bill expands that allowance to include individuals currently serving as an appointed Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge of the Court of Appeals, circuit judge, or district judge. To qualify, an appointee must have served in that judicial position for at least twelve months.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1777 amends the current law regarding the offense of sexually grooming a child. The bill expands the definition of this offense to include new actions. Specifically, it makes bribing or attempting to bribe a child a part of the offense of sexually grooming a child. This change directly affects individuals who engage in such behaviors and aims to provide greater protection for children.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1780, now Act 684, amends the law regarding the retention and release of property connected to felony investigations. The bill clarifies that property related to a felony investigation must be released by the prosecuting attorney if they decide not to pursue prosecution. This change directly affects law enforcement agencies holding seized property and individuals whose property is involved in felony investigations.

Maddy summaryHB 1821 creates a single State Captive Insurance Program to replace fragmented property insurance systems for public schools, state-supported colleges/universities, and state-owned properties in Arkansas. It combines these entities under one program, prohibits the use of public adjusting firms (which the bill states increased premiums), and requires independent reappraisals of higher education properties to ensure proper valuation. The bill also establishes the Office of Property Risk within the Department of Transformation and Shared Services to manage the program and mandates coordination among state agencies for a smooth transition. These changes aim to stabilize insurance costs and improve market competitiveness for these public entities.