Sen. Ron Caldwell

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 11 (SJR 11) proposes a constitutional amendment to the Arkansas Constitution. This measure aims to modify Article 2, Section 5, with the specific intent to protect the right to keep and bear arms for individuals. If enacted, it would alter the state's foundational document concerning this right.

Maddy summarySB 496 amends Arkansas law concerning permits for transporting special cargo, primarily affecting farm machinery equipment dealers, haulers, and repair persons. It clarifies that a special permit is not required for these individuals when delivering new or used farm equipment to a farm or transporting it for repairs. The bill also allows the Arkansas Department of Transportation to issue a one-year special permit for vehicles hauling farm machinery up to 12 feet wide, for a fee not exceeding $500 per vehicle. Haulers obtaining these permits are responsible for safe routing, and the department may require a bond to cover potential highway damage or extrication costs.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 573 (Act 783) defines various terms used in the valuation of property for tax assessment purposes in Arkansas. This legislation clarifies the established methods of property valuation, directly affecting property owners and tax assessors by providing clear standards for determining property values. It specifies definitions for terms such as "fair market value," "cost approach," "income approach," and different types of obsolescence (economic, functional, physical deterioration). These definitions aim to ensure a consistent approach to property tax assessments, taking effect for assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1681 establishes the Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program. This program provides grants to local entities to help fund improvements and upgrades to their water and sewer treatment infrastructure. The grants will be supported by revenues authorized by law. The program is set to expire five years after its effective date, and the administering commission is required to report annually on the status of all awarded grants.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1937, now Act 821, modifies how certain assets are valued for assessment purposes in Arkansas. It amends the method used to value mineral rights, as outlined in Article 16, Section 5 of the Arkansas Constitution. The bill also clarifies the valuation process for oil and gas well production equipment. These changes are effective for assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryAct 624 generally prohibits Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) from holding retail pharmacy permits in the state, directly affecting PBMs, retail pharmacies, and their patients. The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy will identify existing retail pharmacies affiliated with PBMs and notify them of this prohibition by January 1, 2026. Affected pharmacies must then notify their patients and prescribing healthcare providers that they can no longer dispense retail drugs after this date. However, an exception allows for temporary "limited use permits" for PBM-affiliated pharmacies if a rare, orphan, or limited distribution drug is otherwise unavailable to patients in the market. This exception for limited use permits is set to expire on September 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1713, now Act 602, requires ballot titles for citizen-initiated measures to be written at or below a specific grade-level reading standard. This law directly affects voters and initiative proponents by mandating that ballot titles use simple, accessible language to improve public understanding. The key mechanism sets a standardized readability threshold (using a "Grade Level formula" per the amended bill) for all such titles. The bill was passed quickly with an emergency declaration and is now law, aiming to make ballot measures clearer for all voters.

Maddy summarySB 463 requires Arkansas public utilities to obtain approval from the Arkansas Public Service Commission before entering settlement agreements that would close or eliminate power plants or transmission assets. The bill directly affects utilities, the Commission, and consumers by mandating that settlements must legally resolve claims, not exceed regulatory costs, and avoid decisions driven by environmental goals rather than law. The Commission must evaluate whether proposed settlements are legally sound, cost-justified for consumers, and based on reasonable legal interpretations before approving or denying them. This creates a new review process to ensure settlements protect consumer interests and comply with state regulations. The bill does not change existing utility operations but adds oversight for specific settlement agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 1733 combines Arkansas's two preschool programs - the Arkansas Better Chance Program and Arkansas Better Chance for School Success Program - into a single program with unified eligibility standards. It affects approximately 23,000 preschool slots for children aged birth through five, directly benefiting Arkansas families and childcare providers who use these services. The bill establishes that children meeting either program's eligibility criteria will qualify under the new unified system, administered by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. This change aims to improve program efficiency and resource utilization. The bill became Act 504 on April 10, 2025, after passing both chambers.

Maddy summaryHB 1716 prevents Arkansas tax authorities from reassessing sales or use tax on the same item of tangible personal property after a taxpayer successfully wins an exemption through specific channels. It applies when a taxpayer previously received a favorable ruling from the Office of Hearings, Tax Appeals Commission, a circuit court, or the Supreme Court regarding an exemption under Arkansas tax laws. The prohibition ends if there's a material change in the law (e.g., new legislation or court decisions) that affects the exemption's basis. This bill directly affects taxpayers who have secured prior exemption rulings for specific property, ensuring they aren't taxed again on identical transactions under the same circumstances.