Sen. Ricky Hill

Maddy summaryHJR 1015 was a proposed constitutional amendment in Arkansas that aimed to change how judicial candidates appear on the ballot. If approved, it would have required candidates for Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judge, Circuit Judge, and District Judge to declare their political party affiliation or independent status. This declared affiliation or independent status would then be printed on the ballot for voters to see. The stated purpose of the amendment was to ensure transparency regarding judicial candidates' affiliations. This amendment would have taken effect on January 1, 2027, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 1592, the "Arkansas Alzheimer’s and Dementia Public Health Act," establishes a framework for the state to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias as a public health priority. It mandates the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health to collaborate on a state plan, expand public health campaigns, and integrate cognitive health education into existing programs. This includes educating healthcare providers on early detection and care planning, and launching public awareness campaigns about risk reduction and early warning signs. The bill also requires enhanced data collection and analysis, the creation of a publicly accessible data dashboard, and seeking funding to support these efforts.

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 summarySenate Bill 450 (SB 450) requires the Arkansas Department of Education to incorporate a discussion of human fetal growth and development into its academic standards. This provision will be implemented during the regular academic standards revision cycle, affecting the curriculum taught to public school students. The bill specifies that this discussion must include a high-quality, computer-generated rendering or animation. This visual aid will depict the process of fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus, noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development during each week of pregnancy until birth.

Maddy summaryHJR 1018, titled "THE CITIZENS ONLY VOTING AMENDMENT," is a joint resolution that successfully passed both legislative chambers and was approved by the Governor. Based on its title, this bill proposes an amendment aimed at restricting voting eligibility to citizens only. However, the provided bill text primarily consists of an amendment adding various representatives and senators as cosponsors to the resolution, and does not detail the specific language, mechanisms, or provisions of the proposed "Citizens Only Voting Amendment" itself.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1845 modernizes motor vehicle administration by allowing the electronic management of documents related to vehicle ownership. It authorizes the creation of electronic systems for vehicle liens, titling, and registration, including a secure digital title system. This change aims to streamline processes for vehicle owners, dealerships, and the state's motor vehicle office. Key provisions of the bill will become effective only after these new electronic systems are fully implemented and certified by the Office of Motor Vehicle.

Maddy summaryHB 1988, now Act 930, amends the existing law concerning auto auction fees. It specifically changes how fees collected from the sale of salvage-titled or parts-only vehicles are distributed and modifies the purposes for which these auto auction fees may be used.

Maddy summarySB 562 amends the law concerning the Office of Internal Audit in Arkansas. It repeals the existing requirement for the Office of Internal Audit to conduct an annual project review and efficiency study of the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT). This study previously involved reviewing ARDOT's processes, procurement, projects, and expenditures. Consequently, the bill also eliminates the requirement for the study's results to be reported annually to the Legislative Council.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 550 renames the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission to the Arkansas Board of Animal Health. This change updates the official name of the state entity responsible for animal health oversight, including its jurisdiction over milk and milk products, and its administrative and enforcement powers. Additionally, the bill repeals the existing state law that established criteria and training requirements for voluntary equine identification chips.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 513 establishes two new criminal offenses in Arkansas law. First, it creates the offense of mail theft, which occurs when a person knowingly takes, obtains by deception, or possesses unlawfully acquired mail belonging to another person from a mail depository or postal service. Second, it criminalizes the theft or unauthorized reproduction of a mail receptacle key or lock used by a postal service. Both offenses are classified as felonies, with penalties escalating for repeat offenses, and require convicted individuals to make full restitution to victims. This bill directly affects individuals whose mail or postal keys are targeted, as well as those who commit these illegal acts.