Sen. Ricky Hill

Maddy summaryHB 1379 updates who can authorize state employee reimbursements for meals and lodging during official travel. It replaces the previous requirement that only a "State cabinet-level secretary" approve such expenses with a broader list including department directors, chief executive officers, or chief fiscal officers. This change directly affects state employees traveling on official business and their supervisors who process travel expense claims. The bill clarifies that multiple types of state agency officials - not just cabinet secretaries - may now approve these reimbursements. The bill passed in 2025 and became Act 287.

Maddy summaryHB 1184 amends the Fair Mortgage Lending Act to protect consumers' privacy during mortgage applications. It specifically prohibits lenders from knowingly using "mortgage trigger lead" information - data that identifies a consumer's mortgage application activity - in violation of the law or the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (as it existed January 1, 2025). The bill directly affects mortgage applicants and lenders, requiring them to handle application data responsibly. Key provisions ban misuse of this sensitive information, strengthening privacy safeguards without altering loan terms or interest rates. The bill became law as Act 263 on March 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1447 exempts septic system installers licensed under Arkansas' Sewage Disposal Systems Act from needing a separate plumber's license. This directly affects licensed septic installers by removing a redundant licensing requirement. The bill eliminates overlapping regulations without changing other licensing standards or creating new obligations. It became Act 255 on March 6, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 253 amends Arkansas law to clarify that a "manufactured home unit" must be a structure designed to be moved on highways when attached to a vehicle. This change directly affects manufacturers, sellers, and local governments that enforce housing regulations for these homes. The key provision adds the requirement that the home must be capable of being transported on roads as part of its definition, ensuring consistency in how these homes are classified under state law. The bill was enacted as Act 256 on March 6, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1478 repeals Arkansas' requirement for individuals to register as disease intervention specialists, removing a state-mandated registration system established under Arkansas Code Title 17, Chapter 98. This change eliminates prior standards for education, training, and experience, as well as penalties (including fines up to $200 or 3 months in jail) for practicing without registration. The bill directly affects public health workers specializing in sexually transmitted disease prevention who previously needed state registration, and it ends the State Board of Health's role in administering this program, including collecting fees and overseeing continuing education. The repeal takes effect immediately upon enactment, shifting responsibility away from state oversight for this specific profession.

Maddy summaryHB 1378 modifies Arkansas' State Board of Finance by changing its membership structure, reducing the required quorum for meetings, and eliminating a specific administrative role. The bill adds two new membership positions requiring expertise in commercial banking and securities (with specific licensure and experience requirements) and adjusts the board's composition to include the Insurance Commissioner as a voting member only for health benefit plan votes. It lowers the quorum needed for meetings from seven to six members and repeals the requirement for the board to employ a Chief Compliance Officer. These changes directly affect how the board operates, its decision-making process, and its administrative structure. The bill focuses on procedural and organizational adjustments to the board's governance framework.

Maddy summaryHB 1450 repeals multiple existing annual reporting requirements for Arkansas' Department of Agriculture. It eliminates mandated reports from the State Plant Board, farm-to-school program coordinator, Buffalo River Conservation Committee, and State Meat Inspection Program. The bill also removes a requirement for the Department to submit separate annual reports on agricultural promotion boards (like catfish, soybean, and rice boards). The only change is amending one section to require the Department to include information from all its administered entities in its annual report to the Governor. This bill streamlines reporting by removing redundant obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1067 allows federal firearms licensees (FFLs), such as gun shops, to enter into agreements with individuals to temporarily hold firearms. It directly affects FFLs who offer this service and individuals seeking to store firearms without immediate possession. The bill's key provision grants FFLs legal protection from civil lawsuits if they comply with the agreement, shielding them from liability related to the stored firearm. This creates a clear legal framework for temporary firearm storage arrangements without requiring FFLs to sell or transfer the weapon.

Maddy summaryHB 1145 (now Act 107) increases the maximum amount counties and municipalities can spend on additional after-market equipment (like GPS mounts, emergency lights, or specialized storage) when purchasing new motor vehicles. The bill directly affects local government agencies that buy new vehicles, allowing them to authorize higher spending on these optional add-ons. It amends existing procurement rules to raise the spending cap without changing the vehicle purchase itself. The bill was passed by the Arkansas Senate on February 17, 2025, and became law after being transmitted to the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 1380 transfers the responsibility for reviewing planning and technical requirements of state information technology contracts from the Office of Intergovernmental Services to the Division of Information Systems. It directly affects Arkansas state agencies that issue or purchase IT contracts exceeding $100,000 in value, including those under cooperative agreements. The bill changes the pre-contract review process by shifting authority to the Division of Information Systems, ensuring technical and planning compliance before contracts are finalized. This is a procedural adjustment to administrative oversight, not a substantive policy change.