Sen. Clarke Tucker

Maddy summaryHB 1726, known as the "Arkansas Kids Online Safety Act," aimed to establish safety regulations for certain online services. The provided amendment clarifies which online platforms would be subject to the act. It defines covered platforms as online platforms, messaging applications, or video streaming services that are intentionally designed, marketed, or promoted with the primary purpose of attracting or engaging individuals aged sixteen or younger. This amendment refines the scope of the bill to focus on services explicitly targeting minors.

Maddy summarySB 646 sought to amend Arkansas law concerning occupational and criminal background checks. The bill proposed that an individual could not be disqualified from receiving an occupational or professional license based solely or partly on a prior criminal conviction. Disqualification would only be permitted if the past crime directly related to the duties and responsibilities of that specific occupation. This would have affected individuals with prior convictions seeking licensed professions in Arkansas.

Maddy summarySJR 12 proposes an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to establish a revised election process for federal, state, county, and nonpartisan offices. This amendment would require a single ballot for primary elections, where all candidates appear regardless of party affiliation, and the top two vote-getters would advance to the general election. It also mandates a separate, party-affiliated process for presidential primaries to select delegates and for choosing presidential electors. These changes would not apply to municipal or other local offices.

Maddy summarySB 526 proposed to prohibit the retail sale of specific disposable vapor products in Arkansas. It defined a "disposable vapor product" as one with a non-detachable battery that cannot be refilled and is designed for disposal after use. The bill would have banned retailers from selling such products if they originated from a "prohibited foreign party." The Director of Arkansas Tobacco Control could seize non-compliant products, with violations being a Class A misdemeanor, although FDA-approved products were exempt. A 90-day grace period was included for businesses to liquidate existing inventory.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 49 honors Arkansas sculptor Kevin Kresse for creating the bronze statue of music icon Johnny Cash. This statue now represents Arkansas in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol.

Maddy summarySB 247, titled the "Arkansas Absentee Voter Integrity Act of 2025," amends laws concerning the processing and counting of absentee ballots in Arkansas. It specifies that outer absentee ballot envelopes can be opened starting the Tuesday before an election, but inner envelopes and ballot counting cannot begin until 8:30 a.m. on election day. The bill requires public notice and access for viewing the absentee ballot processing and outlines new reporting duties for county clerks regarding absentee applications and ballots. It also restricts county clerk access to ballots after outer envelopes are opened, unless specifically authorized by the county board of election commissioners.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 4 welcomes Lieutenant General (Retired) Jay B. Silveria as the new President of the University of Arkansas System, effective January 15, 2025. This resolution from the Arkansas Senate congratulates him on his appointment and acknowledges his extensive background in military leadership and higher education administration.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 2 (SCR 2) is a resolution that affirms the State of Arkansas's commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles. It expresses the belief that DEI is essential for all individuals to achieve the American Dream and encourages policymakers, educational institutions, workplaces, and other organizations to adopt and uphold these principles.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 57 (SB 57) proposed to amend the income tax credit available to Arkansas taxpayers for individual political contributions. The bill sought to increase the maximum credit amount that individuals could claim on their state income tax returns. Specifically, it would have raised the maximum credit from $50 to $100 for individual tax filers and from $100 to $200 for those filing joint returns. These changes were intended to apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 48 is a procedural bill adopted by the Arkansas Senate to formally recognize Paralympic medalist Olivia Chambers of Little Rock. It acknowledges her remarkable athletic achievements, including her gold and silver medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games, and the renown she brings to the state of Arkansas.