Maddy summaryHB 1158 amends Arkansas' teacher retirement law to allow educators in the Teacher Deferred Retirement Option Plan to change their distribution choices under specific conditions. It permits members who did not initially select a lump-sum rollover to cancel and switch their distribution option within two months of retirement, provided they haven’t changed before, file new paperwork, and repay any overpaid amounts. The bill directly affects Arkansas public school teachers enrolled in this retirement plan. The emergency clause establishes an effective date of July 1, 2025 (the start of the fiscal year) to align with retirement system operations. This change aims to address administrative complexities in the retirement system's distribution process.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1711 allows municipal port authorities to create their own police forces. The bill specifies that these officers would share jurisdiction with local city and county law enforcement within the port authority's facilities and adjacent areas. Key provisions define patrol zones to include the port's industrial facilities, nearby roads, shoreline areas, and up to five miles along navigable waterways adjacent to the port. This directly affects port authorities seeking dedicated security for their operations, without expanding police powers beyond these defined boundaries. The bill focuses on enabling port-specific enforcement authority through clear jurisdictional boundaries.
Maddy summarySB 189, now Act 396, allows pharmacies and consumers to purchase Ivermectin for human use without a prescription or consultation with a healthcare professional. The bill removes existing requirements for medical oversight when buying this medication. It directly affects pharmacies (which can now sell it without a prescription) and consumers (who can obtain it without seeing a doctor). The law took effect after the bill passed the legislature and was signed by the governor on March 31, 2025.
Maddy summarySCR 4 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing former Arkansas State Representative and Senator Joyce Elliott during Black History Month for her legislative service. It honors her 23-year career in the Arkansas legislature (2000-2023), her focus on education policy, and her founding of the civic engagement nonprofit Get Loud Arkansas. The resolution has no binding effect - it simply acknowledges her contributions through a formal commendation presented to her. This is a procedural recognition, not a policy change, and was approved by both chambers and the Governor in March 2025.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 263 (now Act 330) increases the amount of the homestead property tax credit available to Arkansas homeowners. This policy change directly benefits qualifying homeowners who own and occupy their primary residence, reducing their annual property tax bill. The bill amends the existing tax credit structure to provide a higher dollar amount for eligible taxpayers. It became law after passing the Arkansas legislature and being delivered to the Governor on March 13, 2025. The change represents a concrete adjustment to tax relief for qualified homeowners without altering eligibility requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Lux's Law, prohibits the sale of human remains intended for cremation or burial in Arkansas. It amends existing law to make it illegal to sell a corpse (or part of one) after it has been authorized for final disposition through these methods. The law establishes penalties, including fines or imprisonment, for violating this prohibition. It directly affects funeral homes, mortuaries, and anyone handling human remains before they are cremated or buried.
Maddy summarySB 59 requires all public schools to provide one free breakfast daily to every student upon request, without checking if they qualify for federally funded free or reduced-price meals. This policy directly affects all public school students in the state, eliminating eligibility barriers for breakfast access. The bill includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon enactment. It changes school meal procedures by mandating universal breakfast availability as a standard practice, not tied to existing federal program eligibility. The bill became law as Act 123 on February 24, 2025.