Sen. Kim Hammer

Maddy summaryThis bill adds nitrogen gas as an additional method of execution for individuals sentenced to death in Arkansas, alongside the existing lethal injection option. It requires prison officials to notify death row inmates of the chosen execution method (nitrogen gas or lethal injection) at least seven days in advance. The bill also includes confidentiality provisions preventing public disclosure of execution protocols, drug sources, and personnel involved under Arkansas' public records laws. This change applies to all future capital punishment cases in Arkansas, following its passage into law as Act 302.

Maddy summaryHB 1596 increases penalties for moving traffic violations (like speeding or reckless driving) committed in highway work zones or new "mobile work zones" in Arkansas. Mobile work zones are temporary areas marked by flashing equipment (e.g., work vehicles with rotating lights) where construction or maintenance occurs for limited times. The law requires clear warning signs 1,500-5,000 feet ahead of these zones and doubles the standard fine for violations when construction personnel are present. All additional fines collected go to local county or city treasuries for general use, not specifically for roadwork.

Maddy summaryHB 1608 requires Arkansas State Archives approval before destroying handwritten documents over 50 years old held by state or county governments. It modifies existing records laws to mandate this review for both state records (Section 1) and county records transferred to permanent media (Section 2). The bill specifically targets handwritten historical documents, not all records or non-handwritten materials. This change ensures potentially significant historical documents receive archival review before disposal, without altering rules for younger or non-handwritten records.

Maddy summarySB 209 disqualifies signatures collected by canvassers for Arkansas initiative or referendum petitions if the Secretary of State finds evidence of violations like perjury, forgery, or fraud during signature collection. It directly affects petitioners and voters seeking to place measures on the ballot by ensuring only legally obtained signatures count. The bill requires the Secretary of State to exclude such signatures based on a preponderance of evidence, strengthening verification of petition integrity. The General Assembly declared an emergency, stating this is critical to protect the 2026 election process and maintain public confidence in the initiative system.

Maddy summarySB 297 requires Arkansas municipalities that elect city council members by ward (instead of at-large) to file an ordinance describing their election method with the county clerk by specific deadlines. Cities of the first class must file by January 1, 2026, while other cities must file by August 31 of the year before the election. If a municipality fails to file the required ordinance by the deadline, its council members will be elected at large (without wards) instead of by ward. This bill standardizes the filing process and ensures consistency in municipal election procedures across Arkansas.

Maddy summaryHB 1213 clarifies the definition of "athlete" and defines "healthcare provider" specifically for student athlete concussion education under Arkansas' Athletic Trainers Act. The bill directly affects student athletes, schools, and healthcare professionals by establishing clear standards for concussion education requirements. It amends existing law to ensure consistent application of concussion protocols, requiring healthcare providers to deliver standardized education to student athletes. The bill became Act 266 after passing the Arkansas Senate in March 2025.

Maddy summarySB 296 amends Arkansas law to clarify how county election boards designate additional early voting locations. It requires county boards of election commissioners to unanimously vote to select new early voting sites within the county seat, beyond the standard polling locations established for the previous general election. The bill specifies that these additional sites must operate during the same hours as existing early voting locations (8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays) for elections. This change directly affects county election boards, which now have a defined process for expanding early voting access within their jurisdictions.

Maddy summarySB 294 amends Arkansas election audit laws to require the State Board of Election Commissioners to audit any county that had less than 100% accuracy in a previous election audit. This directly affects county election offices, mandating they undergo an additional audit before the next primary or general election if their prior audit showed accuracy below 100%. The bill adds this requirement to existing procedures, specifying that counties failing the accuracy standard must be selected for audit in the subsequent election cycle. The law, now Act 280, became effective March 12, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 291 extends the deadline for filing election complaint filings with Arkansas' State Board of Election Commissioners. It allows complaints about election violations (including voter registration, absentee ballots, or ballot tabulation) to be submitted up to 49 days after an election, instead of the previous 30-day window. The bill also sets a 182-day timeline for the Board to complete investigations and mandates that complaint records become publicly available 30 days after the Board's final decision. This directly affects voters, candidates, and election monitors who file or respond to election-related complaints.

Maddy summaryArkansas Senate Bill 295 (now Act 281) amends election funding law to allow local election authorities to pay certified election monitors as an approved election expense. The bill specifically adds "compensation for certified election monitors of the State Board of Election Commissioners" to the list of allowable costs under Arkansas Code § 7-4-123(a). This change directly affects election administrators and certified monitors by providing a new funding mechanism for their compensation. The bill was enacted on March 12, 2025, after passing both chambers and being delivered to the Governor. It represents a procedural adjustment to election expense rules without altering voting procedures or eligibility.