Maddy summarySB 607 aimed to establish requirements for Arkansas public school districts that choose to implement a four-day school week. The bill would authorize local school boards to adopt this schedule, explicitly preventing the State Board of Education from approving or denying their decision. However, the State Board would be required to set standards for state funding distribution and ensure districts provide an average of 30 hours of instruction per week. Districts would also need to provide documentation of their program's success using state-approved tests and include the four-day week on their annual report for community input. A district could forfeit the four-day week option if classified as needing intensive support and showing persistent underperformance.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis Senate Memorial Resolution formally remembers Alice Stewart, a public servant, public policy expert, and Emmy Award-winning journalist. It honors her life and career, acknowledging her contributions across media, public policy, and various presidential campaigns.
Maddy summarySB 87 modifies laws related to county planning and land development. The bill creates a penalty for violating local subdivision ordinances, which are rules for dividing land into smaller parcels. It also amends the structure of county planning boards by adjusting requirements for members representing unincorporated areas and the overall proportion of voting members on the board.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 82 aimed to modify the sales and use tax regulations for used motor vehicles. The bill proposed to increase the sales and use tax exemption for these vehicles, meaning a larger portion of a used vehicle's purchase price would not be subject to tax. It also sought to amend the reduced sales and use tax rate currently applicable to purchases of used motor vehicles. These changes would directly affect individuals and businesses purchasing used motor vehicles.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 151 proposes to amend state law regarding retirement benefits for members, retirants, and beneficiaries of public retirement systems. The bill aims to prohibit individuals from collecting these benefits if they have been convicted of certain offenses. An amendment to the bill further specifies that benefits can also be denied if a person is found civilly liable for the unlawful killing of a member or retirant. It also clarifies definitions related to "vested members" and the vesting of rights within a retirement system.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1504 aimed to create new offenses related to robotic devices and uncrewed aircraft. The bill would have made it unlawful to manufacture, modify, sell, transfer, or operate a robotic device or uncrewed aircraft (drone) equipped or mounted with a weapon. Additionally, it sought to prohibit knowingly modifying the programming of a robotic device with the purpose of harming a human being or property. These provisions would have directly affected individuals involved in such activities.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1422, titled the "Only Citizens Vote Act," aimed to modify voter identification requirements in Arkansas. The bill proposed to exclude certain driver's licenses and photo identification cards issued to non-citizens from being accepted as valid forms of voter identification. It mandated training for election officials on how to recognize and refuse these specific non-citizen documents for voting purposes. Additionally, the bill required the Department of Finance and Administration to provide monthly reports to the Secretary of State, listing individuals holding these particular non-citizen driver's licenses or identification cards.
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 summarySenate Bill 608 amends the laws governing runoff elections for county and municipal officers in Arkansas. For municipal offices, the bill requires a runoff if no candidate receives a majority of votes, or if a candidate with a plurality of 40% or more does not also hold at least a 20% lead over the second-place candidate. If required, the runoff election between the top two candidates occurs four weeks after the general election. This legislation directly affects candidates running for these offices and the voters in those jurisdictions. It also updates the process for declaring a winner if a leading candidate withdraws before the election results are certified.
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.