Sen. Jonathan Dismang

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1044 aims to establish the Arkansas Sports Raffle Act. An amendment to the bill introduces a specific rule regarding payment methods for these raffles. It mandates that if a qualifying organization permits credit card payments, each transaction using a credit card will have a maximum limit of $250. This provision directly affects organizations that choose to operate sports raffles and individuals participating in them via credit card. The provided text only includes an amendment, so the full details of the Arkansas Sports Raffle Act are not available.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 636, now Act 1017, authorizes the transfer and redistribution of various state funds, primarily affecting state departments, agencies, and institutions. The bill consolidates unobligated monies from several existing funds, such as the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund, into a "Restricted Reserve Fund." From this reserve, specific amounts are allocated into designated "Set-Asides" for various purposes. Key allocations include up to $100 million for Medicaid expenses, up to $90 million for the Children's Educational Freedom Account Fund, and a $136 million transfer to the State Captive Insurance Program Trust Fund. The distribution of these funds requires prior approval from the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 637 amends Arkansas's Revenue Stabilization Law, which dictates how state general revenues are distributed. Starting July 1, 2025, the bill directs the Treasurer of State to make monthly transfers of available general revenues to various state funds and accounts. It establishes specific maximum allocation amounts for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and subsequent years, totaling over $6.49 billion. These allocations directly affect funding for numerous state services, including public schools, general education, human services, state government operations, and institutions of higher education.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 640 reconstitutes the State Library Board. It terminates the terms of all current board members on the bill's effective date. The Governor will then appoint seven new members to the board. These new members will draw lots to determine staggered initial terms ranging from one to seven years, with all subsequent appointments serving seven-year terms. The Governor is also required to call the first meeting of the newly appointed board within 30 days.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 450 (SB 450) requires the Arkansas Department of Education to incorporate a discussion of human fetal growth and development into its academic standards. This provision will be implemented during the regular academic standards revision cycle, affecting the curriculum taught to public school students. The bill specifies that this discussion must include a high-quality, computer-generated rendering or animation. This visual aid will depict the process of fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus, noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development during each week of pregnancy until birth.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 15 is a constitutional amendment in Arkansas that has been approved by the Governor. This amendment authorizes the state's General Assembly to create economic development districts. These districts are intended to promote economic development throughout the state. They may also undertake activities related to environmental mitigation or reclamation.

Maddy summaryHB 1952 provides funding and clarifies the administrative authority of the State Athletic Commission, directly affecting promoters, referees, and participants in combative sports in Arkansas. The bill grants the commission sole discretion over combative sports events, including oversight for professional wrestling events with 1,500 or more attendees. It establishes a five-percent fee on event admission receipts and requires promoters to reimburse the commission for event-related costs, such as inspectors and permit fees. Additionally, the bill updates the definition of "combative sports" and mandates specific certification for professional referees and judges.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 375 creates the new offense of "capital rape" in Arkansas, targeting individuals who commit sexual offenses against victims aged thirteen (13) years or younger under specific aggravated circumstances. This offense is defined by actions such as causing or threatening serious physical injury, committing certain other felonies concurrently, using a deadly weapon, or having prior convictions for similar offenses. For offenders aged eighteen (18) or older, the penalties include death or life imprisonment without parole, while offenders younger than eighteen (18) face life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after twenty (20) years. The bill also ensures that prosecution for capital rape can be commenced at any time.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 610 amends the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025. It extends the timeframe for the Arkansas Public Service Commission to review annual update filings and issue its orders. The bill changes the review period from 60 days to 90 days. This affects the Commission and the entities that are required to submit these annual update filings. The bill also includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 530 is a procedural bill that added 21 senators and 37 representatives as cosponsors to the original bill. It did not change the tax credit policy itself, as the title references an existing Arkansas Wood Energy Products and Forest Maintenance Income Tax Credit. The bill's purpose was solely to expand the list of legislators supporting the tax credit legislation. The bill was passed and became Act 701 on April 18, 2025. No substantive policy changes to the tax credit were made by this amendment.