Sen. Jonathan Dismang

Maddy summarySB 405 amends Arkansas' Online Marketplace Consumer Inform Act to require online marketplaces (like Amazon or Etsy) to verify the identity and contact details of high-volume sellers - those generating $20,000+ annually. It mandates platforms to confirm seller information (including government IDs, tax documents, and contact details) within 10 days and require annual certification of that information. Sellers must disclose their full name, physical address, and whether they manufacture or resell products, displayed prominently to consumers on product listings. The law applies specifically to platforms hosting third-party sellers and aims to increase transparency about who sells products online.

Maddy summarySB 252 requires retailers to include clear health risk warnings about vapor and e-liquid products on product packaging and in advertising, directly affecting businesses selling these items in Arkansas. The bill defines "vapor product" and "e-liquid" while excluding certain refillable nicotine solutions and devices, ensuring the requirements apply only to specific products. It increases penalties for noncompliance from $250 to $500 per violation and sets a November 1, 2025 effective date. The law aims to inform consumers, particularly youth, about health risks without restricting product access or sales.

Maddy summarySB 463 requires Arkansas public utilities to obtain approval from the Arkansas Public Service Commission before entering settlement agreements that would close or eliminate power plants or transmission assets. The bill directly affects utilities, the Commission, and consumers by mandating that settlements must legally resolve claims, not exceed regulatory costs, and avoid decisions driven by environmental goals rather than law. The Commission must evaluate whether proposed settlements are legally sound, cost-justified for consumers, and based on reasonable legal interpretations before approving or denying them. This creates a new review process to ensure settlements protect consumer interests and comply with state regulations. The bill does not change existing utility operations but adds oversight for specific settlement agreements.

Maddy summarySB 351 removes three specific sections (5, 12, and 14) from Arkansas' ethics and campaign finance laws, which were originally part of Initiated Act 1 of 1990 and Initiated Act 1 of 1996. The bill renumbers the remaining sections to maintain legal document structure. This is a procedural amendment that does not change existing ethics or campaign finance rules. The bill became law as Act 592 on April 14, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1927 amends the effective date of specific sections (15 and 20) in another bill (Acts 2025, No. 408) to take effect immediately upon passage, rather than waiting for the usual July 1 start date. This change directly affects the Arkansas Secretary of State's office, ensuring its funding remains uninterrupted for essential services like election administration and business entity registration. The bill declares an emergency to prevent a funding lapse at the end of the current fiscal year, which would disrupt these critical government operations. It is a procedural adjustment focused solely on timing, not new policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1444 (now Act 548) is a technical amendment to Arkansas' sales tax exemption rules for data centers. It clarifies that data submitted to the tax commission for exemption eligibility will be used **only** for determining eligibility, not for other purposes. The bill does not change who qualifies for the exemption or alter the exemption itself - only the reporting process. This procedural adjustment was passed by the Senate and signed into law on April 10, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 391 creates a state grant program to fund robotics teams in Arkansas public and private schools for students in grades 6-12. The program provides grants covering competition fees, robot kits, supplies, and mentor stipends (up to $1,500 annually), requiring a 25% matching contribution from other sources. To qualify, teams must partner with local businesses or schools, design original robots, and compete in approved events like FIRST Robotics or VEX competitions. The goal is to strengthen STEM education through hands-on robotics participation, emphasizing skills like programming, teamwork, and manufacturing connections.

Maddy summarySB 401 amends Arkansas' Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act by creating exceptions to the standard "one call" notification requirement before excavation. It directly affects excavators, including farmers, cemetery operators, and maintenance crews, by exempting specific activities from calling the One Call Center. Key provisions allow agricultural work (like postholes or farm ponds), use of specialized equipment (e.g., water/air vacuums), cemetery grave openings, and shallow hand-tool work (under 12 inches deep) without prior notification. The bill focuses on streamlining routine operations while maintaining safety for underground utilities.

Maddy summarySB 219 repeals the expiration date (July 1, 2025) for Arkansas' medical marijuana special privilege tax law, preventing the tax from automatically ending. The bill directly affects medical marijuana businesses and state revenue by ensuring the tax continues without needing new legislation. Key provisions include removing the sunset clause in the 2017 law and declaring an emergency to guarantee uninterrupted tax collection. The emergency clause states the tax must continue for public health and safety, making the law effective immediately upon the Governor's approval or override. This preserves the existing tax structure without altering its rates or scope.

Maddy summarySB 307, now Act 373, creates the "Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025" to support energy infrastructure investments. It requires the Arkansas Public Service Commission to consider strategic investments in natural gas and electric generation when setting utility rates, allowing companies to recover costs for approved projects. The bill mandates refunds to customers for imprudently incurred costs and sets new requirements for utility infrastructure projects to ensure grid reliability during extreme weather. It directly affects investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities operating in Arkansas by changing how they recover infrastructure costs through rate cases. The legislation declares an emergency to expedite these energy infrastructure developments.