Sen. Dave Wallace

Maddy summaryHB 1368 amends the list of musicians honored on Arkansas Music Appreciation Day by adding specific names to the official roster. The bill directly affects the state's commemorative designation for music professionals recognized annually. It is a procedural update to the existing holiday framework, not a policy change with broader implications. The bill became law as Act 203 on February 27, 2025, after passing both chambers.

Maddy summaryHB 1353 regulates vision benefit managers and amends Arkansas' Vision Care Plan Act and Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act. It prohibits insurance contracts from automatically reducing vision benefits solely due to other coverage (e.g., multiple vision plans), requiring such reductions to follow Insurance Commissioner-approved rules instead. The bill defines key terms like "covered materials" (e.g., lenses, frames) and "vision benefit manager," while banning agreements that force providers to charge more for non-covered services than their standard rates. This directly affects Arkansans with vision insurance plans and eye care providers, ensuring fairer billing practices for covered vision care services and materials. The bill passed in February 2025 and became Act 142.

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.

Maddy summarySB 14 allows Arkansas' Unclaimed Property Administrator to directly pay or deliver property valued under $5,000 to someone named as the apparent owner in official reports, without requiring them to file a formal claim. This applies to individuals (not other states) who are reasonably identified as the rightful owner of the property. The bill streamlines the process for small-value unclaimed property by removing the claim requirement when ownership is clear and the amount is under $5,000. It directly affects Arkansans with unclaimed assets like old bank accounts or forgotten checks under this threshold. The law became effective on February 18, 2025, as Act 114.

Maddy summarySB 45 creates a new Women Veterans special license plate option for vehicle owners who are women veterans. It simultaneously repeals the existing Pearl Harbor Survivor license plate program. The bill directly affects eligible women veterans who can choose this plate, and modifies the state's license plate offerings. This is a procedural change to license plate designations with no additional funding or requirements. The bill passed on February 11, 2025, and became Act 51.

Maddy summarySB 13 removes time limits for adult victims to file civil lawsuits related to childhood sexual abuse under specific conditions. It allows claims to be filed at any time if the victim was under 18 during the abuse, the abuse constituted a criminal sex offense (even without criminal charges), and the claim would otherwise be barred by statute of limitations. The law applies retroactively to past cases and expires December 31, 2026. It specifically affects victims of child sexual abuse, not other types of civil claims.

Maddy summaryHB 1204 (now Act 28) amends Arkansas law to clarify that plaintiffs in medical negligence cases can only recover the actual costs they paid for necessary medical care, treatment, or services - or costs legally owed by them or a third party. It directly affects individuals filing medical malpractice claims and healthcare providers by limiting recoverable damages to amounts actually paid or legally responsible. The key provision changes the standard for medical cost recovery from billed rates to verified payments, preventing recovery of unpaid or inflated charges. This law, enacted on February 11, 2025, provides a clearer financial framework for medical negligence claims in Arkansas.

Maddy summarySB 18 is a procedural bill that adds Representative Gazaway as a sponsor of the original legislation. It does not change substantive reporting requirements but modifies the bill's sponsorship record. The bill passed the Arkansas legislature on February 4, 2025, and was signed into law as Act 20 on February 6, 2025. This amendment affects the bill's official record but does not alter the Legislative Auditor's reporting process for improper or illegal practices.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution from Arkansas urges the U.S. Congress to create trade policies that favor American businesses and workers while penalizing foreign countries with high pollution levels. The bill specifically targets nations like China and Russia, arguing that their goods are more polluting than those produced in the United States. It proposes rewarding domestic companies for their environmental performance to boost rural manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports. The resolution does not directly change laws but serves as a formal recommendation to federal lawmakers to address these trade and environmental issues.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially recognizes and celebrates Nucor Day at the Arkansas State Capitol on March 7, 2024. The bill honors Nucor Corporation for its significant contributions to the state's economy, including operating five facilities, employing over 2,700 people, and investing more than one billion dollars in local mills since 1987. It highlights the company's sustainable steelmaking practices, its history of avoiding layoffs, and its commitment to employee education through scholarships. The resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment of Nucor's achievements rather than enacting new laws or policies.