Sen. Dave Wallace

Maddy summarySenate Bill 204 proposes to exempt certain financial gains from state gross income for tax purposes. This exemption would apply to taxpayers whose property is acquired by a government or entity under the right of eminent domain or the threat of condemnation. Essentially, any profit a property owner makes from such a forced sale would not be considered taxable income under this bill.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 641 allows county sheriffs to elect to house certain inmates committed to the Department of Corrections (DOC) in county jails, rather than immediately transferring them to state facilities. This option applies to eligible inmates who are within 12 months of their earliest potential release date and are not convicted of felonies ineligible for earned release credits. If a sheriff chooses this option, they must obtain the inmate's consent, notify victims and prosecutors, and provide programming, healthcare, and supervised work opportunities. The DOC is responsible for reimbursing counties for housing and medical expenses and providing training and digital programming resources.

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.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 69 (SR 69) designates April 9, 2025, as Arkansas Lineworker Appreciation Day at the State Capitol. This resolution commends the men and women who serve Arkansas as utility lineworkers for their efforts in maintaining essential services and protecting public safety.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1792 would require private employers in Arkansas to grant unpaid leave on Veterans Day to their veteran employees. To receive this leave, veteran employees would need to provide one month's written notice and proof of their veteran status. Employers could only deny the request if the absence would adversely impact public health and safety or cause significant economic or operational disruption, as determined by the Department of Labor and Licensing. The bill defines a "veteran" as a former member of the U.S. Armed Forces or certain Arkansas Reserve/National Guard members called to active duty.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1899 proposes changes to the Arkansas Veterans' Child Welfare Service. It specifies that the Director of this service will be appointed by the Governor, following a written recommendation from the American Legion - Department of Arkansas Foundation, Inc. The Director will serve at the Governor's discretion and report to the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This service provides temporary welfare and rehabilitation assistance to minor children of deceased or medically incapacitated Arkansas veterans.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1626, as amended, aimed to prohibit the sale of certain disposable vapor products. The bill's central provision was to ban the sale of disposable vapor products that originate from a "prohibited foreign party," a term defined by referencing an existing legal statute (§ 18-11-802). This measure would have directly impacted retailers selling vapor products and consumers who purchase them. The bill did not pass and died in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1423, also known as the "Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding (GUARD) VA Benefits Act," prohibits individuals and entities from receiving compensation for helping veterans with their benefits claims. Specifically, it disallows payment for preparing, presenting, or advising on veterans' benefits matters, unless such compensation is explicitly authorized by federal law (Title 38 U.S.C. § 5904 and 38 C.F.R. § 14.629). The bill also prohibits receiving compensation for referring individuals to these services. Any person receiving authorized compensation must adhere to the same ethical standards as attorneys under Arkansas's Rules of Professional Conduct. Violations of this act are deemed a deceptive trade practice and a Class A misdemeanor.

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 summaryHB 1536, as amended, proposed to withhold 25% of state transportation funding from school districts. This measure would apply to districts that do not require passenger restraint systems, such as seatbelts, in their school buses under certain conditions. The bill's direct effect would be on school districts, linking a portion of their state transportation funds to their policy regarding seatbelt requirements on school buses.