Sen. Dave Wallace

Maddy summarySenate Bill 497, now Act 655, requires the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to create and distribute a poster detailing various veterans' benefits and services. This poster must include information on VA programs, mental health and substance abuse options, educational resources, tax benefits, and the Veterans Crisis Line. The bill mandates that employers in Arkansas with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees conspicuously display this poster in their workplaces. The purpose is to ensure veterans who are employees have easy access to information about available support and resources.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 535 creates a sales and use tax exemption specifically for the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation. This means that these two organizations will not be required to pay sales tax on their purchases of physical goods, digital products, or services. The bill amends existing state code to add this new exemption. This change aims to reduce the tax burden on the museum and its associated foundation.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1681 establishes the Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program. This program provides grants to local entities to help fund improvements and upgrades to their water and sewer treatment infrastructure. The grants will be supported by revenues authorized by law. The program is set to expire five years after its effective date, and the administering commission is required to report annually on the status of all awarded grants.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1079, now Act 860, mandates that certain health insurance plans must provide coverage for genetic testing related to inherited gene mutations for eligible individuals. It also requires these plans to cover evidence-based cancer imaging for specific individuals. However, the bill specifies that these coverage requirements do not apply to health benefit plans for state and public school employees or to self-funded governmental plans.

Maddy summaryHB 1732 aims to increase the income tax deduction available to teachers. This deduction applies to money teachers spend on their classrooms, often referred to as classroom investment. By increasing the allowed deduction, the bill enables teachers to reduce a larger portion of these out-of-pocket expenses from their taxable income. This change directly affects teachers who incur costs for their classrooms.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1886 designates the Labrador Retriever as the official canine of the state of Arkansas. This bill establishes a symbolic recognition for the breed within the state.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1986 allows public school students who are children of fallen service members or first responders to receive excused absences. These absences are permitted for mental health concerns or to attend events offered by organizations supporting families of fallen service members or first responders, or those providing grief and resiliency support. To qualify, a parent or guardian must provide written documentation, and the student must have good academic standing and a prior record of good attendance, and complete any missed classwork. However, such absences are not allowed during standardized testing days.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1807 amends the existing sales tax exemption for certain aircraft. It specifically targets aircraft held for resale and those used for rental or charter, clarifying which individuals or entities are eligible for this exemption. An amendment to the bill refined a provision by changing "resale, rental, lease, or charter" to "resale" in a specific section, thereby adjusting the scope of that particular part of the exemption.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1826 mandates that health benefit plans provide coverage for the delivery of a newborn in a licensed birthing center. The bill directly affects individuals with these health plans and the insurance entities that offer them. An amendment to the bill clarifies that this coverage requirement applies to health benefit plans for public school employees and those offered by specific trusts providing various benefits, including accident and health. Essentially, it ensures that more types of health benefit plans will include coverage for births occurring in licensed birthing centers.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1844 (HB 1844) amends existing state law concerning the offense of fleeing by means of a vehicle or conveyance. The bill specifically increases the penalty for individuals who jump from a moving vehicle or conveyance while they are fleeing. This change directly affects those charged with this particular offense.