Sen. Dave Wallace

Maddy summaryHB 1321 prohibits healthcare insurers in Arkansas from requiring step therapy or "fail first" protocols for noninvasive ventilators under specific conditions. It blocks insurers from mandating alternative treatments if the ventilator requires frequent servicing (per CMS classification), clinical evidence shows alternatives would be less effective or cause adverse reactions, or the FDA deems it medically necessary. The bill also mandates Medicaid managed care organizations to reimburse 100% of the Arkansas Medicaid Program's ventilator fee schedule. This directly affects patients prescribed noninvasive ventilators and healthcare insurers covering these devices.

Maddy summaryHB 1744 updates Arkansas' fertilizer regulations by requiring manufacturers and sellers to register products with the State Plant Board before sale (Sections 1, 3). It establishes a $2.40 fee per ton of fertilizer sold, with 62¢ funding the State Plant Board and $1.78 directed to the University of Arkansas for soil testing and research (Section 7). The bill also sets minimum grade requirements for special crop-use fertilizers and clarifies sampling procedures for quality inspections (Sections 2, 5). These changes directly affect fertilizer producers, distributors, and agricultural businesses operating in Arkansas. The law, now Act 530, became effective April 10, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1920 would transfer general state revenue to the Aging and Adult Services Fund to provide food services for elderly residents. This funding directly supports older adults participating in state-supported meal programs, particularly those facing food insecurity. The bill includes an emergency declaration to expedite the transfer, allowing immediate use of funds without waiting for regular budget cycles. The policy change ensures prompt access to nutritious meals for seniors through existing state services.

Maddy summaryHB 1691 (now Act 497) clarifies that motor vehicles used exclusively for public charity purposes are exempt from personal property tax. This affects charities that operate vehicles solely for public service, such as volunteer ambulance services or nonprofit transportation for vulnerable populations. The bill amends tax law to explicitly include these vehicles under existing property tax exemptions, requiring them to be "used exclusively for purposes of public charity." The law became effective April 8, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryHB 1474 requires certain businesses to display the national human trafficking hotline number (1-888-373-7888) in visible locations. It applies directly to hotels, airports, and liquor-permitted clubs that do not operate as food service establishments. The law mandates that these venues display the hotline information alongside details about services like showers, fuel, and parking. This became law as Act 484 on April 8, 2025, with no changes to trafficking prevention laws - only adding signage requirements for specified businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 1654 creates a special license plate for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid South, allowing Arkansas drivers to purchase it by paying a $30 design-use fee that goes directly to the foundation and a $10 administrative fee deposited into the state's fund. It also stops the issuance of new Mid-South Community College education license plates while permitting existing plates to be renewed until current inventory is exhausted. The bill establishes standard procedures for plate design, renewal, and fee remittance under Arkansas law. This affects plate buyers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Mid-South Community College through the plate program.

Maddy summaryHB 1856 would have increased civil penalties for violations by licensed funeral and cemetery service providers in Arkansas. The bill specifically amended the law to double the maximum penalty for license violations, raising it from $500 to $1,000 per violation. This change directly affected embalmers, funeral directors, cemetery operators, and burial service professionals who fail to comply with state regulations or board orders. The bill was introduced in 2025 but was withdrawn by its author on April 3, 2025, before becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 189, now Act 396, allows pharmacies and consumers to purchase Ivermectin for human use without a prescription or consultation with a healthcare professional. The bill removes existing requirements for medical oversight when buying this medication. It directly affects pharmacies (which can now sell it without a prescription) and consumers (who can obtain it without seeing a doctor). The law took effect after the bill passed the legislature and was signed by the governor on March 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1316 (now Act 390) requires all health insurance plans sold in the state to cover lung cancer screenings without cost-sharing for eligible individuals. This law applies to both group and individual health insurance plans, mandating coverage for screenings meeting established medical guidelines. It directly affects insured residents who qualify for lung cancer screening based on medical criteria, such as age and smoking history. The bill passed both chambers and became law on March 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1398 requires all public schools to establish and implement a cardiac emergency response plan using nationally recognized medical protocols. This law directly affects every public school in the state by mandating specific, standardized procedures for responding to cardiac emergencies like sudden cardiac arrest. The key provision is the integration of nationally recognized elements (such as AED access, trained personnel, and clear response steps) into each school's emergency plan. The bill became law as Act 352 on March 20, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.