Sen. Dan Sullivan

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 summarySB 547, now Act 728, repeals the requirement that a homeschooled student must live within a twenty-five-mile radius of a private school to participate in its interscholastic activities. This bill directly affects homeschooled students in Arkansas by removing a geographic barrier for joining extracurriculars at private schools. While the residency requirement is lifted, homeschooled students must still notify the private school and demonstrate academic eligibility to participate.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 426 creates the "Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act." This legislation establishes enhanced penalties for individuals identified as illegal aliens. These increased penalties apply specifically when an illegal alien commits serious felonies involving violence.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 520 (now Act 747) prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, officers, policies, or practices within local governments in Arkansas. Citizens who believe a violation has occurred can notify the local government, which then has 30 days to resolve the issue. If the local government fails to act, a citizen may file a civil lawsuit in circuit court to stop the prohibited conduct and recover court costs and attorney's fees. The bill includes an exception for compliance with existing civil rights laws or agreements related to state or federal funding.

Maddy summaryAct 624 generally prohibits Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) from holding retail pharmacy permits in the state, directly affecting PBMs, retail pharmacies, and their patients. The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy will identify existing retail pharmacies affiliated with PBMs and notify them of this prohibition by January 1, 2026. Affected pharmacies must then notify their patients and prescribing healthcare providers that they can no longer dispense retail drugs after this date. However, an exception allows for temporary "limited use permits" for PBM-affiliated pharmacies if a rare, orphan, or limited distribution drug is otherwise unavailable to patients in the market. This exception for limited use permits is set to expire on September 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1640 amends the legal definition of "administrator" specifically for public school settings, affecting how ethical guidelines and employment restrictions apply to these roles. The bill clarifies which school staff members are subject to existing ethical rules and job-related prohibitions by redefining the term "administrator." This change directly impacts public school administrators who must comply with these updated ethical standards and employment restrictions. The bill focuses on precise definitional adjustments rather than creating new policies or altering program funding.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 263 (now Act 330) increases the amount of the homestead property tax credit available to Arkansas homeowners. This policy change directly benefits qualifying homeowners who own and occupy their primary residence, reducing their annual property tax bill. The bill amends the existing tax credit structure to provide a higher dollar amount for eligible taxpayers. It became law after passing the Arkansas legislature and being delivered to the Governor on March 13, 2025. The change represents a concrete adjustment to tax relief for qualified homeowners without altering eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1238 allows homeowners (mortgagors) to recover reasonable attorney fees if a court invalidates a foreclosure sale due to a lender's (mortgagee's) failure to follow Arkansas foreclosure procedures. It directly affects homeowners facing foreclosure and lenders who may face fee recovery claims. The bill creates a new provision (Ark. Code § 18-50-118) permitting fee recovery when a foreclosure sale is set aside for procedural errors, but excludes cases where the homeowner and lender resolved the debt, bankruptcy was filed, or the lender relied in good faith on title insurance or other property records. This law changes the financial consequences for lenders who don't strictly follow foreclosure rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds nitrogen gas as an additional method of execution for individuals sentenced to death in Arkansas, alongside the existing lethal injection option. It requires prison officials to notify death row inmates of the chosen execution method (nitrogen gas or lethal injection) at least seven days in advance. The bill also includes confidentiality provisions preventing public disclosure of execution protocols, drug sources, and personnel involved under Arkansas' public records laws. This change applies to all future capital punishment cases in Arkansas, following its passage into law as Act 302.

Maddy summaryHB 1507 (now Act 252) clarifies exemptions for state investments that would otherwise face divestment under Arkansas law. It specifies that investments locked into maturity dates with early withdrawal penalties causing financial harm to the state or public entities are exempt from divestment requirements. This amendment (Arkansas Code § 25-1-1007) ensures state fiduciary duties are met while avoiding unnecessary financial penalties. The bill directly affects state pension funds and public investment managers handling assets subject to divestment rules. It does not alter environmental or social justice standards but refines existing divestment procedures.