Sen. Clint Penzo

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 1584 requires the Arkansas Medicaid Program to complete independent assessments for beneficiaries seeking home- and community-based services (HCBS) within 30 days of application. This applies to all applicants, including those needing a full assessment or an abbreviated review if previously approved for similar services. The bill mandates the Department of Human Services to implement this timeline and seek necessary federal approvals. Note: The bill was withdrawn by its author on March 17, 2025, and is no longer active.

Maddy summaryHCR 1007 is a concurrent resolution urging Congress to reevaluate Medicare reimbursement rates for Arkansas healthcare providers. It specifically requests that Congress adjust the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule locality structure to create separate reimbursement categories for the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers (CBSA 22220) and Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway (CBSA 30780) metropolitan areas, which currently share a single locality code (Locality 13) despite higher operational costs. The resolution argues that current reimbursement rates fail to reflect actual practice costs in these urban areas, disproportionately impacting providers and limiting patient access to care. Arkansas lawmakers note the state ranks third-worst nationally for Medicare locality reimbursement, urging Congress to correct this to ensure fair compensation aligned with regional economic realities. (Note: This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, intended to encourage federal action.)

Maddy summaryHB 1213 clarifies the definition of "athlete" and defines "healthcare provider" specifically for student athlete concussion education under Arkansas' Athletic Trainers Act. The bill directly affects student athletes, schools, and healthcare professionals by establishing clear standards for concussion education requirements. It amends existing law to ensure consistent application of concussion protocols, requiring healthcare providers to deliver standardized education to student athletes. The bill became Act 266 after passing the Arkansas Senate in March 2025.

Maddy summarySB 119 establishes Arkansas' participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, an agreement between states to streamline medical licensing. It directly affects licensed physicians and surgeons who provide care across state lines, such as through telemedicine or in border communities. The bill creates a system where Arkansas would recognize licenses from other participating states and vice versa, reducing the need for separate state-specific applications. This eliminates administrative barriers for healthcare providers seeking to practice in multiple states. The bill became law as Act 269 on March 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1166, now Act 245, clarifies who in schools may administer epinephrine for severe allergic reactions. It expands authorization beyond physicians to include advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants. This directly affects school staff, such as nurses or designated personnel, who may need to use epinephrine during emergencies. The law ensures more qualified individuals can respond quickly to allergic reactions in elementary and secondary schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1183 creates a registration system for dialysis patient care technicians in Arkansas, requiring them to register with a state board. It directly affects technicians who provide patient care during dialysis treatments, establishing standards for maintaining registration. The law allows the board to suspend or revoke registration for fraud, unprofessional conduct, using false names, violating the law, or failing to meet requirements. This replaces previous terminology (like "certificate") with "registration" to clarify the process.

Maddy summaryHB 1181 (now Act 138) is a technical amendment to clarify that certified nurse midwives only need a valid license to obtain hospital admitting privileges, removing the redundant phrase "accredited" from existing law. This change directly affects certified nurse midwives seeking hospital privileges by aligning the legal requirement with standard licensing practices. The bill does not create new policy or expand scope of practice - it simply corrects outdated language in the statute. As a procedural amendment, it was enacted without substantive debate and became law on February 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1138 (now Act 98) expands eligibility for disability-related license plates, certificates, and parking decals by allowing more medical professionals (not just physicians) to certify a person's disability. The bill removes a restriction that previously limited certification to disabilities "temporary in nature," meaning certification now applies to both permanent and temporary disabilities. This change directly affects individuals with disabilities seeking mobility accommodations through vehicle licensing or parking permits. The law streamlines the certification process by broadening who can verify eligibility for these accommodations.

Maddy summaryThis Arkansas bill (SB 133, now Act 50) amends state commercial law to define "central bank digital currency" (CBDC) and clarify its exclusion from key financial terms. It adds a specific definition for CBDC as digital currency issued directly by central banks (like the Federal Reserve) or governments, and explicitly states CBDC is not considered "money" or a "deposit account" under the Uniform Commercial Code. These changes ensure CBDC is treated separately from traditional currency and bank deposits in commercial transactions. The bill directly affects how Arkansas financial institutions and legal systems categorize digital currencies issued by government entities.