Sen. Josh Bryant

Maddy summarySenate Bill 455, as amended, sought to regulate hemp products in Arkansas and revise the Uniform Controlled Substances Act regarding hemp-defined substances. The bill would have limited the retail serving size of hemp products to 50 milligrams of cannabinoids and required them to be tested by accredited laboratories. Arkansas Tobacco Control would have been responsible for regulating and enforcing these new provisions. The bill's effectiveness was contingent on the outcome of a specific lawsuit concerning existing hemp product regulations; if the lawsuit upheld the legality of the prior act, SB 455 would have been repealed.

Maddy summarySB 131 clarifies how property tax assessment limitations, under Arkansas Constitution Amendment 79, apply to homesteads when ownership changes, particularly for disabled persons or those 65 years or older. The bill states that when a disabled or elderly person sells their home, the purchaser will not receive the previous assessment limitations, and the property will be reassessed at its full market value. However, it ensures that if a homeowner transfers title but retains a life estate, their homestead assessment protections will continue. Additionally, disabled or 65+ individuals who purchase a homestead will immediately qualify for assessment limitations without a waiting period.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 633 aimed to provide significant funding for the state's correctional facilities, directly affecting state financial reserves and the Department of Corrections. It proposed transferring $125 million from the Securities Reserve Fund to the Correctional Facilities Set-Aside in July 2025, with an additional $45 million in July 2026. The bill also mandated an immediate transfer of $250 million from the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund to the Correctional Facilities Set-Aside. Furthermore, it required the Department of Corrections to submit quarterly reports to legislative committees on prison construction activity, including costs, design, and timelines.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 569 proposed an amendment to Article 5, Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution, concerning the ballot titles of proposed measures. This bill would require all ballot titles for statewide, county, and municipal measures to be readable, clear, concise, and not exceed 500 words. This change would directly affect petitioners who submit proposed measures and the election boards responsible for placing these titles on the ballot. The General Assembly would also be authorized to enact laws establishing specific standards for title readability.

Maddy summarySenate Memorial Resolution 2 is a commemorative bill that honors the life and public service of James "Jim" Guy Tucker, former Arkansas Attorney General, U.S. Congressman, and the forty-third Governor of Arkansas. The resolution serves to respectfully acknowledge his contributions to the state and nation following his passing.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 75 formally honors Sylvia Ann Hindsman Cornwell for her 45 years of exemplary and dedicated service to the Arkansas Senate and the State of Arkansas. It recognizes her significant contributions, such as modernizing Senate records and serving as the first female Secretary of the Senate.

Maddy summaryHB 1828 proposed to create a sales and use tax exemption specifically for Inspiration Point Center for the Arts, Inc. If passed, the bill would have amended Arkansas law to exempt the organization from paying state sales tax on purchases. This exemption would apply to sales of tangible personal property, specified digital products, and services acquired by the center. The bill directly affects Inspiration Point Center for the Arts, Inc. by reducing their costs associated with sales tax on these items.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 23 recognizes February 15-22, 2025, as National FFA Week in Arkansas. This resolution commends the National FFA Organization and its Arkansas Division for their work in agricultural education and youth leadership.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1534 proposes to increase the existing homestead property tax credit. This bill directly affects homeowners by reducing the amount of property taxes they owe on their primary residence. The key mechanism is an adjustment to the credit amount, providing a larger tax reduction for eligible households.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 394, as amended, modifies the conditions under which a county's quorum court can refer changes in the allocation of county sales and use tax revenues for capital improvements to a public vote. It stipulates that such a public vote on revenue distribution among the county and its municipalities is permissible only if the population of the largest municipality in the county exceeds the population of the unincorporated areas of the county. This change directly affects county quorum courts and the process for altering how these specific tax revenues are divided within a county.