Sen. Josh Bryant

Maddy summarySB 321 amends Arkansas' State Administration of Justice Fund law to change the order of funding priority when the fund balance is insufficient. It directs that available funds must first cover: court reporters' costs, the Arkansas District Judges Council's executive director, the Trial Court Administrator Fund, and county juror reimbursements. This bill directly affects court operations and funding for judicial support services across Arkansas. The bill passed the Senate in March 2025 but died in the House Judiciary Committee on May 5, 2025, without becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1576 aimed to prohibit the placement of solid waste landfills in specific geological areas. The bill proposed to ban landfills in the outcrop areas of geologic formations, explicitly including karst topography. This measure would have directly affected waste management companies by restricting potential landfill sites and aimed to protect communities and environments in areas with these geological features.

Maddy summarySB 526 proposed to prohibit the retail sale of specific disposable vapor products in Arkansas. It defined a "disposable vapor product" as one with a non-detachable battery that cannot be refilled and is designed for disposal after use. The bill would have banned retailers from selling such products if they originated from a "prohibited foreign party." The Director of Arkansas Tobacco Control could seize non-compliant products, with violations being a Class A misdemeanor, although FDA-approved products were exempt. A 90-day grace period was included for businesses to liquidate existing inventory.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 255 amends the definition of "drug" within the state's Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The bill clarifies that "meat" is specifically excluded from the types of food that can be considered a drug under the act. It also removes a general reference to "or other animals" from the definition. This change primarily affects the regulatory framework for substances classified as drugs, particularly concerning food products and potentially impacting the food and drug industry.

Maddy summaryHB 1180, also known as the "Baby Olivia Act," mandates specific video content for human fetal growth and development discussions. These discussions must include a high-definition ultrasound video showing early fetal organ development. Additionally, a video at least three minutes long depicting fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus until birth is required. The bill tasks the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education with approving a list of these videos, specifically mentioning the "Meet Baby Olivia" video. This legislation would affect the content of educational discussions on fetal development and the responsibilities of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 204 proposes to exempt certain financial gains from state gross income for tax purposes. This exemption would apply to taxpayers whose property is acquired by a government or entity under the right of eminent domain or the threat of condemnation. Essentially, any profit a property owner makes from such a forced sale would not be considered taxable income under this bill.

Maddy summarySB 607 aimed to establish requirements for Arkansas public school districts that choose to implement a four-day school week. The bill would authorize local school boards to adopt this schedule, explicitly preventing the State Board of Education from approving or denying their decision. However, the State Board would be required to set standards for state funding distribution and ensure districts provide an average of 30 hours of instruction per week. Districts would also need to provide documentation of their program's success using state-approved tests and include the four-day week on their annual report for community input. A district could forfeit the four-day week option if classified as needing intensive support and showing persistent underperformance.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 472 aimed to establish a new violation in Arkansas law. It would have made it illegal for minors to purchase or possess e-liquid or vapor products. An amendment was adopted, providing an exception if the minor was acting under the specific conditions outlined in § 5-27-227(c) of state code.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 493 proposed to establish a new Code Enforcement Licensing Board in Arkansas. This board would consolidate the licensing and administrative responsibilities for various trades, including electrical, HVACR, fire protection, elevator safety, and most plumbing and boiler inspection duties. To achieve this, the bill aimed to abolish several existing boards, such as the Board of Electrical Examiners and the HVACR Licensing Board, transferring their authority, personnel, and funds to the new consolidated board. Existing licenses, rules, and standards from the abolished boards would remain valid until amended by the new Code Enforcement Licensing Board.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 31 recognizes Peyton Bolling of Rogers, Arkansas, for becoming Miss America's Teen 2025. The resolution acknowledges her achievements, leadership, and advocacy work, particularly her "Civics in Motion" initiative, and celebrates her as the first Arkansas contestant to win the national title.