Sen. Josh Bryant

Maddy summaryHB 1905, known as the "Buyer Beware Act," aimed to modify disclosure requirements for real estate licensees involved in residential property sales. The bill would have prohibited a licensee representing a seller from disclosing the taxable value of residential property in a listing. Instead, the listing would be required to direct potential buyers to the county assessor for the current assessed value. Additionally, licensees would have to provide written disclosure to potential buyers, explaining that existing property tax assessment limitations do not transfer to new owners.

Maddy summaryHB 1058 seeks to update existing laws regarding ethics and conflicts of interest for public officers and employees. A central provision of the bill prohibits public employees from giving advance notice to entities before conducting complaint-based inspections. This aims to ensure that these specific types of inspections are carried out without prior warning to the entity being inspected.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1578 establishes the Arkansas Hemp Beverage Act, creating a regulatory framework for hemp-based beverages within the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. It requires manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of these beverages to obtain permits and integrate into the existing three-tier system for alcoholic beverages. The bill sets product standards, including a maximum delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol content of 0.3% on a dry-weight basis, mandatory independent lab testing, and specific labeling requirements. Sales of hemp-based beverages are restricted to individuals 21 years of age or older, and the ABC Division is authorized to enforce these provisions through inspections and penalties.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1059 proposes to offer a free lifetime hunting and fishing license to certain commercial truck drivers who are residents of Arkansas. This benefit would also include optional lifetime trout and duck stamps. To qualify, a commercial truck driver must provide information to law enforcement that results in the rescue of a human trafficking victim or the conviction of an individual for human trafficking. The Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission would be responsible for issuing these licenses and would be reimbursed for their cost.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1715 proposes to limit the increase in the assessed value of real property following its sale or transfer in Arkansas. For a taxpayer's homestead used as their principal residence, the first assessment after a sale would be limited to a maximum increase of 5% above the previous owner's taxable value. For all other types of real property, this limit would be 10% above the seller's taxable value. This change would directly affect new property owners by capping the initial increase in their property's assessed value for tax purposes. The bill, if enacted, would take effect for assessment years starting on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 355 amends the criminal offense of obstructing governmental operations. The bill specifies that it is a criminal act for an individual to knowingly fail to appear and testify at a trial or court hearing in a criminal matter. This provision applies to individuals who have received in-person service of a subpoena issued by a judge or a court clerk. This bill directly affects individuals who are subpoenaed to provide testimony in criminal proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 431 amends the Human Trafficking Act of 2013 to enhance protections for victims and address related offenses. The bill eliminates the statute of limitations for certain offenses when the individual was a victim of trafficking and committed the offense as a direct result of that trafficking. It also establishes "safe harbors" for victims and prohibits certain sexually explicit products that resemble a child.

Maddy summarySB 443 amends the duties of the State Board of Appraisers, Abstracters, and Home Inspectors. The bill also modifies the laws governing the licensure requirements for abstracters and home inspectors. One specific change includes adjusting a three-year period to one year within its provisions. These updates directly affect professionals in these fields and the state board responsible for their oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 1926 amends the law concerning driver's license actions for unpaid court-ordered fines and a defendant's inability to pay. The bill requires courts to inquire into a defendant's financial ability if they claim an inability to pay a fine. Defendants must provide detailed financial information, including income, housing, utility, childcare, transportation, healthcare, and tax costs, to assist the court in this determination. Courts must then consider this financial information when deciding whether to request the suspension, revocation, or nonrenewal of a person's driver's license for failing to pay a fine. If a defendant fails to provide the required financial information, the court will notify the Department of Finance and Administration of this failure.

Maddy summaryHB 1991 creates an exception to the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code regarding fire apparatus access roads. This bill specifies that certain residential developments are not required to maintain two or more separate fire apparatus access roads. This exception applies only if the development is not located in a city of the first class, a city of the second class, or an incorporated town. Additionally, each lot within the residential development must be at least one acre in size for the exception to apply. This bill directly affects developers and future residents of qualifying residential developments in less densely populated areas of Arkansas.