Sen. Josh Bryant

Maddy summaryHB 1786 establishes eligibility for a tuition benefit for soldiers and airmen serving in the Arkansas National Guard. This benefit allows these service members to attend specific private two-year and four-year colleges and universities. The bill aims to expand educational opportunities for Arkansas National Guard members by providing financial assistance for their higher education at these institutions.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1911 aims to amend Arkansas's property tax assessment laws, primarily affecting property owners. The bill would repeal the current requirement for property owners to actively list or report their personal property for tax assessment purposes. It also eliminates the 50-cent penalty for delinquent property assessments and removes the oath required from individuals when preparing a property list. This shifts some of the responsibility for personal property listing from the owner to the county assessor's office.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1803 authorizes the placement of a monument on the State Capitol Grounds. This monument is intended to recognize and honor Maurice Lee “Footsie” Britt.

Maddy summaryHB 1763 amends Arkansas's Human Trafficking Act of 2013. It creates a new criminal offense for the "unlawful use of a communication device during the commission of a human trafficking offense." This applies to individuals who knowingly use any communication device, such as phones or mail, to commit or facilitate a human trafficking felony. Each instance of using a communication device in this manner constitutes a separate offense, which is classified as a Class C felony.

Maddy summaryHB 1751 requires individuals applying for benefits from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to engage in job search activities. This obligation is specifically mandated for the period while their application for TANF assistance is being processed. The bill integrates job-seeking efforts into the application phase for those seeking these welfare benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 1729 amends the state's Homestead Exemption Act. This bill allows a homestead owned by a Limited Liability Company (LLC) to qualify for the homestead exemption under specific conditions. The exemption can be claimed if the LLC has two members who are a married couple, or if it has only one member who is a natural person and is either married or the head of a family. This change affects property owners who hold their primary residence through an LLC, potentially allowing them to receive homestead tax benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 1445 prohibits local governments in Arkansas from banning or effectively preventing short-term rentals (defined as properties rented for 30 days or less). It allows localities to require a $50 annual registration for such rentals with a 15-day review period, but bans restrictions that block property owners from operating them. Local governments may suspend operations for violations (max 30 days for repeated offenses, 12 months for serious harm), but cannot regulate rental platforms or target specific uses like retail or adult businesses. The bill classifies short-term rentals as residential for zoning purposes and was withdrawn by its author on April 15, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1859 amends Arkansas law to strengthen health insurance coverage for mastectomy patients. It requires health insurers to cover specific benefits including a minimum 48-hour hospital stay post-mastectomy, full breast reconstruction (including both breasts for symmetry), prostheses, lymphedema treatment, and coverage for mesh/nerve grafts. Insurers must provide written coverage notices at enrollment and annually, and cannot deny coverage or penalize providers for following these requirements. The law applies to most health plans (excluding state/public school employee plans) and expires June 30, 2031.

Maddy summaryHB 1821 creates a single State Captive Insurance Program to replace fragmented property insurance systems for public schools, state-supported colleges/universities, and state-owned properties in Arkansas. It combines these entities under one program, prohibits the use of public adjusting firms (which the bill states increased premiums), and requires independent reappraisals of higher education properties to ensure proper valuation. The bill also establishes the Office of Property Risk within the Department of Transformation and Shared Services to manage the program and mandates coordination among state agencies for a smooth transition. These changes aim to stabilize insurance costs and improve market competitiveness for these public entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1789 prohibits Arkansas local governments (counties, cities of first/second class, and incorporated towns) from funding or issuing identification cards to individuals without proof of lawful U.S. presence. The bill requires local ID programs to verify legal immigration status before providing cards or financial support for such cards. It specifically targets local government-run ID programs that provide access to services like schools, banks, or law enforcement, but does not affect state-issued ID cards. The law aims to prevent local programs from being used as part of sanctuary policies, aligning with Arkansas' stance against such initiatives.