Sen. Tyler Dees

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 82 aimed to modify the sales and use tax regulations for used motor vehicles. The bill proposed to increase the sales and use tax exemption for these vehicles, meaning a larger portion of a used vehicle's purchase price would not be subject to tax. It also sought to amend the reduced sales and use tax rate currently applicable to purchases of used motor vehicles. These changes would directly affect individuals and businesses purchasing used motor vehicles.

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.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1626, as amended, aimed to prohibit the sale of certain disposable vapor products. The bill's central provision was to ban the sale of disposable vapor products that originate from a "prohibited foreign party," a term defined by referencing an existing legal statute (§ 18-11-802). This measure would have directly impacted retailers selling vapor products and consumers who purchase them. The bill did not pass and died in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1535 aimed to establish an enhanced sentence for individuals convicted of rape when the victim is twelve years of age or younger. The bill would also have permitted the Department of Corrections to administer Medroxyprogesterone Acetate treatment, a form of chemical castration. This bill directly affected persons convicted of these crimes and granted new authority to the Department of Corrections regarding treatment options.

Maddy summaryHJR 1015 was a proposed constitutional amendment in Arkansas that aimed to change how judicial candidates appear on the ballot. If approved, it would have required candidates for Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judge, Circuit Judge, and District Judge to declare their political party affiliation or independent status. This declared affiliation or independent status would then be printed on the ballot for voters to see. The stated purpose of the amendment was to ensure transparency regarding judicial candidates' affiliations. This amendment would have taken effect on January 1, 2027, if passed.

Maddy summarySB 611, now Act 900, amends the Social Media Safety Act to implement new default settings for minors using social media platforms in Arkansas. The bill requires platforms to automatically stop non-safety notifications for minor users between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. CST, with options for parents or guardians to modify this setting. It also mandates that privacy and safety settings for minors default to the most protective level offered by the platform. Additionally, the act clarifies the definition of "personal information" as "personally identifiable information."

Maddy summaryHB 1746, now Act 997, amends the Uniform Commercial Code, which governs commercial transactions. The bill revises the legal definitions of "Money" and "Deposit account." For "Money," it clarifies it as a medium of exchange authorized by a government, but specifically excludes central bank digital currency. Similarly, it defines "Deposit account" as a typical bank account, while also explicitly excluding central bank digital currency from this classification. These changes primarily affect how financial instruments and accounts are legally categorized within commercial law.

Maddy summarySB 533 establishes a regulatory framework for consumable hemp products within Arkansas. The bill grants the Arkansas Tobacco Control Board the authority to oversee and regulate these products. It also amends existing Arkansas law to permit the regulation and purchase of consumable hemp products under this new system. This legislation directly affects businesses that produce or sell these products and consumers who purchase them.