Sen. Tyler Dees

Maddy summaryThis bill adds nitrogen gas as an additional method of execution for individuals sentenced to death in Arkansas, alongside the existing lethal injection option. It requires prison officials to notify death row inmates of the chosen execution method (nitrogen gas or lethal injection) at least seven days in advance. The bill also includes confidentiality provisions preventing public disclosure of execution protocols, drug sources, and personnel involved under Arkansas' public records laws. This change applies to all future capital punishment cases in Arkansas, following its passage into law as Act 302.

Maddy summaryHB 1748 adopts the Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act, establishing standards for publishing Arkansas legal materials (including state laws, court decisions, and agency rules) electronically. It requires official publishers - such as the Arkansas Code Revision Commission, Secretary of State, and state courts - to authenticate electronic records to verify they are unaltered and accurate, and to preserve these materials securely for permanent public access. Authenticated electronic legal materials are presumed to be reliable copies, reducing reliance on physical documents in legal contexts. The act aligns Arkansas with similar laws adopted by other states and modifies certain federal electronic signature provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1452 clarifies where medical marijuana use is prohibited, banning vapor inhalation in schools, public transport, and correctional facilities, and smoking in vehicles, near children, or where it could affect others. It specifically prohibits possessing unsealed medical marijuana (not in a dispensary-provided container) in a motor vehicle if it's accessible to the driver and in a form usable for smoking. Violations are classified as Class C misdemeanors. The law directly affects medical marijuana patients and caregivers who use or transport the substance, particularly in vehicle settings or public spaces.

Maddy summaryHB 1486 amends Arkansas law governing how the State Highway Commission handles surplus property acquired for highway projects. It specifically changes the process for reacquiring partial parcels (remnants) of land that become surplus, requiring the Commission to determine current market value using three certified appraisers instead of a fixed price. This directly affects landowners whose property was partially acquired by the state for highway use but now has surplus portions. The bill ensures reacquisition payments reflect current market conditions for these partial parcels, rather than the original acquisition price. The change applies to all future reacquisition actions under Arkansas Code § 27-67-322(c).

Maddy summarySB 234 creates one additional circuit judgeship in Arkansas' Nineteenth Judicial District-West to address high caseloads. The new judge will be elected by district voters in the 2026 nonpartisan election, serve a six-year term, and handle all circuit court matters including law, equity, probate, and juvenile cases. The county must provide court facilities, staff (including a court reporter and trial court administrator), and funding for this position starting April 2025, paid from county resources. This bill directly affects the Nineteenth Judicial District-West and its residents by expanding judicial capacity.

Maddy summaryHB 1315 (now Act 147) allows individuals to voluntarily have their blood type added to their driver's license or state ID card. The bill places responsibility on applicants to ensure the accuracy of this information when submitting it and to request corrections if needed. It does not require blood type to be added, nor does it change how the state handles medical information. The law became effective January 1, 2026, following passage by both legislative chambers in February 2025.

Maddy summarySB 142, now Act 122, bans students from possessing or using personal electronic devices (like phones) during the entire school day, directly affecting public school students. The law requires schools to update discipline policies to include specific exemptions: devices issued by the school for educational use, special events (defined by future rules), and devices needed for students with special education plans or concurrent enrollment college courses. It replaces prior rules with these clear exemptions while maintaining the overall "bell to bell" device ban. The bill passed in February 2025 and became law without additional committee action.

Maddy summarySB 59 requires all public schools to provide one free breakfast daily to every student upon request, without checking if they qualify for federally funded free or reduced-price meals. This policy directly affects all public school students in the state, eliminating eligibility barriers for breakfast access. The bill includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon enactment. It changes school meal procedures by mandating universal breakfast availability as a standard practice, not tied to existing federal program eligibility. The bill became law as Act 123 on February 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1204 (now Act 28) amends Arkansas law to clarify that plaintiffs in medical negligence cases can only recover the actual costs they paid for necessary medical care, treatment, or services - or costs legally owed by them or a third party. It directly affects individuals filing medical malpractice claims and healthcare providers by limiting recoverable damages to amounts actually paid or legally responsible. The key provision changes the standard for medical cost recovery from billed rates to verified payments, preventing recovery of unpaid or inflated charges. This law, enacted on February 11, 2025, provides a clearer financial framework for medical negligence claims in Arkansas.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution congratulates Jeff Soderquist on his retirement as the head coach of the John Brown University women's basketball team and honors his contributions to the program over his 36-year tenure. The document highlights his achievements, including amassing 424 wins, leading the team to seven NAIA National Championships, and guiding the Golden Eagles to recent league titles and national championship appearances. By formally adopting this measure, the Arkansas Senate acknowledges Soderquist's legacy as the most successful coach in the program's history and ensures a copy of the resolution is sent to him.