Sen. Alan Clark

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 summarySenate Bill 261 updates the law regarding the operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on certain roads, directly affecting ATV owners and operators. It clarifies that ATVs can be operated on unpaved dirt or gravel roads, including for connecting private property to off-road trails. To do so, operators must hold a valid driver's license (or be an exempt nonresident) and maintain liability insurance with specific minimum coverage. The bill also allows county quorum courts to prohibit ATV operation on unpaved roads within their county through a two-thirds vote.

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 438 proposed to permanently ban coaches and athletics personnel from employment at Arkansas schools if they are found to have recruited a student. The bill defined "recruitment" as using undue influence or special inducement to encourage a student to transfer to or remain at a school for extracurricular activities. This policy would apply to coaches, athletic directors, and other individuals involved in organizing or training athletic events at public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools. The Arkansas Activities Association would be responsible for making the finding of recruitment.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1738 proposes a sales and use tax exemption for disabled veterans and authorized members of their households in Arkansas. To qualify, a disabled veteran must be certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and submit a letter to the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). This exemption applies to sales of tangible personal property, digital products, and services, with an annual maximum limit of $25,000 per disabled veteran. The DFA would issue exemption cards and establish rules for the program.

Maddy summaryHB 1614, titled "TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DESIGNATIONS RELATED TO CERTAIN CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRANT PROGRAMS," proposes adjustments to the administration of these programs. An amendment to the bill specifically changes the reporting frequency for these grants from quarterly to annually. This means that agencies or organizations involved in managing or receiving funds from these criminal justice grant programs would submit required reports once a year instead of every three months. The change primarily affects the administrative and reporting obligations for those entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1667 sought to amend the Freedom of Information Act of 1967 in Arkansas, specifically concerning public meetings. The bill proposed to change the definition of a "public meeting" to include gatherings of two members, rather than more than two members, of any state or local government body. This change would affect various entities, including state agencies, commissions, municipalities, counties, and publicly funded organizations. The intent was to expand the scope of meetings subject to public transparency requirements under state law.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1977, titled the "Protecting Childhood Innocence in Libraries Act," requires public school libraries and other taxpayer-funded libraries to ensure that sexually explicit material is not placed on open shelves in children's library areas, which are designated for children aged twelve and under. Sex education materials would also be kept off open shelves but could be accessed by a child with a parent or guardian's request. The bill creates a private legal right for parents or guardians to sue libraries for damages and other relief if their child is exposed to sexually explicit material in these children's sections.

Maddy summaryHB 1566 requires all practical nursing programs in Arkansas to adopt a statewide core curriculum by the 2029-2030 academic year, affecting institutions of higher education and future practical nursing students. This 44-credit-hour curriculum aims to increase consistency in practical nursing education across the state. It will be developed by the Nurse Administrators of Nursing Education Programs, as an advisory group to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The bill allows programs flexibility in determining the breakdown of instructional hours and includes options for certified nurse aides and medication assistive persons to receive credit for prior learning.

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.