Rep. Kendra Moore

Maddy summaryHB 1001 reduces income tax rates for Arkansas residents, including individuals, trusts, estates, and both domestic and foreign corporations. For individuals, the bill establishes a progressive tax structure with rates ranging from 0% to 3.7% for income up to $94,700, while providing a specific tax credit for income between $94,701 and $97,600. Corporations see their tax brackets adjusted starting in 2027, with rates increasing from 1% to 4.1% on net income exceeding $11,000. The legislation also includes provisions for annual adjustments to the individual tax tables to account for inflation or other economic factors.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the Arkansas homestead property tax credit for property owners, raising the annual reduction in real property taxes from $600 to $675. The change applies to assessment years starting on or after January 1, 2026, directly benefiting homeowners who qualify for the credit. By amending the state code, the legislation provides a slightly larger tax relief amount for eligible residents without altering other tax provisions.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution expresses support for Arkansas poultry producers in the Illinois River Watershed and calls for good faith negotiations to resolve ongoing environmental disputes. The measure recognizes the economic importance of poultry farming to the state and acknowledges the industry's investments in conservation practices and wastewater treatment. By adopting this resolution, the House affirms its commitment to balancing agricultural viability with environmental protection without creating new laws or regulations.

Maddy summarySB 187 amends the composition of the Arkansas Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board. This bill expands the types of healthcare professionals eligible for appointment to the board. Specifically, it adds physician assistants to the existing list, which includes physicians and advanced practice registered nurses. The board members must be licensed and practicing in Arkansas, and currently treating rare diseases or conditions.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1534 proposes to increase the existing homestead property tax credit. This bill directly affects homeowners by reducing the amount of property taxes they owe on their primary residence. The key mechanism is an adjustment to the credit amount, providing a larger tax reduction for eligible households.

Maddy summaryHB 1251, known as the Arkansas Anesthesiologist Assistant Act, aims to establish a new licensed healthcare profession in Arkansas: anesthesiologist assistants. The bill, as amended, defines both anesthesiologists and anesthesiologist assistants, requiring assistants to be graduates of accredited training programs. It mandates that these assistants be licensed and in good standing with the Arkansas State Medical Board. The board would also be empowered to set specific licensing requirements, including continuing medical education hours, and to assess associated fees for licensure. This bill directly affects individuals seeking to practice as anesthesiologist assistants in the state.

Maddy summarySB 120 aimed to require all private care agencies in Arkansas to obtain licensure, intended to provide consumer protection for vulnerable aging adults. A key provision of the bill mandated specific background checks for applicants. These checks would involve federal and state criminal background screenings, as well as searches of child and adult maltreatment registries.

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 summaryHB 1848 amends Arkansas law concerning child custody and visitation decisions when domestic abuse is involved. It clarifies that courts must consider the effect of proven domestic abuse on a child's best interest, regardless of whether the child was physically injured or witnessed the abuse. The bill establishes a new presumption that it is not in a child's best interest to be placed in the sole custody or care of a parent found to have engaged in a pattern of domestic abuse. This parent would then have the responsibility to prove that granting them custody would not endanger the child. If unsupervised parenting time is still awarded to such a parent, the court must make specific findings about the risk of harm and may order safety conditions or domestic violence intervention programs.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1434, as amended, aims to modify existing law concerning child custody awards between parents when domestic abuse is present. The bill redefines "domestic abuse" for these legal purposes, encompassing physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or certain sexual conduct between family or household members. It adjusts the legal presumption regarding an award of *sole* custody in cases involving domestic abuse. The bill also clarifies how a child's well-being is to be considered during custody determinations under these circumstances.