Rep. Mary Bentley

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 summaryHB 1080 proposes to allocate $20 million from the state's General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund to the Jonesboro Human Development Center for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. These funds are designated for Phase 2 of a master plan aimed at planning, demolishing, constructing, renovating, and upgrading facilities for the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services. The bill includes standard provisions requiring compliance with state procurement and budget laws, as well as an emergency clause to ensure funding is available starting July 1, 2026. Although the legislation was introduced, it did not advance beyond the House Budget Committee before the session ended.

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 summarySenate Bill 283, as amended, modifies the law concerning unclaimed property for certain nonprofit organizations. It specifically affects nonprofits with less than five million dollars in annual revenue. These organizations must turn over property unclaimed for one year to the state administrator. The administrator then has two years to locate the property's owner. If the owner is not found within that period, the unclaimed property is returned to the original nonprofit organization.

Maddy summarySB 86 modifies the rules for nonprofit, tax-exempt, or governmentally funded hospitals to hold retail pharmacy permits and introduces new regulations for pharmacy contracting. It would allow eligible hospitals, meeting criteria like a minimum inpatient census and providing emergency care, to hold one retail pharmacy permit at each licensed hospital location. These pharmacies must be located on or near the hospital campus and offer 24/7 access to emergency medications. The bill also prohibits pharmacies from entering contracts with parent entities that create anti-competitive advantages or limit patient choice, with enforcement by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1946 proposed requiring human growth and development instruction in Arkansas public schools for students in grades 6-12, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. This instruction would have included a high-definition ultrasound video of at least three minutes showing early fetal organ development. It also mandated a high-quality, computer-generated rendering or animation illustrating the process of fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus until birth. This content would have been integrated into classes discussing human biology, contraception, or sexually transmitted diseases.

Maddy summarySB 309 amends the Arkansas Health Care Consumer Act to revise the definition of a "psychiatric collaborative care model." The bill updates the specific dates referenced for the evidence-based integrated behavioral health service delivery method. It expands the primary care team within this model to include individuals providing clinical psychiatric pharmacist services. These pharmacists must hold an accredited pharmacy degree, maintain a good standing license, and either utilize a disease state management protocol with a supervising provider or provide independent consulting services. This change broadens the types of healthcare professionals who can participate in collaborative psychiatric care.

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 summarySenate Bill 376 amends the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, focusing on requirements for public meetings of state and local governing bodies. The bill clarifies that all formal or informal meetings of more than two members of entities like municipal councils, county quorum courts, school boards, and state commissions must be public. It also adds a new provision concerning discussions held outside of public meetings. If two members of a governing body discuss a matter, they are prohibited from disclosing another member's opinion or position on that matter to other members of the governing body.

Maddy summarySB 526 proposed to prohibit the retail sale of specific disposable vapor products in Arkansas. It defined a "disposable vapor product" as one with a non-detachable battery that cannot be refilled and is designed for disposal after use. The bill would have banned retailers from selling such products if they originated from a "prohibited foreign party." The Director of Arkansas Tobacco Control could seize non-compliant products, with violations being a Class A misdemeanor, although FDA-approved products were exempt. A 90-day grace period was included for businesses to liquidate existing inventory.