Rep. Matt Brown

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 summarySB 579 proposes to prohibit public employers in Arkansas from deducting labor organization membership dues, fees, or contributions directly from the compensation of their public employees. This means most public employees would need to pay their union dues directly to their labor organization, rather than having their employer withhold it from their paycheck. However, the bill specifically exempts public safety employees, allowing their employers to continue deducting dues for their respective labor organizations. Public employers include various state agencies, higher education institutions, courts, and local government entities.

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 644 amends the law concerning the execution of a writ of possession in unlawful detainer actions. It specifically addresses manufactured or mobile homes owned by defendants that remain on a property after a writ of possession has been served. The bill requires defendants to remove their manufactured or mobile home, or arrange for its removal with the plaintiff, within 30 days of the writ's service. This removal must be at the defendants' expense, and if the home is not removed within the timeframe, the court can declare it abandoned.

Maddy summaryHB 1180, also known as the "Baby Olivia Act," mandates specific video content for human fetal growth and development discussions. These discussions must include a high-definition ultrasound video showing early fetal organ development. Additionally, a video at least three minutes long depicting fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus until birth is required. The bill tasks the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education with approving a list of these videos, specifically mentioning the "Meet Baby Olivia" video. This legislation would affect the content of educational discussions on fetal development and the responsibilities of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

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 summaryHB 1177 amends the Arkansas Franchise Practices Act to clarify its applicability. The bill explicitly states that the Act does not apply to the business relationship between an insurance company and its agents who sell insurance on its behalf. This change means that the rules governing franchise relationships will not apply to how insurance companies interact with their agents. The bill also applies these clarifications retroactively to earlier effective dates of the Act.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1173 sought to amend the definitions of "beer" and introduce a new category of "malt beverage" within alcoholic beverage laws. The bill would have clarified that beer and other malt beverages with up to five percent alcohol by weight are distinct and generally excepted from the act's specific provisions. It established "malt beverage" as a liquor brewed from grain with an alcoholic content between five percent and twenty-one percent by weight. This new classification would have included beers and other malt beverages containing up to fourteen percent alcohol by weight, potentially altering how these products are regulated.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 1004 (HJR 1004) proposes that the state formally requests the United States Congress to call a Convention of the States. The specific purpose of this convention would be to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This amendment would establish term limits for members of the United States Congress, directly affecting those who serve in the House of Representatives and the Senate.