Rep. Jim Wooten

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 authorizes the introduction of legislation to modify the Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program, which provides state funds to students enrolled in private schools or homeschooled. The proposed changes would adjust the annual funding amount for participating students, set a minimum performance threshold for receiving disbursements, and establish stricter eligibility rules based on academic achievement. Specifically, students who fail to meet a minimum test score would lose their account eligibility, and those currently enrolled in or previously attending private schools would be barred from receiving new accounts. Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for determining eligibility and requires that assessments be administered at educational service cooperatives, with exemptions available for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

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 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 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.

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 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 summaryHouse Bill 1541 would have required private schools in Arkansas that accept any form of state funding to provide transportation services. These services would be for students enrolled in the school who live within a 35-mile radius. The bill specified that the private school would be responsible for covering the entire cost of this transportation. This measure aimed to ensure transportation for eligible students attending state-funded private K-12 schools.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1940 sets requirements for public school districts that choose to implement a four-day school week. The bill outlines how state aid funds will be determined and distributed to these districts. Its primary aim is to ensure that schools operating on a four-day schedule receive an equitable share of state aid. This is intended to guarantee that the educational opportunities provided are equivalent to those offered by districts following a traditional five-day school week.