Rep. R.J. Hawk

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 summaryHouse Bill 1495, as amended, establishes procedures for transferring a student's permanent school record when they move to a new school. The bill outlines that when a student transfers, their records are to be requested by the receiving institution. It includes a specific provision for foster children, mandating that the receiving public or private school must request and receive their education records according to an existing state statute.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 445 amends the law concerning the licensure of electrical inspectors, directly affecting individuals applying for or holding this license. The bill modifies the qualifications for licensure, allowing experience at a fire marshal's or fire inspector's office and specific National Fire Protection Association certification to be accepted. It also mandates that certain licensed electrical inspectors, once hired, must attend a two-day training program offered by the Department of Labor and Licensing. Additionally, the bill references a board fee not exceeding fifty dollars.

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 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 447 aimed to require permitted common carriers to submit detailed reports for all alcoholic beverage shipments entering the state. These reports would have included specific information such as the common carrier's parcel tracking number, the recipient's zip code, and the name and business address of each supplier or manufacturer. Additionally, the reports would have specified the weight of the alcoholic beverages shipped. This bill was designed to track the movement of alcoholic beverages into the state via common carriers.

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 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 summarySB 482 aimed to repeal the Arkansas Opportunity Public School Choice Act. This act allowed students attending public school districts classified as "Level 5 - Intensive support" or "F" rated public schools to transfer to higher-performing public schools or districts. If enacted, the bill would have eliminated this specific transfer option for those students. The bill also intended to amend other laws concerning student transfers between public schools and school districts, and the Public School Choice Act of 2015.