Rep. Justin Gonzales

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 House resolution in Arkansas authorizes a legislator to introduce a bill that would regulate certain residential properties owned by business entities, such as corporations or limited liability companies. The proposed law would require these entities to clearly disclose that buyers are purchasing an ownership interest in the company rather than direct title to the home, and it would prohibit the entities from restricting how owners transfer their interests or charging fees for those transfers. Additionally, the bill mandates that any disputes be settled in state or federal courts and ensures that owners cannot be discriminated against based on the protections of the federal Fair Housing Act. The legislation also includes specific enforcement powers for the Attorney General and excludes properties owned by religious organizations or nonprofit groups from these new rules.

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 455, as amended, sought to regulate hemp products in Arkansas and revise the Uniform Controlled Substances Act regarding hemp-defined substances. The bill would have limited the retail serving size of hemp products to 50 milligrams of cannabinoids and required them to be tested by accredited laboratories. Arkansas Tobacco Control would have been responsible for regulating and enforcing these new provisions. The bill's effectiveness was contingent on the outcome of a specific lawsuit concerning existing hemp product regulations; if the lawsuit upheld the legality of the prior act, SB 455 would have been repealed.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 238 amends the Used Tire Recycling and Accountability Act. It requires reporting on the number and category of new small tires sold in Arkansas. The bill mandates that each county establish a minimum of two tire collection centers, which must be regularly monitored and emptied to allow continuous use for waste tire disposal. Additionally, it expands the tire accountability boards from 11 to 13 members by adding two tire retailers appointed by the Governor to oversee used tire programs.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 518 (SB 518) sought to limit the regulatory authority of local governments in Arkansas concerning flood-prone areas. The bill would have prohibited cities, towns, and counties from enacting land use regulations that are more restrictive than the specific guidelines of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for special flood hazard areas. Local governments could only adopt more restrictive measures if they provided compensation for any resulting decrease in the property's value. This bill directly affected local government's ability to set flood-related building and zoning codes.

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 summaryHouse Bill 1611 amends the existing legal definition of "animal fighting" in relation to the offense of unlawful animal fighting. The bill also establishes a new, specific offense called "unlawful rooster fighting." It clarifies that certain activities involving birds from flocks certified under the United States Department of Agriculture's National Poultry Improvement Plan are not included within the scope of these specified unlawful activities. This legislation impacts individuals involved in animal fighting, particularly those concerning roosters, by refining and expanding the relevant legal prohibitions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 531 would have allowed municipalities to contract with property owners outside their city limits to provide municipal services. These agreements could be established if the property owner agreed to follow the municipality's land and development regulations, or if they agreed to voluntarily annex into the city when their property became contiguous. If an annexation agreement was made, the requirement had to be clearly defined, and the municipality could initiate annexation proceedings if the owner failed to annex within one year of the property becoming contiguous. Such agreements would apply to all future owners of the property.

Maddy summaryHB 1675 aims to amend the inspection fees established under the Arkansas Grade "A" Milk Program Act of 1981. This bill directly affects milk producers, processors, and other entities in Arkansas that are subject to these inspections and their associated costs. The key mechanism involves modifying the existing fee structure for inspections conducted as part of the state's Grade "A" milk program. The provided text is an amendment form that adds a sponsor, Representative Gonzales, but does not detail the specific changes to the fees themselves.