Rep. Jeff Wardlaw

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 summaryHB 1632 would have required the State of Arkansas to reimburse the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission for revenue lost when issuing free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses. The bill aimed to ensure the commission receives funds to cover the costs associated with these special licenses. Reimbursement was specified to come from the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1621 proposes to amend the Freedom of Information Act of 1967. It would exempt certain personal information, specifically permanent residence addresses, of elected constitutional officers, judicial officials, elected county officials, elected municipal officials, and their immediate family members from being considered public records. The bill also defines "elected municipal official" and "immediate family member" for the purposes of these exemptions. This means that these specific private details of the mentioned officials and their relatives would no longer be subject to public information requests.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 2002 aims to update the Education Service Cooperative Act of 1985 by eliminating established geographic boundaries for education service cooperatives. It requires the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to assign public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools to a cooperative by the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates that each cooperative establish a strategic plan and an executive subcommittee, while repealing the requirement for teacher centers. It also introduces a rating system for cooperatives, requires the Division to develop a new funding formula, and authorizes the State Board of Education to take action against or dissolve cooperatives with consistently low ratings.

Maddy summaryHB 2000 proposes to amend the existing laws governing education service cooperatives, public school districts, and open-enrollment public charter schools in Arkansas. The bill specifically aims to modify the accountability systems that the Department of Education develops for these educational entities. This act directly affects the frameworks for how these schools and cooperatives are evaluated and overseen within the state.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1371 proposes to remove a current requirement for individuals seeking a Commercial Driver License (CDL). Specifically, it would eliminate the mandate for applicants to complete a human trafficking prevention course as a condition for obtaining their CDL. This bill directly affects those applying for or renewing a commercial driver's license by altering the necessary steps for licensure.

Maddy summaryHB 1665 modifies the insurance premium tax credit available to accident and health insurers based on employee salaries and wages. The bill prohibits insurers from using this credit as an offset against premium taxes specifically for individual or group comprehensive hospital and medical coverage. It also adjusts the maximum percentage by which the credit can reduce the premium tax, lowering it to 50% for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023. Additionally, the bill maintains an existing annual cap of $18 million on the total credit an insurer can receive. This legislation directly affects insurance companies that currently utilize this tax credit.

Maddy summaryHB 1535 aimed to establish an enhanced sentence for individuals convicted of rape when the victim is twelve years of age or younger. The bill would also have permitted the Department of Corrections to administer Medroxyprogesterone Acetate treatment, a form of chemical castration. This bill directly affected persons convicted of these crimes and granted new authority to the Department of Corrections regarding treatment options.

Maddy summaryHB 1631 proposes to amend Arkansas law regarding hunting and fishing licenses. The bill would allow the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission to categorize foreign exchange students in the same manner as nonresident college students for the purpose of issuing these licenses. This change directly affects foreign exchange students who wish to obtain a hunting or fishing license, potentially allowing them to access licenses under the same terms as nonresident college students.