Rep. Howard Beaty

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 is a procedural measure that authorizes a senator to introduce legislation amending Arkansas laws governing Industrial Development Authorities. The proposed changes would require board members to live within the municipality or county they represent and allow local governments to remove board members for good cause with a two-thirds vote. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these authorities must follow local zoning and planning rules and repeals their ability to use eminent domain for property acquisition. Because this specific text only grants permission to introduce further legislation rather than enacting policy itself, it does not directly alter the powers of industrial development authorities or affect the public.

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 281, titled the "Producer Bill of Rights for Commodity Checkoff Programs Act," aimed to enhance transparency and producer engagement within several Arkansas agricultural commodity checkoff programs, such as those for soybeans, rice, and beef. The bill required these programs to publish meeting notices, provide open access to meetings, and establish online portals for producers to submit comments. It also mandated the online publication of various records, including financial reports and non-confidential research. Furthermore, the bill stipulated that grant recipients receiving $10,000 or more from these programs must provide annual summaries detailing their work and estimated return on investment. It also clarified that checkoff funds should be used only for approved purposes.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 316 aims to standardize how sales and use tax rebates are administered in Arkansas, requiring them to be processed as refunds. The bill clarifies that certain tax refunds, including those for contractors on specific construction contracts, should be automatically provided to eligible taxpayers. It also changes the process for refunding excess local sales and use tax on qualifying purchases over $2,500, making these refunds automatic for purchasers not required to file tax returns. Additionally, the bill repeals previous complex methods for claiming sales tax exemptions related to the partial replacement and repair of certain machinery and equipment.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 528 proposes to amend the powers and duties of the Office of Skills Development and the Career Education and Workforce Development Board. The bill requires these entities to ensure that any approved secondary technical center begins operation with at least six occupation-specific programs. This standard applies to public high schools, postsecondary technical institutes, two-year colleges, or education service cooperatives that are designated as secondary technical centers.

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 summaryThis bill, SB 312, proposes to remove the existing moratorium on adding new beds or expanding capacity within psychiatric residential treatment facilities in Arkansas. Currently, these facilities are prohibited from increasing their bed count. If enacted, the bill would allow psychiatric residential treatment facilities to add new beds or expand their existing capacity, with no cap set on the number of beds. This change would directly affect these facilities and individuals seeking psychiatric residential treatment services.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 221 (SB 221) aims to prohibit specific contracting practices by risk-based provider organizations when they negotiate with direct healthcare service providers in Arkansas. The bill prevents these organizations from using "tying" tactics, which involve requiring a provider to contract for multiple services if they only agree to one, or penalizing them for declining certain services. It also prohibits discrimination against providers who refuse such terms. Violations of these provisions would be considered unfair trade practices, and any problematic contract clauses would be voided. The bill seeks to ensure fair negotiation for providers and protect access to healthcare for Medicaid beneficiaries, especially individuals with disabilities.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 647, the "Economic Development District Act of 2025," creates a framework for municipalities, counties, or cooperative areas in Arkansas to establish Economic Development Districts. These districts are designated areas intended to promote economic growth and revitalization. They can fund projects like infrastructure and various forms of economic development construction by utilizing "property charge increments" and "sales charge increments," which are the increases in property and sales taxes generated within the district above a set baseline. The Department of Commerce is tasked with providing support, technical assistance, and resources for the establishment and management of these districts.