Rep. Matthew Shepherd

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1529 creates a new criminal offense and a civil cause of action related to "deepfake visual material." It makes it illegal to unlawfully create or distribute such material, directly affecting individuals involved in these actions. Additionally, the bill allows individuals who are victims of unlawfully created deepfake visual material to file a lawsuit to seek compensation. This legislation provides both criminal penalties and a civil remedy for the misuse of deepfake technology.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1680, now Act 811, restricts certain foreign entities from acquiring interests in land. It prohibits businesses controlled by a "foreign party" from leasing land. The bill also prevents "prohibited foreign parties" from holding an interest in real property or agricultural land under specific circumstances. An amendment clarifies that an individual is not considered a "prohibited foreign party" if they are also a citizen of the United States.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1429, as amended, aims to increase accessibility and maintain quality standards for facilities providing mammography services. It specifically addresses diagnostic evaluations performed remotely or via telemedicine for patients. Under the bill, patients must sign a waiver acknowledging any limitations of a remote diagnostic evaluation. Facilities are also required to provide patients with the results of their diagnostic evaluation before they leave the facility.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 1833, amends the law concerning admissions at the University of Arkansas College of Medicine. The provided text, Amendment No. 1, modifies specific conditions related to the number of qualified applicants. It specifies that certain admission provisions apply only if fewer than twenty-five applicants from a congressional district, or fewer than twenty-five Arkansas residents, meet published admissions standards and accept an offer. This directly affects prospective medical students and the College of Medicine's admissions process by setting thresholds for geographic and residency-based considerations.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1917 amends the Arkansas Student-Athlete Publicity Rights Act, significantly changing how student-athletes in Arkansas institutions of higher education can be compensated for their name, image, and likeness (NIL). The bill allows institutions and qualifying charitable organizations to facilitate, create, and directly compensate student-athletes for the commercial use of their publicity rights. It also clarifies that student-athletes receiving NIL compensation are not considered employees of their institution or athletic organizations. Additionally, the bill exempts NIL income from state income tax and establishes rules for contracts and professional representation. Student-athlete personal and financial information related to these agreements will be kept confidential.

Maddy summaryHB 1831 amends the law governing how the Arkansas Attorney General's office manages and uses funds received from legal settlements and civil penalties. The bill specifies that these funds must be distributed for purposes such as restitution to Arkansas consumers or state agencies, payment of attorney's fees, or for the Attorney General's office operations and grants. It also mandates that the Attorney General's office provide quarterly reports to legislative committees, detailing the source, amount, and planned disbursement of all received funds, including specific rationale for disbursing funds to any particular entity.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1830, now Act 689, amends the law concerning the Arkansas Attorney General's procurement of contingency fee contracts with private attorneys. The bill prohibits contingency fees from being based on penalties or civil fines. It establishes new requirements for these contracts, ensuring that government attorneys retain complete control over the litigation, including decision-making, direct communication with defendants, and exclusive authority over settlement. Additionally, the Attorney General must develop a standard contract addendum detailing the responsibilities of both the private attorney and the Attorney General.

Maddy summaryHB 1821 creates a single State Captive Insurance Program to replace fragmented property insurance systems for public schools, state-supported colleges/universities, and state-owned properties in Arkansas. It combines these entities under one program, prohibits the use of public adjusting firms (which the bill states increased premiums), and requires independent reappraisals of higher education properties to ensure proper valuation. The bill also establishes the Office of Property Risk within the Department of Transformation and Shared Services to manage the program and mandates coordination among state agencies for a smooth transition. These changes aim to stabilize insurance costs and improve market competitiveness for these public entities.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 29, 2025, as Vietnam War Veterans Day and March 2025 as Vietnam Era Veterans Month in Arkansas. It formally recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of Vietnam War veterans through state-level ceremonial observance. The resolution does not create new laws, programs, or benefits - it serves solely as a symbolic gesture of appreciation. It affects Arkansas residents by establishing official dates for state-level recognition of veterans' service.

Maddy summaryHB 1303 (now Act 546) creates a state income tax credit for businesses producing sustainable aviation fuel in Arkansas. The credit allows eligible producers to reduce their state income tax liability by up to the full amount of tax they owe in a given year. It directly affects aviation fuel producers who meet the bill's sustainability criteria, providing financial incentive to develop and use cleaner fuel alternatives. The law, enacted April 10, 2025, establishes this credit as part of Arkansas' efforts to support sustainable energy infrastructure.