Rep. Lane Jean

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, now enacted as Act 143, updates Arkansas' Revenue Stabilization Law to establish a fixed distribution plan for state general revenues starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It requires the State Treasurer to transfer all available general revenue to various state funds and accounts each month, beginning in July 2026. The law sets specific maximum dollar amounts for over 50 different programs, including public schools, human services, corrections, and economic development, ensuring these entities receive a predetermined share of the state's income. By codifying these allocation limits, the legislation creates a stable funding framework that applies to all future fiscal years without needing new legislation to adjust the amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a representative to introduce legislation that would update Arkansas's Revenue Stabilization Law to create new funds and allow transfers between existing accounts. The proposed changes aim to adjust how state financial reserves are managed and moved without requiring new spending approvals. An emergency clause is included to ensure these fiscal adjustments take effect on July 1, 2026, to prevent service disruptions at the start of the next fiscal year. The measure has been passed by the House and referred to the Joint Budget Committee for further review.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a representative to introduce legislation that amends Arkansas's Revenue Stabilization Law to create new funds and allow transfers between existing accounts. The proposed law would enable the state to establish financial reserves and move money between different fund accounts to manage its budget. It includes an emergency clause stating that these changes must take effect on July 1, 2026, to prevent a disruption in essential government services at the start of the fiscal year. Currently, the bill has been referred to the Joint Budget Committee for further review.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 633 aimed to provide significant funding for the state's correctional facilities, directly affecting state financial reserves and the Department of Corrections. It proposed transferring $125 million from the Securities Reserve Fund to the Correctional Facilities Set-Aside in July 2025, with an additional $45 million in July 2026. The bill also mandated an immediate transfer of $250 million from the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund to the Correctional Facilities Set-Aside. Furthermore, it required the Department of Corrections to submit quarterly reports to legislative committees on prison construction activity, including costs, design, and timelines.

Maddy summarySB 79 proposed changes to the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System (APERS) and the State Police Retirement System (SPRS). It would have allowed certain noncontributory members, including elected officials, who erroneously retired from both systems when changing employment to adjust their retirement date by filing an affidavit. Additionally, the bill aimed to permit members in the APERS Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) to change their selected retirement annuity one time, a choice previously irrevocable. This change would require an affidavit and, if applicable, repayment of any difference in benefits received.

Maddy summarySB 395 aimed to modify Arkansas law concerning statements of financial interest filed by public servants and candidates. The bill would have updated requirements for disclosing sources of gross income and investments, including specific thresholds for reporting amounts over $1,000 and $12,500, and defining what constitutes an "investment or holding." It also sought to create a new Class A misdemeanor offense for anyone who purposely uses information from these financial statements to commit a crime against the filer, their family, or their business. Additionally, the bill clarified that these changes would not restrict the Arkansas Ethics Commission's investigative powers.

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 354 was a bill to appropriate up to $750,000,000 from the Development and Enhancement Fund to the Arkansas Department of Corrections - Division of Correction. These funds were intended for capital improvement projects, specifically for costs associated with prison construction. The bill included disbursement controls, allowing the department to accept grants and donations to supplement state funds for these projects. It also specified that the agency's existing maintenance and general operations funds could not be used for these construction purposes.