Sen. Greg Leding

Maddy summarySB 123 (now Act 553) removes a restriction preventing insurance coverage for mammograms and breast ultrasounds. The bill amends state law by deleting language that previously stated such screenings "shall not" be covered, requiring insurers to provide coverage for these preventive services. This directly affects Arkansans with health insurance who need routine mammograms or breast ultrasounds for early cancer detection. The change ensures these medically necessary screenings are covered under most insurance plans without prior authorization barriers.

Maddy summarySB 448 authorizes local governments in Arkansas to create financing districts that enable property owners to fund energy efficiency, renewable energy, building resilience, and water conservation improvements through special property assessments. These assessments are added to property tax bills or collected privately by third parties, remain tied to the property (not the owner), and do not use public tax revenue or require government repayment. The program applies to commercial, mixed-use, and multifamily residential properties, with financing structured as a non-governmental obligation. This legislation establishes a formal process for local districts to administer such financing under Arkansas law.

Maddy summaryHB 1860 modifies the expiration period and renewal process for medical marijuana patient registry cards. It sets the card's validity to one year from issuance (unless a certifying physician specifies an earlier expiration) and establishes a two-step renewal system. For the first renewal, patients can submit a written request to the health department without needing a new physician certification, but after that initial renewal, a new certification from the physician is required for a new card. This directly affects medical marijuana patients who hold these registry cards and need to maintain legal access to their medication.

Maddy summaryHB 1474 requires certain businesses to display the national human trafficking hotline number (1-888-373-7888) in visible locations. It applies directly to hotels, airports, and liquor-permitted clubs that do not operate as food service establishments. The law mandates that these venues display the hotline information alongside details about services like showers, fuel, and parking. This became law as Act 484 on April 8, 2025, with no changes to trafficking prevention laws - only adding signage requirements for specified businesses.

Maddy summarySB 424 requires municipal improvement district boards in Arkansas to allow public comment before decisions at meetings and hold quarterly meetings. Property owners within these districts must receive meeting notices 10-30 days in advance, including agendas, for all meetings. The law applies to all improvement districts in incorporated cities and towns statewide. It aims to increase transparency by mandating regular public communication and notice. This bill became Act 422 on March 31, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 222 aligns Missouri's Medicaid provider marketing rules with federal standards by requiring direct service providers to follow the federal managed care marketing rules (42 C.F.R. § 438.104) as they existed on January 1, 2025. This affects Medicaid providers who market services to enrollees, ensuring their advertising complies with established federal guidelines. The bill mandates that the state department revise its marketing rules to match these federal requirements. The legislation was passed quickly with an emergency clause, becoming law on March 18, 2025.

Maddy summarySCR 4 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing former Arkansas State Representative and Senator Joyce Elliott during Black History Month for her legislative service. It honors her 23-year career in the Arkansas legislature (2000-2023), her focus on education policy, and her founding of the civic engagement nonprofit Get Loud Arkansas. The resolution has no binding effect - it simply acknowledges her contributions through a formal commendation presented to her. This is a procedural recognition, not a policy change, and was approved by both chambers and the Governor in March 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 263 (now Act 330) increases the amount of the homestead property tax credit available to Arkansas homeowners. This policy change directly benefits qualifying homeowners who own and occupy their primary residence, reducing their annual property tax bill. The bill amends the existing tax credit structure to provide a higher dollar amount for eligible taxpayers. It became law after passing the Arkansas legislature and being delivered to the Governor on March 13, 2025. The change represents a concrete adjustment to tax relief for qualified homeowners without altering eligibility requirements.

Maddy summarySB 226 amends Arkansas' Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act to require school district coaches and similar staff (athletics coaches, teacher coaches, volunteers) to maintain current CPR/AED certification from recognized organizations like the American Red Cross or American Heart Association, in addition to completing every three years a training program on sudden cardiac arrest conditions. The law directly affects school coaches and staff in Arkansas public schools, mandating this certification as part of their professional development requirements. It also allows training programs to include guidance for coaches to educate parents about sports safety. The bill, now Act 247, focuses on strengthening cardiac emergency preparedness in school athletic settings through concrete certification and training standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1189 amends mentoring requirements for new teachers under the state's Teacher Excellence and Support System. The bill changes the structure of mentorship programs for novice educators, adjusting how support is provided during their initial teaching years. This directly affects new teachers and their assigned mentors within the state's public school system. The legislation, now enacted as Act 135, modifies specific provisions of the existing teacher development framework without altering overall program goals.