Sen. Reginald Murdock

Co-sponsor SB 263

Signed into law · Arkansas Senate · Co-sponsor

TO INCREASE THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX CREDIT.

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.

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases homestead property tax credit, providing direct tax relief to qualifying homeowners (primary residence owners), aligning with tax relief for middle/lower income.95% confidence

Signed into law Mar 18, 2025 1 co-sponsor

Co-sponsor SB 142

Signed into law · Arkansas Senate · Co-sponsor

TO CREATE THE BELL TO BELL, NO CELL ACT; AND TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICIES WITH REGARD TO STUDENT USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES.

Maddy summarySB 142, now Act 122, bans students from possessing or using personal electronic devices (like phones) during the entire school day, directly affecting public school students. The law requires schools to update discipline policies to include specific exemptions: devices issued by the school for educational use, special events (defined by future rules), and devices needed for students with special education plans or concurrent enrollment college courses. It replaces prior rules with these clear exemptions while maintaining the overall "bell to bell" device ban. The bill passed in February 2025 and became law without additional committee action.

EducationOpposes EducationBans student phone use during school day, restricting device access in educational settings per discipline policy requirements.90% confidence

Signed into law Feb 24, 2025 1 co-sponsor

Co-sponsor SB 59

Signed into law · Arkansas Senate · Co-sponsor

TO PROVIDE EACH STUDENT WITH ONE BREAKFAST AT NO COST EACH SCHOOL DAY UPON REQUEST WITHOUT CONSIDERATION OF THE STUDENT'S ELIGIBILITY FOR A FEDERALLY FUNDED FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE MEAL; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

Maddy summarySB 59 requires all public schools to provide one free breakfast daily to every student upon request, without checking if they qualify for federally funded free or reduced-price meals. This policy directly affects all public school students in the state, eliminating eligibility barriers for breakfast access. The bill includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon enactment. It changes school meal procedures by mandating universal breakfast availability as a standard practice, not tied to existing federal program eligibility. The bill became law as Act 123 on February 24, 2025.

EducationSupports EducationBill mandates universal free breakfast for all K-12 students, removing eligibility barriers and expanding access to school meals, directly supporting educational access.90% confidence

Signed into law Feb 24, 2025 1 co-sponsor

Co-sponsor SB 46

Signed into law · Arkansas Senate · Co-sponsor

TO REFLECT A MERGER BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AND EAST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BY CHANGING THE NAME OF EAST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS EAST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

Maddy summarySB 46 changes the official name of East Arkansas Community College to "University of Arkansas East Arkansas Community College" to reflect an existing merger between the University of Arkansas and the college. The bill repeals outdated statutory provisions related to a previous merger involving Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute. This procedural update aligns the institution's legal name with its current operational status and state funding allocations, which already reference the new name. The change affects only administrative records and does not alter funding, programs, or governance structures.

Signed into law Feb 12, 2025 1 co-sponsor

Primary SB 4

Introduced · Arkansas Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION - PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT CLASSIFIED STAFF RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT PROGRAM APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2022-2023 FISCAL YEAR.

Introduced Aug 11, 2022 0 co-sponsors Track

Co-sponsor SB 3

Introduced · Arkansas Senate · Co-sponsor

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION - TEACHER PAY SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM APPROPRIATION - THE RAISE ACT - FOR THE 2022-2023 FISCAL YEAR.

Introduced Aug 11, 2022 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HB 1006

died · Arkansas House · Co-sponsor

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION - TEACHER PAY SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM APPROPRIATION - THE RAISE ACT - FOR THE 2022-2023 FISCAL YEAR.

died Aug 11, 2022 1 co-sponsor Track

Primary HB 1005

died · Arkansas House · Lead sponsor

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION - PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT CLASSIFIED STAFF RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT PROGRAM APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2022-2023 FISCAL YEAR.

died Aug 11, 2022 0 co-sponsors Track

Co-sponsor HR 1019

Passed · Arkansas House · Co-sponsor

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2022.

Passed Feb 17, 2022 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HJR 1021

died · Arkansas House · Co-sponsor

AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION TO REPEAL THE EXCEPTION TO THE PROHIBITION OF SLAVERY AND INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE.

died Oct 15, 2021 1 co-sponsor Track