News

In a recent report to Arkansas lawmakers, it was revealed that behavioral health cases at a pediatric hospital surged by 25% since the pandemic’s onset, with pediatricians noting that a significant portion of their workload now revolves around such cases. This trend mirrors national statistics cited by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), indicating that […]

February marks the beginning of American Heart Month, a crucial period dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and the prevalence of heart disease. In the United States and in Arkansas, heart disease stands as the leading cause of death. Statistics paint a stark picture: every 33 seconds, a life is claimed by cardiovascular disease […]

Food traditions often serve as cultural landmarks, preserving culinary heritage and connecting generations. Long-standing food establishments carry the flavors and techniques passed down through time, offering a taste of history on each plate. That is why in 2016, the Division of Arkansas Heritage launched the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.  The Arkansas Food Hall of […]

The Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) and the council’s subcommittees met this week at the Capitol. These meetings were previously scheduled for the week of January 15 but were postponed due to the winter weather across the state. ALC members were presented with an update from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) regarding damage from […]

Public education stands as the primary expenditure within state government. This month, the House and Senate Education Committees began working on the Educational Adequacy Study. This study will serve as a recommendation to the legislature to determine funding for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. This in-depth process involves assessing the entirety of public education […]

Due to the winter weather, House Offices will be closed today. All ALC meetings scheduled for this week have been rescheduled for next week. You can find the schedule at https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/

This week, the Arkansas Legislative Council Game and Fish/State Police Subcommittee held a meeting to discuss concealed carry laws in Arkansas. This meeting was part of a series of meetings held as part of the Arkansas Firearms and Concealed Carry Laws Study. The purpose of the study is to ultimately simplify gun laws in the […]

The State of Arkansas will observe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday as an official state holiday on Monday, January 15, 2024. State Capitol offices and state buildings will be closed.  The State Capitol building will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Official Holiday Bulletin

As the Preferential Primary Election and Nonpartisan General Election draw near in Arkansas, it’s crucial for every eligible citizen to recognize the power they hold within their vote. The upcoming election on March 5, 2024, serves as an opportunity for Arkansans to shape the future of their communities, the state, and the nation. The deadline […]

The State Capitol Offices and all State Buildings will be Closed to observe:New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, 2024Legal holidays by authority of Act 304 of 2001 and amended by Act 561 of 2017. Official Holiday Bulletin

Many of the laws we passed in 2023 take effect on January 1, 2024. These new laws impact everything from taxes to criminal justice. Act 10 of the 2023 Extraordinary Session reduces the top personal income tax rate from 4.7% to 4.4% for tax years beginning January 1, 2024. The act also reduces the corporate […]

The State of Arkansas will observe Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day as official state holidays on Monday, December 25th, 2023; Tuesday, December 26th, 2023; and Monday, January 1st, 2024.  The State Capitol offices and all state buildings will be closed. The Capitol building continues to be open to the public for extended […]