News

As we approach the new academic school year, we want to extend our deepest appreciation to teachers across the state and wish them and our students a successful year. Classrooms are buzzing with excitement and we can’t wait to witness the progress our students will be making. There will be several changes made to education […]

                                                       Little Rock, Arkansas (August 4, 2023) –             Arkansas House Speaker Matthew Shepherd has named John Sinclair of El Dorado to serve on […]

2023 Regular Session-Summary of General Legislation

As summer winds down and the excitement of a new school year builds, families across the state are planning for the added expense of back-to-school shopping. This year, consumers are expected to spend close to $600 per child on clothes, shoes, and school supplies. That is why we want to take this time to remind […]

From 2012 to 2021, speeding-related fatalities increased by 19% nationwide. Speeding fatalities have continued to increase over the past few years. From 2020-2021 alone, law-enforcement agencies documented an 8% increase in speeding-related fatalities.In 2021, speeding killed more than 12,000 people nationwide, accounting for more than one-quarter of all traffic fatalities.That is why throughout July, Arkansas […]

NEWS RELEASE                                                             SPEAKER SHEPHERD APPOINTS AMBER POOL TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMMISSION   Little Rock, Arkansas (July 17, 2023) –             […]

In 2022, the Arkansas State Crime Lab reported 457 drug overdose deaths. Fentanyl was a contributing factor in 251 of those deaths. And from January to March of this year, the crime lab reported 87 drug overdose deaths. Once again, fentanyl was a contributing factor in more than half of those cases. Fentanyl is a […]

This week we received the Fiscal Year 2023 Revenue Summary. It shows we ended the fiscal year with the second largest surplus in state history. Results from collections and distributions for FY 2023 reached $7.185 billion. That is $1.161 billion in excess of full funding level for the Revenue Stabilization Act representing a surplus. The […]

The State Capitol Offices and all State Buildings will be Closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, to observe Independence Day. A legal holiday by authority of Act 304 of 2001 and amended by Act 561 of 2017.

From battlefield tours in Prairie Grove to sunset boat cruises in DeGray Lake, Arkansas State Parks hosts more than 42,000 educational programs, activities, and special events. There are 52 state parks in 48 counties covering 54,643 acres. If you haven’t visited one of our state parks this summer, now is a perfect time to start […]

In Arkansas, an estimated 58,000 Arkansans aged 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s in 2020. This number is expected to climb to 67,000 by 2025. Nationwide, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s dementia and that number is expected to grow to as many as 14 million by the year 2050. June […]

Speaker Matthew J. Shepherd released the following statement Thursday, June 22: “I’m saddened to hear about the loss of fellow South Arkansan and Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Robin Wynne. He began his career of public service with the House nearly 38 years ago and continued serving his community and state with passion and integrity for […]