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Speaker Shepherd Names John Vines House Parliamentarian

June 16, 2023
Little Rock, Arkansas (June 16, 2023) – Arkansas House Speaker Matthew J. Shepherd announced today that he has appointed House Chief Legal Counsel John T. Vines as the House Parliamentarian and Coordinator of Legislative Services beginning July 1, 2023, upon the retirement of current House Parliamentarian Finos “Buddy” Johnson. In addition to his new role, […]
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Scholarship Deadline Approaching

June 16, 2023
If you or someone you know is heading to college this fall, we want to remind you of an important deadline. July 1 is the last day to apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. Since 2009, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has raised more than $1.2 billion in proceeds for scholarships. Those proceeds have funded 720,000 […]
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June 12th is Women Veterans Day

June 8, 2023
One of the pieces of legislation signed into law this year creates Women Veterans Day as a state memorial day to be celebrated on June 12 each year.Act 115 states Women Veterans Day is acknowledged as an effort to honor the work of women in the United States Armed Forces and recognizes the unique challenges […]
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2023 Agriculture Legislation

June 2, 2023
Agriculture has long been the backbone of our state’s economy.Currently, the industry contributes more than $19 billion annually to our economy.The ripple effect of agriculture reaches far beyond the farm. It stimulates rural economies and supports local businesses. The industry supports more than 240,000 jobs statewide.Every legislative session, the General Assembly introduces several bills aimed […]
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Statement from House Speaker Matthew J. Shepherd Regarding Temporary Order

May 26, 2023
Arkansas House Speaker Matthew J. Shepherd released the following statement on Friday: “While I disagree with this temporary ruling, I am pleased that the Attorney General has already appealed to the Arkansas Supreme Court. The LEARNS Act is an important and transformative law for Arkansas that as I have said before was handled consistent with […]
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Memorial Day 2023

May 26, 2023
The State Capitol Offices and all State Buildings will be Closed on Monday, May 29, 2023, to observe Memorial Day. A legal holiday by authority of Act 304 of 2001 and amended by Act 561 of 2017. Memorial Day BulletinMemorial Day Bulletin Grayscale
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Remember and Honor

May 25, 2023
Our state has a deep-rooted history of patriotism and sacrifice. In World War II, nearly 10% of our population at the time served our country in the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.More than 3,500 were killed as a result of combat.Arkansans continued to answer the call to serve.  461 Arkansans lost their lives […]
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2023 Economic Development Legislation

May 18, 2023
Employment in Arkansas has increased for seven consecutive months. The latest report from the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services shows the unemployment rate at 2.8%.  By comparison, the national unemployment rate is 3.4%.Compared to this time last year, there are 12,869 additional employed Arkansans.While low unemployment rates and indicative of a healthy and growing economy, […]
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National Police Week

May 12, 2023
National Police Week begins on Sunday, May 14. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. National Police Week offers honor and remembrance while allowing law enforcement, survivors, and citizens to gather and pay […]
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Statement from Speaker Matthew J. Shepherd

May 8, 2023
Arkansas House Speaker Matthew Shepherd has released the following statement: “As we have stated before emergency clause votes are recorded separately in the House Journal. Voting in the House is a matter of process which the House has the authority to determine. With regard to the LEARNS Act the House handled it consistent with its […]
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2023 Legislation Regarding Human Trafficking

May 5, 2023
Since its inception in 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 557 cases of human trafficking in Arkansas. Close to 1,500 victims were identified in these cases. Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons or modern-day slavery, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services or […]