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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 […]
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Mental Health Legislation 2023

April 27, 2023
In the months leading up to the 2023 Regular Session, several legislators were meeting with mental health providers, medical professionals, and behavioral health stakeholders to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the mental and behavioral health care currently available in the state. This study resulted in several recommendations and as a result, the 94th General […]
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Transportation Laws 2023

April 21, 2023
In the most recent legislative session, the Arkansas General Assembly made several changes to our laws regarding transportation. The new laws impact everything from distracted driving to getting your car tags. Below is a list of acts signed this year regarding transportation: Act 445 seeks to strengthen our laws regarding distracted driving. It states if […]
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Election Legislation from the 2023 Regular Session

April 14, 2023
More than twenty bills passed in the 2023 Regular Session address Arkansas elections. From how an initiative is placed on the ballot to when the polls are open, several changes are being made due to recent legislation. The following pieces of legislation regarding elections have been signed into law: Act 236 amends the procedure for […]
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Final Week of the 2023 Regular Session

April 7, 2023
In the final week of the 2023 Regular Session, the House passed a criminal justice reform bill, a tax cut, and a budget that increases spending in education and public safety. The House passed SB549. This bill will reduce the state’s top income tax rate from 4.9% to 4.7%. It also reduces the corporate income […]
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Daily Summary for Tuesday April 4, 2023

April 4, 2023
On Tuesday, the House adopted HJR1006. This resolution is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow lottery proceeds to provide scholarships and grants to Arkansans enrolled in vocational-technical schools and technical institutes. The House also passed the following bills: HB1688-This bill amends public school funding. It increases per-pupil funding from the current amount of $7,413 […]
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Daily Summary for Monday, April 3, 2023

April 3, 2023
On Monday, the House passed HB1345. This bill increases the income tax deduction for a teacher’s classroom expenses from $500 a year to $750 a year. The House also passed the following bills: HB1720-This bill states that a digital currency tracker shall not be used in this state to track an individual’s purchases or location […]
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Week 12 of the 2023 Regular Session

March 31, 2023
When the House reconvenes on Monday, members will likely be entering the last week of the 2023 Regular Session. Currently, the General Assembly is expected to adjourn on April 7. Before members adjourn, they will be addressing education funding, tax cuts, and amending the Revenue Stabilization Act which prioritizes spending for the next fiscal year. […]
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Daily Summary for Thursday, March 30, 2023

March 30, 2023
House members completed the 12th week of the 2023 Regular Session on Thursday. Next week, the House is expected to address criminal justice reform, tax cuts, and the Revenue Stabilization Act (RSA). The RSA prioritizes general revenue spending for the next fiscal year. On Thursday, the House passed the following bills: SB377-This bill creates a […]