News

On Thursday, the House passed HB1462. This bill clarifies the definition of “unaccompanied homeless youth” to mean an individual between the ages of 16 and 22 who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. This includes a young person who has either run away from home, is forced to leave his […]

On Wednesday, the House passed HB1035. This bill requires a healthcare insurer that offers, issues, or renews a health benefit plan in this state to provide coverage for screening for depression of the birth mother by a healthcare professional within the first 6  weeks of the birth mother’s having given birth on or after January […]

EDUCATION The LEARNS Act provides for reading coaches statewide, offers high schoolers a career ready diploma, creates the Education Freedom Account offering universal choice in 3 years, and raises the minimum teacher pay from $36,000 to $50,000. JUDICIARY Act 61 creates the Arkansas Family Treatment Specialty Court Act.  This bill addresses a critical need for […]

On Tuesday, the House Education Committee advanced several bills including HB1511. This bill states that by January 1, 2029, every school bus owned or operated by a school shall have an electronic child safety alarm system installed. The full House passed HB1452. This bill requires hospitals to comply with federal hospital pricing regulations and directs […]

House members began the 9th week of the 2023 Regular Session on Monday. The House passed several bills addressing elections including HB1487. This bill creates the Ballot Security Act of 2023. The bill allows for the tracking of ballots and proper delivery and creates a process to preserve spoiled ballots. The House passed HB1510. This […]

In the 8th week of the 2023 Regular Session, the House passed SB294. This bill creates the LEARNS Act and outlines several educational reforms. SB294raises the minimum teacher salary to $50,000 a year and raises current teacher salaries by $2,000. It requires that students be reading at a 3rd-grade level before advancing to the 4th […]

With a vote of 78-21 and one member voting present, the House passed SB294. This bill creates the LEARNS Act and outlines several educational reforms including raising the minimum teacher salary to $50,000 a year. It would also raise current teacher salaries by $2,000. SB294 requires that students be reading at a 3rd-grade level before […]

On Wednesday, the House passed HB1486. This bill amends the law concerning distracted driving. It states if a distracted driver causes an accident that results in serious physical injury or death of another person, the driver upon conviction is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and could face a fine of up to $2,500 and […]

On Tuesday, the House Education Committee began hearing testimony regarding SB294. This bill creates the LEARNS Act. This bill outlines several educational reforms including raising the minimum teacher salary to $50,000 a year and raising current teacher salaries by $2,000. SB294 requires that students be reading at a 3rd-grade level before advancing to the 4th […]

House members began the 8th week of the 2023 Regular Session on Monday. The House passed HB1458. This bill creates the Vincent Parks Law. Vince Parks was a Jonesboro police officer who died last summer during law enforcement training. HB1458 would require instructors to complete training on the recognition and management of certain health conditions […]

The House Education Committee has scheduled a Special Order of Business for Tuesday, February 28 at 9 a.m. to hear SB294, to Create the Learns Act. To provide for more space for the public, this committee meeting will be held in room A of the MAC Building. The MAC building is located directly behind the […]

In the 7th week of the 2023 Regular Session, House members voted on a number of bills impacting employment, education, and elections. This week, the House passed HB1430. This bill reduces the maximum potential unemployment compensation benefits from 4 months to 3 months. This bill also reduces unemployment insurance tax rates for employers. The House […]