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More than 360 bills have been signed into law and many more are making their way to the Governor’s desk as we approach what could be the final week of the 2023 Regular Session. On Wednesday, the House passed HB1011. This bill requires the Arkansas Medicaid Program to reimburse for depression screenings for pregnant women. […]

On Tuesday, the House passed SB248. This bill creates the Arkansas Challenge Plus Scholarship Program. The bill states that a student is eligible to receive an Arkansas Challenge Plus Scholarship if the student receives the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship and demonstrates financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The […]

On Monday, the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committeebegan hearing testimony for proposed constitutional amendments. The committee did not take any action on the proposals today but plans to do so when it meets again on Wednesday. The full House passed the following bills on Monday: HB1468.This bill prohibits requiring employees of public schools […]

When House members return from the spring break recess, they will begin the process of reviewing proposed constitutional amendments. Those hearings will take place in the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee. Every member who has filed a proposed constitutional amendment will have the opportunity to present his or her proposal during the committee […]

House members will now be taking an extended recess. When the House reconvenes on March 27, members will be addressing public safety legislation, constitutional amendments, and the budget. In the days leading up to the recess, the House passed a number of bills addressing human trafficking, elections, and employment.  Bills passed this week that amend […]

On Thursday, the House passed HB1496. This bill amends the law concerning abuse of an athletic contest official by making the offense a felony if serious physical injury occurs. The House also passed the following: HB1479-This bill would prohibit the purchase of or acquisition of title to agricultural land by a governmental entity of the […]

On Wednesday, the House passed HB1207. This bill creates the Fast-Track Permits Act. It states that a local government official shall act by approval, denial, or request for revision of an applicant’s request for a permit within 60 days of the request. The House also passed the following: HB1575-This bill requires an individual to make […]

On Tuesday, the House passed SB66. This bill states that a commercial entity shall use a reasonable age verification method before allowing access to a website that contains a substantial portion of material that is harmful to minors. The House also passed the following bills: HB1562-This bill amends the Naloxone Access Act by increasing the […]

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 97 women serve as speaker of the House, president of the Senate, speaker pro tem, Senate president pro tem, majority leader, or minority leader for the 2023 legislative session.  This is the highest number of women serving in leadership to date. Currently, 26 women are serving in […]

On Monday, the House passed several bills regarding elections including the following: HB1457-This bill directs the State Board of Election Commissioners to develop an online training program for poll watchers. HB1457 also identifies who can serve as a poll watcher, requires all poll watchers to wear an identification badge, and outlines the process for poll […]

In the 9th week of the 2023 Regular Session, the House passed several bills addressing education, elections, healthcare, and a bill to increase the property tax credit for Arkansas families. With a vote of 99-0, the House voted in favor of increasing the homestead property tax credit from $375 a year to $425 a year. […]

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 […]