News

The Fiscal Session continued on Wednesday, with the Special Language Subcommittee spending several hours reviewing proposed amendments to appropriation bills. The subcommittee provides recommendations to the Joint Budget Committee on special language, which outlines how funds may be used for the operations of state agencies, boards, commissions, and higher education institutions. The House passed several […]

The House began the third week of the Fiscal Session on Tuesday, continuing work on a series of appropriation bills. Measures approved today include appropriations for the Arkansas State Library, the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission, and Arkansas State University. Speaker Brian S. Evans told members the legislature remains on track to conclude the Fiscal Session […]

The House completed its second week of the 2026 Fiscal Session with a focus on both the state budget and a proposal aimed at providing additional property tax relief for Arkansans. In a 92–0 vote, members approved HR1006, a resolution that would allow for the introduction of a non-appropriation bill to increase the homestead property […]

With a 92–0 vote, the House approved HR1006, a resolution that would allow for the introduction of a non-appropriation bill to increase the homestead property tax credit. If the Senate also approves the resolution by a two-thirds majority, legislation will be filed to raise the credit from $600 to $675. The House also passed several […]

On Wednesday, the House Rules Committee advanced HR1006, a resolution that would allow for the introduction of a non-appropriation bill to increase the homestead property tax credit from $600 to $675. During a Fiscal Session, resolutions to consider non-budget legislation must receive a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers before a bill can be filed. […]

The House kicked off week two of the 2026 Fiscal Session on Tuesday. In the Joint Budget Committee, members approved an appropriation of $1 million for contraband interdiction and corrections intelligence technology. The technology is designed to detect and prevent illegal wireless device activity in Department of Corrections facilities. The committee also approved an amendment […]

The 2026 Fiscal Session began Wednesday afternoon with an address from Governor Sanders outlining her budget priorities for the year ahead. The Governor emphasized fully funding the LEARNS Act, along with targeted investments such as the state employee pay plan and the 10:33 Initiative, which is designed to help individuals move from crisis to stable […]

We have now completed our second day of the legislative session, marking the close of our first week. Despite the relatively light agenda, this week has proven to be both productive and successful as we begin this fiscal session. Today, the House passed HB1002, the General Appropriation Act.  By law, this legislation must be the […]

The 2026 Fiscal Session began Wednesday afternoon with an address from Governor Sanders outlining her budget priorities for the year ahead. The Governor emphasized fully funding the LEARNS Act, along with targeted investments such as the state employee pay plan and the 10:33 Initiative, which is designed to help individuals move from crisis to stable […]

As we prepare for the upcoming Fiscal Session, activity is already underway at the Capitol. This week, more than 70 budget bills were filed in the House, marking an important first step in the state’s formal budgeting process. Each bill is filed through the Clerk’s Office, where it is assigned a number and scanned so […]

The Arkansas House of Representatives is mourning the sudden loss of our colleague and friend, Representative Stan Berry, a man whose life was defined not by titles, but by service, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Arkansas. Representative Berry was serving his seventh term in the House, representing District 44, which includes […]

I was heartbroken to learn of the passing of Rep. Stan Berry. To me, he wasn’t just a colleague—he was a true friend and someone I genuinely enjoyed being around. Stan loved Arkansas, and he loved the people of District 44. You could see that in the way he served and the way he treated […]