News

On Thursday, the House advanced a proposed constitutional amendment. HJR1005 would require statewide ballot initiatives to receive 60% of the vote before becoming law. If approved by the Senate, HJR1005 would be placed on the ballot in November of 2022. The House also passed the following: HB1391-This bill amends the law concerning consumer protection of […]

On Wednesday, the House passed bills outlining several tax credits and exemptions. HB1157 would double the income tax deduction for a teacher’s qualified classroom expense from $250 to $500. HB1513 creates an income tax credit for up to $3,500 for retired law enforcement officers who work cold cases for Arkansas State Police. HB1196 would provide […]

The Governor has now signed 680 bills into law since the beginning of the 2021 Regular Session.On Tuesday, the House several bills including the following:HB1793-This bill requires correctional or detention facilities to establish a policy to offer mammograms and physician consultations to female inmates of a certain age.SB296-This bill states that photographs, video, or other […]

With a vote of 65-26 and 5 members voting present, the House passed SB622 on Monday. This bill states that a person who commits a serious felony involving violence is subject to serve at least 80% of his or her sentence if the state proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the person committed the crime […]

By the end of the 13th week of the 2021 Regular Session, more than 600 bills were signed into law.This week, the House voted in favor of a bill temporarily changing the deadline for filing and paying state income tax. SB593 extends the deadline this year to May 17, aligning the date with the recent […]

On Thursday, the House HB1865 which requires all law enforcement officers in the state to complete annual training related to a law enforcement officer’s duty to intervene if the law enforcement officer observes the use of excessive force by another law enforcement officer. The House also passed the following: HB1811-This bill would require towing companies […]

More than 600 bills have been signed into law so far this session. On Wednesday, the House passed the following: SB593-This bill temporarily changes the current deadline for filing and paying state income tax to May 17. This aligns with the recent extension issued for filing federal income tax. HB1794-This bill creates the Licensed Practical […]

With a vote of 72-25, the House voted to override the Governor’s veto of HB1570 on Tuesday. HB1570 prohibits healthcare professionals from providing gender transition procedures to any individual under 18 years of age. On Tuesday, the House also passed the following: HB1388-This bill states that in an adoption proceeding concerning a minor who is […]

House members passed the following bills Monday afternoon:HB1740-This bill states that grooming a minor for future sex trafficking is a Class B felony. It also states that traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor is a Class B felony.HB1689-This bill will create an Arkansas Legislative Study on Mental and Behavioral […]

Close to 500 bills have been signed into law so far during the 2021 Regular Session.There are still several hundred bills making their way through the legislative process.The House passed several bills this week regarding education and economic development, including the following: Economic DevelopmentHB1788-This bill would allow a municipal improvement district to enter a partnership […]

Close to 500 bills have been signed into law so far this session. As we work to address the remainder of the bills this session, you may notice some changes to committee schedules.You can find the updated schedules at www.arkleg.state.ar.us. On Wednesday, the House passed several bills, including the following: HB1765-This bill states that by […]

By a vote of 64-34 and 1 member voting present, the House passed SB410 on Tuesday. This bill establishes the framework for a new Medicaid expansion program called ARHOME which stands for Arkansas Health & Opportunity for Me.ARHOME would replace the current Arkansas Works program. It would continue to offer low-income families private insurance, with […]