News

During the 2019 Regular Session, the General Assembly passed several pieces of legislation concerning our elections.One of those pieces of legislation will change the date of our primaries.Arkansas will join 13 other states holding a March 3, 2020 primary. Only 4 other states will hold their caucus or primary before March 3.Act 545 provides for […]

The State of Arkansas will observe Labor Day as an official state holiday on Monday, September 2, 2019.   State Capitol Offices and all State Buildings will be closed. The State Capitol Building will, however, be open to visitors that day from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. To download a PDF of the official bulletin […]

Arkansas recently set a new record low for unemployment. The unemployment rate for July was 3.4 %, breaking the previous record of 3.5% last month. There are 19,200 more jobs in our state than this time last year. But the story of our work force does not end there.  As we approach Labor Day, it’s […]

During any given day in the school year, there are 350,000 children riding a bus on Arkansas roadways.This week, legislators joined the Governor, Education Secretary Johnny Key, and state police in reminding drivers that Flashing Red means Kids Ahead.It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus whenever its red lights are flashing, as students […]

In Arkansas, there are on average 71 billion gallons of water flowing in rivers, 4.8 trillion gallons in lakes and 200 trillion gallons in the ground.Our state is abundant with water resources and much of our economy depends on it. It is estimated Arkansans use 157 gallons of water every day.August is National Water Quality […]

In 2018, there were 161 Amber Alerts issued nationwide.  5 of those originated here in Arkansas. Those first minutes and hours after a child has been reported missing are crucial for law enforcement.  That is why this General Assembly took an extraordinary and first of its kind step to help ensure law enforcement has all […]

Most students in Arkansas public schools head back to the classroom the second week of August. From recess to reading, there are several pieces of legislation passed in the most recent session which will impact the upcoming school year.Below are some, but not all, of the acts taking effect this year.Act 641 ensures that elementary […]

Arkansas is approaching the centennial of a historic vote in the House chamber.  On July 28, 1919, then Governor Charles Brough called a special session for the purpose of ratifying the Nineteenth Amendment.The House Journal records a letter Brough sent to our chamber 100 years ago.In it he states, “Eleven states have already ratified and, […]

The number of Arkansas children in foster care has fallen by more than 700 since reaching an all-time high in 2016.  That information was part of an annual report presented a legislative committee this week. On Tuesday, the Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) presented its annual Family Preservation Report […]

Arkansas had one of the most productive, if not most productive, legislative sessions in the country with regard to addressing occupational regulations. Occupational regulations are licensures, certifications, or registrations required for workers in certain occupations. A few examples of licensed occupations include real estate agents, cosmetologists, and veterinarians.The success during the legislative session is partly […]