News

The House State Agencies committee advanced HJR1018. This is a proposed constitutional amendment which would permanently extend a ½ cent sales tax for the purpose of funding state highways.  The current ½ sales tax funding highways are set to expire in 2023.  If this resolution passes both chambers, it would be on the ballot for […]

Little Rock, Arkansas (February 27, 2019) – Arkansas House Speaker Matthew Shepherd has named Tommy May of Pine Bluff to serve on the Arkansas Independent Citizens Commission.  Mr. May will serve a four-year term replacing Stephen Tipton whose term expired on December 31, 2018. Mr. May is Chairman of the Simmons First Foundation.  He is […]

The House Revenue and Taxation Committee advanced legislation outlining $95 million in additional funding for highways.SB336 creates funding in three ways.First, the legislation diverts all revenue from casino gaming that exceeds $31.2 million to the State Highway and Transportation Department Fund. Second, it includes a wholesale tax on fuel raising gas prices by 3 cents […]

With a vote of 78-13 and 2 members voting present, the House passed HB1489. This legislation addresses petitions for constitutional amendments. It removes the attorney general’s office from the process of developing ballot titles.  It also make violating rules on signature collection a Class D felony.   The House passed HB1439.  This bill prohibits abortions […]

Close to 200 bills have been signed into law as we close the 6th week of the 2019 Regular Session. One of the bills signed by the Governor this week was SB152, An Act Restoring Arkansas Families.  It is now Act 189. This legislation reforms the juvenile justice system by requiring judges to use a […]

On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee advanced several pieces of legislation including HB1437.  This bill requires mandated reporters to notify law enforcement if he or she has a good faith belief that there is a threat to the safety of students or school employees.  This legislation would make the failure to notify a Class A […]

The House State Agencies Committee advanced legislation addressing petitions for constitutional amendments. HB1489 would remove the attorney general’s office from the process of developing ballot titles. It would also make violating rules on signature collection a Class D felony. The State Agencies Committee also advanced HB1492 which allows high school students to volunteer as poll […]

On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee advanced several pieces of legislation including HB1126 which requires a defendant to physically remain in the courtroom during any victim impact statement.  Exceptions are made if the court determines that the defendant is disruptive or presents a safety threat. The committee also advanced HB1114.  This bill addresses child custody […]

We are now entering the 6th week of the session. On Monday, the House passed HB1403. This bill allows for an additional sentence of 1 to 10 years in prison if certain offenses are committed in the presence of a child.  The offenses include murder, aggravated robbery, felony assault or battery, and rape. The House […]

The State of Arkansas will observe George Washington’s Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day as an official state holiday on Monday, February 18, 2019.   Due to the Legislature being in session, all State Offices, Boards, and Commissions in Pulaski County must remain open with at least a partial staff. To download a PDF of […]

More than 140 bills have been signed into law during this session. There are hundreds of bills still to be heard in committee and we expect many more to be filed in the weeks ahead.As we head into our 6th week of the session, we’d like to update you on the legislature’s progress. On Thursday, […]