News

More than 70 bills have now been signed into law as we begin the 5th week of the 2021 Regular Session. Another bill now making its way to the Governor’s desk is SB99. This bill, which regulates “step therapy” protocols, passed the House by a vote of 96-0.Health benefit plans are increasingly making use of […]

The House has adjourned from the 4th week of the Regular Session.The following bills were passed by the House Thursday afternoon:HB1315. This bill creates a state meat inspection program. The bill states that a lack of a state meat inspection program causes a significant loss of revenue generated from meat processing for this state and […]

On Wednesday, the House passed several pieces of legislation, including the following: ·      HB1212-This bill gives the Director of the Division of Workforce Services the discretion to modify employer contributions for certain unemployment insurance claims during an emergency. ·      HB1068-This bill would allow for the use of telemedicine for group therapy […]

On Tuesday, the House passed HB1022. This bill states drivers must have their vehicle’s headlights on from sunset to sunrise. The current law states lights must be on from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise. The House also passed HB1112. This bill eliminates the option for individuals to complete a sworn statement […]

The House began the 4th week of the 2021 Regular Session on Monday.This morning, the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced HB1112. This bill eliminates the option for voters to complete a sworn statement in order to cast a provisional ballot if they did not have the required photo identification.With a vote of […]

Several bills are now making their way to the Governor’s desk including one that intends to expand broadband services across the state.SB74 had unanimous support in both the House and the Senate.This bill allows cities, counties, and improvement districts to partner with established providers to expand broadband services for those who currently do not have […]

With a vote of 94-0, the House passed legislation to expand broadband access in Arkansas.SB74 allows cities, counties, and improvement districts to partner with established providers to expand broadband services for those who currently do not have service or those who are underserved. The House passed HB1113, which amends the Commission of State Lands Urban […]

The House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced HB1211 which states the Governor shall not prohibit or limit a religious organization from continuing to operate religious services during a declared emergency. The bill does not prevent the Governor from requiring religious organizations to comply with neutral health, safety, or occupancy requirements that are applicable […]

On Tuesday, the House Education Committee advanced HB1151 which suspends the public school rating system for the 2020-2021 school year due to the continuing disruption to education caused by the ongoing pandemic. The committee also advanced HB1009 which allows a public school or an open-enrollment public charter school to distribute excess food to students for […]

The third week of the 2021 Regular Session is now underway. This morning, the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced HB1202. This requires counties to post sample ballots on the Secretary of State website at least 20 days before each preferential primary and general election and at least 10 days before each general […]

In the second week of the 2021 Regular Session, the House voted on bills addressing everything from car tags to jury duty pay. The bills now advancing to the Senate include:HB1028-This bill changes the length of time a consumer has to tag their vehicle. Current law gives car buyers 30 days to pay the sales […]

The House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced HB1056. This bill amends the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act allowing public meetings to be held via phone or video conference during a declared emergency.The House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee advanced HB1009 which authorizes the Veterinary Medical Examining Board to promulgate rules for use […]