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When we pass legislation to grow our economy, it does not stop at tax incentives and workforce training.In Arkansas, we know our economy can also grow by bringing in people from out of state to appreciate our natural resources, our talents, and our history.The hospitality industry is the second largest industry in the state. It […]

On Tuesday, the House passed HB1876, the bill to amend the Revenue Stabilization Law. The bill outlines the $5.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2020. It includes a 2.2% increase in spending from the current fiscal year. The increases include additional funding for education, Medicaid, correctional officers, parole officers, and state troopers. The House also […]

The Joint Budget Committee advanced HB1876, the bill to amend the Revenue Stabilization Law. The bill outlines the $5.7 billion budget for the Fiscal Year 2020. It includes a 2.2% increase in spending from the current fiscal year. The increases are for education, Medicaid, more correctional officers, and more state troopers. We have posted the […]

The state budget is guided by the Revenue Stabilization Act (RSA) which is typically one of the last items passed every session.   Members will be reviewing RSA in the Joint Budget Committee Monday morning.  We have posted details of the proposed budget on our website. We expect to vote on the budget next week […]

In a vote of 68-20 with 2 members voting present, the House passed HJR1008. This is a proposed constitutional amendment for the November 2020 ballot.   This amendment would change how future constitutional amendments make it on the ballot. For those proposed by the General Assembly, it would increase the vote requirement to a 3/5 […]

The House approved HR1073. This resolution allows for the introduction of a third proposed constitutional amendment. The proposed amendment, which can now be introduced, is HJR1008-An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Amend the Process for the Submission and Approval of Proposed Initiated Acts, Constitutional Amendments, And Referenda. The House passed HB1839. This bill prohibits […]

The House Revenue and Taxation Committee advanced SB576. This bill requires out of state online retailers to collect and remit state sales tax. The bill also reduces corporate income tax from 6.5% to 5.9% over a three year period. The House Education Committee advanced HB1933, an Act to Amend the Anti-Bullying Policy. This bill address bullying […]

In a vote of 51-26, with 9 members voting present, the House passed SJR15. This is a proposed constitutional amendment for the November 2020 ballot addressing term limits for legislators.  This amendment would limit state legislators elected after January 1, 2021 to 12 years of consecutive service. Those legislators would not be eligible for subsequent […]

Legislation passing the House this week addressed everything from robocalls to property taxes.While illegal robocalls are frustrating for most, they are also costly and dangerous for far too many Arkansans.An alarming number of illegal robocalls originate from scammers using automatic telephone dialing systems to send out thousands of phone calls per minute with fictitious or […]

On Thursday, the House passed a measure to increase homestead property tax credit. SB447 increases the credit from $350 to $375. It also diverts $8.2 million from the property tax relief fund to the county voting systems grant fund.  It also directs excess funds to the state’s long-term reserve fund. The House passed HB1773. This […]

The House Insurance and Commerce Committee advanced SB514. This bill makes illegal robocalls originating from scammers using automatic telephone dialing systems a Class D felony and requires that a telecommunications service provider is held accountable for certain activities. The House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee advanced HB1778. This bill allows a judge to increases fines […]

The House Revenue and Taxation Committee advanced SB561. This bill requires The Assessment Coordination Department to establish mandatory guidelines for county assessors to follow in identifying property that is exempt from property tax. It also requires the Director of the Department of Finance and Administration to report to the Legislative Council and the Governor before […]