Summary for Wednesday, April 2, 2025

The Arkansas House of Representatives had a busy Wednesday, passing a series of bills that impact everything from employee pay and consumer protections to crime penalties and vehicle modifications. Among the bills passed was SB392, which adjusts the classification and compensation of state employees to ensure their salaries align with labor market rates. HB1820 was […]

Summary for Tuesday, April 1, 2025

On Tuesday, the Arkansas House of Representatives passed several bills addressing a range of issues, from education and healthcare to taxation and public safety. Among the measures approved was HB1594, which aims to create a Farmer Sales Tax Identification Card. This initiative directs the secretary to provide eligible farmers with the card, helping retailers properly […]

Summary for Monday, March 31, 2025

On Monday, the House of Representatives passed several bills addressing a variety of issues. HB1296 ensures that healthcare insurers apply the same cost-sharing requirements for services provided in mobile units as they would in other settings. HB1333 mandates coverage for breastfeeding and lactation consultant services, while HB1290 requires insurers to cover mental health wellness examinations. […]

Summary for Thursday, March 20, 2025

On Thursday, the House approved HB1681, a bill that aims to establish the Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program. The program would create a $50 million matching grant system to improve water and sewer infrastructure. Of this, 80% of the funding will be allocated to “shovel-ready” projects, while the remaining 20% is reserved for […]

Summary for Monday, March 17, 2025

On Monday, the House passed a series of bills covering a range of issues, including election laws, education, and public safety. HB1574 requires paid canvassers for statewide initiative or referendum petitions to be residents of Arkansas. HB1714 clarifies the definition of a paid canvasser. HB1693 directs the State Board of Election Commissioners to establish rules […]

Week 9 of the 2025 Regular Session

In a move to reform Arkansas’ higher education system, the House recently passed HB1512, which lays the groundwork for the creation of the Arkansas ACCESS Act. This bill is designed to address critical issues surrounding access to education, affordability, and student success across the state, with its principles encapsulated in the acronym ACCESS—Acceleration, Common Sense, […]

Summary for Thursday, March 13, 2025

On Thursday, the House passed HB1512, which proposes the creation of the Arkansas ACCESS Act. ACCESS stands for acceleration, common sense, cost, eligibility, scholarships, and standardization. The bill aims to expand accelerated coursework options in Arkansas high schools. It also seeks to promote unbiased higher education environments, reform the productivity funding model, and create more […]

Summary for Wednesday, March 12, 2025

On Wednesday, the House passed HB1682, the Good Neighbor Act. This bill addresses food insecurity by expanding liability protections for food bank donors, including grocers, wholesalers, hotels, motels, restaurants, caterers, farmers, nonprofit distributors, schools, churches, religious organizations, and hospitals. It also protects food banks distributing donated food to communities. The House also passed HB1275 which […]

Summary for Thursday, March 6, 2025

On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed several pieces of legislation. HB1610 was approved, amending the Arkansas Human Life Protection Act and the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection Act to clarify that doctors who act in good faith to save the life of a pregnant woman will not be prosecuted. Another bill, HB1503, was passed, which […]

Summary for Wednesday, March 5, 2025

On Wednesday, the House passed HB1365 which removes racial and gender quotas and membership qualifications for certain boards, committees, councils, and commissions. The House also passed HB1596 which defines a mobile work zone and allows law enforcement to double fines for traffic violations within such zones. The House passed HB1581. This bill adds the offenses […]

Summary for Thursday, February 27, 2025

On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee advanced HB1489, a bill that proposes adding nitrogen gas as an approved method of execution. The House Revenue and Taxation Committee advanced HB1534. This bill would increase the homestead property tax credit from $500 to $600. The House passed HB1523, establishing the Arkansas Purple Alert System for missing adults […]

Summary for Wednesday, February 26, 2025

On Wednesday, the House passed HB1403, which expands the AR HOME Program to allow non-hospital entities to serve as community bridge organizations. HB1454, which allows third-party services to conduct criminal history record checks for employee service providers, also passed the House. The House also passed HB1465, which addresses dirtbike use on private property. The bill […]