News

When a crime is committed, every minute matters. Families deserve answers, victims deserve justice, and law enforcement officers need timely, reliable evidence to identify those responsible. That is why the work of the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is so important—and why the General Assembly has made significant investments to strengthen its capabilities. Members of the […]

Arkansas is proudly known as The Natural State, but it is also a deeply rural state. From agriculture and forestry to small businesses and local infrastructure, many of the issues that shape Arkansas begin in rural communities. That is why legislators from across the state gathered this week in Jonesboro for the Arkansas Rural Development […]

The Arkansas House and Senate Insurance and Commerce Committees recently met to examine a growing threat impacting families across our state: financial fraud. The data presented to lawmakers was sobering. Seventy-three percent of adults have experienced an online scam or cyberattack. In 2024 alone, 4,238 fraud incidents were reported in Arkansas, totaling $51.8 million in […]

The Senate Committee on Children and Youth and the House Committee on Aging, Children & Youth, and Legislative Affairs convened on Wednesday to examine issues affecting Arkansas children and families, with much of the discussion focused on how Act 189 of 2019 is reshaping the state’s juvenile justice system. For years, Arkansas experienced high levels […]

Members of the Game and Fish/State Police Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council met this week to receive updates spanning wildlife management, public safety, and law enforcement coordination, offering a wide-ranging look at issues affecting Arkansas outdoors and communities. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Director Doug Schoenrock briefed legislators on an unusually dry waterfowl season. […]

The House and Senate Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development Committees met jointly this week at the Hot Springs Convention Center during the Arkansas Farm Bureau’s annual state convention. Lawmakers received updates on issues shaping the future of agriculture and rural communities across the state. Arkansas State University briefed members on the progress of its College […]

As the holiday season approaches, many of us are beginning to think about our shopping lists and where we’ll spend our hard-earned money. There’s no better time to support the small businesses that help make Arkansas such a vibrant place to live. This year, Arkansas was ranked the 3rd best state in the nation to […]

As the federal government shutdown continues, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is working to manage its far-reaching effects on programs that support families across the state. During a joint meeting of the House and Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committees, DHS officials provided updates on how the agency is adapting to reduced […]

The Arkansas Legislative Council this week adopted a resolution urging federal leaders to take swift action to support Arkansas farmers amid mounting economic challenges. The resolution recognizes agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy and a vital part of America’s food security, noting that many producers are struggling with high interest rates, unpredictable weather, […]

This week at the Capitol, legislative committees continued their interim work, focusing on public health, judicial reform, and corrections oversight. On Monday, the House and Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committees convened to review interim study proposals aimed at improving the health and safety of Arkansans. The committees adopted a proposal to explore requiring […]

This week, the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, and Legislative Affairs met jointly with the Senate Children and Youth Committee to review important reports focused on child safety and well-being in Arkansas. These committees are charged with addressing issues related to children, youth, adoption, custody, and the challenges facing our aging population. Regular […]

On Thursday, the Arkansas House of Representatives passed several bills addressing a range of issues. HB1786 expands eligibility for tuition benefits, allowing soldiers and airmen of the Arkansas National Guard to receive benefits at private colleges and universities. HB1847 authorizes the Arkansas Racing Commission to maintain a statewide self-exclusion list for individuals who voluntarily wish […]